Digital Commons Network^™

More Than Waving A Magic Wand: Pitfalls Of Student Response System Technology Integration, Lisa D. Waller

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This study investigated teachers' availability of student response system (SRS) technology, how they were trained to use the technology, and how often and in what capacity the technology was used. The sample consisted of 481 teachers from schools in North Carolina and Tennessee. Findings reveal that a majority of teachers do not regularly use SRS technology in their instruction and have limited training on the technology. Although it's available, teachers are either unaware of its availability or unsure how to operate it. Suggestions are given regarding availability, time, training, and administrative support for technology use.

Are We Doing The Smart Thing In Teacher Education?, Linda Karges-Bone

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Technology has been idolized as the BEST of the best practices, and teachers are now routinely evaluated on their ability to use technology in the classroom. In fact, many districts expect daily, consistent use of high tech features such as Smart© or Promethean© boards. Is this engaging or enabling? Has “high tech” shoved “high touch” teaching into the background? This essay explores that question with humor and some real concern. As educators charged with preparing teachers for the 21st century classroom, have we narrowed our focus too much?

Teachers' Perceptions Of Assessment Uses And Necessity In Teaching, Kay Hanson

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Teacher knowledge, performance, and competence are coming under increased scrutiny because of assessment-laden mandates such as No Child Left Behind and Response to Intervention. While considerable research has focused on teacher practices, limited research has been done on teachers' perceptions regarding the usefulness and necessity of utilizing assessment for instructional purposes despite the fact that teacher perceptions impact performance. This paper presents the results of a study on the assessment practices and perceptions of in-service classroom teachers.

Assessing Twelve Dimensions Of Supervision In Mentoring Practice: Understanding The Gap Between Current Vs. Preferred Realities, Zach Kelehear

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

Observing classrooms and providing teachers with feedback is an important responsibility for instructional leaders and mentors in American schools (Zepeda, 2007; Pajak, 2003; Glickman 2002). Although the nature of that feedback and the perceived roles of the supervisor (e.g., summative vs. formative) have varied through the years (Hazi & Arrendo-Ruzinski, 2008; Glanz, 1998; Reitzug, 1997), there is a consensus that teachers need feedback that is timely and provides guidance. Mentoring may be the effective mechanism to offer such instructional support (Ingersoll & Kralik, 2004; Reiman, 1999).

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, …

Preservice Teacher Disposition Assessment: Options And Efficacy, Joyce Shanks, Carol Angell

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This paper documents the attempt to assess teacher candidates' professional dispositions and analyze the efficacy of the tools used to measure dispositions. Teacher dispositions assessment is increasingly valued along with teacher candidate knowledge and skill assessment. The researchers analyze data from three disposition assessment tools including a candidate self-assessment, a cooperating teacher assessment, and a candidate portfolio assessment. The purpose of the paper is to analyze the efficacy of these disposition assessment tools and make recommendations for disposition assessment in teacher education programs.

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.

Take Charge: Assigning Class Roles And Responsibilities To African American Male Students To Raise Student Achievement, Kristen Taylor Nicholson

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This action research study focused on how the implementation of classroom roles and responsibilities affected fifth grade African American male students' achievement within their learning environment. This study grew from a need to enhance the achievement of this group within the school, as based on previous standardized test data as well as classroom observations and fall discipline data. The assignment and facilitation of roles and responsibilities within the learning environment encouraged a common productive space and an ownership of the learning to shift and be shared among all members. The teacher and students identified areas of need, designed jobs, applied …

The Decision To Teach: Comparing Mongolian And South Carolinian Teacher Candidates, Lynne S. Noble, D. Odgerel

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The authors had a unique opportunity to survey students in South Carolina and Mongolia regarding their motivation to become teachers and the characteristics they believed they possessed that would ensure their success as very good teachers. The realities of teacher education and teaching careers in the two localities were assumed to presage differences in motivation and perceived characteristics. However, more similarities than differences were apparent in the students' answers. The few disparities can be attributed to explicit differences in culture and tradition, not necessarily the differences in training and teaching environments.

When School Leaders Are In Denial: The Role Of Teacher Education Programs In Preparing Teachers To Combat Homophobia, Joseph R. Jones

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

As this study and other research literature indicates, homophobia and homophobic bullying is a tremendous problem in our schools. In the past, educators have attempted to address this challenge through a “top-down” administrative process. However, because of covert heterocentricity and unwillingness, administration may not be a viable avenue in some school districts. Thus, it is imperative for teacher education programs to begin addressing the possible ramifications of not having a supportive administration when attempting to create change in local school systems. This article examines how one group of teachers perceived homophobia in their schools and how their administration impacted the …

Early College High School Initiatives: Reflections From A South Carolina Program, Howard V. Coleman, Jeremy Dickerson, Fred Crawford

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This paper presents information on an early college high school initiative (ECHI) program at Greenville Technical Charter High School (GTCHS) in Greenville, South Carolina and reflects on connections to teacher and school leader preparation programs. Over a three-year period, site visits, survey reviews, state report cards and grant assessment reports were used to analyze GTCHS' early college curriculum, student achievement in high school and college coursework. The data and findings revealed that GTCHS can be viewed as having a high amount of success in many areas, including academic achievement, moving students into collegiate-level work and preparing students for success in …

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 …

Parents Engaging In Early Literacy (Peel): Outcomes From A Shared Reading Program Implemented Via Text Messaging, Victoria Henbest, Brenda L. Beverly, Gina M. Mejia

Victoria S. Henbest Publications

Purpose: Investigators delivered an asynchronous parent education for improving early literacy skills of typically developing preschoolers. The home-based shared-book reading program, PEEL, consisted of strategies modeled via videos and sent as text messages.

Method: Twenty parent-child dyads were randomly assigned to one of two 8-week programs targeting evidence-based early literacy strategies. One parent group was taught strategies to support print-related knowledge for learning to read, and the other learned skills to promote vocabulary and story knowledge underlying comprehension.

Results: The asynchronous parent education resulted in more frequent parental use of taught strategies compared to non-taught strategies during …

March 24, 2026 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

“I’M So Hungry”: Assessing Stem Sensemaking Through Data-Informed Writing, Bailey Nafziger, Alesia Mickle Moldavan, Katie Brkich

Elementary & Special Education: Faculty Publications

To engage elementary learners in the complex task of STEM sensemaking, teachers must entice and inspire learners to ask questions, explore, and communicate their findings. This article shares a 5E/3D lesson designed and taught in our elementary science methods courses to model how preservice teachers can integrate literacy and mathematics into a science investigation for STEM sensemaking. We modified a traditional lesson on bird beak adaptations to have a differentiated, interdisciplinary writing component justified by data. We discuss why data-supported literacy is a non-negotiable in science education reforms and how teachers can differentiate tasks to make scientific writing more approachable …

20260324: Education Department, 1910-1991, College Of Education And Professional Development

Guides to University Archives

These items include materials from the College of Education and Professional Development at Marshall University from 1910-1991. Items were received in the 1990s and were processed in 2026 and includes: WV Economic Profiles (Volumes 1 and 2 from 1991); Manual for teaching home economics in education (1949); Information from the Department of Home Economics at Marshall; Mathematics Department materials; Department of Music Materials and programs; Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation; A publication called Baseball in Huntington in the early 1900s; and a publication called "The Black Quarterback." Please download the finding aid for a full list of contents, …

From Recruitment To Retention: An Administrator Resource Toolkit For Supporting Industry-To-Classroom Cte Teachers, Lisa M. Rudzinski

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Lisa M. Rudzinski Salvisa on March 24, 2026.

Endowed With Intelligence From On High: Scriptural Patterns Of Divinely Augmented Knowing, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Learning, Teaching, & Researching Optimization

The four standard works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contain numerous accounts in which individuals exhibit intellectual capacities — of perception, reasoning, problem-solving, and articulation — that demonstrably exceed their natural endowments and circumstances. This essay identifies twenty such accounts, organizes them into five conceptual typologies, and draws from each typology a set of concrete, actionable proposals for faculty at Brigham Young University who seek to integrate divine assistance into their scholarly and pedagogical work. The central argument is that the patterns encoded in Latter-day Saint scripture constitute not merely historical records of miraculous intervention but …

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 …

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 …

Project Create: State-Wide Partnership For Producing Highly Qualified Special Education Teachers, Joe P. Sutton, Holly A. Pae, Shirley C. Bausmith, Dava M. O'Connor, Susan D. Rurant

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

The highly qualified teacher mandate introduced under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 exacerbated the already well-documented shortage of special educators nationwide. With almost 40% of its special education teachers holding emergency/provisional licenses at the time, South Carolina faced a great challenge in meeting new accreditation requirements. This article examines how Project CREATE (Centers for the Re-education and Advancement of Teachers in special Education), a personnel preparation initiative funded by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE), refortified the State’s special education teacher force. Project success attributed chiefly to collaboration among SCDE, local education agencies, and institutions of …

Professional Development And American History Textbooks: A Case Study From Teachers' Perspective, Farzana Sultana, Robert Petrulis

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This study investigates the influence of teachers' involvement in a grant-funded American history professional development process in their use of American history textbooks and other resources in their classrooms at primary and secondary school level. As a part of classroom observations in one school district, participant teachers were observed regarding the conduct of their history classes. Focus group interviews were conducted to collect in-depth qualitative data on their views regarding the usefulness of a range of teaching resources. The results suggest that participation in professional development classes had changed the types of resources the teachers used and the ways in …

Classroom Climate And Teacher Effectiveness: A Study Of Second-Grade Classrooms, Nancy Ratcliff, Cathy Jones, Emma Savage-Davis, Heather Sheehan, Gilbert Hunt

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This paper investigates the differences that exist between the climates in second-grade classrooms where teachers are perceived as needs improvement by their principals and in classrooms where teachers are perceived as strong by the same principals. Based on a comparative research design with quantitative analysis conducted during the fall semester of the 2008 school year, the study finds significant differences in classroom management, teacher and student interactions, questioning, and student time- on-task. Research findings provide implications to help improve both pre-service and in-service training of elementary school teachers.

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 …

A Pilot Study: Capturing Online Dispositions And Summative Evaluation Of Educational Field Experiences, Michael H. Murphy, Gina Barton, Judith Neufeld

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

In 2009 the Department of Teacher Education at Lander University created a small collaborative assessment team to construct an online evaluation tool for their clinical candidates. The primary intent of the team was twofold. First, the team needed to create a single tool that reflected the Department of Teacher Education’s conceptual framework and that could capture data from teacher candidates, host cooperating teachers, and university supervisors, (stakeholders) in both the field and clinical experiences. Second, the team needed to create a database that would store candidates’ clinical data in a way that was easy to manipulate and aggregate in order …

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 …

Foreign Language-Immersion Education In South Carolina: Prospects, Kara D. Brown, Xiaohui Wu, Sarahi Paz

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

This article examines the development of foreign language immersion education in South Carolina schools, highlights some of the educational challenges involved in foreign language immersion, and concludes with prospects for foreign-language immersion policy and practice in the state.