Digital Commons Network^™

Culturally Responsive Instructional Coaching : Accessing Student Voice During A Co-Generated Lesson Plan, Jacqueline Stone

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

In an increasingly diverse nation, rife with racial unrest and systemic inequities, it is the responsibility of educators to ensure the academic equity of all students. This participatory action research (PAR) sought to incorporate student voice into a culturally responsive coaching cycle in order to create equity and shared power between students and teachers. Through one phase of PAR and one coaching cycle (planning, observing, reflecting) that incorporated student voice, student-participants challenged traditional teaching structures and felt validation as a result. Additionally, teachers may have struggled with sharing power, but they demonstrated growth in their teaching practice. Finally, as an …

Rehabilitation Counseling Perceptions And Psychosocial Stressors Of Arab-Immigrant Caregivers Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Maram Alfulayyih

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

This research study provides important insights on the psychosocial stressors faced by U.S. Arab immigrants when raising a child with ASD, their perceptions of rehabilitation counseling, and the implications of rehabilitation counseling practice based on gender, age, education, and race. More specifically, this study has provided a detailed literature review as well as new insights into the challenges faced by the caregivers and recommendations that rehabilitation counselors should consider when helping these families overcome psychosocial issues and adjust to their circumstances. Using the DASS-21 questionnaire and a multi-factor analysis, it has identified specific groups of caregivers that may need help …

Cynicism As A Modus Of Political Agency: Can It Speak To International Law?, Hengameh Saberi

Articles & Book Chapters

This essay is a brief tour through the philosophical journey of cynicism as a critical ethos and modus of political agency. Against colloquial and psychological uses, all with a crippling effect, it seeks to remind of the best potential of a philosophical cynical temperament for a sense of empowered agency by revisiting its travels from ancient Athens to our time. With that history in sight, it will then in a preliminary and experimental fashion imagine some possible avenues through which international law can begin to appreciate a cynical orientation as a force for good rather than an enemy to deny, …

Curriculum Change 2021-2022, Portland State University

Bulletin & Curriculum Change Documents

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Empathy In Moral Inquiry, William Gray Kidder

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

In this dissertation, I defend the view that, despite empathy’s susceptibility to problematic biases, we can and should cultivate empathy to aid our understanding of our own values and the values of others. I argue that empathy allows us to critically examine and potentially revise our values by considering concrete moral problems and our own moral views from the perspective of another person. Appropriately calibrated empathy helps us achieve a critical distance from our own moral perspective and is thus tied to impartiality in moral inquiry. In defending this role for empathy in moral inquiry, I draw on empirical work …

The Time Course And Interaction Of Emoji And Text Processing During Natural Reading : Evidence From Eye Movements, Eliza Barach

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Emojis are nonverbal elements used in text-based communication that may function like gestures in spoken communication (Feldman et al., 2017; McCulloch & Gawne, 2018). Like words, emojis can convey semantic information and support message comprehension (Lo, 2008; Riordan, 2017b). Nevertheless, the cognitive and perceptual processes involved in emoji recognition and integration during reading remain unclear. Specifically, it is unclear how early semantic processing of emojis begins as well as how emojis and text interact during reading. Such empirical questions have implications for contemporary models of eye movement control, such as E-Z Reader (Reichle et al., 1998, 2012) and SWIFT (Engbert …

Dominican Spanish In New York : Language Attitudes And Variation Of Final /ɾ/ And /L/, Gabriel Valentín Guadalupe

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The objective of this dissertation is to contribute to the growing body of research on sociolinguistic variation of final liquids in Caribbean Spanish in a language and dialectal contact situation. To achieve that objective, this study analyzes the Spanish of Dominicans in the New York Metropolitan Area. The dissertation has two main goals. The first is to describe language attitudes among Dominicans in New York. Data extracted from questionnaires are analyzed to show how Dominicans evaluate their varieties of Spanish and those of others. Additionally, the dissertation looks at whether inter- and intra-group interactions affect language attitudes. The second goal …

Meeting Places : The Entanglements Of Poetry And Science In The Modern American Imagination, James H. Searle

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

“Meeting Places: The Entanglements of Poetry and Science in the Modern American Imagination” explores how Ralph Waldo Emerson, W.E.B. Du Bois, William Carlos Williams, and Muriel Rukeyser responded to the rise of modern science and industrial technology by reflecting on the similarities and differences between the poetic and scientific imaginations. Across four chapters, I show how the growth of the natural and social sciences from the mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth century spurred these writers to rethink the social and cultural functions of literature in a democratic society. Unlike many of their peers, these figures refused to treat science either as a …

An Evaluation Of A Phonemic Awareness Program For Middle School Students And Its Impact On Academic Achievement, Valdis Sigrun Rice

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

With general instruction, most students’ reading skills develop overtime. For some, additional intervention in certain areas is necessary to acquire expected reading ability. One of five components of reading as identified by the National Reading Panel (NRP; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [NICHD], 2000) included phonemic awareness (PA). Recognized as necessary to develop more complex skills, interventions for students’ PA abilities is thought by some to increase overall reading performance (Kilpatrick, 2013; 2015). One school district developed and implemented a new class program with the goal of increasing middle school students’ overall academic outcomes through targeted intervention …

Supporting Highly Mobile Literacy Learners : Examining How An Elementary School Provided Support To Mobile Students In An Urban School District, Rebecca L. Benjamin

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This dissertation explores the academic and social-emotional supports and constraints that impact the literacy learning of highly mobile students in an urban elementary school, utilizing interview, questionnaire, and achievement data from transient students and educational professionals who work with them. It examines a school year of highly mobile student experiences in literacy-learning across a wide range of factors and environments, considering student and educator observations, reflections, and participation, through different schools and across various settings in their current/newest school (in classrooms, at lunch, recess, rehearsals, and specials, working with social or academic service providers, etc.). This study’s theoretical framework was …

Mapping Of Auditory Cortical Functions Using Electrocorticography, James Robert Swift

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Communication is a dynamic process through which we translate our inner thoughts in such a way that they can be shared with another person. This complex neurological phenomenon is a key predictor of our productivity and health. When our ability to communicate is compromised, our quality of life suffers. Although numerous methods to investigate the neuroscientific underpinnings of human language exist, our understanding of this process remains incomplete. Improving our understanding of where, when, and how auditory cortical activity occurs can enhance diagnostic techniques and improve treatment methods for neurological conditions that can impact auditory processing, such as epilepsy, or …

The Materiality Of Metaphor In Mayan Hieroglyphic Texts: Metaphor In Changing Political Climates, Dinkel A. Rebecca

Anthropology Theses & Dissertations

Recent research on the discursive and rhetorical forms of Mayan hieroglyphic texts has demonstrated how language and writing were used to frame, not just represent, Pre-Columbian Mayan history. Research on the role of metaphor in this framing has only just begun, and despite the well-known multimodal character of Mayan hieroglyphic texts, research on the role of metaphors in pictorial images has been even more limited. Previous research has not fully documented metaphor variation, particularly as it materializes across different modalities, media, places, and times. Doing so will allow for more subtle and elaborate interpretations of metaphor use and meaning in …

Impoverished Schools That Are Performing Successfully In South Carolina: How Do They Differ From Impoverished Schools That Are Underperforming?, Sheka Houston

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This case study examined four impoverished middle schools in South Carolina to identify the factors prevalent in successfully performing impoverished middle schools which set them apart from underperforming impoverished middle schools. The study’s objective was to provide principals working in similar (impoverished) settings an understanding of the factors they might wish to replicate in improving school achievement. Data were collected from several sources. Qualitative data points were collected from the principal and teacher interviews as well as obtained from school report cards to assess student performance, school environment, student engagement, and teacher retention rates. A walkthrough was to be conducted …

Building Quality? Migration, Suzhi, And Subaltern Masculinity In The Shanghai Construction Industry, Leif Johnson

Theses and Dissertations--Geography

This doctoral dissertation providesa novel perspective on the everyday lives of construction workers in urban China, demonstrating the underpinnings of urban infrastructure and citizenship policy in affective and gendered relations surrounding the construction industry. Drawing on 18 months of ethnographic fieldwork in Shanghai, China, this dissertation makes a series of three related arguments: First, focusing on the role that migrant labor plays in the construction of urban infrastructure in Shanghai, I argue that the physical existence of infrastructure itself is inextricably tied to systems that govern rural-urban migration across China. Second, building from the Chinese concept of suzhi as both …

Effects Of A Global Schools Initiative In A Rural School Setting: A Collective Case Study Of How A Global Schools Initiative Impacts A Small, Rural Elementary School In Northwest North Carolina, Steven Hall

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify ways a Global Schools Initiative in rural schools, especially in northwestern North Carolina, supported students, teachers, and the greater community. The study reviewed the factors that facilitated this initiative and looked at the impact the initiative had on students, teachers, and the community. I desire to give guidance to other rural school leaders who might be interested in implementing their own Global Schools Initiative. The results of the research I conducted, along with the theoretical framework presented in Chapter 2, allowed me to hypothesize how students in a Global Schools Initiative compared …

Fifteen Great Minds Of Islamic Golden Era, Zulfiqar Ali Meghani

Selected secondary sources and publications with substantial content about AKU

This booklet introduces and profiles fifteen pioneering figures from the Islamic Golden Era (8th to 14th century CE), a period marked by significant advancements in science, medicine, philosophy, and mathematics. The profiled scholars include Jabir Ibn Hayyan, Al-Khwarizmi, Al-Kindi, Ibn Qurra, Ibn Rushd, and others whose work laid the foundations for the European Renaissance. The foreword emphasizes the importance of rediscovering the intellectual and scientific heritage of the Islamic world, particularly to inspire the youth to pursue excellence and inquiry. The document also highlights the support of historical institutions such as the House of Wisdom and celebrates contributions in fields …

Teacher Perceptions Regarding The Impact Of Multicultural Literature, When It Is Implemented During Guided Reading Instruction, On Reading Comprehension For African American Male Students In Early Childhood, Cassandra Gregory

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Reading is an essential skill, used in every aspect of daily life. It is the foundation for every other form of learning (Alberti, 2010). Over the years, there has been a gap in reading achievement between African American male students and other demographic groups (Milner et al., 2013). This study examined the effectiveness of small group reading using multicultural literature in kindergarten through third grade, especially for the African American male student. A framework based on Vygotsky’s (1978) theory of cognitive development provides support for a systematic literacy approach. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine teacher …

A Program Evaluation: Implementing A Dual Language Immersion Program, Jennifer Hall

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The research study evaluated the implementation of a kindergarten Spanish dual language immersion program (DLI) using Stufflebeam’s (2003) context, input, process, and product (CIPP) model of program evaluation. The study aimed to determine specific strategies to best implement a learning initiative not just in a stable year but also in a time of duress such as COVID-19. Interviews with the superintendent, chief academic officer, director of global studies, principal, teacher, and teacher assistant and head of household surveys informed the following research questions.

1. Context: What factors were considered when the district implemented the DLI program?
2. Input: What specific resources were …

Multi-Tiered System Of Supports: A Case Study Examining Effective Mtss Implementation At The Middle School Level, Amy Marlowe

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This dissertation was designed to examine the effectiveness of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) implementation at the middle school level. MTSS is a comprehensive framework for targeting educational support for all learners, providing academic, behavioral, and social services. A case study design was used to analyze the stakeholder experiences of the impact of MTSS implementation on a group of sixth- and seventh-grade students. Qualitative data were collected to analyze the personal experiences of the teachers’ professional development, collaboration, implementation, and understanding of their roles in regards to the MTSS process. This case study provides insight into a middle school making …

Use Of Best Practices In Exam Item Creation, Analysis, And Revision: Nursing Faculty’S Knowledge, Use, And Implementation Barriers And Facilitators, Julie Anne De Haan

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The ultimate goal of nursing education is to prepare graduates to provide excellent, safe patient care. The implementation of exam item best practices can significantly contribute to this process. This study examined nursing faculty’s use of best practices for exam item creation, analysis, and revision and best practice barriers and facilitators. Through a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive correlational research study, the research demonstrated that faculty inconsistently use exam item best practices. Faculty research participants identified ways to enhance the use of best practices and suggestions to nursing leadership were developed based on the data. With faculty development and an outlined support …

Perceptions Of Classroom Teachers On Read-Aloud Practices Implemented Within The Elementary Setting, Kimberly J. Perry

Doctor of Education Dissertations

A problematic imbalance of academic discrepancies continues to exist within our schools today, leading to school failure for many of our students. Teachers must be prepared to provide effective instructional methods that increase the reading outcomes for all students. The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze the perceptions of elementary teachers, as compared to observable data, regarding the implementation of teacher read-aloud opportunities within the classroom setting. This dissertation analyzed and compared how elementary classroom teachers described their read-aloud practices to the tangible practices implemented in their classrooms, in order to determine a relationship between perception and …

Parent Perceptions Of Quality Early Childhood Education Programs, Lichelle Jones-Wilkins

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Early childhood education (ECE) programs play an important role in a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. ECE programs strive to prepare the students for kindergarten. The importance and value of ECE programs have increasingly become more important to state and federal officials. As a result, these officials have made significant efforts to make ECE programs more accessible. When it comes to selecting educational programs for their children, parents are frequently the primary decision makers. Rather than parental choice, studies usually focus on stakeholder perspectives on quality care. The goal of this 3-phase study was to better understand the factors …

A Correlational Study Of Teacher Self-Efficacy And Culturally Responsive Teaching, Lashaunda Plain-Mamon

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The Every Student Succeeds Act (2015) focuses on equity and mandates high academic standards for all students. The achievement of diverse students is significantly below their counterparts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between culturally responsive teaching (CRT) and teacher self-efficacy (TSE). Additional research focused on teacher perspectives regarding their self-efficacy around CRT practices and how their experiences with CRT can be described. Quantitative data were analyzed independently and then merged to test the theory of a correlation between culturally responsive teaching techniques (CRTT) and TSE. Qualitative data were analyzed, coded, and then collapsed into themes. …

An Exploratory Study Of Experiences That Influence North Carolina Initially Licensed Teachers’ Culturally Responsive Teaching Self-Efficacy, Estella Williams

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This mixed methods study examined initially licensed teachers’ culturally responsive teaching self-efficacy (CRTSE) using the CRTSE survey and conducting interviews with initially licensed teachers scoring above the mean on one or more CRTSE constructs. It extended upon previous work conducted by Siwatu (2011) that explored the CRTSE experiences of preservice teachers. Siwatu’s (2011) study focused on subjects’ teacher education programs before they entered the teaching profession. Participants in this replication study were initially licensed teachers who shared opportunities from teacher preparation to in-service development as an influence on their CRTSE. The study explored these influences as an impact on behavior …

Competitive Edge Teaching: A Comparison Of Differentiated Reading Instruction In The K-3 Elementary Classroom To The Sports Psychology Behind High School Athletic Coaching Methods, Lindsay W. Lee

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study explored the similarities between the philosophies and techniques used by select high school athletic coaches and select elementary reading teachers. The study shows parallels between the psychology behind coaching methodology within high school athletics and differentiated instruction within the elementary reading classroom. The purpose of this research was to develop a pathway to influence the increased implementation of differentiated instruction in elementary schools by determining and highlighting these parallels. The design of the study is a triangular analysis of interview questions conducted in a face-to-face interview format, document analysis, and surveys to show the parallels between the planning …

How To Provide Oral Corrective Feedback In The Zoomscape, James Hunter

TESOL Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Of Career And Technical Student Organizations To College And Career Readiness, Brenda Haynes

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Many schools are waking up to the reality that students need programs that will keep them alert and ready for their next level in life. Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) are the co-curricular programs associated with every career and technical education course and promise to offer opportunities for a peek into the real world. This study examined the relationship of CTSOs to college and career readiness. Career and technical education is oftentimes overlooked. Qualitative data were collected in the form of interviews of former high school students who were CTSO participants and teachers who were advisors of CTSOs. This …

A Quantitative Phenomenological Study Of The Proliferated Use Of Electronics And The Impact On The Communication Skills Of Prekindergartens, Pamela B. Colbert

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Children who have a deficit in language as they enter school continue to be behind their peers as they progress from grade to grade. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many children were unable to attend school or preschool in person. Children develop language best in face-to-face environments. Previous literature did not include how the pandemic and the increased use of remote learning using technology might impact kindergarten readiness. This study adds to the body of knowledge by including perceptions of parents after remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. I utilized a quantitative phenomenological research design. Data were collected using a questionnaire …

What We Teach Is Who We Become: A Historical Exploration And Legislative Comparison Of States’ History Curricula Incorporating Black Experiences In America, Aleksandra Syniec

Student Works

No abstract provided.

How Filipino Youth Identify And Act On Bullying And Harassment On Social Media, Cheryll Ruth Soriano, Jason Vincent A. Cabañes, Jan Michael Alexandre Bernadas, Maria Caridad H. Tarroja, Kimberly Kaye Mata

SDRC Projects

This study examined how Filipino youth identify, experience, assess, and respond to bullying and harassment on social media. It approached these phenomena as communicative and socially constructed, shaped by young people’s relationships, cultural contexts, and use of multiple interconnected digital platforms. The study drew on online in-depth interviews with 152 Filipino youth aged 15 to 24 from Metro Manila, Batangas, Negros Occidental, and Misamis Occidental, including both school-going and out-of-school youth. The findings show that social media bullying and harassment are shaped by the youth’s use of polymedia and by the interaction of three key dimensions: targets, acts, and spaces. …