Stakeholders' Perceptions Of Charter Schools In A Large School District In Georgia,
2018
Walden University
Stakeholders' Perceptions Of Charter Schools In A Large School District In Georgia, Tawanda Hardaway
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Recent charter school enrollment trends suggest that many parents are choosing to enroll students in charter schools instead of traditional public schools, even though data indicate public school achievement is equal to or above charter schools. Guided by Rogers and Maslow's humanistic theory, the purpose of the study was to examine reasons why parents exercised their right to educational choice and chose charter schools instead of traditional public schools for their children. The study focused on two charter schools, the Learning Academy and the School of Excellence (both pseudonyms), which are located in a large urban and suburban school district …
Administrator And Staff Perceptions Of A Secondary School Antibullying Program,
2018
Walden University
Administrator And Staff Perceptions Of A Secondary School Antibullying Program, Suasn Kazmierczak
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Despite the increase in bullying behavior that has occurred among high school students, there is a lack of age appropriate intervention programs available to assist secondary administrators and staff with this problem. The purpose of this case study in 1 high school in a suburb of a major Mid-Atlantic city in the United States was to determine the perceptions held by secondary administrators and staff of an adapted antibullying program, originally created for use in elementary schools, in reducing the incidences of bullying behavior and feelings of strain. This study was also designed to explore how administrators and staff perceived …
Examining The Intersection Of Teachers' Expectations, African American Males, And Equitable Strategies,
2018
Walden University
Examining The Intersection Of Teachers' Expectations, African American Males, And Equitable Strategies, Adell Cothorne
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Elementary African American males achieve proficiency at a lower rate than their peers in both reading and math. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand how elementary school teachers described their use of equitable strategies in teaching elementary African American male students, how these teachers described the experience of teaching African American male students, and how they used equitable strategies to shape the classroom environment to engage African American male students. Two theories provided the conceptual framework for this study-human development theory and critical race theory in education. Seven participants were selected through convenience sampling. Semistructured interviews …
Perceptions And Experiences Of Students Who Withdrew From College Prior To Degree Attainment,
2018
Walden University
Perceptions And Experiences Of Students Who Withdrew From College Prior To Degree Attainment, Enedine B. Andre
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Nationally an estimated 41% of traditional students who begin seeking an undergraduate degree do not persist through degree attainment. Guided by Tinto's theory of student departure and the theory of social integration, the purpose of this study was to identify the reasons students withdrew from college prior to degree completion. A qualitative case-study design was implemented, and 13 former college enrollees were purposefully selected for individual semistructured interviews. The students graduated from one high school in the Southeastern United States. Data analysis was conducted using open coding procedures with iterative recategorization to identify key themes. Findings indicated that inadequate preparation, …
Social And Emotional Learning Needs Of Gifted Students,
2018
Walden University
Social And Emotional Learning Needs Of Gifted Students, Derek.Phelan Allen Phelan
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Compared to their peers, gifted and talented (GT) students have unique social and emotional needs. As schools mandated social and emotional learning goals for each GT student, support at the state level was limited. The purpose of the study was to answer the guiding question of how students could benefit from implementing key elements in a GT social and emotional curriculum. The study was guided by Corso's approach to promoting and developing positive social-emotional behavior. Data were collected from questionnaires administered to 32 statewide GT experts. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 of those GT experts. Thematic data analysis followed …
Effect Of Differentiated Instruction On Reading Comprehension Of Third Graders,
2018
Walden University
Effect Of Differentiated Instruction On Reading Comprehension Of Third Graders, Deborah Davidsen
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The performance measures from the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study revealed no measurable growth in the U.S. average reading scores of 4th graders for the period between 2011 and 2016. Therefore, the diverse learning needs of students need to be customized if the education system is to accomplish its goal to graduate well-informed individuals capable of sustaining a lifestyle conducive to a democratic society. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of differentiated instruction on 3rd graders' reading comprehension. The theoretical foundation for this teaching approach was Vygotsky's zone of proximal development. The research question focused …
Instructional Quality And Middle School Student Engagement, Achievement, Attendance, And Gender,
2018
Walden University
Instructional Quality And Middle School Student Engagement, Achievement, Attendance, And Gender, Pauline Monsegue-Bailey
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Gaps in middle school students' outcomes such as engagement, achievement, and attendance have been linked to instruction. In addition, the effect of instructional quality might not be the same for male and female students. The purpose of this quantitative study was to measure the relationship between instructional quality, student engagement, achievement, and attendance, with gender as a moderator in middle school. The ecological systems model and Vygotsky's social development theory formed the theoretical framework for this study, as they help understand how the environment, including instructional support, is likely to correlate with student behavior and motivation toward learning. The CLASS …
A Qualitative Case Study Of Mathematics Teachers' Formative Assessment Feedback,
2018
Walden University
A Qualitative Case Study Of Mathematics Teachers' Formative Assessment Feedback, Ryan Rathje
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Formative assessment is supported by research as a process to enhance student learning. A vital aspect in the process is the role of feedback which, based on its use, can support or hinder student learning. The problem addressed in this study was based on the concern of a high school administrator that teachers in the school were not using formative feedback in a manner that supported student learning. The purpose of this instrumental qualitative case study was to explore and understand the assessment and feedback practices of mathematics teachers in a private high school setting. The conceptual framework for this …
Elementary Music Teachers' Perceptions Of The Effect Of Budget Reductions On Music Education,
2018
Walden University
Elementary Music Teachers' Perceptions Of The Effect Of Budget Reductions On Music Education, Jimmy Michel
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Since 2007, many U.S. music education programs have been negatively affected by budget reductions at the local, state, and national levels. Although researchers have studied the effect of budget reductions on music education, they have not widely examined the perspectives of teachers who have experienced these reductions. The purpose of this study was to explore elementary music teachers' personal and professional experiences with budget reductions, and the perceptions of how their programs, students, schools, and communities have been affected by the budget reductions. The philosophies of Kodaly and Richards served as a conceptual framework for this qualitative case study. The …
Language Of Instruction And Puerto Rican First Graders' Ethnic Categorizations,
2018
Walden University
Language Of Instruction And Puerto Rican First Graders' Ethnic Categorizations, Margarita Marichal
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The use of subtractive bilingual models in Puerto Rico may influence children's construction of social categorizations. There is a gap in the literature related to linguistics, ethnicity, and systems of education and acculturation of a majority group. The purpose of this multiple case study was to examine the influence of the language of instruction and teachers' communicative practices in private and public schools on first graders' ethnic identity construction in the municipality of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The conceptual framework of the study was based on Markus's unified theory of race and ethnicity, Berry's bidimensional model of acculturation, Tajfel and …
Perceptions Of Principal Leadership Skills In High-Achieving Elementary Schools,
2018
Walden University
Perceptions Of Principal Leadership Skills In High-Achieving Elementary Schools, Sonya Lasyon Jackson
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The problem addressed in this study was the inability of certain schools in a rural school district in Florida to achieve adequate yearly progress (AYP) in comparison to a neighboring school district where students consistently made AYP. Research has shown a positive relationship between student achievement and principal leadership skills. The purpose of this study was to identify patterns in elementary teachers' perceptions of their principals' leadership skills related to student achievement and elementary principals' perceptions of their own leadership practices and compare those perceptions. The conceptual framework for this qualitative case study design was instructional leadership. Twelve teachers of …
Campus Behavior Coordinators' Perspectives Of Student Discipline Among Females In Middle School,
2018
Walden University
Campus Behavior Coordinators' Perspectives Of Student Discipline Among Females In Middle School, Tamara Jordan
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Student discipline issues can impact student achievement and disrupt the learning process in the school setting. Behavioral issues among female students have become prevalent in public schools, and disciplinary rates of African American female students are disproportionately high. School administrators have the responsibility to manage student discipline on their school campuses while ensuring a positive and safe learning environment for all students. Previous researchers have focused on student discipline of male students; there have been limited studies on the perspectives of school administrators on disciplinary practices for female students. The purpose of this study was to gain the perspectives of …
Special Educators' Perceptions On Effective Preparation And Practice For Student Success,
2018
Walden University
Special Educators' Perceptions On Effective Preparation And Practice For Student Success, Anne Brackney Liese
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Alternative school settings are success prospects for students at risk of school failure. However, research on the daily experiences of the special educators in alternate school settings tasked with educating the at-risk population, is limited. The purpose of this phenomenological study was (a) to recognize the perceptions of special educators concerning their preparation to advance the success of SEN students who are at risk of school failure; (b) to determine how to improve special educator preparation programs in alternative school settings. Deci and Ryan's self-determination theory, focused on student success provided the study's framework. Twelve semistructured interviews were conducted to …
Elementary Teachers' Perspectives Of The Support Facilitation Instructional Model,
2018
Walden University
Elementary Teachers' Perspectives Of The Support Facilitation Instructional Model, Deborah Afolabi
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The problem in an elementary school in Southern Texas was poor reading performance on grade level and progress monitoring tests for students with disabilities (SWDs). SWDs may learn to read proficiently when reading instruction is provided using the support facilitation model (SFM) that features a special educator who helps SWDs in literacy or mathematics in inclusion settings. The purpose of this bounded qualitative case study was to explore the perspectives of special and general education teachers about SFM. The universal design for learning framework, used to plan lessons based on how students learn, guided this study. The research questions focused …
At-Risk Boys' Engagement In The Iengage Model,
2018
Walden University
At-Risk Boys' Engagement In The Iengage Model, Deborah Lee Houston
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
There is a growing problem with male under-achievement in public education. Boys who are unsuccessful in elementary and middle school are likely to drop out in high school. Engaging at-risk boys could alleviate school dropouts and the resulting consequences. The purpose of this study was to explore at-risk boys' engagement in a middle school model employing collaborative learning, problem-based learning, and technology. The study was framed on the self-determination theory and the idea that competence, autonomy, and relatedness are vital for engagement. A qualitative case study approach was used to explore teachers' views of at-risk boys' engagement. Eleven teachers who …
The Relationship Of Parental Involvement And Reading Achievement Of Ninth-Grade Students,
2018
Walden University
The Relationship Of Parental Involvement And Reading Achievement Of Ninth-Grade Students, Florence Ann Mayhall-Andrews
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The local high school and school district have failed to achieve adequate yearly progress in reading due to the poor performance of 9th-grade and special education students on the annual state reading assessment. There may be numerous factors leading to the low scores, but researchers have suggested that students whose parents are engaged in their education have more academic success than students whose parents have minimal participation. An explanatory survey design was used in this quantitative study to identify the involvement activities of parents of 9th-grade students and determine if there was a relationship between their involvement and their child's …
An Elementary Perspective Of The Value-Added Model,
2018
Walden University
An Elementary Perspective Of The Value-Added Model, Pat Mccoy
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In a small, rural school district in the southeastern United States, elementary school teachers were receiving positive evaluation ratings while student proficiency on state assessments was below the state average. Due to changes in federal and state laws, school personnel evaluate methods have undergone significant reform. The purpose of this study was to answer the guiding research questions of teachers and administrators perceptions toward the value-added model (VAM) of evaluation and how those perceptions affect teacher performance. Taylor's scientific management theory, which suggests examining human productivity through the lens of applied science served as the conceptual framework. Data were collected …
Elementary Teachers' Beliefs Of Using Guided Reading Pedagogy And Student Data,
2018
Walden University
Elementary Teachers' Beliefs Of Using Guided Reading Pedagogy And Student Data, Ivonne Miranda
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In today's classrooms, many teachers meet students' reading needs by providing guided reading. However, little is known about how teachers combine student data and pedagogical content knowledge to plan guided readings lessons. This study focused on understanding how elementary teachers use guided reading pedagogical content knowledge and student data when planning a guided reading lesson. The conceptual framework was based on Fountas and Pinnell's guided reading framework, and Clay's theory of data collection with respect to literacy processing. The research questions concerned how teachers' use, guide, and reflect on guided reading pedagogical content knowledge and students data when planning a …
Novice Teachers' Perspectives Of Learner-Centered Reading Instruction,
2018
Walden University
Novice Teachers' Perspectives Of Learner-Centered Reading Instruction, Jennifer Louden
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Learner-centered reading instruction was underrepresented in novice K to 5 teachers' classrooms despite a district mandated requirement to use them. When learner-centered reading instruction is not used, students are less motivated to learn and less likely to become proficient readers. The purpose of this bounded qualitative case study was to explore novice K to 5 reading teachers' perspectives of learner-centered reading instruction and how they taught a comprehensive reading curriculum in their classrooms. The conceptual framework was based on the Arkansas Department of Education's science of reading and Weimer's learner-centered teaching. The research questions focused on exploring novice K to …
A Quantitative Investigation Of The Relationship Between English Language Assessments And Academic Performance Of Long-Term Ells,
2018
Walden University
A Quantitative Investigation Of The Relationship Between English Language Assessments And Academic Performance Of Long-Term Ells, Yesmi Rios
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Research shows academic literacy is a challenge for students classified as Long-Term English Language Learners (LTELLs). In the pseudonymous Windy Desert School District (WDSD), there are 17,365 students classified as LTELLs. Of these students, the majority are falling short of English academic literacy goals on the Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs) test and 67% do not graduate from high school. This quantitative study examined the predictive relationship between ACCESS English language proficiency subscale scores in the language domains of speaking, listening, reading, and writing and course semester grades in English 9, …
