Education Commons^™

A Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods Study Measuring The Impact Of Math-Economics Cross Curricular Intervention, Kelli Leanne Kelley

Theses and Dissertations

Research studies in the past have linked math ability to success in economics courses. However, most of these studies have utilized a quantitative study design with limited studies testing the influence of math interventions on student’s academic ability in economics courses. This study will use a convergent mixed-methods research design to quantitatively measure the impact of a Math intervention on High School 11th and 12th grade Economics students and qualitatively observe student engagement and motivation during the intervention. A causal-comparative research design will be utilized for the quantitative strand to compare math ability in economics courses between students who participated …

A Quantitative Analysis Of The Relationship Between Teacher Mindset, Student Mindset, And Student Achievement In Reading Among K-8 Students, Jennifer Delaney

Theses and Dissertations

Educators face a challenge, specifically related to the development of non-cognitive skills, mindset, and student achievement. Currently, the focus of educators is on academic skills; however, research shows that non-cognitive skills, including mindset, can account for 75% of a student’s achievement (Peterson, 2018). Social cognitive theory and mindset theory suggest that mindset affects educators and learners at all levels. The purpose of this non-experimental, correlational design study is to examine the relationship between non-cognitive factors, teacher mindset, student mindset, and student achievement in reading. The population is 351 students and 27 faculty members. This study utilizes a non-experimental, correlational design …

A Case Study: Increasing The Persistence And Graduation Rates Of Undergraduate Black Female College Students At A Predominantly White Institution, Catrina Smith-Edmond

Theses and Dissertations

Since 1954, Black females were presented with the opportunity to earn an education equivalent to non-Black females. Despite the challenges, Black females have made significant strides in their academic performance by attaining degrees at every level over the years.

The purpose of the study is to explore factors that affected the retention and graduation rates of Black female undergraduate students enrolled at a Predominantly White Institution. The researcher will conduct an exploratory single-case study to explore Black female undergraduate students' barriers to retention during their college experience. The sample included 10 Black female undergraduate students and three staff members from …

Teachers’ Perceptions On Movement As A Teaching Tool, Mollie Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Purposeful movement integration adds movement into the content areas with the physical activity involving the content (for example, math stations that involve students moving around the room). For background on the topic, student benefits, teachers' perspectives, constraints with movement, and teacher professional learning were researched. A quantitative study was conducted to investigate teachers’ change in perspectives and knowledge on purposeful movement intervention as well as increase the frequency of student movement experiences during and after a virtual professional development course. The results of a Hoteling’s T-Squared test concluded that there was a significant difference in the perceptions and knowledge of …

A Quasi-Experimental Study On Creativity Development, Rose Ellis Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

With this quantitative quasi-experimental study, the researcher examined the effect of the implementation of a creativity development intervention on third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students as measured by the District Screener for Gifted Education in a central Georgia elementary school. Creativity development is of growing concern to U.S. educational and business leaders as jobs require creative ability. Using a two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance, the researcher compared the creativity raw scores from pre- and posttests of all third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students. The researcher also compared a representative sample of subpopulations using analysis of variance to see if the intervention affected …

The Relationship Between I-Ready Intervention And Grade 8 Mathematical Achievement, Kenyatta Shanta Aldridge

Theses and Dissertations

A problem exists in using educational software as an intervention for middle grades mathematics. The rural middle school used an educational program to improve mathematical achievement; however, the effectiveness of this program was not evaluated. The e-learning theory served as the theoretical framework for this study. The purpose of this explanatory, sequential mixed methods design was to examine the relationship between the i-Ready intervention program and students’ mathematical achievement and to explore teachers’ perceptions of implementing the i-Ready intervention program. The participants included 48 Grade 8 students from one middle school. A series of bivariate correlations was conducted using the …

Exploring The Relationship Between Low-Income Parents’ Perceptions Of Their Participation And Students’ Lexile Levels And Attendance, Taricka Russell

Theses and Dissertations

Students who live in poverty are at a disadvantage when entering school, have a higher chance of reading below grade level, and often have high absenteeism rates. Some students who reside in poverty lack ongoing interactions with others where they can express themselves and increase their vocabulary. Many times, students who live in poverty are associated with single parent homes and a lack of resources. Parents are in survival mode; meaning parents must focus on paying the bills and keeping food on the table rather than being actively involved in their students’ education. Previous studies have provided information on how …

The Use Of Team-Based Learning To Improve Unit Test Scores Of Adult Learners In Introduction To Programming Courses In A Small Southwest Georgia University, Karen Streetman Cook

Theses and Dissertations

Low success rates in the introduction to programming course at a small southwest Georgia state university have led to a low retention rate in the computer science degree program. The instructional strategy used to teach the course could contribute to the low success rates of the students in the course. Andragogy, the adult learning theory, was used as the theoretical framework for this study. The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine if differences existed in the numerical unit test scores between students who took introduction to programming using a traditional lecture and lab-based class format and students …

Implications For Instructional Coaching Using Mindset Theory And Multiplier Model, Kathryn Murphy Breedlove

Theses and Dissertations

The role of an instructional coach varies slightly from location to location, but the commonalities of instructional coaching include job-embedded professional development that supports classroom-based, individualized partnerships of collaboration. In an effort to further investigate implications for instructional coaching using the multiplier model and mindset theory, a qualitative multicase study was conducted in an effort to answer the following questions: 1) How does receiving multiplier traits feedback when having an overall multiplier factor of greater than zero affect instructional coaches' perspectives of their influence? 2) What commonalities and differences do the cases studied share within their responses to their Multipliers …

Using An Ecological Framework To Understand English Language Arts Educators’ Beliefs And Practice About How Students Learn And Develop Comprehensive Literacy Skills, Nina Chavona Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Third grade students who cannot read at grade level are more likely to experience difficulties throughout their education. This intrinsic case study examined the epistemological beliefs and pedagogical practices of six third grade English Language Arts (ELA) educators on developing students' comprehensive literacy skills (CLS) in two Title I schools. Bronfenbrenner's bioecological and ecological theories of human development postulated the theoretical framework. Educators' epistemologies were examined through their decision-making processes during ELA instruction. Pedagogies were evaluated through educators' use of culturally relevant instructional practices. Data were collected in three phases through semi-structured interviews, photographs with descriptive narratives, and an open-ended …

A Mixed Methods Investigation Of Participation Of Black Students And Education Abroad, Stephen Ryan Hammock

Theses and Dissertations

The participation rate of Black higher education students in education abroad programs has been significantly compared to their White peers. The purpose of this concurrent mixed methods research study was to examine the participation rate of Black higher education students in education abroad programs by exploring student perceptions relative to barriers and motivations, utilizing the Cultural Approach as the conceptual framework, specifically the economic, social, and intellectual cultural spheres of influence. A web-based questionnaire with quantitative and qualitative items was completed by 248 Black participants and 206 White participants. The quantitative data were analyzed using two logistic regressions, and the …

A Comparative Case Study Exploring The Experiences Of Women Leaders In Academic Affairs And Administration In Higher Education Through The Lens Of Intersectionality, Johniqua S. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

There is an increasing concern about the absence of women in senior positions in academia and administration within institutions (Johnson, 2016). There is limited research to compare the journeys of women leaders in academics and administration. This study is an examination of women’s experiences of perceived barriers to leadership roles in faculty and administration. Using comprehensive interviews, this study explores personal accounts to emphasize apparent barriers to career advancement. The goal of the study is to explore women in senior positions in academia and administrative paths to leadership. The male dominated society has made it challenging for women to grow …

Exploring Elementary Pre - Service Teachers Technological Knowledge For Teaching Literacy: A Phenomenological Study, Christy Nicole Grigsby

Theses and Dissertations

As a result of the fundamental changes to education due to COVID-19, this study focuses on the readiness of pre-service teachers to meet the literacy needs necessary in this technology mediated world by utilizing a theoretical framework that consists of a learning framework: Transformative Learning, a literacy framework: Multi literacies, and a technological framework: Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) to include the 2019 addition of another knowledge base: ConteXtual Knowledge (XK). It is this context component of TPACK that is so frequently overlooked that may encompass the cultural aspects of teaching and learning including the primary and secondary Discourses, the …

A Case Study: An Examination Of Historically Black Colleges And Universities' Recruitment Of Non - Black Students, Viola Alexander

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study examined a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) recruitment practices that consolidated with Predominantly White Institutions (PWI) and the new HBCUs effort to increase non-Black students' enrollment. The purpose of this study is to examine the institutional recruitment practices, recruiting practices that target non-Black students, and non-Black students' perception of their recruitment experience. There is an extensive amount of literature regarding recruitment practices; however, literature regarding recruiting practices for non-Black at an HBCU is limited. The study participants included three Admissions Recruiters, an Associate Director of Admissions, a Vice President for Enrollment Management, and twenty-three non-Black …

Examining K-12 Principals' Leadership Role And Their Beliefs Toward Technology Integration In The 21st Century Classroom, Rhonda Michelle Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

Educational experts have evolved substantially over the past several decades in their thinking about educational leadership and the critical role that principals play in supporting the teaching and learning environment within schools through their leadership behaviors.

Although educational leaders have had a significant impact on the field of education to integrate technology effectively with the goal of increasing student achievement and overall school performance, most of the research on technology integration has been teacher-focused, rather than on principals’ preparation, skill, knowledge, and related leadership. Continuation of teacher-focused research, though beneficial, has left a research gap concerning the skills and preparation …

An Examination Of Two-Year College Student-Athletes’ Perceived Engagement In Academic Advising, Supplemental Instruction, And Academic Alert Systems, Michael Kiefer

Theses and Dissertations

Institutions of higher education face challenges to improve the student success measures of retention, progression, and graduation, which are metrics used to evaluate colleges and universities. One way in which many institutions have sought to increase accessibility to higher education and student engagement is through athletics; however, limited research exists regarding the lack of academic success of student-athletes at two-year colleges. Drawing upon a student engagement theoretical framework presented by Coates, the purpose of the causal-comparative research study was to examine the differences in perceived usage and impact of academic support services by two-year college student-athletes in Florida. The data …

Mixed Methods Study Of Special Education Training In Educational Leadership Preparation Programs In Rural Georgia, Robert Lewis-Vice

Theses and Dissertations

This research study addressed the problem that school leaders may not be adequately prepared to address the needs of an increasing population of students with special needs. The purpose of the study was to examine the difference between beliefs and perceptions of middle and high school leaders and special education teachers about the knowledge and skills necessary to implement special education programs effectively. The conceptual framework of this study focused on the preparation of principals and assistant principals at the university level through certification programs and district level programs. For this causal-comparative research design study, the quantitative and qualitative data …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Instructional Walkthroughs And The Resulting Feedback, Germaine Monteil Harden-Brooks

Theses and Dissertations

The role of the principal and the assistant principal has changed dramatically. Principals were considered solely managers; however, now their role includes the responsibility of being instructional leaders. The assistant principal was responsible for the clerical chores and tasked solely to be a disciplinarian. However, due to educational reforms such as Race to the Top, the expectation of both the principal and the assistant principal is to support teachers as instructional leaders. To fulfill the responsibility of supporting teachers’ instructional practices, principals and assistant principals conduct instructional walkthroughs and provide feedback at least two times a year via the Teacher …

A Mixed Methods Study Of Middle School Teachers’ Perceptions Of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports And Its Influence On Effective Implementation, Tiffany J. Baskin-Downs

Theses and Dissertations

The use of a multi-tiered system of supports framework has been of growing interest in addressing issues related to disruptive behaviors and school suspensions. The purpose of this mixed-methods sequential, explanatory study was to examine middle school teachers’ perceptions (behavioral expectations defined, behavioral expectations taught, and an ongoing system for rewarding behavioral expectations) of their efforts toward implementing Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports with fidelity in two middle schools within an urban school district located in Georgia. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, homogeneity of variance Levene’s test, t-tests, factorial analysis, a one-way analysis of variance, post-hoc tests, frequencies and …

A Comparison Study Of Beliefs And Perceptions Of Growth Mindsets Between P-12 Teachers And Parents, Jadedra L. Gilmore

Theses and Dissertations

Efforts in educational settings are increasing towards building cultures of growth mindsets that promote positive outcomes for all stakeholders. Nevertheless, a continuous cycle of false growth mindsets continues to spread among educational entities and parenting practices worldwide. Dweck suggests that many educators, students, and parents have been misguided regarding the mindset theory due to the spread of false growth mindsets. The purpose of this explanatory, sequential mixed methods research study was to compare beliefs and perceptions of growth mindset between P-12 teachers and parents. The theoretical framework of this study was the mindset theory, previously termed as the implicit theories …

Student Perceptions Of Engagement And The Relationship To Student Perceptions Of Teacher In The Visual Art Classroom, Kirby Brooks Meng

Theses and Dissertations

Lack of student engagement in high schools is a concerning factor in education; low levels of engagement can lead to student apathy, academic challenges, disruptive behavior, and a higher dropout rate. The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between high school students’ perceptions of engagement and students’ perceptions of the teacher in the visual art classroom. The researcher used social constructivism as a lens through which to explore this topic. The theory of constructivism focuses on active exploration and learning about ideas of personal significance, where the teacher plays an essential supportive and guiding role in student …

Validation Of The Assessment Of Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge As A Self-Assessment With K-12 Teachers In A Title 1 School District, Jami Michel Moore

Theses and Dissertations

Teacher quality has become a topic of national discussion due to the United States’ lagging behind other countries’ success on both international and national assessments. Validation of the Assessment of Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge (ATPCK) as a self-assessment with K-12 teachers in a Title 1 school district is the purpose of this research. Assessing teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) growth as a result of professional development is a challenge. Utilizing confirmatory factor analysis allowed the researcher to determine the validity and reliability of the ATPCK as a self-assessment measure of teachers’ PCK. The research results will be utilized to support …

Status Of Social Studies Within One Georgia School District, Tonya Fields Pinckley

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this causal-comparative research was to examine whether differences exist between the time allotted for delivering content, the time allotted for lesson planning, the time allotted for student assessment, instructional perceptions regarding mandated testing, perceptions regarding pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), level of ease of planning, level of understanding of Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE), level of understanding of the teaching-assessment cycle, and usage of the system provided pacing guides within public elementary schools in one Georgia school district across the content areas of ELA/reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. The research also examined the differences in instructional strategies …

The Relationship Between School Climate And Student Achievement At The Middle School Level In Georgia, Curtis Brett Wallace

Theses and Dissertations

School leaders from all over our nation are under scrutiny and pressure to raise their students’ academic achievement. Good standards-based classroom teaching, supportive teachers, administrators, and parents, and a motivated student all make for a high achieving student. But what is the relationship of the school’s climate to the achievement level? Does the student’s socioeconomic status affect academic achievement? This study collected data from 431 traditional public middle schools in the state of Georgia serving students in Grade 6 through Grade 8 exclusively during the 2017-18 school year. A stepwise multiple regression was used to examine the relationships in both …

Difference Between Principals’ Attitudes And Beliefs Of Their Preparedness To Support Students With Disabilities In The General Education Setting, Debra Delaine

Theses and Dissertations

The transformative role of the school principal has been the topic among several states for almost 40 years. Researchers have documented the disconnect between educational leadership programs and real-world experiences for principals. The push continues for principals to move away from solely focusing on the managerial aspects of the job to becoming the instructional leaders of their building with an emphasis on student outcomes, which has caused a sense of urgency among principals and educational leadership preparation programs. Students with disabilities were typically the responsibility of the special education director, until the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act. …

Assisting School Level Teams To Identify And Address The Needs Of Struggling Learners Through A Tiered Intervention And Aligned Professional Development Model, Tammy Dionne Person

Theses and Dissertations

The adoption of the IDEA charged schools with the responsibility of identifying students who have disabilities and special needs and then providing them with appropriate educational services so that they progress academically. Schools have adopted, implemented, and revised a variety of screening processes to identify these students. The process of trying to help students who are experiencing difficulties is often referred to as RTI. The RTI framework is comprised of a multi-tiered educational system that outlines instructional practices based on student needs. Many schools have formed teams and devised policies to explore options for student assistance. This study involved designing …

Principals' Perceptions Of Brain-Based Learning, Tami Hudson Godman

Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed by the study was a lack of research on principal’s perceptions of brain-based learning and the potential impact on classroom instruction. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between the principal’s perceptions of brain-based learning and instruction at their schools. The following research has been conducted using a qualitative paradigm. A case study involved a focus group of 12 principals and additional interviews with four of those principals. The qualitative data were thematically coded to provide information on patterns and practices within a variety of schools in the area. The findings offer the educational …

Examining The Relationship Between Beliefs And Perceived Experiences During Assistant Principal Preparation For The Role Of Principal, Tonya Holcomb Wallace

Theses and Dissertations

Principals have been expected to serve as managers and leaders of curriculum and instruction while facing intense accountability and had to be good communicators capable of building relationships within their school and with community stakeholders. School complexity increased challenges leaders faced, so educational leaders utilized research-based strategies to develop professional resilience and grow in the face of adversity. In preparation for school principalship, assistant principals needed to move beyond school operation and management roles to become a viable candidate for career advancement. Limited research exists describing the preparation of assistant principals for advancement. The purpose of this convergent mixed methods …

The Relationship Between Elementary School Administrators' And Teachers' Perceptions Of The Influence Of Male Teachers And Schools' Male Student Achievement Growth In English Language Arts, Kathleen Elizabeth Kaump Truitt

Theses and Dissertations

There is a national achievement gap between male and female students in the United States. A common recommendation to reduce this achievement gap has been to hire more male teachers. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions that elementary administrators and teachers have of male teachers’ influence on male student growth in English Language Arts. In order to measure perceptions, a five-point Likert scale survey was adapted from an existing qualitative questionnaire. A pilot study was conducted, an Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses were performed, and the survey was found valid and reliable to measure four constructs …

The Relationship Between Mathematics Teachers’ Perceptions Of Student Motivation And Their Use Of Instructional Strategies For At-Risk Math Students, Kayla Morris Couch

Theses and Dissertations

Student motivation in mathematics education can be affected by many variables, especially for at-risk students. Existing information is limited regarding teacher perceptions of their own pedagogy, instructional strategies, and at-risk student motivation in the area of mathematics for middle school and high school students. The purpose of this study was to analyze middle school and high school mathematics teachers’ perceptions of their own pedagogy, instructional strategies, and at-risk students’ motivation in mathematics. Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory was the theoretical framework used to guide the current study, which focuses on psychological and instinctive needs of individuals. An explanatory, sequential mixed …