Digital Commons Network^™

Texas Secondary Spanish Teachers’ Perceptions Of Factors Influencing Instructional Self- Efficacy, Satisfaction, And Effectiveness, Tana Verlane Palafox

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ongoing shortages of certified world language teachers and declining enrollment in secondary language programs have intensified concerns about teacher burnout, professional isolation, and instructional quality. Research has indicated that collaboration, targeted professional development, and supportive leadership influence teachers’ instructional self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and instructional effectiveness. However, limited research has examined how secondary Spanish teachers in Texas experience these issues. This qualitative collective case study explored how Texas secondary school Spanish teachers perceive the impact of their professional experiences on instructional self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and instructional effectiveness. Grounded in Bandura’s social cognitive theory and Vygotsky’s social constructivism, the study examined how …

Supporting English Language Learners: A Comprehensive Guide For Long-Term Success, Yana Shifrina-Piljovin

Journal of English Learner Education

Abstract

This literature review provides a thorough examination of the various multifaceted challenges encountered by Long-Term English Language Learners (LTELLs) in educational settings. It critically analyzes the effectiveness of current support systems and instructional strategies, synthesizes relevant recent research findings, and offers targeted recommendations aimed for educators and policymakers striving to improve educational outcomes for LTELLs. The review evaluates the efficacy of existing support frameworks and teaching methodologies, synthesizes contemporary research findings, and presents actionable recommendations for educators and legislators to enhance the learning outcomes of these students.

Supporting English Language Learners LTELLs) in classroom settings requires a deep understanding …

Are Testing Accommodations Helping Or Not? A Review Of English Learner (El) Accommodations On Standardized Tests, Cole Forbes

Journal of English Learner Education

This paper examines and critiques English Learner (EL) testing accommodation policies. They have been ineffective at increasing test scores and accessibility. The policies have mandated that EL students participate in high-stakes assessments with accommodations, and sometimes without them. The purpose of the accommodation is to create an even playing field for all test-takers, so that no subgroup is put at a disadvantage, which would compromise their scores and lead to misclassification of students. Laws and Acts such as the Bilingual Education Act of 1968, No Child Left Behind, and the Every Student Succeeds Act have updated and mandated a more …

Differentiated Instruction For Multilingual Learners: A Thematic Analysis Of Research And Practice, Mohsine Bensaid, Jiayuan Jiang

Journal of English Learner Education

Differentiated instruction (DI) is widely promoted as a means of supporting diverse learners, yet its enactment for multilingual learners (MLs) remains uneven and under-theorized in mainstream classrooms. This study examines how DI is conceptualized and implemented to support MLs by attending to learners’ linguistic, cultural, and academic profiles. Using reflexive thematic analysis, this qualitative synthesis examines 20 peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2010 and 2024 in English-medium K–12 contexts in the United States, with particular attention to elementary settings when specified. Analytic interpretation was supported by practitioner-based reflection functioning as an interpretive lens rather than a separate data source. Four …

A Quasi-Experimental Study On The Effectiveness Of Achieve3000 On The Reading Comprehension Scores Of Ells With Ld, Paula P. Fields

Journal of English Learner Education

The purpose of this quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study was to determine if a significant difference existed in the comprehension scores of secondary English Language Learners with learning disabilities after treatment. The problem addressed is that a significant correlation exists between English language learners and learning-disabled students’ low reading proficiency scores and student achievement, leading to decreased graduation rates. Schema theory served as the theoretical foundation of this research because when the appropriate schema is activated, it helps increase comprehension. The research question guiding this study was: Is there a significant difference between the reading comprehension scores of high school English language …

Reading Comprehension Interventions For Multilingual Learners With Disabilities: A Systematic Review, Sariya Shabnam, Jennifer E. Smith, Samiratu Bashiru

Journal of English Learner Education

Multilingual learners with disabilities (MLWDs) face substantial barriers to reading comprehension given the intersecting challenges of language acquisition and disability (Artzi et al., 2022; Frates et al., 2024). Students with disabilities often need explicit, strategy-based instruction with modeling, guided practice, and scaffolding (Frates et al., 2024; Wawire et al., 2024; Moura, 2024). When learners are also multilingual, interventions must be linguistically accessible and responsive to diverse cognitive profiles (Moura, 2024; Sarisahin, 2020). MLWDs comprise 15.8% of English learners in U.S. public schools (NCES, 2024), yet research on effective comprehension interventions remains limited; most studies treat multilingual learners or students with …

Desegregating The Community Of Inquiry In Philosophy For/With Children, Maughn Rollins Gregory, Darren Chetty

Department of Educational Foundations Scholarship and Creative Works

This dialogical article examines persistent challenges in engaging racism, colonialism, and white supremacy within the theory and practice of Philosophy for/with Children (P4/wC). Framed as a mutual interview between two long-standing colleagues, the dialogue revisits formative encounters in the P4/wC community and situates them within broader intellectual traditions, including American pragmatism, deliberative democracy, and Africana philosophy. Drawing on personal experience, archival material, and critical scholarship, the authors interrogate the metaphilosophical assumptions underpinning the “community of inquiry,” particularly its commitments to reasonableness, consensus, and democratic dialogue. Concepts such as the “gated community of inquiry,” white ignorance, nonideal theory, and insurrectionist ethics …

Investigating The Impact Of Gamification And Humor On Student Engagement In An Esl Classroom, Joshua F. Filipowski

Wellspring: A Practitioner-Oriented Journal of Literacy and Language Education

This study explores the impact of gamification and humor on middle school students' engagement, participation, and learning outcomes. The researcher, an ESL teacher, sought to address students' boredom and disengagement by introducing games and humor into the classroom. The study involved 12 middle school English learners and employed both qualitative and quantitative methods, including journal entries, focus groups, and participation tracking. Findings indicated that students were more engaged and willing to participate during gamified activities, with slight but significant improvements in quiz scores. Students expressed a preference for jokes and games over traditional methods. The research suggests that incorporating humor …

What Are Your Students Doing This Summer? We Have Some Ideas., Dr. Anita White, Jacqueline Salinas

Professional Learning Day

IMSA offers summer programs for students who are currently in 8th grade and interested in math and science enrichment , and students in grades 10 and 11 who would be interested in a summer research opportunity. The directors of the PROMISE (Providing Opportunities for Mathematics and Science  Enrichment) and SRELO (Summer Research and Experiential Learning Opportunities) programs will provide information, answer questions and share activities that are a part of the programs.

Cultural Science Night, Jiyoon Yoon

Mavs Open Press Open Educational Resources - Archive

This book is to learn water and weather by integrating with other cultures. This textbook is organized around two interconnected components. The first component provides cultural knowledge of China, India, Korea, and Mexico. The second component focuses on culturally responsive science instruction created for the Cultural Science Night event, an occasion in which teachers present hands-on, culturally responsive science activities in collaboration with students.

If you need an accessibility accommodation or have questions about the use of this text, please contact Mavs Open Press.

The Impact Of The Alabama Literacy Act On Rural Third-Grade Students, Autumn F. Blalock

College of Education

Low third-grade reading proficiency rates in Alabama prompted the passage of the Alabama Literacy Act (ALA) in 2019, which mandates systematic, explicit literacy instruction grounded in the Science of Reading. While the Act represents a substantial shift in instructional practice and state education policy, limited empirical research has examined its impact across school contexts, particularly in rural settings. The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental study was to examine whether third-grade reading proficiency rates changed following implementation of the ALA and to compare outcomes between rural and non-rural schools and among rural students by socioeconomic status. Guided by the Simple View …

The Contribution Of Local Wisdom In The Nagasasra Textbook As Support For The Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project (P5), Nurhidayati Nurhidayati, Suwarna Suwarna, Sri Hertanti Wulan, Nujumun Niswah, Laura Zarbaliyeva

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

The Merdeka Curriculum places strong emphasis on students' character development, which is operationalized through the Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project (P5) comprising six core dimensions. As one of the primary curricular resources, textbooks are expected to reflect and mediate these character values in classroom learning. This study aims to examine the contribution of Javanese local wisdom represented in the Nagasasra textbook to supporting the implementation of P5. Employing a qualitative descriptive design, this research adopts a document-based analysis of the Nagasasra Javanese language textbooks for grades X, XI, and XII. Data were collected using a read-and-record technique and analyzed through …

Ai Transformation In Education: Examining Teachers’ Perceptions Using An Integrated Tam-Tpack-Genai Framework, Areej Elsayary, Ghadah Al Murshidi, Karim Ragab, Ahmed Al Zaabi

All Works

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming educational systems by enhancing teaching, assessment, and learning personalization. This study investigated teachers’ perceptions of AI integration using an integrated technology acceptance model (TAM), technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK), and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) framework. The main constructs used are perceived usefulness (PU), attitudes toward use (ATU), and behavioral intention (BI), with GenAI dimensions (agency, amplification, adaptivity, and authenticity) embedded within them. The study employed a cross-sectional design with 332 teachers in the emirate of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Results showed that PU was the strongest predictor of both ATU and BI, while ATU …

Spelling With Tears: (Re)Thinking The Phonics-Spelling Connection, Meghan K. Block, Kristen L. White

Michigan Reading Journal

Many elementary students perform well on weekly spelling tests but struggle to apply those same words in their everyday reading and writing. This article explores why spelling and phonics instruction often feel disconnected in classrooms and how that disconnect affects children’s literacy development. Using a classroom vignette, teacher perspectives, and research, we argue for integrating spelling into meaningful reading and writing experiences. We share practical, classroom-ready recommendations—including word study, morphology instruction, games, and authentic writing—to help teachers make spelling purposeful, engaging, and transferable.

Letters Across Languages: Building Community, Agency, And Joy Through Multilingual Penpalship Program, Yetunde S. Alabede

Michigan Reading Journal

This reflective article explores the Multilingual Pen-Pal Program, a free, community-based initiative that connects children across Nigeria and the diaspora through letter writing and storytelling. Grounded in ẹ̀bùngogy, an offshoot of ẹ̀bùnlingualism, a framework that views language transmission as a communal gift, the program embodies teaching as gifting. Through translanguaging, storying, and reflexivity, children and families engage in multilingual literacy practices that center care, reciprocity, and joy. This article highlights how the program bridges theory and practice, offering teachers practical ways to cultivate culturally sustaining and multilingual classrooms where literacy becomes a shared, liberatory act of connection.

Black Women’S Critical And Racial Literacy Practices In Higher Education, Cherita Harrell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through this study was the limited understanding of how Black female college students experienced critical and racial literacy practices within college-level reading and writing courses, particularly within dominant literacy frameworks that privileged White, Eurocentric norms of language, knowledge, expression, and representation. Grounded in Luke’s critical literacy and Sealey-Ruiz’s racial literacy frameworks, the purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how Black female college students described their experiences in reading and writing courses, including how dominant literacy frameworks influenced their engagement in ways that limited expression, created barriers to participation, and shaped their academic experiences and personal …

Individualizing Social-Emotional Learning For Infants And Toddlers With Special Needs, Charlotte Marie Quiñones

Theses and Dissertations

Infants and toddlers develop socially and emotionally at different rates, and children with special needs face added challenges that require intentional support. Social-emotional learning (SEL) in the earliest years builds the foundation for school readiness, relationships, and lifelong success. This qualitative case study explored how infant and toddler teachers individualize SEL for children with special needs in one inclusive, culturally diverse early childhood program. Four teachers participated through semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and a focus group. Program documents and lesson plans supplemented the data. Guided by the SEFEL framework, double-loop learning, and culturally responsive pedagogy, the study found that teachers …

Preparando Para Su Edad Y Su Futuro: Latina Mothers’ Perspectives Of Navigating Postsecondary Transition For Autistic Youth, Kristina Rios Dr., Katherine R. Brendli Brown, Genna Kieper, Cynthia Velasquez, Amber Brown Ruiz

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Families play a critical role in the education and service provision of Autistic students. However, much of the existing research on family involvement and expectations has centered on families of younger Autistic children and has disproportionately reflected the experiences of White families, even though Latinx families may include individuals of any racial background. Furthermore, while there is growing transition literature focused on families of color, Latinx families—particularly those with Spanish-speaking caregivers—remain underrepresented in studies examining the postsecondary transition. There is a critical need for research that captures Latinx caregivers’ perspectives on navigating the transition process and identifies how educators can …

Faculty Readiness And Ethical Perceptions Of Artificial Intelligence Integration In Higher Education Teaching And Assessment, Ayesha Afzal, Shahid Rafiq, Aisha Sami

Higher Learning Research Communications

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies presents both transformative opportunities and complex challenges for higher education, particularly in teaching and assessment. This study examines the readiness of faculty members in Pakistani universities to integrate AI tools into pedagogical and evaluative practices, alongside their ethical perceptions of AI use in academic contexts. Using a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 faculty members across diverse disciplines and institutions. Thematic analysis, guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, and Rest’s Four-Component Model of ethical decision making, revealed four interrelated themes: (1) …

A Decolonial Approach To International Education: Insights From A Cal Poly Global Program In Palermo, Sicily, Elvira Pulitano, Iyad Jamaly

csuglobalaction

This article presents a critical intervention in the current debates about decolonizing international education. It is based on a Global Program in Palermo, Sicily, offered by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in summer 2023. As both program creator/director and student participant in the program, the authors rely on their personal experience and insights along with expertise in coloniality and decolonial theories. The article focuses on a series of pedagogical activities led by a young group of migrants and refugees who, in the city of Palermo, have come together to form two associations designed and structured to offer new contemporary models …

Differences And Changes In Cross-Cultural Sensitivity Of German And Japanese Students Before And After Short-Term Exchange Programs, Kazumasa Nakagawa, Yuko Takahashi, Melanie Zwiorek

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Since 2012, a Japanese and a German university have conducted exchange programs. This study examined the effects of a short-term exchange program in 2023, focusing on intercultural sensitivity. Nine Japanese students and nine German students completed a 24-item Intercultural Sensitivity Scale before and after the program using a 5-point Likert scale. We performed cross-tabulations and analyzed differences between countries and pre- and post-program changes using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. The results suggest that even a short-term exchange enhanced Japanese students’ confidence in intercultural interactions and encouraged German students to reflect on their own culture. However, Japanese students showed lower …

Integrating Maps In History Education: Systematic Review Of Digital Mapping Effectiveness In Elementary Schools, Nanda Dini Novayanti, Ganes Gunansyah, Nasution Nasution

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The increasing integration of digital technology in elementary education and the need to enhance students’ spatial and historical understanding have driven the exploration of digital mapping tools in history learning. This systematic literature review examines the effectiveness of digital mapping tools, particularly Google Maps and related technologies, in elementary school history education. The study synthesizes findings from 16 peer-reviewed articles published between 2020-2025, analyzing their impact on student engagement, comprehension, and learning outcomes. The review employed a systematic approach following PRISMA guidelines, with inclusion criteria focusing on digital mapping tools in elementary history education. Results indicate that digital maps significantly …

Upper Elementary Teachers' Experiences In Teaching Narrative Writing In Title I Classrooms, Courteney O. Manning

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed in this study is that third through fifth grade students continue to score below district expectations on the Georgia Milestones Assessment System in narrative writing. Guided by the Ofsted inspection framework, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand the experiences of upper elementary teachers teaching writing in Title I classrooms. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 participants who taught upper elementary grades. Through thematic coding, four themes emerged outlining (a) the instructional success teachers experienced teaching narrative writing, (b) the instructional challenges of teaching narrative writing, (c) teachers’ beliefs about …

Developing Critical Thinking Skills In Undergraduate Csd Students Through A Case Study Project, Lydia R. Kruse, Windi Krok

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Critical thinking skills are crucial for Speech-Language Pathologists to effectively assess, diagnose, and treat communication disorders. However, the optimal timing for teaching these skills to future clinicians remains an open question. Most of the current research is focused on developing critical thinking skills in graduate students, though there is some evidence to suggest that students should be working to develop critical thinking skills during their undergraduate education. This work describes the critical thinking skills demonstrated by undergraduate students in a Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD program) through a case study project, as well as their self-perceptions. Results indicate relative weakness …

Development And Impact Of A Review Course For The Praxis Examination In Speech- Language Pathology, Miriam Baigorri, George Pagano

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Abstract

The Praxis II: Subject Assessment in Speech-Language Pathology is a required national examination for certification and licensure in the United States. However, disparities in pass rates, particularly among culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) test takers, create barriers to professional entry. This study examines students' perceptions of the effectiveness of an Examination Preparation Course, designed to enhance student success through structured content review, practice exams, and test-taking strategies. A total of 70 graduates (2018–2023) who completed the course participated in an online survey assessing their demographics, perceptions of the course’s effectiveness, and confidence levels before and after taking the course. …

University Placed-Based Community Engagement And Adult Learners: A Field Report In Mutual Flourishing, Elisabeth Stevens, Kate Witvliet, Abbie Lipsker, Craig Mattson

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Although higher education increasingly focuses on both community engagement and adult learners, community-engaged research rarely considers them together. This article bridges the gap in the literature between undergraduate adult learners and community engagement. Providing one example of a partnership that considers adult learners as necessary partners for community engagement, Calvin University’s 49507 Initiative is a place-based community educational project in southeast Grand Rapids, Michigan, focusing on the goals and needs of adult learners in the 49507 zip code and adjacent neighborhoods. Through 12 focus groups in the community, adult residents discussed their interests in higher education, identified barriers to higher …

Disproportionality Of Multilingual Learners In Special Education: A Mixed Methods Study Exploring The Relationship Between Teacher Self-Efficacy And Sheltered Instruction, Jessica Braynor

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Jessica Braynor DISPROPORTIONALITY OF MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION: A MIXED METHODS STUDY EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TEACHER SELF-EFFICACY AND SHELTERED INSTRUCTION 2025-2026 Hajime Mitani, Ph.D. Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership This study addressed the issue of disproportionality of multilingual learners (MLs) in Special Education. Using mixed-methods explanatory sequential design, the study examined the relationship between sheltered instruction implementation, domain-specific self-efficacy (pedagogical-content, linguistic, and sociocultural), and referrals of MLs to Intervention & Referral Services (I&RS) and Special Services. Quantitative data were collected from general education teachers using measures of Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) implementation and self-efficacy, along …

Development Of Animation-Based Cooperative Learning Media On Lampung Folk Tales To Improve Learning Outcomes In Elementary School Students, Aprilia Nursanti, Farida Ariyani, Ryzal Perdana, Hendri Firmansyah

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

This study aimed to develop and examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an animation-based learning medium integrated with Cooperative Learning for teaching Lampung folk tales in elementary schools. The study was motivated by low student achievement and the limited availability of culturally contextualized digital media in local language instruction. Using a Research and Development (R&D) approach, the learning media was developed through the ADDIE model, encompassing Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. The participants consisted of 25 fourth-grade students from SDN 3 Rajabasa, Bandar Lampung. Expert validation indicated a high level of feasibility, with an average score of 88%. …

Discourses On Homosexuality And The Paradox Of The Closet In The New Life (2023) By Tom Crewe, Paramita Ayuningtyas, Shuri Mariasih Gietty Tambunan, Asri Saraswati

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

This article offers a critical examination of Tom Crewe's biographical novel The New Life (2023), focusing on its representation of homosexual subjectivity in Victorian England—a historical context defined by restrictive moral norms and punitive legal regimes that criminalised same-sex relationships. Drawing on Michel Foucault's theory of discursive power, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick's concept of the closet, and Michael Boucai's topology of the closet, the study demonstrates that the novel portrays the closet not merely as a private site of concealment but as a complex social mechanism shaped by legal regulation, gender norms, and class-based power relations. Building on this theoretical framework, …

Visual Healing In Visual Communication Design: Exploring Calm Aesthetics For The Psychological Well-Being Of Urban Society, Siti Indah Lestari, Ivo Ramadhani

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

This study investigates the concept of visual healing from a Visual Communication Design (VCD) perspective, focusing on its potential contribution to emotional comfort and psychological well-being among urban office workers. Contemporary workplace environments are increasingly characterized by prolonged screen exposure, dense visual information, and sustained cognitive demands, conditions that intensify visual fatigue and psychological strain. In this context, the study positions visual design not merely as an aesthetic practice, but as a psychologically responsive medium capable of shaping users' emotional experiences in everyday work settings. Employing a qualitative Research through Design (RtD) methodology, the study treats the design process as …