Second And Fifth Graders’ Changes In Strategies For Integer Addition, Mahtob Aqazade, Laura Bofferding

Faculty Publications – Mathematics

Research on integer addition often attributes students’ performance to their grade level while ignoring the role of prior whole number knowledge in influencing their learning difficulties. To explore whether these difficulties are related to their grade level or persistence in using rules based on their whole-number experiences, we first paired three second-grade students with three fifth-grade students who had similar integer addition strategies on their pretest. Then, we compared their strategy changes and performance after small-group sessions and whole-class activities around integer addition (i.e., instructional intervention). Although all pairs gained from the pretest to posttest, one fifth grader still relied …

Because It's Family: A Generic Qualitative Study Of The Implementation Of Restorative Practices In A Urban Middle School Classroom, Anthony Rodriguez

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Restorative Circles provide an answer to creating engaging, creative and positive elementary classroom environments. There is currently limited research of the practice’s efficacy in K-12 classrooms and even more so from the point of view of the student’s experience. This General Research study explored the co-creation of a trusting classroom environment through the structural implementation of Restorative Practice Circles. The responses collected provided an opportunity for the participants to provide insight on their experiences and perceptions of the classroom engagement approach and express their thoughts on its weekly implementation over the course of one academic school year. Utilizing Restorative Justice …

Examining The Association Between Educational Spending In Well-Resourced School Districts And The Academic Performance Of Hispanic Students In Low Socioeconomic Communities, Alicia Cieszykowski

Dissertations of Practice

ABSTRACT

EXAMINING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN EDUCATIONAL SPENDING IN WELL-RESOURCED SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF HISPANIC STUDENTS IN LOW SOCIOECONOMIC COMMUNITIES

Alicia Cieszykowski

Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations

Northern Illinois University, 2026

Benjamin Creed, Director

This study examined the relationship between school district expenditure patterns and academic performance for Hispanic students in adequately funded Illinois school districts. Using a quantitative correlational design, the study explored whether overall spending levels and the allocation of financial resources were associated with Hispanic student achievement and Hispanic–White academic disparities in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. The sample included Illinois Tier …

Implementing Restorative Practices For Girls In Elementary School Classrooms: A Participatory Action Research Approach, Mellissa Douglas

Dissertations of Practice

This participatory action research study examined how varying approaches to implementing restorative practices, together with teacher collaboration and influence, support resilience, enhance communication, establish healthy boundaries, encourage accountability, and build confidence among elementary school girls ages 8–10. Two third-grade teachers, three fourth-grade teachers, and three fifth-grade teachers in a midwestern elementary school implemented restorative practices through proactive circles or conferences over the course of forty school days. The eight teacher participants recorded the implementation of restorative practices in an action research journal, field notes, and photographs, and they collaborated to discuss strengths, areas in need of support, and next steps. …

Ai Policy In Virginia Public Schools: A Comparative Analysis, Jesse Senechal, Jamelle Simmons, Jonathan D. Becker, Melissa Ware, Michael Broda, Kindy Anderson, Eric Byers, Kiana Bradford, Thea Racelis, Meleah Ellison

MERC Publications

This MERC research and policy review explores policy implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in Virginia public schools. It is part of a two part series with a companion report focused on AI implications for PK-12 teaching and learning. The report has two parts:

1. A review of the AI policy landscape around PK-12 education
2. Virginia AI policy analysis

It concludes with a series of key takeaways and recommendations for PK-12 policy and practice.

Ai In Pk-12 Education: Implications For Teaching And Learning, David Naff, Meleah Ellison, Casey Bailey, Tzu-Wei Wang, Kiana Bradford

MERC Publications

This research and policy review from the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) explores the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for teaching and learning in public PK-12 education. It is part of a two part series with a companion report focused on AI implications for PK-12 policy. The report explores two questions:

1. How is AI shaping teaching and instructional practice?
2. How is AI shaping student learning and development?

It concludes with a series of key takeaways and recommendations for PK-12 policy and practice.

Music And Language Arts Integration And Its Impact On Reading Comprehension: A Social Action Research Study, Felisha L. Coady

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This action research study examines the interconnectedness of music and language arts, specifically focusing on reading comprehension. In this study, a program called Music Connections was developed and used as a pilot to improve reading comprehension skills in primary education. The targeted population of the Music Connections program was 30 third-grade students in an inner-city school in Ohio. After six weeks of reteaching concepts through the Music Connections program, students were given a second interim with these concepts to show results and mastery. Data from this study showed that students who participated in the Music Connections program (Group A) grew …

Integrative And Contextual Instructional Models For Strengthening Scientific Literacy In Primary And Secondary Education (2020–2025): A Systematic Literature And Bibliometric Review, Jihan Salsabillah Misel, Eko Handoyo, Ellianawati Ellianawati, Bambang Subali

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Improving students’ science literacy remains a persistent challenge in schools. Although studies since 2020 examine strategies to enhance science literacy, no synthesis has compared integrative models across levels. This review addresses that gap through a PRISMA-based Systematic Literature Review of 1,518 records, with 24 studies included and supported by VOSviewer mapping. Findings show that Problem-Based Learning, STEM-based learning, and the RADEC model are the most effective approaches, while Differentiated Instruction, Flipped Classroom, and Project-Based Learning strengthen reasoning and scientific attitudes. These results offer guidance for classroom implementation and inform policy on teacher training and curriculum design within the Merdeka Curriculum.

An Accountability Myth: A Critical Analysis On High-Stakes Testing In U.S. Schools, Noelle E. Haskell

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

High-stakes testing has become synonymous with the United States (U.S.) education system. This began in the early 1900’s through the form of intelligence testing which was developed by several U.S. psychologists. Since then, high-stakes testing has taken on many forms. Popular policies such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Race to the Top, and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) have all taken aim at increasing academic achievement and holding schools accountable through high-stakes, standardized tests. Even through its varying forms, high-stakes tests have continued to perpetuate inequalities. Considering this, the current study examines how the rhetoric used in describing …

Implicitly Developing Young Learners’ Digital And Media Literacy Through Technology-Enhanced Tasks In Primary Efl Classrooms, Andreas Kullick

Journal of Media Literacy Education

This article presents a research project that explored the perspectives of preservice and in-service primary English language teachers on the use of technology-enhanced tasks to support young learners’ development of oral communicative competence in the diverse primary English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom. The classroom-based research involved the implementation of technology-enhanced tasks in three different projects in three different primary schools. The projects aimed to support young learners in developing their speaking competence in the target language. Data were collected through classroom observation, teacher training, videography of lessons, and participant interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the …

Pre-Service Teachers Knowledge Of Early Reading: Effects Of Redesigned Reading Courses Aligned To The Science Of Reading, Sarahlee Desir, Ilfa Zhulamanova, Deborah Mickey

Ohio Journal of Teacher Education

This study examines the impact of redesigned reading core courses, aligned with the Science of Reading framework, on pre-service teachers' knowledge of early literacy skills essential for reading mastery. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, data was collected through interviews with undergraduate students enrolled in a small private college teaching program in Ohio. Participants included 11 students from the Reading Core I (ED 240) course and 11 students from the Reading Core III (ED 343) course. The data analysis revealed that including the scientific basis for teaching reading from the beginning of the students’ college careers should lead to graduating new …

Intradistrict Inequality: Examining Educational Opportunity In Richmond Elementary Schools, Tara Sheehan

Honors Theses

Educational inequality in the U.S. is often discussed across district lines, but differences between schools within the same district are just as significant. This paper examines intradistrict disparities in Richmond Public Schools (RPS) by comparing William Fox Elementary and Broad Rock Elementary. Although both schools operate under the same district, they serve very different student populations and produce markedly different outcomes. William Fox serves mostly White and economically advantaged students, with higher test scores, lower absenteeism, fewer behavioral incidents, and access to a wide range of enrichment programs. Broad Rock, on the other hand, serves predominantly Hispanic and Black students, …

Integrating Chatgpt In Teacher Education: Examining Early Childhood And Elementary Pre-Service Teachers’ Experiences In Ai-Assisted Math Lesson Planning, Hae Min Yu, Hyeseong Lee, Seung Kim

Education Department Faculty Articles

This study examines how pre-service teachers in early childhood education (ECE) and elementary education (ELE) integrate ChatGPT into mathematics lesson planning. Using a mixed-methods case study framed by the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) with Contextual Knowledge (XK) framework and AI literacy, we analyzed the experiences of 44 pre-service teachers (24 ECE, 20 ELE) in mathematics method courses at a university in the Midwestern United States. Data sources included pre- and post-assessments, documentation of ChatGPT interactions, lesson plans, and reflection papers. Findings reveal significant gains in participants’ knowledge of and confidence in using ChatGPT, with increased willingness to incorporate generative …

The Effect Of Early Intervention Programs On Literacy Performance Scores Of Kindergarten Students In One Central Arkansas School District, Abigail M. Stone

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

This study was conducted in a central Arkansas school district to see if going to the Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) Early Intervention Program located in that central Arkansas school district made a difference in how well kids did on their kindergarten reading test (NWEA MAP Growth). This was a quantitative, causal-comparative study, meaning the researcher looked at archived test scores from kindergarteners in Fall 2021 where some of the participants attended ABC Pre-K, and some did not.

The main goal of the study was to answer this research question: Is there a significant difference in kindergarten readiness literacy scores between …

From Storage Closet To Creative Oasis: How To Set Up An Atelier And Outdoor Space For Young Children, Catherine Lynch, Cynthia Dicarlo

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

Creating meaningful learning spaces doesn't always require a big budget or new construction—sometimes, all it takes is a storage closet, a bit of imagination, and a deep respect for children’s ideas. In this article, I’ll share how we transformed underutilized spaces at our school into a vibrant atelier and outdoor classroom and offer tips to help you do the same.

Abcs Of Behavior: Strategies To Effectively Reduce Challenging Behaviors, Sarah Matthews

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

This paper explores the application of the ABC (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) model and functional behavior assessments (FBAs) to understand and manage challenging behaviors in early childhood education settings. Grounded in developmental theory and informed by professional experience as an early interventionist, the paper emphasizes the importance of identifying behavioral triggers and using individualized, developmentally appropriate strategies. The role of collaboration among teachers, families, and specialists is highlighted as essential for consistent and effective intervention. Key strategies discussed include coaching caregivers, embedding interventions within natural classroom environments, and using positive, non-punitive approaches to time-out. The paper advocates for proactive, respectful behavioral guidance practices …

Letter From The Editor, Cynthia Dicarlo

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

No abstract provided.

From The Margins To The Center: The Transformative Promise Of Philosophy For Children, Maughn Rollins Gregory, Megan Jane Laverty, Joe Oyler

Department of Educational Foundations Scholarship and Creative Works

What began as an innovative idea in the late 1960s—the recognition that even very young children are philosophically disposed—is no longer considered novel. While philosophy for children has transitioned from a fledgling initiative to a worldwide movement, it remains on the margins of education. In this article, we look back at key initiatives that have advanced its growth before looking ahead to what can move philosophy for children to the center of education. We consider the introduction and development of materials that invite children into philosophical spaces, the community of philosophical inquiry as a model of teachers' and children's philosophical …

A Qualitative Study Exploring Experienced K-5 Teachers' Perceptions Implementing The Science Of Reading, Christian Brady Cook

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of implementing the SoR for experienced K-5 teachers at Carlton County School System in rural Georgia. This study was guided by Bandura’s social cognitive theory, which was utilized to explore the lived experiences of experienced K-5 educators who were required to implement the SoR strategies into their literacy instruction. This hermeneutic phenomenological study used a qualitative research design to explore the following research question: What are the perceptions of experienced K-5 teachers implementing the science of reading? A combination of experienced K-5 teachers from three Title I …

Listening To Families: A Perspective On Practice For Reframing Chronic Absenteeism Through Parent Voice, Anthony S. Felder

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

Chronic absenteeism remains a critical issue in U.S. schools, particularly in urban communities disproportionately affected by poverty, trauma, and systemic inequities. Traditional attendance interventions often disregard the lived experiences of families, resulting in strategies that lack empathy and effectiveness. This perspective article draws on qualitative findings from parent focus groups conducted in a high-need urban district to emphasize what families believe schools should do to better support consistent attendance. Key themes highlight the necessity for practical resource support and two-way, trust-based communication between schools and families. Grounded in both practitioner experience and current research, this article presents actionable recommendations for …