Education Commons^™

How Do The Perceptions Of Early Childhood Teachers Towards Their Early Childhood English Language Learners (Ells) Govern Their Pedagogical Practices With The Early Childhood Ells In Their Classrooms?, Kerry Rizzuto

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this parallel mixed-methodology study was to examine, through a critical lens, how the perceptions of early childhood teachers towards their early childhood English Language learners (ELLs) govern their pedagogical practices. The study was conducted in ten (N = 10) early childhood classrooms, ranging from grades pre-K to third grades, in one suburban school with a culturally and linguistically diverse student population. Quantitative data was gathered through the administration of Pohan and Aguilar's (2001) Professional beliefs about diversity 5-point Likert scale. Additionally, qualitative data was collected through interviews, classroom observations, and material artifacts. The same sample of participants …

The Ethos Of Excellence In An Effective School: A Study Of An Exemplary Urban School, Karen Danita Gyenfie

Theses and Dissertations

THE ETHOS OF EXCELLENCE IN AN EFFECTIVESCHOOL:

A STUDY OF AN EXEMPLARY URBAN SCHOOL

This research project was organized in three phases. Phase I began with the selection of the high performing urban school site to be studied. Phase II of the study centered on the researcher's study of the school's policies, curriculum, instructional practices, personnel, and related artifacts. The researcher processed, analyzed, and coded all data in accordance to qualitaive standards in order to identify those indigenous practices that impact the success of the school.

The findings of the study including the following:

1. School improvement is a multifaceted …

An Analysis Of The Underrepresentation Of Black Students In The Advanced Placement Program: Implications For Postsecondary Access, Faye Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

Using a qualitative approach, this study explored the factors that contribute to the underrepresentation of Black students in the AP program. The sample was comprised of 12 Black students who attended a suburban public high school in New Jersey. Seven of the participants were enrolled in AP classes and five were enrolled in Honors classes. Themes unique to the AP group were: discomfort and isolation in AP courses and teacher expectations. The theme that emerged from the non AP student interviews was comfort in Honors. Themes common to both groups were: lack of AP information, the impact of guidance counselors, …

Parental Involvement: A Study Of Parents' And Teachers' Experiences And Perceptions In An Urban Charter Elementary School, Jacqueline Flemmings

Theses and Dissertations

Parental involvement in children's education remains low, despite evidence that families have a huge influence on children's achievement. Major researchers in the field (Allen, 2009; Comer, 1988; Epstein, 1985; Lawrence-Lightfoot, 2003; Mapp, 1997) have identified many factors that may create barriers to family involvement. These factors include cultural, racial, and economic differences between the staff and families, parents' apprehension when confronting experts, work schedules, inadequate childcare, lack of transportation, and lastly, lack of effective communication. Fullan (1993) claims teacher education is not only the problem but also the solution. Through interviews and conversations this study examines the experiences and perceptions …

Examining Middle School Students' Statistical Thinking While Working In A Technological Environment, Melissa Arnold Scranton

Theses and Dissertations

Examining Middle School Students' Statistical Thinking

While Working in a Technological Environment

Melissa Arnold Scranton

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of how students think in a technological environment. This was accomplished by exploring the differences in the thinking of students while they worked in a technological environment and comparing this to their work in a paper and pencil environment. The software program TinkerPlots: Dynamic Data Exploration (Konold & Miller, 2005), a construction tool that middle school students use for data analysis was the technological environment. In both environments, types of critical, creative, and statistical …

The Capacity To Lead: Building A Collaborative Organization Through A Shared Vision And Improved Staff Capacity In An Inclusive New Jersey Preschool, Kathleen Mccabe-Odri

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of my dissertation study was to examine my own leadership in the context of the community inclusive preschool that I own and operate along with my business partner. The focus was to build a collaborative organization through a shared vision and improved staff skill capacity. In order to implement the change process, I chose the specific learning environment of our instructional student centers (i.e., "zones") as the setting to conduct my action research project. The study describes both my personal leadership theory as well as an analysis of my leadership actions (i.e., theory in use) in order to …

Academic Resilience: Narratives Of High-Achieving Black Female Middle School Adolescents, Courtne Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the academic experiences of four grade 6, high-achieving Black females in an urban middle school. Using the interpretive lenses of Feminism, Critical Race Theory, Critical Race Feminism, Intersectionality and Identity Formation, roles and identities were explored with word choice and language analysis. Habits and factors contributing to the participants' success revealed their beliefs about academic achievement. Through the use of narrative inquiry, data were collected from semi-structured in-depth individual interviews, observations and researcher field notes, personal autobiographical narratives, archival document reviews and artifacts. Findings of this study revealed that participants exhibited …

Inclusion Of African American Vernacular English In The Classroom, Chris Roye-Gill

Theses and Dissertations

A plethora of research exists citing the poor academic performance of African American children in this country (D'Angiulli, Siegel, & Maggi, 2004; Labov, 1971, 1995; Miranda, Webb, Brigman, & Peluso, 2007). A large amount of the research is specific to reading deficits identified with African American students. Students who are successful readers are also successful in the other content areas. Lytel and Botel (1990) along with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE, 2009) contend that literacy encompasses reading, writing, speaking, and understanding. They go further to say that if one is to acquire these skills, learning has to be relevant. …

Career And Technical Education Faculty Retention: A Leadership Study, Jennifer Bates

Theses and Dissertations

Attracting and retaining qualified teachers is a necessary component for successful schools. Literature on faculty retention abounds (Ingersoll, 2001; Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement, 2007; National Association of State Directors of Career and Technical Education Consortium, (NASDCTEc), 2010.), but literature specific to retention in career and technical education is limited. One New Jersey career and technical high school experienced high faculty mobility rates which was reason for concern. This qualitative action research study sought to identify environmental factors that contributed to the mobility rates. This study also focused on the leadership of the school principal and the components …