Secondary Education Commons^™

The Impact Of Teachers' Characteristics And Self-Reported Practices On Students' Algebra Achievement, Liza Cope

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This study examined the impact of teachers' characteristics and self-reported practices on students' Algebra achievement while controlling for students' characteristics. This study is based on the secondary analysis of data collected from a nationally representative sample of 9th grade students and their mathematics teachers during the base year of the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS). Student and teacher data were obtained through questionnaires and students' Algebra achievement was measured by an ability-adaptive assessment designed to measure a cross-section of understandings representative of the six major Algebraic content domains (The language of algebra; Proportional relationships and change; Linear equations, …

Perceptions Of New Doctoral Graduates On The Future Of The Profession, John Ritz, Gene Martin

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Advancement of a profession relies heavily on the participation of its members. Leadership roles must be filled at many levels. To effectively prepare future leaders, efforts must be undertaken to educate and mentor them both about their professions and how to lead within them. The authors sought to identify the perceptions of those who recently earned a doctoral degree with focus on technology and engineering education. In the past, this group developed and assumed major roles in leading their education professions. This study reports on new doctoral graduates’ perceptions related to the focus of content taught in formalized K-12 technology …

Factors Affecting The Retention Of First-Career And Second-Career Science Teachers In Urban High Schools, Rosemary C. Rak

Educational Studies Dissertations

The turnover of high school science teachers is an especially troubling problem in urban schools with economically disadvantaged students. Because high teacher turnover rates impede effective instruction, the persistence of teacher attrition is a serious concern. Using an online survey and interviews in a sequential mixed-methods approach, this study investigates the perceptions of high school science teachers regarding factors that contribute to their employment decisions. The study also compares first-career and second-career science teachers' perceptions of retention and attrition factors and identifies conditions that urban school leaders can establish to support the retention of their science teachers. A purposeful sample …

Translated Literature In Your Library: The Mildred L Batchelder Award, Kasey L. Garrison, Danielle E. Forest, Sue C. Kimmel

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Translated books represent a unique bridge between cultures for young readers. This article discusses recent trends and practical applications for award-winning literature that has been translated into English and published in the United States. Winner and honour titles earning the Mildred L Batchelder Award for their publishers often include European languages of origins and settings. Despite this homogeneity, the books represent a quality option as a way to diversify a library collection for English-speaking patrons, particularly young adults, and to enhance teaching lessons with the integration of this global literature.

Examining Studies Of Inquiry-Based Learning In Three Fields Of Education: Sparking Generative Conversation, Brett L. M. Levy, Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, Kathryn Drago, Lesely A. Rex

Educational Theory and Practice Faculty Scholarship

Many educational researchers across the United States have found that inquiry-based learning (IBL) supports the development of deep, meaningful content knowledge. However, integrating inquiry-based learning into classroom practice has been challenging, in part because of contrasting conceptualizations and practices across educational fields. In this paper, we (1) describe differing conceptions of IBL, (2) summarize our own studies of IBL in three fields of education, (3) compare and contrast the processes and purposes of IBL in our studies and fields, and (4) suggest numerous opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaborations on IBL curriculum, teaching, and research that could bolster its inclusion in K-12 …

Everything In Di Dark Muss Come To Light: A Postcolonial Investigation Of The Practice Of Extra Lessons At The Secondary Level In Jamaica's Education System, Saran Stewart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite the vast research examining the evolution of Caribbean education systems, little is chronologically tied to the postcolonial theoretical perspectives of specific island-state systems, such as the Jamaican education system and its relationship with the underground shadow education system. This dissertation study sought to address the gaps in the literature by critically positioning postcolonial theories in education to examine the macro- and micro-level impacts of extra lessons on secondary education in Jamaica. The following postcolonial theoretical (PCT) tenets in education were contextualized from a review of the literature: (a) PCT in education uses colonial discourse analysis to critically deconstruct and …

The 21st Century Educator: An Exploration Of The Communication Practices Of An 'Architect Of Learning', Darlene Leslie Wilson

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The 21st century has driven many changes in the classroom and to the teacher of yesterday. Existing teacher identities are in limbo as educational systems morph from dominant beliefs and ideologies to meet the new demands of a knowledge economy. The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers’ perceptions of their communication practices as 21st century educators. In particular, research focuses on teachers’ views of the province of Alberta’s vision of “teacher” as an architect of learning, and is explored via semi-structured personal interviews and classroom observations. Although there is ample research on teacher identity and issues related to …

News From Wa......(More Than Just Iron Ore And Great Footy Teams) – Policy Principles To Course Design, Andrew Jones, Dawn Penney

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In February 2007 a new senior secondary Physical Education Studies (PES) was introduced in Western Australia (WA). The course was one of some 50 new courses that were developed in conjunction with the introduction of new Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE). This presentation draws on initial findings from a PhD study that is investigating curriculum change and reform, specifically in the context of the initial years of implementation of PES in WA. The study draws on Bernstein’s (1990) model of the social construction of pedagogic discourse as a framework to locate and position teachers in relation to other partners …

The Health Sciences And Technology Academy (Hsta): A Case Study Of The Community Impact Of A 9th Through 12th Grade After School Pipeline Program, Catherine Morton-Mcswain

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This is a qualitative case study designed to examine the viewpoints community members have about the after-school Health Sciences Technology Academy (HSTA) pipeline program for students in grades nine through twelve. The program is designed to foster success and improve the college going rate of under-represented students or what one colleague described as "kids on the bubble." There is little existing literature that examines community impact from the outside or gives voice to community members.

Health Sciences and Technology Academy (HSTA) has been in existence for 19 years in 26 of the 55 counties in West Virginia. It requires a …

Students’ Science Knowledge As A Constraint In Developing Interests In Science Studies Among Secondary School Learners In Tanzania, John F. Kalolo, Eugenia J. Kafanabo

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The paper examines how students’ science knowledge is a constraint in developing interests in science studies. There are three objectives that guided the study on which this paper is based: examining student’s background knowledge about science and its related careers; assessing student’s awareness on science related professions; and examining the availability of various sources of science knowledge in schools for developing interest in science subjects in secondary schools. A total of 246 respondents participated in the study; and these included 60 teachers, 180 students and 6 heads of schools. The data were collected through questionnaire, interview, focus group discussion, and …

Teacher Resource Centres: A Strategy For Secondary School Teachers’ Professional Development In Tanzania, Gadi Moses Koda

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The overall education level in Tanzanians has increased in terms of schooling and even in fundamental literacy. While enrolment in secondary schools has been increasing rapidly, Form IV examinations results since 2010 have been discouraging, showing that there is a problem in the education system (NECTA, 2010). To address the situation, this article presents the needs for alternative strategies for secondary school teachers’ professional development in Tanzania. It focuses on the Teacher Resource Centre (TRC) approach as a strategy for secondary school teachers’ professional development in Tanzania. The paper also discusses equipment, materials, accessibility and management as well as teachers’ …

Effectiveness Of Basic Mathematics Continuous Assessment Feedback In Secondary Schools In Tanzania: The Case Of Schools In Coast And Dar Es Salaam Regions, Florence Kyaruzi

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This paper assesses the effectiveness of Basic Mathematics Continuous Assessment (CA) feedback in selected high performing (HP) and low performing (LP) secondary schools in Coast and Dar es Salaam regions, Tanzania. Various aspects that constitute an effective CA feedback were scrutinised. The paper is based on research. In this research, a mixed research approach of the concurrent triangulation design was employed where stratified, simple random and purposeful sampling techniques were used. The study was informed by documentary review, questionnaires and classroom observations. Data were both qualitatively and quantitatively analysed using content analysis and Statistical Software for Social Sciences (SPSS), version …

The Road To Pomp And Circumstance For Ell Students: The Perceived Ambivalent Schooling Experience Of Ell Students With Mexican Ancestry In An Urban Midwestern High School, Kristine M. Sudbeck

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

Perceptions of high school faculty and staff members about the graduation outcomes of English language learners of Mexican ancestry were explored. Throughout the course of one semester, observations were made and field notes taken in classrooms and other school locations. Interviews were conducted with 25 faculty/ staff members and 7 students, all of whom were former or current English language learners of Mexican ancestry. The author used a mixed methods strategy; interviews were coded for themes to assess qualitative data, and SPSS was used to analyze quantitative data. Faculty/staff perceived the top three indicators of whether or not an ELL …

Lleap 2012 Survey Report : Schools, Not-For-Profits, Philanthropic Foundations And Trusts In Australia : Building Knowledge To Maximise The Impact Of Philanthropy In Education, Michelle Anderson, Emma Curtin

Leading Learning in Education and Philanthropy (LLEAP)

LLEAP – Leading Learning in Education and Philanthropy began because of a widespread view that effective engagement of philanthropy in education was hampered, in many cases unnecessarily, by gaps in knowledge, understanding and ways of doing things better. LLEAP explores issues from the perspectives of philanthropic education grant making foundations and trusts, schools, and not-for-profits working with schools. One key part of LLEAP is a national annual survey.

In 2012, the LLEAP Survey received a total of 507 responses from 359 school (Government 69%; Independent 20%; Catholic 11%, from every state and territory), 87 not-for-profit and 61 philanthropic foundation or …

The On Track Survey 2012: The Destinations Of School Leavers In Victoria. Statewide Report, Sheldon Rothman, Catherine Underwood

Vocational, adult and professional education research

The On Track project was initiated in 2003. Since the first large-scale survey in that year, around 385,000 school leavers have participated in the On Track surveys, providing valuable insights into their post-school destinations and pathways. The On Track survey was conducted in April–May 2012 by the Social Research Centre (SRC) in collaboration with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). This involved a short telephone survey of school leavers who had earlier agreed to participate. Separate questionnaires were used for Year 12 or equivalent completers and early school leavers. This report is based on data from telephone surveys of …

Developing And Presenting A Teaching Persona: The Tensions Of Secondary Preservice Teachers, Janine S. Davis

Education Faculty Articles

This qualitative, multiple case study investigated the ways that three preservice secondary teachers developed, presented, and considered their teaching personae. Data for each participant consisted of three interviews, field observations of both teaching and nonteaching, data collection of lessons and class documents, and four journal reflections. Findings show that the participants experienced various tensions as they formed their teaching personae; as they navigated these tensions, they drew on discourses and ideas about good teaching and their various experiences, including the practicum experience. The nature of the interactions between the Cooperating Teacher and preservice teacher pairs contributed to the preservice teachers’ …

Promoting College Readiness And Access: Practices And Policy Implications, Frankie Williams

Journal of Contemporary Research in Education

Persisting social and economic inequalities exist in achieving a postsecondary education. These inequalities are attributable to economic, racial, and gender disparities that result in considerable gaps in college access, achievement, and college completion for minority groups. This article presents the current landscape for college readiness and access. Effective practices for promoting college readiness and access are discussed along with policy implications at the state level.

Cognitively Guided Instruction (Cgi): Whats The Point? A Look Into Cgi And Cgi’S Potential Role In An 8th Grade Mathematics Class, Bryan C. Anderson

Mathematics Graduate Theses

This study examined the current research that exists on Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) and how it would look when implemented into an 8th grade mathematics classroom. Additional questions examined are if CGI would develop strong student understanding between mathematical concepts and their real world applications; if CGI techniques and questioning impact the interest level of mathematics students; and what type of extra resources would be needed by teachers to implement Cognitively Guided Instruction into their curriculum. Although much of the CGI research has been done on elementary students, by also examining key algebra practices the author was able to synthesize …

Keeping Count Of All And Losing Count Of A Few: The Construction Of The High School Dropout Rate, Shana Elizabeth Henry

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The quality of the construction of the high school dropout rate is the policy issue investigated in this dissertation. This qualitative dissertation explores the constructs necessary to create a high school dropout rate and seeks to unearth complexities in the construction of the high school dropout rate. Every single year, approximately 1.2 million students do not earn a high school diploma.

Dropout rates are one method of assessing the magnitude of the problem and helps to shed light on the health of the public school system. A number of researchers have questioned the accuracy of data reported by schools for …

How Ipads Can Be Used In The Math Classroom To Improve Student Learning, Katie Ann Garrity Smieja

Mathematics Graduate Theses

This study explores how iPads can be used to enhance student learning in the math classroom. The author reviews current literature to determine how iPads are being used to facilitate communication, formative assessment, and promising practices in math education such as discovery learning and use of spreadsheets, graphing calculators, and manipulatives. Additionally, challenges and drawbacks to using iPads in the classroom are examined. Research supports the use of iPads to provide students access to digital content including online discussion boards and practice activities with instant feedback. iPads can also be used as student response systems to engage students in instruction …