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Full-Text Articles in Education

Growth Model Evaluations: Possibilities And Pitfalls, John A. Dively Jr Nov 2012

Growth Model Evaluations: Possibilities And Pitfalls, John A. Dively Jr

Faculty Research and Creative Activity

In response to Race to the Top mandates, student academic growth models are being incorporated into teacher evaluation processes across the country. Illinois’ version of the reform is the Performance Evaluation Reform Act. This paper briefly summarizes the new law and its impact to date. Further, the paper provides reflection upon the current research related to VAMs, and the possible legal consequences of relying on student growth models as a significant component of teacher personnel decisions.


Growth Model Evaluations: Possibilities And Pitfalls, John Dively Nov 2012

Growth Model Evaluations: Possibilities And Pitfalls, John Dively

Faculty Research and Creative Activity

In response to Race to the Top mandates, student academic growth models are being incorporated into teacher evaluation processes across the country. Illinois’ version of the reform is the Performance Evaluation Reform Act. This paper briefly summarizes the new law and its impact to date. Further, the paper provides reflection upon the current research related to VAMs, and the possible legal consequences of relying on student growth models as a significant component of teacher personnel decisions.


Examining Spiraled Elementary Curricula On Columbus: A Case Study, Maegan Wilton, John H. Bickford Iii Oct 2012

Examining Spiraled Elementary Curricula On Columbus: A Case Study, Maegan Wilton, John H. Bickford Iii

Faculty Research and Creative Activity

Educators’ content background and use of accurate, age-appropriate teaching materials generates quality teaching. Content in every grade level should supplement content from previous grades in a spiraled format. State test results on students’ math and reading indicate, but do not prove, the presence of these two presumptions. Because history is not tested, the authors examined the basis of these two presumptions for history in two school districts that require every elementary educator to teach about Christopher Columbus. Findings reveal significant interconnections between these two presumptions and have consequential implications as states consider standardized testing in other curricular areas, such as …


Original Political Cartoon Methodology And Adaptations, John H. Bickford Iii Jul 2012

Original Political Cartoon Methodology And Adaptations, John H. Bickford Iii

Faculty Research and Creative Activity

This paper is grounded on the premise that effective educators base lessons on rich and intriguing content which is relevant to students’ lives, implement the content using engaging and age-appropriate methodology, and measure students’ learning through authentic assessments. In order to support practicing teachers’ effective implementation of best practice methodology and assessment, educational researchers investigate the interconnections between content, methodology, and assessment. As technology facilitates teaching methodologies and learning assessments, meaningful activities such as students’ original political cartooning should be examined, detailed, and adapted. In this article, the methodological suggestions for, and adaptations of, students’ original political cartoons guide educators …


Identifying Cyberbullying, Connecting With Students: The Promising Possibilities Of Teacher-Student Social Networking, Mark Schmitz, Molly Sigler Hoffman, John H. Bickford Jan 2012

Identifying Cyberbullying, Connecting With Students: The Promising Possibilities Of Teacher-Student Social Networking, Mark Schmitz, Molly Sigler Hoffman, John H. Bickford

Faculty Research and Creative Activity

Cyberbullying, an emergent problem that most students face but few report, negatively affects students’ academic and personal development, disrupts the school environment, and usually peaks around middle school. The Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE) suggests that successful middle schools should, among other things, ensure every student has an adult advocate to guide academic and personal development in an inviting, safe, inclusive, and supportive school environment. The Olweus Anti-Bullying Program denotes educators’ proactive intervention must first follow recognition of students’ misbehaviors and both identification and supervision of problematic school contexts. Without such recognition, identification, and supervision, educators’ proactive interventions are …


Does Code Switching Work For Young Children? A Case Study Of English Language Learners, Shamah Md-Yunus, Geena Anselmo, Mohogany Williams Jan 2012

Does Code Switching Work For Young Children? A Case Study Of English Language Learners, Shamah Md-Yunus, Geena Anselmo, Mohogany Williams

Faculty Research and Creative Activity

The study examines if a code switching technique demonstrated by the teacher helps English language learners acquire a second language. Nineteen preschoolers from families speaking Spanish as their primary language participated in the study for seven weeks. Structured classroom observations, pre-and post-test checklists, anecdotal notes, and the Speaking Component Scale were used to measure children’s scores in speaking, listening and writing in English. Data from the Speaking Component Scale showed an increase in grammar and expressive language scores after learning about the code switching technique. However, the children scored low in the reading component of identifying concepts about print and …


Does Code Switching Work For Young Children? A Case Study Of English Language Learners, Shamah Md-Yunus, Geena Anselmo, Mohogany Williams Jan 2012

Does Code Switching Work For Young Children? A Case Study Of English Language Learners, Shamah Md-Yunus, Geena Anselmo, Mohogany Williams

Faculty Research and Creative Activity

The study examines if a code switching technique demonstrated by the teacher helps English language learners acquire a second language. Nineteen preschoolers from families speaking Spanish as their primary language participated in the study for seven weeks. Structured classroom observations, pre-and post-test checklists, anecdotal notes, and the Speaking Component Scale were used to measure children’s scores in speaking, listening and writing in English. Data from the Speaking Component Scale showed an increase in grammar and expressive language scores after learning about the code switching technique. However, the children scored low in the reading component of identifying concepts about print and …


Identifying Cyberbullying, Connecting With Students: The Promising Possibilities Of Teacher-Student Social Networking, Mark Schmitz, Molly Hoffman, John Bickford Jan 2012

Identifying Cyberbullying, Connecting With Students: The Promising Possibilities Of Teacher-Student Social Networking, Mark Schmitz, Molly Hoffman, John Bickford

Faculty Research and Creative Activity

Cyberbullying, an emergent problem that most students face but few report, negatively affects students’ academic and personal development, disrupts the school environment, and usually peaks around middle school. The Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE) suggests that successful middle schools should, among other things, ensure every student has an adult advocate to guide academic and personal development in an inviting, safe, inclusive, and supportive school environment. The Olweus Anti-Bullying Program denotes educators’ proactive intervention must first follow recognition of students’ misbehaviors and both identification and supervision of problematic school contexts. Without such recognition, identification, and supervision, educators’ proactive interventions are …


Examining Spiraled Elementary Curricula On Columbus: A Case Study, Maegan Wilton, John Bickford Jan 2012

Examining Spiraled Elementary Curricula On Columbus: A Case Study, Maegan Wilton, John Bickford

Faculty Research and Creative Activity

Educators’ content background and use of accurate, age-appropriate teaching materials generates quality teaching. Content in every grade level should supplement content from previous grades in a spiraled format. State test results on students’ math and reading indicate, but do not prove, the presence of these two presumptions. Because history is not tested, the authors examined the basis of these two presumptions for history in two school districts that require every elementary educator to teach about Christopher Columbus. Findings reveal significant interconnections between these two presumptions and have consequential implications as states consider standardized testing in other curricular areas, such as …


Original Political Cartoon Methodology And Adaptations, John Bickford Jan 2012

Original Political Cartoon Methodology And Adaptations, John Bickford

Faculty Research and Creative Activity

This paper is grounded on the premise that effective educators base lessons on rich and intriguing content which is relevant to students’ lives, implement the content using engaging and age-appropriate methodology, and measure students’ learning through authentic assessments. In order to support practicing teachers’ effective implementation of best practice methodology and assessment, educational researchers investigate the interconnections between content, methodology, and assessment. As technology facilitates teaching methodologies and learning assessments, meaningful activities such as students’ original political cartooning should be examined, detailed, and adapted. In this article, the methodological suggestions for, and adaptations of, students’ original political cartoons guide educators …