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Research Proposal, William H,

CouRaGeouS Cuentos: A Journal of Counternarratives

No abstract provided.

Classroom Exercise Breaks In Central South Carolina:‘It’S Not A Well-Oiled Machine’ But ‘Kids Are Happy And Productive’, Erin K. Howie, Russell R. Pate

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

In order to comply with state physical activity policies and increase physical activity of students, schools have begun to implement classroom exercise breaks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of existing classroom exercise breaks in elementary schools in central South Carolina. Principals in elementary schools in central South Carolina were invited to participate in a brief online survey and phone interview about classroom exercise breaks. Principals reported varied types of classroom exercise breaks but described many benefits of exercise breaks including improved student behavior and attention. Providing resources and example activities, training teachers to …

Decades Of Deliberation: Online Or Face-To-Face?, Tracy Meetze

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

For more than a decade, it has been deliberated as to the effectiveness of online instruction. More and more, Institutions of Higher Education are moving towards online delivery, particularly for graduate degrees. This further changes the landscape of graduate education. This study presents an analysis of assignment scores from courses delivered online and face-to-face, as well as suggestions as to what types of projects best match each mode of delivery.

Using Stress Management Techniques To Support Inclusionary Education Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disabilities, James T. Jackson, Katina January-Vance, Morgan Freeman

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Successful inclusion of students with behavioral challenges in mainstreamed classrooms is predicated on healthy social-emotional development. Students who are able to effectively engage self-regulatory skills will be better prepared to interface socially. This paper details how stress management techniques can be used by teachers to promote inclusion of students with behavioral challenges into mainstreamed classrooms. Strategies to help students cope with stress are presented in the paper. The article concludes with recommendations for teachers to implement strategies and how they will be useful in promoting a sense of inclusion rather than exclusion.

I Never Would Have Expected It! Changing Perceptions Through Cross-Cultural Experiences, Jamia Thomas Richmond, Caroline Knight

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

As the U.S. population continues to diversify, cross-cultural interactions are increasingly common. Preconceptions of other cultural groups influence those interactions. In this article, two teacher educators interview ten college students, discussing how experiences in a cross-cultural tutoring program changed their perceptions and beliefs about working with culturally diverse elementary students. The college students identify several aspects of the tutoring program impacting their overall educational experience.

A Decade Of Growing Our Own In South Carolina: Efficacy Studies On Project Create, Joe P. Sutton, Shirley C. Bausmith, Holly A. Pae, Michelle M. Bishop, Cathy M. Boshamer

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Project CREATE's chief mission is to reduce the number of non-certified special education teachers while simultaneously growing a highly qualified special education teacher work force in the State. Nationally recognized for grow your own (GYO) and alternative routes to certification (ARC) emphases, project leadership implemented an aggressive research agenda that has spanned CREATE's 10 years of operation to date. In this article, we summarize five peer-reviewed studies on the efficacy of CREATE, all focusing on aspects of outcome data from special education teachers who were program completers. These studies, emanating from different perspectives and research interests, provide a framework for …

A Qualitative Study Of Daily Physical Activity In Community-Based Learning Settings With Recommendations For Teachers And Administrators, Dolores A. Stegelin, Katherine Evans, Jennifer Wagner

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Excess weight among children is a growing concern for parents and professionals. Daily physical activity of children in early learning settings has not been well researched. However, there is increasing attention being given to this issue. The White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity submitted a report in 2011 identifying settings, programs and policies that support the prevention of obesity for young children (F as in Fat 2010 p. 68). This article describes the qualitative findings of a study of daily physical activity of 4-7 year olds in early learning settings. Recommendations are made for teachers and administrators of young …

Full Issue: Volume 6, 2013, Christopher Burkett

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This file contains the full issue of TEJSC, including front matter, table of contents, editorial notes, and articles.

Mathematics Anxiety: Understanding Its Concept, Impact On Secondary Students’ Academic Performance And Career Prospects, And Effective Intervention Strategies, Sabiruddin Molla, Safwana Rashid, Saba Sultana

Numeracy

This study investigates the influence of mathematics anxiety on secondary school students’ academic performance and career pathway selection. Mathematics, often perceived as abstract and challenging, can evoke high levels of anxiety that affect both learning outcomes and career-related decisions. Data were collected from 106 students across two urban secondary schools in Kolkata. Findings revealed that students possessed a significant understanding of the concept of mathematics anxiety (t (105) = 8.48, p < .001, d = 0.82). A strong positive correlation was observed between mathematics anxiety and academic performance (r = .686, p < .001), indicating that elevated anxiety levels correspond with lower achievement. Additionally, a significant positive correlation (r = .475, p < .001) showed that mathematics anxiety influences students’ career pathway selection, with higher anxiety leading to avoidance of mathematics-related careers. The study highlights that negative attitudes toward mathematics often stem from perception rather than actual difficulty. Overall, the findings emphasize the need for innovative teaching strategies and targeted interventions to reduce mathematics anxiety and enhance students’ academic and career outcomes.

Alternative Support For Teachers In Challenging Economic Times: The Use Of Virtual Coaching, Celeste C. Bates

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This qualitative study explored the use of virtual literacy coaching by examining 18 coaching sessions between a university-based literacy coach and a first-grade reading interventionist using Abobe Connect, a web-based collaborative tool. The application provided a virtual meeting space and through the use of video pods the teacher and coach had synchronous audio and video communication. Each coaching session lasted approximately one hour and included a pre-observation discussion, a 30-minute individualized lesson with a struggling reader, and a debriefing conversation. Data, including transcriptions of the coaching sessions, interviews with participants, field notes, and journal entries were analyzed using the constant-comparative …

Principal Leadership Behavior And Principal Experience, Edward Cox, Tammy Martin

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The purpose of this study was to determine if principal leadership behavior, perceived by principals and teachers, is related to principal longevity. Kouzes and Posner's Leadership Practices Inventory (2003) was used to measure perceptions of principal leadership behavior. Data were analyzed to determine principal and teacher perceptions of principal leadership behavior and further analyzed to investigate a relationship between principal leadership behavior and principal longevity. Principals and teachers rated principals' leadership behavior favorably with principal ratings higher than teachers. No relationship was found between principal leadership behavior and principal longevity. However, implications for leadership development and increased self-awareness were apparent.

Collaboration And The New Generation Of Teachers: Do They Like It? Will They Use It? Does It Matter?, Sandra G. Mccloy

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This exploratory study investigated the personal learning preference of students in an initial teacher education program in a small, private, liberal arts college in the southeast USA, and the likelihood that they would use collaborative learning strategies in their own future classrooms. It was hypothesized that Generation Y (age 30 and younger) teacher candidates would prefer independent learning activities to learning activities involving collaboration or cooperation. It was also hypothesized that these teacher candidates would indicate a preference for collaboration, versus cooperation or independent learning strategies, in their own future classrooms, regardless of their personal preference. The study participants were …

Responding To Increased Enrollment In An Undergraduate Seminar: A Hybrid Approach, Nancy Luke, Kelly N. Tracy

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Shrinking budgets and increasing enrollment can often mean growing class sizes. These larger numbers can have a negative effect on student achievement (Johnson, 2010; Kokkelenberg, et al., 2008) and student evaluations of courses and instructors (Bedard & Kuhn, 2008; Westerlund, 2008). Large class sizes may be particularly challenging for courses that are intended to be discussion-oriented seminars. One possible solution for this problem may be found through utilizing a hybrid format (Knapczyk & Hew,2007). In this article, the authors will share why and how they utilized the on-line platform , Blackboard, to redesign a traditionally face-to-face undergraduate seminar as a …

High School Advisory: Learning From The Mistakes, Linda Anast-May, James Bailey

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This study focused on students, teachers, and administrators' perceptions of the effectiveness of a newly implemented high school advisory program. Based on a comparative research design with quantitative analysis conducted during the spring 2010, the study finds significant differences in perceptions regarding the implementation and community aspects of the high school advisory program and not enough evidence to conclude that there was a difference in perceptions concerning the overall effectiveness of the program. It is the desire of the authors that the results of the study can assist administrators and staff in identifying and implementing any necessary changes for improvement …

Full Issue: Volume 5, 2012, Christopher Burkett

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This file contains the full issue of TEJSC, including front matter, table of contents, editorial notes, and articles.

Elements Of Teaching Online: A Literature Review, Ron Knorr, Lienne Medford, Hem Paudel

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Online instruction and other distant learning modalities are becoming common in all areas of academia, including pre-service teacher preparation and continuing education for in-service teachers. This article is a review of pertinent research regarding online teaching and the attributes of that teaching venue. From this literature, the following elements were noted. Considerable thought and planning must go into the construction of an online course, including designing instruction, class interaction, assignments and assessments. Other factors, such as the validity of online scholarship and the role of the instructor, influence the online teaching environment. Benefits and challenges for instructor and student are …

Teachers' Perceptions Of The Use Of The Global Guidelines Assessment Tool In Italy: Blending Assessment And Teacher Training In The Kindergartens Of Parma, Dolores A. Stegelin, Luciano Cecconi, Andrea Pintus, Rossana Allegri

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The growing emphasis on accountability in educational settings requires teacher educators to develop effective and relevant strategies to prepare pre-service teachers and to support in-service teachers in the area of assessment. This article presents a creative in-service teacher training project in Parma, Italy that engages kindergarten teachers in the use of a global assessment tool for the purpose of professional development, improved learning environments, and enhanced teacher self-assessment and critical thinking. The project stems from a collaborative research project between teacher educators in South Carolina and Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Constructing A Culture Of Assessment: Building An Assessment System In Teacher Education, Cynthia Bolton-Gary

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This paper investigated the processes used to construct a culture of assessment among faculty, students, and stakeholders. Using a constructivist approach, participants were encouraged to develop skills in data collection, assessment reporting, and using evidence to make data-driven instructional decisions and program planning. Results indicated that enabling faculty to create and use an assessment system laid the foundation for a culture of assessment that can ultimately lead to innovative curricular changes–thereby reaching beyond assessment mandates to a culture of assessment.

First-Year Teacher Burnout: A Collaborative Approach To A Complex Problem, Daniel J. Ilagan

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Forty-six percent of the nation's teachers are expected to leave the profession by their fifth year in the classroom. In South Carolina, an average of 5,700 teachers per year leave the field of education. This translates to a yearly turnover rate of approximately 10.1% for the state. A recent mixed-methods study examined novice teachers' self-reported burnout levels. 101 first-year teachers (60%) from Palmetto School District (pseudonym) responded to an online survey that contained a demographic questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. In addition, six first-year teachers agreed to be interviewed four times throughout the school year. In the quantitative phase, …

Comparing Elementary And Middle School Classrooms: Teachers Make The Difference, Emma Savage-Davis, Richard H. Costner, Nancy J. Ratcliff, Cathy R. Jones, Heather Sheehan, Michelle Scott, Gilbert H. Hunt

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This paper investigates the differences found n elementary grade classrooms compared to middle grade classrooms. Based on a comparative research design with quantitative analysis conducted over three consecutive academic semesters, the study found that individual teaching skills had far greater impact on classroom climate than grade level had. Research findings provide implications for effective teaching and learning across the curriculum.

Full Issue: Volume 4, 2011, Christopher Burkett

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This file contains the full issue of TEJSC, including front matter, table of contents, editorial notes, and articles.

The Living Lab: Instructional Design Interventions To Improve Communication And Equity In Federal Housing Programs, Joana I. Camp

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

The Living Lab is an independent applied research project informed by my 25 years of lived experience as a Section 8 voucher holder, examining how instructional design strategies can improve administrative workflows, communication, and equitable access within the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Drawing on sustained participation, the research identifies two primary systemic barriers: the federally mandated 15-day inspection period and incomplete Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) packets. To address these issues, the project developed the RFTA Roadmap—a zero-cost, clarity-driven communication tool that embeds sequential instructions directly within procedural workflows, mitigating the Split-Attention Effect and cognitive “Bandwidth Tax” associated with standard …

Beyond The Survey: Performance Assessments For Higher-Order Sustainability Literacy In Higher Education, Gregory Vincent Massara, Courtney B. Ryan, Mary Ellen Mallia

Educational Policy & Leadership Other Graduate Student Scholarship

Purpose This study explores how a performance-based assessment measures students’ higher-order sustainability competencies in ways that multiple-choice or scaled-survey tools, common ways to assess sustainability literacy, may not.

Design/Methodology/Approach This exploratory case study created a performance task for a first-year honors writing and critical inquiry course. Students (n=9) analyzed a scenario across environmental, social, and economic domains. A rubric measured students’ abilities to address all three domains and articulate a feasible and balanced solution supported by credible evidence.

Findings Students demonstrated proficiency in defining the three sustainability domains but tended to struggle to balance them. Choosing scenarios in familiar local …

Teachers' Perspectives On The Inclusion Of Children With Autism In Preschool And Kindergarten Programs Within Inclusive Classrooms In Saudi Arabia, Budur Alsalamah

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a significant increase in the number of students with autism being integrated into mainstream classrooms. This is thanks to laws and regulations enacted to provide appropriate education for students with special needs, particularly those with autism, in less restrictive environments. This is a positive step towards providing equal educational opportunities for students with special needs. However, teachers' views on integrating children with autism into mainstream education remain varied. Studies have shown that teachers with positive attitudes towards inclusion are more likely to provide inclusive education in the classroom (Dev & Hayes, 2015). This …

Clinicians’ Perceived Preparedness To Support Clients Who Have Co-Occurring Disorders, Jessica A. Love Jordan, Joseph Day

Journal of Applied Disciplines

Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders are prevalent, yet many clinicians feel underprepared to provide integrated care for this population. This study explores the factors influencing clinicians' perceived preparedness and objective knowledge in treating clients with co-occurring disorders. Data were collected from 131 clinicians using the CODECAT EZ 2.0 and TIP ZIP assessments to evaluate their competence in co-occurring disorders treatment. Results indicate that while participants held positive attitudes toward integrated care, their practical knowledge and skills were often rated as average or below. Education, clinical experience, and continuing education were found to significantly influence both perceived preparedness and …

The Classroom Assessment Self-Efficacy Survey For Preservice Teachers: A Validation Study, Yiyun Fan, Timothy Folger, Connor Sondergeld, Toni A. May, Gregory E. Stone

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

Preservice teachers often lack confidence in classroom assessment, highlighting the need for robust tools to measure assessment self-efficacy. The Classroom Assessment Self-Efficacy Survey (CASES) was designed to address this need. It comprises 24 items across two subscales: Evaluating Others’ Confidence (EOC) and Personal Performance Confidence (PPC). This study examined the psychometric properties of CASES using 223 responses from preservice teachers. Rasch modeling and other statistical techniques were applied to evaluate validity evidence based on response processes, internal structure, and relations to other variables. Results showed that CASES functioned as intended. Rating scale use was consistent with expectations, and reliability and …

Early Childhood Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions Of Scientists At Work, Tenisha L. Powell, Susan Green

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Early childhood teachers play a vital role in creating young children’s perceptions about science and scientists. Stereotypical perceptions of scientists and science may be detrimental to young children because these beliefs limit the possibility that science is accessible to all. To assist children in broadening their thinking about science, teachers must first gain knowledge about their own beliefs and perceptions. Several researchers have found that "teachers tend to teach in the same ways in which they were taught when they were students" (Finson, Thomas & Pedersen, 2006). In this study, 33 early childhood pre-service teachers were asked to "draw a …

How To Use Second Life® As A Teaching Strategy For Sexual Health Education, Fredanna A.D. M'Cormack, David P. Aguilar, John F. Yannessa, Chandrika F. Johnson

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The multi-user virtual environment (MUVE), known as Second Life (SL™) has been used extensively for educational purposes. Yet less studied are applications of this environment to health education topics. Equally lacking are clear instructions to guide the educator in both establishing this useful learning environment, and an application of the environment to educational topics that can be difficult to discuss face to face. The objectives for this manuscript include the development of an understanding of the technical parameters necessary to use Second Life, and methods to apply sexual health education content within the Second Life virtual world. The target audience …

Fertilizing Critical Thinkers With Questioning, Reflection, And Metacognition, Janis Mcwayne, Tracy E. Meetze, Shirley Carr Bausmith, Daljit Kaur

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

At a southeastern liberal arts university, a qualitative research course was offered to graduate students who taught in a rural impoverished public school setting. The intent of the course was to teach them how to use qualitative methods to improve teaching and assessment of their students. There is a learning curve associated with fully implementing qualitative methods. Within a year after course completion, we interviewed the teachers individually and then conducted a focus group with all participants to learn how they were implementing and evaluating their qualitative skills. The findings revealed they have used qualitative methods to assist their students …

Full Issue: Volume 3, 2010, Christopher Burkett

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This file contains the full issue of TEJSC, including front matter, table of contents, editorial notes, and articles.