Tier 1 And Tier 2 Reading Interventions In English Language Arts Classrooms At A Rural High School,
2016
Walden University
Tier 1 And Tier 2 Reading Interventions In English Language Arts Classrooms At A Rural High School, Irene Barry
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Average scores from the 2013 National Assessment of Educational Progress in reading for Grade 12 students indicated only 38% of Grade 12 students were proficient in reading. Even though significant research has been conducted on reading interventions for elementary and middle school students, little is known about how teachers implement reading interventions at the high school level. The purpose of this study was to explore how teachers implemented Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 reading interventions in high school English language arts courses. The conceptual framework was based on Vygotsky's (1929) theoretical research about scaffolding instruction in the zone of proximal …
The Role Of The Faculty In Retaining Students,
2016
Walden University
The Role Of The Faculty In Retaining Students, Alisha Lizette Edmonds
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Decreasing retention rates have become a serious issue at several universities in the United States. At a university in middle Georgia, retention rates have been steadily declining for the last several years. The purpose of this study was to explore how the faculty at this university might implement more educational services on campus to increase retention. Bandura's theoretical framework of self-efficacy was used in this qualitative case study. Key questions for the study asked faculty about what programs or instructional strategies they believe currently offer support to retaining students at this university, how faculty at the university perceive that they …
Stakeholders' Perceptions Of English Language Learners Meeting Adequate Yearly Progress In Reading,
2016
Walden University
Stakeholders' Perceptions Of English Language Learners Meeting Adequate Yearly Progress In Reading, Susan Calibo Loney
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
English language learners (ELLs) in a Midwestern urban elementary school have not been meeting the local school's adequate yearly progress (AYP) in reading in 3 consecutive years on statewide test scores. Meeting school standards is important because failing to meet AYP for 6 consecutive years can result in the restructuring or closing of any public school in the nation. The rationale for this qualitative case study was to examine the perceptions of stakeholders, 7 parents, teachers, and school administrators, all of whom have demonstrated knowledge of and proximity to the school's AYP decisions, to develop vocabulary strategies that may increase …
Internet Technology As A Means Of Delivering Reading Instruction In The Content Areas,
2016
Walden University
Internet Technology As A Means Of Delivering Reading Instruction In The Content Areas, Kimberly Rose Pintok
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Due to students not meeting minimum proficiency levels in reading, a central Florida middle school that was rated an A school for 4 years consecutively dropped to a B rating during the 2012-2013 school year and was 10 points away from dropping to a C rating in the 2013-2014 school year. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe classroom implementation of Internet technology in a middle school classroom in an attempt to address the steady decline in reading scores. Guided by Piaget, Dewey, and Vygotsky's social constructivist view of education, this study explored if and how teachers used …
Promoting Social Change By Increasing Oral Reading Fluency By Second Grade,
2016
Walden University
Promoting Social Change By Increasing Oral Reading Fluency By Second Grade, Ella D. Davis
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Teaching students to read fluently has always been a national problem. At an elementary school in Louisiana, over 50% of second grade students earned at risk or at some risk ratings on the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) test in reading fluency from 2007 to 2009. The purpose of this project study was to determine the professional learning needs of educators for teaching oral reading fluency by investigating 2 aspects of reading proficiency: educators' perceptions of additional skills needed to increase students' fluency by second grade, and the types of professional development educators believed would assist them …
A Study Of Satisfaction With Online Learning In Workplace Training,
2016
Walden University
A Study Of Satisfaction With Online Learning In Workplace Training, M. Anita Jones
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The American workplace and American culture have rapidly transitioned to online learning and are now more dependent on technology. Yet, in spite of a multitude of studies that explored online learning, it has not been established whether managers are satisfied with application of technology to training. The purpose of this study was to examine receptiveness as expressed by satisfaction with effectiveness of online training among managers to determine if a relationship exists for age, position, and length of service. The research was based on theoretical foundations of Herzberg's theory of motivation and Herzberg's theory of job satisfaction. The goal of …
Innovation Strategies Of Small And Medium-Sized Central North Carolina Discount Retailers,
2016
Walden University
Innovation Strategies Of Small And Medium-Sized Central North Carolina Discount Retailers, Godwin Oseloka Okonkwo
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In central North Carolina, small and medium-sized discount retailers have had a high failure rate, which is troubling considering that small businesses create jobs and drive successful innovation that is critical for economic development. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore experiences regarding successful innovation strategies of 20 discount retail industry owners and general managers located in central North Carolina. This study was grounded in Rogers`s diffusion of innovations conceptual framework and Christensen`s disruptive innovation theory. Data collection occurred through semistructured face-to-face interviews with owners and general managers of discount retail industry. Data analysis strategies included a modified …
Impact Of Professional Development In Response To Intervention On Secondary Teachers' Efficacy,
2016
Walden University
Impact Of Professional Development In Response To Intervention On Secondary Teachers' Efficacy, Crystal Joy Spence
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In 2012, a southeastern state mandated that all school districts employ the response to intervention (RtI) tiered approach model to meet the needs of struggling students. RtI was implemented at the study site; however, secondary teachers were not confident in their abilities to implement RtI. Researchers have found that a teacher's sense of efficacy can impact student academic outcomes. Professional development on implementing RtI was provided for teachers in the study school. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of explicit RtI professional development on the perceived self-efficacy of secondary teachers and their ability to impact student …
The Impact Of Transformational Leadership Style On The Success Of Global Virtual Teams,
2016
Walden University
The Impact Of Transformational Leadership Style On The Success Of Global Virtual Teams, Shery Wojtara-Perry
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Organizations in the age of modern technology have a diverse workforce, who are spread around the globe, and the business leaders of the 21st century need to understand how best to manage, overcome new challenges, and know the various skills of team members to capitalize on their differences and unique skills. To allow those geographically dispersed workers to reach their full potential and facilitate team success. Global virtual teams (GVTs) operate in complex environments characterized by diverse cultural and organizational elements. The primary purpose of this correlational and nonexperimental quantitative research was to examine the impact of transformational leadership on …
Perceptions Of Business School Students About Character Development And Ethical Reasoning,
2016
Walden University
Perceptions Of Business School Students About Character Development And Ethical Reasoning, Larkey Mays Iii
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Character development in higher education is essential for enhancing ethical awareness and moral reasoning. However, inconsistent perspectives exist concerning the impact of ethics education on students' ethical awareness and moral reasoning. This phenomenological study examined the perceptions of senior-level undergraduate business students on their own ethical belief systems and changes in ethical awareness. Astin's student development theory on the environmental effects on learning formed the conceptual framework. The research questions explored how the 4-year undergraduate business school experience changed the students' ability to recognize and evaluate ethical concerns in relation to the ethical aspects of coursework. Thirteen undergraduate seniors pursuing …
Improving Reading Fluency Of Elementary Students With Learning Disabilities Through Reader's Theater,
2016
Walden University
Improving Reading Fluency Of Elementary Students With Learning Disabilities Through Reader's Theater, Tami S. Schoen-Dowgiewicz
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Elementary teachers in a school district in a western state expressed concerns about the reading achievement of students with disabilities (SWDs). SWDs were not developing decoding, comprehension, and fluency skills to become proficient readers. Without mastering these skills, SWDs will experience diminished academic attainment in their school career. To address this problem, teachers in elementary learning centers (LCs) within the district implemented Reader's Theater (RT), an evidenced-based reading approach that incorporates repeated readings using drama-based activities. The purpose of this qualitative bounded case study was to explore elementary LC teachers' use and implementation of RT to improve reading performance with …
Teachers' Perceptions Of Differentiated Instruction In Elementary Reading,
2016
Walden University
Teachers' Perceptions Of Differentiated Instruction In Elementary Reading, Olwen Suzette Stewart
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Many teachers in a low socioeconomic school district in Florida struggle with differentiating instruction for the large at-risk population; however, one school has been identified as a high functioning school. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate how classroom teachers at the high functioning school are differentiating instruction and how their reading coaches are supporting the teachers in designing instructional interventions. Guided by the concepts of Vygotsky's zone of proximal development and Tomlinson's differentiated instruction, this study examined the connection between these 2 concepts and explored approaches to the creation of an instructional model to support at-risk …
The Relationship Between Physical Fitness And Academic Achievement In Sixth Grade Students,
2016
Walden University
The Relationship Between Physical Fitness And Academic Achievement In Sixth Grade Students, Shannon Usco Shook
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Researchers have reported on the relationship between academic achievement and physical fitness levels. At one rural middle school, 25% of the students enrolled were either overweight or obese and failing at least one course. Educators at the local site were seeking methods to improve the academic achievement of their students. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between academic achievement and physical fitness of middle school students at the study site. Framed by the theoretical connection between improved physical fitness levels and academic achievement, the research questions examined the relationship between physical fitness levels of 6th …
High School Science Teachers' Perceptions Of Teaching Content-Related Reading Comprehension Instruction,
2016
Walden University
High School Science Teachers' Perceptions Of Teaching Content-Related Reading Comprehension Instruction, Theresa D. Williams
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In order to achieve academic success, students must be able to comprehend written material in content-area textbooks. However, a large number of high school students struggle to comprehend science content. Research findings have demonstrated that students make measurable gains in comprehending content-area textbooks when provided quality reading comprehension instruction. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of how high school science teachers perceived their responsibility to provide content-related comprehension instruction and 10 high school science teachers were interviewed for this study. Data analysis consisted of open, axial, and selective coding. The findings revealed that 8 out of …
Ninth Grade Student And Teacher Perceptions Of Teacher-Student Relationship,
2016
Walden University
Ninth Grade Student And Teacher Perceptions Of Teacher-Student Relationship, Lynda Rose Huggins
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The challenge of transitioning into high school is associated with social anxiety, decreased grades, increased absences, and overall motivation to learn. Based on anecdotal evidence from 9th grade teachers in the Ohio School District, teachers had poor rapport with some of their students, and 9th graders were being retained more often than were students in any other grade. Grounded in Noddings's care theory, the purpose of this mixed methods sequential case study was to explore perceptions of rapport between 9th graders and their teachers. Guiding research questions were used to discover student and teacher perceptions about their relationship as it …
The Relationship Between High School Culinary Curriculum And Culinary Arts College Student Achievement And Completion,
2016
Walden University
The Relationship Between High School Culinary Curriculum And Culinary Arts College Student Achievement And Completion, Emily Knight
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
There is a lack of persistence and completion of students enrolled in a local college culinary arts program, a problem also evident in national data. Some students entering the college program have participated in a defined high school curriculum focused on culinary arts, such as the National Restaurant Association Education Association's ProStart curriculum. The purpose of this study was to determine if participation in the ProStart program was related to the mean grade point average (GPA) and time to completion in the college culinary arts program. Dewey's theory of experience provided the theoretical framework. Participants from 2 cohorts at the …
Executive Compensation, Firm Performance, And Net Community Benefits Within Nonprofit Urban Hospitals,
2016
Walden University
Executive Compensation, Firm Performance, And Net Community Benefits Within Nonprofit Urban Hospitals, Terry Deshawn Long
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Nonprofit hospitals are under increased pressure to maintain financial stability and compliance with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) net community benefit requirements. Boards of directors are not always confident that the compensation packages awarded to executives stimulate them to act in the organization's best interest. The principal-agent theory formed the basis of this correlational study. Archival data from National Center for Charitable Statistics, Guidestar, and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services were collected from 117 nonprofit urban hospitals for the fiscal year 2013. Regression analysis was used to determine the significance of relationships between return on assets (ROA), change in …
Influence Of Teacher Participation On Student Fitness And Student Participation In Physical Education,
2016
Walden University
Influence Of Teacher Participation On Student Fitness And Student Participation In Physical Education, Whitney Morris
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Physical activity plays a key role in the health of children. Childhood obesity is increasing in the United States, and children are spending less time being physically active. Active participation by a physical education (PE) teacher in physical activities has been suggested as a means of promoting student fitness. The purpose of this quasi-experimental quantitative study was to determine whether modeling of physical activity by a PE teacher would increase student participation and physical fitness. Bandura's social learning theory provided the theoretical framework for the study. Participants included 311 4th and 5th grade elementary students enrolled in physical education classes. …
Relationships Between Business Planning And Reaching Forecasted Sales Objectives For New England Farmers,
2016
Walden University
Relationships Between Business Planning And Reaching Forecasted Sales Objectives For New England Farmers, Kenny Roberts
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Over the last 100 years, more than 3 million small farming operations have been replaced by large factory farms in America. This shift toward food production by conglomerations has led to severe environmental issues, food security hazards, and economic hardship in farming communities nationwide. This study investigated the extent to which a written business plan could help small farming operations meet their sales objectives and ultimately continue to operate; this study also examined the perceptions of farm owners regarding the ability of a business plan to affect sales objectives. The sample consisted of 71 Maine Farms for Future (FFF) recipients …
The Relationship Between Stress, Coping Strategies, And Social Support Among Single Mothers,
2016
Walden University
The Relationship Between Stress, Coping Strategies, And Social Support Among Single Mothers, Nikitra Yvette Williams
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Researchers have neglected to focus on understanding the relationships between stress, coping, and social support among single mothers versus mothers who are not single. Knowledge regarding how single mothers' lives are affected by stress, social support, and coping is important, and such information can help readers better understand how effectively single mothers raise children compared with mothers who are not single. A convenience sample of 173 mothers completed this study. Participants in this study consisted of mothers who were (a) raising at least one child ages 18 and under who lives in the home and (b) who were between the …
