Education Commons^™

The Impact Establishing A Focus On Learning Through Plcs Has On Student Growth In Elementary Mathematics, Heather Hodge

Dissertations

This quantitative study examined the impact of professional learning communities (PLCs) implementing a “Focus on Learning” in a Title I school in north central Georgia. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact PLCs can have on student growth and achievement in fourth and fifth-grade mathematics, once teachers spend time identifying essential standards for their respective grade level. The researcher conducted this study during the first year of implementation, so the findings will be used to identify ways to build and improve PLCs at their school in order to increase student growth and achievement in mathematics.

Evaluating The Need For Professional Learning That Highlights Proficient Teaching Strategies For Students With Autism In The Elementary Environment, Allison Norman

Dissertations

There is an increase in the identification of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) throughout the country. There is also an emphasis on inclusion within the classrooms in the country. This qualitative study addresses the need for teachers to grasp more knowledge about Autism so that they can help children with autism have better access to the general education curriculum and increase support for success in the classroom. Through an action research project, this study aimed to gauge elementary school teachers' existing knowledge about Autism and identify areas where they desired further education. The study involved surveying teachers to understand …

Thinking Outside The Box: Exploring The Instructional Conversations Model Beyond English Language Learners Into Gifted Learners, Terri Thornton

Dissertations

Gifted students, characterized by exceptional intellectual abilities and unique learning needs, often find themselves navigating an educational landscape that may not fully cater to their specific requirements. Traditional teaching methods may fall short of engaging and challenging these students to realize their full potential. This dissertation delves into the efficacy of instructional conversations as an innovative pedagogical approach tailored to the distinctive learning profiles of gifted students. Through a comprehensive examination of relevant literature, theoretical frameworks, and empirical evidence, this study seeks to illuminate the impact of instructional conversations on the academic, social, and emotional development of gifted learners.

The …

Connection Before Correction: The Impact Of Restorative Practices On Students With Disabilities, Katrina Shirley

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Dissertations

As an alternative to zero tolerance discipline policies that focus on punitive, exclusionary, and often predetermined consequences for a disruptive behavior, many educators in schools across the United States have started implementing restorative practices (RP) in their classrooms. RP focus on building relationships and classroom community. Educators implement RP as a preventative behavioral strategy for community building, but also as a responsive strategy to handle conflict in order to repair harm and restore relationships. Current research on RP include quantitative studies, many resulting in a reduction of exclusionary discipline, or qualitative studies with participants in middle and high school. This …

General Education Teacher Challenges With Teaching English Learners In The Mainstream Classroom: A Qualitative Study Of 3rd-5th Grade Elementary General Education And Esol Teachers’ Perceptions, Joanne Gauthier

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Dissertations

This qualitative study focused on the challenges that 3rd through 5th grade general education teachers faced while supporting and teaching English Learner (EL) students in the classroom from the perspectives of general education and ESOL teachers, based on their experiences in the classroom. This study took place at an urban Title 1 elementary school in the southeastern United States. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the teacher challenges surrounding EL instruction and its impact on student achievement. The theoretical frameworks that informed this study were culturally responsive teaching and critical teacher leadership. Several data gathering …

Powerful Partnerships: Examining Home-School Engagement In The Virtual Setting, Joshua Scott-Pineda

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

Over the years, establishing, maintaining, and expanding partnerships with families has proven to be a challenging task. Although there have been legislative efforts to improve the situation, they have been ineffective. Researchers have identified two possible causes: inadequate communication, or low parent self-efficacy. Then, a global pandemic upended everything, and schools had to completely shift to remote option, prompting a need to reevaluate engagement strategies altogether. This project aimed to investigate the views of experts, examine the communication strategies implemented by skilled teachers, and propose small modifications that could enhance the bidirectional relationship between schools and families.

Finding Their Chrysanthemum: Linguistic Representation In Children's Literature, Marielena Zajac

Master of Arts in Professional Writing Capstones

Children in America today struggle with finding themselves in the books they read due to societal expectations. From an early age, children are dictated on the correct way to speak and write in “American,” which can leave children and their home languages feeling unseen and dismissed. To help further the conversation and promotion of linguistic diversity in American society, this capstone analyzes dialectal representation in children’s books, with a heavy focus on attitudinal linguistic principles rather than prescriptive mechanics. The secondary research explores current literature and resources that discuss literacy acquisition in adolescents, trends in dialects in America, and childhood …

The Missing Mirror: A Critical Content Analysis Of Multicultural Children's Literature With Black Male Characters, Wendy Harris

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Education in America is facing many challenges, such as the adoption of common core standards and the demand for highly qualified teachers (Darling-Hammond, 2010). Further, the achievement gap lingers on, with Black males often performing poorly on national assessments of reading proficiency (Tatum, 2005). Although Black males are highly literate, they may feel alienated from traditional school systems and classroom reading selections (Kirkland, 2013). One of the most effective strategies for teachers to bridge the gap in reading is to inspire Black males to get engaged with their books and read for longer periods of time. However, children are …

Cracked Windows, Broken Mirrors, And Closed Doors: A Critical Content Analysis Of African American Children's Books, Tiffany World

Doctor of Education in Elementary and Early Childhood Education Dissertations

ABSTRACT

There is a current shortage of culturally responsive African American children’s books. Culturally responsive literature provides a positive influence on children of all races and researchers have indicated that picturebooks that are diverse and culturally responsive can affirm cultural and social identities (Crowley, Fountain, & Torres, 2012). The purpose of this study was to examine how the life experiences of African American families are currently being depicted in recently published children’s literature. This study employed a qualitative research design to explore the topic of African American families in children’s literature. The study examined how African American families are represented …

Educators’ Perceptions Of Augmentative And Alternative Communication To Facilitate Communication Among Preschool Students With Disabilities, Honey Meadows

Doctor of Education in Special Education Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how preschool educators perceive augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and how those perceptions influence AAC utilization in preschool classrooms. Specifically, this investigation focused on gaining better understandings about educators’ views, beliefs, and attitudes about AAC utilization to facilitate communication. Semistructured, open-ended interviews, classroom observations, and document review were the data collection sources used. Findings suggest that preschool special educators value the use of AAC and understand the basic human right for all students to participate. However, special education teachers and special education paraprofessionals perceive their roles and responsibilities, as communicative …

Authentic Learning Environments: Designing A New Standard For Public Education, Stephanie Griffith, Stephanie J. Griffith

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The intention of this thesis is to explore the architectural problems of public primary school learning environments and propose possible solutions. This thesis draws from various public blog and public web article accounts and experiences of those working in or studying the institutions of primary education and the problems they are struggling to address. The architectural focus brings to light that while most educators argue that teaching can happen anywhere, this body of research will propose an optimal learning environment in which a set of ideal values are defined as authentic learning and is used to encourage and support a …

Cognitively Guided Instruction In Elementary Mathematics: Understanding Factors That Influence Classroom Implementation, Teresa A. Conowal

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

This study focused on the teaching technique known as cognitively guided instruction (CGI), through which teachers explore the individual learning styles of their students and use the information they gather to teach more complex concepts more effectively. The focus of this study was on 10 elementary mathematics teachers, with the goal of gaining a deeper understanding of the reasons they are making limited use of CGI techniques in their classrooms. The study used interviews and classroom observations of the 10 participants to identify the factors influencing their willingness or reluctance to apply CGI techniques to their instructional practices. The study …

Views From The Blackboard: Exploring Perspectives Of Coteaching In Elementary Mathematics Teachers, Ashley Mounts-Gray

Doctor of Education in Elementary and Early Childhood Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions and experiences of third and fourth grade elementary mathematics teachers and special education teachers regarding the co-teaching inclusion model. Views of general and special education teachers toward co-teaching in mathematics in elementary classrooms was investigated. This study sought to explore how (a) elementary mathematics teachers perceived Friend’s (2008) co-teaching model, (b) which co-teaching models are most frequently used, and (c) to determine if there were similarities and/or differences between the co-teachers’ perspectives. Questionnaires, personal semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and focus group sessions were used. Data were presented utilizing a case …

The Impact Of Parental Involvement On Student Success: School And Family Partnership From The Perspective Of Students, Tyler Bailey

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

THE IMPACT OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT ON STUDENT SUCCESS: SCHOOL AND FAMILY PARTNERSHIP FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF STUDENTS

by

Tyler M. Bailey Kennesaw State University, 2017

In this study, the impact of school-family relationships on student success were examined through the narratives of three fifth-grade students, their teachers, and the school’s curriculum coach. The study used these stories to understand better how student success was altered by parental involvement in the students’ academic, social, and emotional life.

The participants were selected from the same school located in a major southeastern city. The students and teachers were in the same class (within …

Perceptions In A Changing World: Teachers' Attitudes Toward The Implementation Of Educational Innovations, Joy Jones

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to examine teachers’ attitudes toward the implementation of educational innovations - with an explicit focus on social and emotional learning (SEL) and new teacher mentor (NTM) programs. Because teachers are primarily responsible for absorbing new information and implementing educational programs directly to students, their attitudes may influence how the program is perceived, the program’s delivery, and may also impact the program’s outcomes. Support for novice teachers is often regarded as necessary and warranted in many schools, and researchers unfailingly reveal findings that demonstrate the effectiveness of SEL; specifically in traditional school settings (Slaten, …

Confronting And Understanding Factors Of Teacher Turnover: A Deep-Rooted Phenomenon Employing An Autoethnographic Perspective, Elizabeth G. Hill

Doctor of Education in Elementary and Early Childhood Education Dissertations

This qualitative autoethnographic study explores the phenomenon of teacher turnover as it relates to the researcher’s specific contexts and personal experiences. Through the acts of journaling, coaching, and narrative writing, teachers can better understand influences of culture on their beliefs, values, attitudes, and decisions – especially in regards to actions of movement from one setting to another. The findings indicate that beliefs, values, attitudes, and decisions are learned through a school’s culture, and they can change depending on perspective. The findings also indicate that there is power in dialogue – even for teachers who never felt they had influence or …

Learning Is Diverse: The Dynamics Of Change, Catherine G. Harter

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Educational models of the 20th century in the United States responded directly to the then current economic circumstances and workforce needs. Schools throughout the United States were designed on those educational models of production and efficiently. While educational models have since changed in response to societal shifts, now emphasizing flexibility, diversity, and the integration of technology, the design of school infrastructure has not made that leap. By reconceptualizing the boundaries between elements and opening existing structure schools can be redesigned to align with the new educational model. This creates collaboration between different levels of expertise, the exploration of relationships between …