Education Commons^™

Staff Perceptions Of Swpbis In Middle School, Eric Westbye

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

Student behavioral issues lead to lost learning opportunities by the student misbehaving

and the students trying to learn (Gage, Grasley-Boy, George, Childs, and Kincaid, 2018), a punitive approach of suspensions and expulsions is never in the best interest of these students. Staff members need a behavior model that is proactive and consistent. Many schools have implemented SWPBIS (School Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) programs as a preventative way to decrease suspensions and increase morale. There are several critical factors to look at in schools that are implementing SWPBIS, staff by in and staff perception are two of the biggest. …

Combating Chronic Absenteeism In Rural Maine Elementary Schools, Joanne Dupuy

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

This quantitative study was designed to determine if there is a correlation between chronic absenteeism and student achievement and if increased teacher communication with positive messages around attendance would affect the rate of chronic absenteeism in rural elementary schools. Four schools were analyzed looking at attendance and achievement data while implementing a new attendance protocol that increased teacher communication and the spread of positive messaging in regards to attendance. Findings indicate there is evidence that those students who were chronically absent struggled academically to meet local and state benchmarks. Preliminary findings also indicate that the implementation of the new attendance …

Mathematics Coaching, Professional Development, And Teacher Practice, Beth Downing

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

Recently, math coaching has begun to be utilized in pockets of communities throughout the country. Coaching is a strategy that can be used to provide on site, continual professional development in a specific area. Although it has been used in literacy for decades, it is new to the area of math. Therefore, research on the effect of math coaching has been limited. There have been a handful of initial studies investigating the relationship between math coaching and teacher knowledge or student achievement, but the results are often conflicting (Althuser, 2015; Killion, 2017; Kutaka et al., 2017; Obara, 2010).

By learning …

Bullying As A Predictor Of Early Pregnancy, Dana Fadel

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

According to the World Health Organization, bullying has been identified as a current critical public health problem (Srabstein & Leventhal, 2010). Bullying is defined by consistent, repeated maltreatment through physical or emotional aggression that is often experienced at school or online, (Young-Jones, Fursa, Byrket, and Sly, 2015). Studies on bullying and its effects are plentiful, ranging from psychological to social-emotional damages; however, there is a gap in the research on its effect on teen pregnancy. This mixed methods study examined the effects and consequences of bullying as a risk factor in teenage pregnancy. Through 17 surveys and three interviews of …

Understanding Staff Perceptions Of Swpbis, Laurie L. Hatch

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

About eight years ago a school district, located in the foothills of western Maine, implemented a Tier-1, universal, school-wide positive behavior interventions and supports (SWPBIS) framework to provide school staff with positive behavior supports to achieve positive outcomes for all students. A key factor to the initial success of SWPBIS was staff buy-in. Research has shown that teacher and staff support is needed, not just for the implementation phase, but for the continued success of the framework. In the eight years since implementation, one of the district’s elementary schools has seen a staff and teacher turnover rate of over 50%. …

Multiplication Fact Fluency And Multiple Intelligences In A Third Grade Classroom, Julie A. Nugent

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to examine if teaching students their multiplication facts in a way that utilized their multiple intelligence strength would be a more effective way of teaching students their multiplication facts than having students learn their multiplication facts through rote memorization only. All four groups who received a teaching of multiplication facts intervention made gains in learning their multiplication facts. The three multiple intelligence groups did make more gains in learning more facts, than the one group who only learned their facts through rote memorization. However, the rote memorization group was able to give more …

Teaching And Supporting Authentic Math Experiences In Grades 6-12, Hannah Lakin

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

This qualitative study was designed to understand the experiences of middle and high school

educators in teaching mathematics that is authentic and relevant to students’ lives. With many studies in the literature review confirming the importance and effectiveness of authentic opportunities in math learning, the study looked at what holds educators back from these teaching practices. In-depth interviews with five mathematics teachers of various levels of experience offered insights into processes, barriers, and support needed to develop students’ classical, critical, and community knowledge in mathematics. The study revealed a theory of the systemic shifts necessary for teaching authentic mathematics in …

The Effects Of Math Manipulatives In The Classroom, Emily Rowly

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

This study is a quantitative study of the correlation between student achievement and the use of individual math toolkits. Research indicates that the use of manipulatives has a positive effect on student learning in math classrooms. However, studies are limited to manipulative use in one unit of study or one grade level. In addition, researchers and teachers use only one type of manipulative when looking for growth in student achievement. In this study, students with individual toolkits comprised of many manipulatives from their program of study were followed over a nine-week period. Students had access to manipulatives and exhibit voice …

I Don’T Always Know What It Means For A Child To Be Gifted, Laura I. Hemond

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

Gifted education, or more specifically the gifted label, needs clarification. Labeling students as gifted leads to preconceived beliefs and ideas about students and their overall abilities. The purpose of this study was to acquire insight into how gifted students are perceived in order to better understand and meet the needs of gifted students. Through a qualitative approach, interviews were conducted with teachers and administrators regarding their perceptions surrounding the characteristics, identification process, and needs of gifted students. Results yielded consistencies and discrepancies in the perception of gifted education, ranging from student behaviors, identification of students, and perceived understanding of the …

The Impact Of Mathematics Coaching On Teacher Pedagogy And Student Understanding In Rural School Districts, Renee Bouchard Charette

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

This study collected data from teachers and math coaches in rural Maine schools to determine if working with a mathematics coach had an impact on teacher’s pedagogy. Participants were asked about their perception of whether coaching interactions impacted students understanding of mathematics. The design included interviews with four coaches who had been trained through the Maine Mathematics Coaching Project. Data from nineteen teachers was collected through surveys that were emailed to all teachers who had worked with the four coaches. Conclusions indicate that most coaches and teachers do believe that working with a mathematics coach has a positive impact on …

Utilizing Technology To Increase Math Achievement, Aimee Goff

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate technology use for differentiation to boost achievement in math.Fourth grade students were assigned intervention activities based upon their fall NWEA scores. The interventions were for twenty minutes each for twelve lessons in both IXL and Khan Academy. Students were observed for their engagement every five minutes during these interventions. Students were also given pre and post tests from their current Pearson math curriculum. Findings indicated that over 50% of the students did meet their projected RIT scores when they took their winter NWEA math test. The greatest growth was found in …

Student-Perceived Authenticity Of Learning Tasks In Proficiency-Based Education, Brandon Terrill

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

This study examined the level of authenticity that students perceive in learning tasks. A questionnaire asked about the topic selection and value of topic; impact of topic on school, community, and self; expression of ideas vs. conventions; authentic audience; and level of motivation. The conclusions regarding the level of student-perceived authenticity are: a) a connection between student selection and value of topic and motivation, b) impact on school, community, or self did not impact student motivation, c) focus on conventions did not negatively impact student motivation, and d) authentic audiences connected to lower rates of student motivation.

Student Persistence And Factors Which Affect Retention In Online Courses At A Small Rural College, Loni L. Nadeau

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

With declining enrollment and retention issues among Maine public universities it would be beneficial to try and determine what factors are contributing to online student retention and student persistence to ensure we are meeting the needs of online students which may help lead to better attrition rates, student success, and degree completion. This mixed-methods study sought to determine the various factors which may have contributed to student persistence and retention in online courses and programs at the University of Maine Fort Kent. The research correlated student experiences and perceptions with institutional efforts in order to address any gaps in services …

The Impacts Of Delayed Starts In Maine Schools, Tim Tweedie

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to investigate the benefits and challenges associated with delayed starts in Maine high schools. In the past few years, several school districts in the midcoast-southern region of the state have elected to delay their high school start times for the purposes of allowing students more sleep. Across the five districts, administrators reported benefits to the delayed starts, and teachers reported more mixed results. In comparing between the five districts, the alignment patterns varied considerably.

Teaching Time Management In The Proficiency Based Classroom, Julie Conrad

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

Students in Maine are currently making the switch to proficiency based education. In transitioning to a grading system based on only academic standards many of the soft skills, such as time management, are often not taught in the classroom as the focus is on only the academic standards. In this action research study, three different time management strategies were introduced to middle school math students in a rural junior high classroom. Each strategy was used for one academic learning standard. Student achievement and perceptions, as well as teacher observations, were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the strategies. The results …

Meeting The Technology Demands Of The 21st Century Student, Angela Bernier

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

This mixed-method research study examines the scale of technology initiatives, funding options, and the implementation of technology in the classroom in grades four and five in schools in the state of Maine. In this research study, an overwhelming percentage of the fifty eight schools that responded to a quantitative google survey, offer one-to-one technology to their 4th and 5th grade students. A high percentage of those schools are funding their technology initiatives with district funds. Forty nine teachers of the represented schools responded to a qualitative google survey, and it was found that technology is being used extensively in the …

Student Centered Approaches In High School Algebra, Jennifer L. Mahan

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

This quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of four, student centered approaches on learning outcomes for high school math students, to determine if algebraic understanding improved in an active learning environment. Specifically, this study investigated high school algebra students’ use of learning stations, hands on manipulatives, small group collaboration and mathematical games, to deepen their conceptual understanding of linear equations. Surveys revealed students prefered to work independently while being led by the teacher, yet this approach yielded the least amount of improvement. Pre- and post-tests showed students from the experimental groups out-performed peers in the control group on achievement of standards …

The Effect On Motivation And Confidence Of The Art Student Of Low Socioeconomic Status, Danielle Guerrette

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

This action-based research study used student and teacher surveys, as well as researcher observations to examine the effect of formative assessment and exploratory art education strategies in a high poverty school district. Both student perception of ability and confidence in the arts is often based on their previous experiences and past exposure to the arts. This research study sought to investigate students’ experience of art class through exploratory learning, along with the use of formative assessment, to best inform students ways to be successful while fostering a growth mindset. Findings supported that student attendance and teacher-student relationships were most critical …

Increasing Technology Engagement In The Mass Customized Secondary Classroom, Jeremy D. Young

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

The increase in student-centered and self-directed classroom practices and curriculum delivery methods such as proficiency based education (PBE) and mass customized learning (MCL) coupled with 1:1 technology environments requires the student be productive without direct teacher oversight. Using productivity software, this research project examines student digital engagement in a high school classroom employing student-centered MCL and PBE practices in an attempt to answer the following research questions: “Can the use of self-monitoring productivity applications increase positive technology outcomes while decreasing negative technology outcomes?” and “Do student perceptions of their engagement fit their behavior?” This qualitative study uses three phases of …

Writing Center Use And Perception At Foxcroft Academy, Bridget Wright

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

This mixed-methods study seeks to better understand how teachers, students, and student coaches (tutors) perceive and use the Foxcroft Academy Writing Center. Surveys for each population, as well as interviews with a teacher, a coach, a native-speaker of English and an non-native speaker of English, were conducted in order to gather data about how different members of the learning community view and engage with the writing center. Findings revealed that teachers and students perceive the writing center to be a support service for help with grammar and other technical English conventions, but also believe that the writing center can help …

Head Start Preschool Parent-Teacher Engagement And The Parent’S Transition To Kindergarten, Nicole Gagnon – Arsenault

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

This mixed-method study seeks to better understand the relationships that Head Start preschool teachers have with parents and how those relationships impact a parent’s transition to a public school when their child enters kindergarten. Findings revealed that parents have a deep connection to their child’s Head Start teacher, feel informed and empowered to advocate for their child’s needs. Interviews revealed that parents do not feel as connected to their child’s education in the public school. Recommendations for educators include creating more opportunities for parents to connect to the public school during the supportive Head Start school year.

Incorporating Brief Functional Behavior Assessments In A Tier Two Behavior Intervention, Larissa Wing

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to better understand how FBA information could support students who were currently unsuccessful with their existing check in/check out intervention. Teachers were interviewed to both better understand their perceptions of the existing check in/check out system and query their thoughts on the altered intervention. This study further explored the effect(s) that information, obtained from a brief functional behavioral assessment had when incorporated into an existing tier two behavior intervention system. Students’ standardized test scores and frequency of office discipline referrals were also evaluated.

Barriers To Student Achievement, Dewey Hernandez

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

This mixed-methods study examined the impact of barriers on student achievement and how promising practices can overcome barriers and increase success. Results found that barriers impact success greatly, however, promising practices can help to overcome them. Significant findings included insights into the proficiency-based educational model, uncontrollable circumstances, and opportunities for students to provide evidence of learning in nontraditional ways. Recommendations consist of increasing paraprofessional training, bringing a bigger system of LCSW support, showing how to co-teach, and finding ways for inclusion to be solidly effective.

Using Project Based Learning To Increase Motivation In A Seventh Grade Mathematics Proficiency Based Classroom, April King

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

Students learn in a variety of ways. When it comes to showing their knowledge, a paper and pencil assessment is not the only option. Students are not always motivated to try their best assessment after assessment. Project Based learning is an alternative that may motivate more students to succeed. This research study explored student motivation and what effect, if any, Project Based learning had on student motivation while engaged with the project. This mixed-methods research project further examined students’ beliefs and attitudes while engaged with Project Based learning.

Kindergarten Transitions: Family Perceptions Of A Kindergarten Transition Program, Sarah Allen

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

While there is increasing research surrounding kindergarten transitions there is still a need to explore kindergarten transition guides and families perceptions of these particular experiences. This study explores family perceptions of a kindergarten transition program guide. Furthermore, the study examines families’ prior experiences with kindergarten transitions as they relate to being a part of a new specific kindergarten transition program. The researcher implements pre and post meetings with families surrounding an “All About Kindergarten” parent night. Additionally, surveys are distributed to those who participated in aspects of the transition process. An interview takes place to gain further insight. The conclusions …

Supporting Language And Literacy Development For All Students, Melissa Mccrillis

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to gain information pertaining to language and literacy skills for pre-kindergarten students and how educators support the acquisition of such skills. Educators shared their strategies and perceptions in regards to teaching these skills to all students. The students, ages four and five, participated in task completion activities that showcased the language and literacy skills each possessed. The data revealed that effective teaching strategies assist in yielding high success rates for students at school. For students who demonstrated below proficient abilities, educators determined next steps to best support them individually.

The Relationship Between Digital Portfolio Use, Parent-Teacher Communication, And Its Effect On Home-Based Parental Involvement In Middle School, Rachel Toner

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to implement digital portfolios using Seesaw (Student Driven Digital Portfolios) to explore its possible effect(s) on home-to-school communication and facilitate the use of technology in a classroom setting. Previous educational research had clearly established that parent-teacher communication can be beneficial and technology’s continuous evolution can spur change to more traditional practices of home-to-school communication. Multiple interventions to the digital portfolio were conducted during this action research project and pre/post questionnaires were used to gather participant perceptions of school-to-home communication in a rural Maine middle school.

Instructional Coaches In Maine, Lindsey Bickford

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

This research explored several types of instructional coaches currently used in school districts throughout Maine. More specifically, this research examined how those positions are funded and whether those positions can be maintained as an embedded form of professional development for all teachers. Findings indicated that there are multiple avenues that can be used to fund instructional coaches for school districts, however, whether all of these forms of funding can be sustained for districts to cover the operating costs in future years remained unclear.

Supporting The Intrinsically Motivated Learner, Alison Attura Loud

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

This study investigated the use of student-led goal setting, and the use of student-choice with assessments, in a 4th grade mathematics classroom. Specifically, this study analyzed how the goal setting and assessment choice of students impacted their intrinsic motivation with regard to learning mathematics skills. The research was conducted using a mixed methods approach. Results found that these implemented strategies increased student intrinsic motivation in regards to meeting their goals and their ability to prove mastery of math standards. Recommendations for classroom teachers included providing guidance for students in goal setting and increase student autonomy in the classroom.

Factors In School Choice And Parent Satisfaction At Cornville Regional Charter School, Philip Estabrook

M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership Research Projects

Charter schools are in their earliest days in the state of Maine. The first charter school in Maine offering elementary services opened in Cornville in 2012. Parents sending students to the school have a variety of reasons for choosing an alternate model for educating their students. First, parents felt the agricultural focus of the CRCS was a strong foundation for their students. Second, parents were very happy with the smaller classroom populations. Finally, the impression that the administrators at CRCS more quickly responded to the needs of the parents and student were noted as being especially important.