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Articles 31 - 60 of 313
Full-Text Articles in Education
The Nebraska Assessment And Accountability System From 1998 – 2017, Melanie L. Olson
The Nebraska Assessment And Accountability System From 1998 – 2017, Melanie L. Olson
Student Work
This study provides a historical record of the Nebraska assessment and accountability system from 1998 - 2017. Through a document analysis approach, a narrative has been developed capturing the story of Nebraska’s unique and evolving assessment and accountability system. The study is divided into three time periods, 1998 - 2007, 2008 - 2011, and 2012 - 2017, separated by key legislation and changes to Nebraska’s assessment and accountability system. In each of the time periods, the themes of policy, people, and practices serve to anchor the chronological narrative. The theme of policy explores the connection and influence of the Nebraska …
A Phenomenological Approach: Perceptions Of Teacher Evaluation And Future Implications Of Practice, Elizabeth Tonniges
A Phenomenological Approach: Perceptions Of Teacher Evaluation And Future Implications Of Practice, Elizabeth Tonniges
Student Work
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the teacher evaluation process, teacher’s attitudes and beliefs about teacher evaluation processes/systems, and how those impacted the effectiveness of the intended outcome of teacher improvement, resulting in greater student achievement. The Learning Policy Institute’s research cited a decline in the number of teachers exiting higher education institutions from 691,000 in 2009 to 451,000 in 2014 (Sutcher, Darling-Hammond, & Carver-Thomas, 2016). Couple a decline in the number of teachers exiting college with almost an 8% reduction in workforce, and an anticipated future enrollment of students leaves many worried that a crisis is …
Agentic And Communal Confidence In Relationship To Transactional, Transformational, And Transformative Leadership Styles Of Educational Administrators In Nebraska By Amy Catherine Hansen Rauch Himes, Amy Catherine Hansen Rauch Himes
Agentic And Communal Confidence In Relationship To Transactional, Transformational, And Transformative Leadership Styles Of Educational Administrators In Nebraska By Amy Catherine Hansen Rauch Himes, Amy Catherine Hansen Rauch Himes
Student Work
The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate leadership styles of educational leaders in the state of Nebraska. The research described herein has built upon past research and examined traditional gender roles in educational leadership. Male and female educators, in their respective roles, have shaped and facilitated a school model designed to uphold traditional social roles within the existing contemporary society (Engel, 2015; Goldstein, 2014; Koenig & Eagly, 2014). Educational leadership style norms were established in the mid-1800’s and were founded on traditional gender roles guided by a general set of beliefs about masculine and feminine attributes (Goldstein, 2015). The …
Middle School Common Grading Expectations And Teacher Perceptions Of Grading Pedagogy, Jennifer Carson
Middle School Common Grading Expectations And Teacher Perceptions Of Grading Pedagogy, Jennifer Carson
Student Work
Grades in schools can be subjective in nature. Yet, grading remains a key piece in the American education system. Beliefs around grading practices are deeply held and can vary from teacher to teacher. This study aims to explore how teachers arrive at their own grading practices and to analyze teachers’ perceptions of implementing common grading expectations at one middle school in the Midwest. The implementation was grounded in research surrounding ethical change leadership. In year two of implementation, certified staff responded to a survey of Likert scale and open-ended questions providing feedback on implementing common grading expectations. The medians of …
The Social Justice Role Of School Librarians, Stephanie A. Burdic
The Social Justice Role Of School Librarians, Stephanie A. Burdic
Student Work
This study builds on Rioux’s 2010 social justice metatheory in the library sciences as it looks at the practices of school librarians in the areas of collection development, policies, and instructional practices. The mixed methods study demonstrates that school librarians act as agents of social justice in the collection of materials based on diversity, inclusion, vantage points, and international viewpoints. The policies of unrestricted access to library materials, access to digital and print formats, critical reflection, school library as a safe haven, advocating for the freedom to read, and facilitating students to read a variety of materials were also examined. …
Factors That Influence The Reading Motivation Of Fourth And Fifth Grade Students In A Midwest Urban Elementary School, Jo A. O'Garro
Factors That Influence The Reading Motivation Of Fourth And Fifth Grade Students In A Midwest Urban Elementary School, Jo A. O'Garro
Student Work
Reading motivation has been found to impact both literacy development and student achievement. Unfortunately, reading motivation tends to decline as students get older, and many students lose interest in reading by middle school (Edmunds & Bauserman, 2006). This decrease can have a negative impact on achievement and may also contribute to reading achievement gaps based on gender, race, and socioeconomic status. This study examined factors found in the Motivation for Reading Questionnaire (MRQ) that influence reading motivation for fourth and fifth grade students in a Midwest urban elementary school. In addition, the researcher sought to determine if there were significant …
Factors That Influence Middle School Mathematics Teachers’ Willingness To Collaborate With School Librarians, Stephanie L. Schnabel
Factors That Influence Middle School Mathematics Teachers’ Willingness To Collaborate With School Librarians, Stephanie L. Schnabel
Student Work
Collaboration between school libraries and classroom teachers can have a powerful impact on student learning. School librarians routinely collaborate with English language arts and social studies curriculum and less frequently with areas in STEM education. This research examines middle school mathematics teachers’ extent of or willingness to collaborate with the school librarian in one large urban Midwestern school district. This quantitative descriptive study sought to answer the question “What factors influence middle school mathematics teachers’ extent or willingness to collaborate with school librarian?” This research looks at, from the middle school mathematics teacher’s perception, the roles and responsibilities of the …
Elementary Teachers’ Grading Practices And Perceptions In Communicating Assessment Of Students, Shannon A. Thoendel
Elementary Teachers’ Grading Practices And Perceptions In Communicating Assessment Of Students, Shannon A. Thoendel
Student Work
Grading reform has been a major focus in school districts across the country (Guskey & Jung, 2012). Reporting student achievement through grades can have a lasting and profound impact on a student’s academic career. Grades are often considered to have little relationship to student performance (Brookhart, 2004; O’Connor 2016). Grading authenticity is reached when the following standards are met: accuracy, consistency, meaningfulness, and supportiveness of the learning environment (O’Connor, 2016). A current movement to standards-based grading is believed to be a more accurate measure of student achievement than a traditional grading system (Guskey, 2001). Standards-based grading systems are believed to …
Local Implementation Effectiveness Of A Multi-Tier System Of Support In Elementary School Settings, Terry P. Houlton
Local Implementation Effectiveness Of A Multi-Tier System Of Support In Elementary School Settings, Terry P. Houlton
Student Work
Ensuring all students learn at high levels is demanding. Multi-tier systems of supports (MTSS) has shown promise as a way to promote high levels of learning for all students while catching students who are struggling to learn. However, implementing MTSS models in school districts and schools has seen its challenges. The context of an individual school impacts efforts related to implementation especially related to implementing a system such as MTSS. During the 2016-2017 school year, using program theory-driven evaluation methods a program theory for MTSS was developed with input from members of the research school district. Then a questionnaire was …
Elementary Administrators’ Mathematics Supervision & Self-Efficacy Development, Kelly M. Gomez Johnson
Elementary Administrators’ Mathematics Supervision & Self-Efficacy Development, Kelly M. Gomez Johnson
Student Work
Mathematics curriculum reform is changing the content and resources in today’s elementary classrooms as well as the culture of mathematics teaching and learning. Administrators face the challenge of leading large-scale curricular change efforts with limited prior knowledge or experiences with reform curricula structures. Administrators, as the bridge between district and building-level initiatives, are in a unique position to impact and drive change. However, they face increasing responsibilities in their demanding roles and draw on their beliefs and leadership abilities to take action. Increased beliefs in their abilities as leaders, known as self-efficacy, guide administrators to commit and persevere during times …
The Influence Of Language Choice In Acceptable Use Polices On Students’ Locus Of Control, Stacy L. Lickteig
The Influence Of Language Choice In Acceptable Use Polices On Students’ Locus Of Control, Stacy L. Lickteig
Student Work
One of the goals of education is for students to develop critical thinking skills. In order to build those skills, students must become critical and engaged users of information. Students become engaged and critical users of information when they have opportunities to explore and immerse themselves in information from different viewpoints and perspectives. Much of the information accessed by students today is located online. In many school districts, an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) details what type of access students have to information found online. Using Rotter’s Locus of Control Theory, this study seeks to answer the question of how language …
Left To Chance: Gifted Students And Recreational Reading, Sara J. Churchill
Left To Chance: Gifted Students And Recreational Reading, Sara J. Churchill
Student Work
This qualitative multiple case study explored the factors that impact the recreational reading selections of gifted students. Eleven students in grades four and five participated in the study. The methods of data collection included in-depth personal interviews and analysis of library circulation records and independent reading program data. The Theory of Reasoned Action was used as a framework to examine the answers to the research question and subquestions and three areas of concern were identified. Those areas are: 1) The role of the school librarian in recreational reading selections, 2) The impact of assigned reading on recreational reading, and 3) …
Empathy: Do Levels Vary By Years Of Service, Age Or Gender?, Josh Jessen
Empathy: Do Levels Vary By Years Of Service, Age Or Gender?, Josh Jessen
Student Work
Leadership in education requires empathy. Empathy is the conduit to engaging students and little is known about empathy in adults (Eisenberg & Fabes, 1990; Hoffman, 2000; ZahnWaxler, Radke-Yarrow, Wagner, & Chapman, 1992) and even less is known about empathy in teachers. This study seeks to measure objective quotients of empathy among educators for the purposes of recruiting and maintaining highly empathetic teachers who might realize greater learning gains.
An Analysis Of Empathy As Leadership Attributes And Action In Educational Administrators And Teacher Leaders, Jill K. Bruckner
An Analysis Of Empathy As Leadership Attributes And Action In Educational Administrators And Teacher Leaders, Jill K. Bruckner
Student Work
The study of empathy, as both a concept and a construct, spans disciplines and decades. As such, its relevance to relationships, empirical definition, significance to leadership, motivational factors, and position in emotional intelligence comprise a wide range of perceptions, applications, and examination across fields ranging from psychology to biology to education. This purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between educational leaders’ self-perception of empathy and to explore how attitudes relate to leadership attributes and action. Results were designed to inform practice, expand understanding, and to compensate for a gap in research regarding measured relationships between empathy and …
Becoming Independent: Employer Practices That Enhance Success For Employees With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Stuart P. Stofferahn
Becoming Independent: Employer Practices That Enhance Success For Employees With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Stuart P. Stofferahn
Student Work
This qualitative study explored employer practices that enhanced success for employees with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Four employers in the southwestern United States who partnered with Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center participated in the study. Data was collected through individual, indepth interviews with the participants to address four themes that emerged from this study: 1) accommodations that were necessary to enhance the chances of success for an employee with an ASD; 2) positive effects on workplace morale/camaraderie; 3) connections to increased or improved customer relations/satisfaction; 4) How hiring an employee with an ASD has a positive effect on …
The Development Of Step Up To Quality: What It Means For Families, Patricia A. Drewes-Hynek
The Development Of Step Up To Quality: What It Means For Families, Patricia A. Drewes-Hynek
Student Work
In June 2013 the Nebraska legislature signed into being LB507, also known as the Step Up to Quality Act. Designed to answer the need for quality early childhood care and experiences across the state of Nebraska, Step Up to Quality is Nebraska’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. Years in the making, Step Up to Quality aims to provide accountability for child care programs receiving state child care subsidy returns, increase family access to early childhood experiences through lowering of the income requirement levels to receive child care subsidy, and to provide an objective rating system for child care providers that …
A Comparative Analysis Of 6th Grade Academic And Nonacademic Outcomes In Two Different School Configurations, Anne M. Macfarland
A Comparative Analysis Of 6th Grade Academic And Nonacademic Outcomes In Two Different School Configurations, Anne M. Macfarland
Student Work
The purpose of this two-group descriptive efficacy study was to explore the relationship between school configuration and academic and non-academic outcomes of sixth grade elementary students compared to academic and non-academic outcomes of sixth grade middle school students. The independent variable is the school configuration. Group 1 includes sixth grade students who attended school in an elementary school configuration (n=619). Group 2 includes sixth grade students who attend school in a middle school configuration (n=811). There were six dependent variables for this study that fell into two specific themes: academic (reading and mathematics achievement) and non-academic (number of days absent …
Instrucational Coaching: A Multiple Case Study Investigation Of A Pre-Service Teacher’S Self Efficacy Through Supportive And Reflective Dialogue, Amanda Steiner
Instrucational Coaching: A Multiple Case Study Investigation Of A Pre-Service Teacher’S Self Efficacy Through Supportive And Reflective Dialogue, Amanda Steiner
Student Work
According to the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (1996), “…learning cannot occur in college classrooms divorced from schools” (p. 31). University coursework that is paired with carefully coordinated field experiences as well as being supported by university faculty that are skilled in helping the teacher candidate examine their practice through purposeful questioning and reflective dialogue can set the stage for developing a teacher candidate’s belief in their capabilities to reach their goals (Darling – Hammond, Hammerness, Grossman, Rust, and Shulman, 2005; Costa & Garmenston, 2002; Bandura, 1977). The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore …
Comparing Formative And Summative Instruments: What Tools Inform Practice And Guide Teacher Candidate Decision Making?, Christina L. Wilcoxen
Comparing Formative And Summative Instruments: What Tools Inform Practice And Guide Teacher Candidate Decision Making?, Christina L. Wilcoxen
Student Work
With an increased focus on field-based preparation, the relationship between P12 school districts and universities has been forced to change with little or no support to create effective third space environments. The complexity of the student teaching experience is compounded by the need for redefined roles, the lack of a common lexicon and the incongruence of accreditation systems. A Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods study was conducted to compare the use of formative and summative evaluation tools used to evaluate teacher candidates during student teaching. It also explored how the use of these two tools impacted the feedback provided and implemented …
Elementary And Secondary Teachers’ Attitudes And Efficacy For Teaching English Language Learners In The Mainstream Classroom, Dawn L. Mathis
Elementary And Secondary Teachers’ Attitudes And Efficacy For Teaching English Language Learners In The Mainstream Classroom, Dawn L. Mathis
Student Work
The purpose of this study was to evaluate Elementary and Secondary teachers’ attitudes, efficacy, and cultural proficiency with mainstream ELL students. This study further explored teachers’ beliefs toward professional development, differentiating curriculum and instruction, and understanding language acquisition with mainstream ELL students. The resulting data will be utilized to provide comprehensive feedback to the school district and surrounding school districts in Midwestern urban areas with similar ELL student populations. Using a quantitative, Likert scale evaluation re-designed using, English-as-a-second-language (ESL) Students in Mainstream Classroom: A Survey of Teachers (Reeves, 2006), will provide feedback for future professional development, curriculum and instruction development, …
The Delivery Of Professional Developemnt In The Middle School: Exploring Optimal Settings, Times, And Participants, Carrie A. Mohr
The Delivery Of Professional Developemnt In The Middle School: Exploring Optimal Settings, Times, And Participants, Carrie A. Mohr
Student Work
The purpose of this study was to describe and understand the experiences of teachers and instructional leaders related to the delivery of professional development at the middle school level. This qualitative study examines four professional development experiences and provides a summary of emerging themes related to those experiences for both teachers and instructional leaders at the middle level in order to describe the phenomenon of professional learning at the middle level. Utilizing four schools in the Omaha Public Schools, a focus group of teachers and an instructional leader comprise the sample from each school. Professional development delivery models are separated …
Nebraska Collegiate Methods Professors’ Perceptions Of The Next Generation Science Standards: A Semi-Structured Interview Approach, Ashley B. Rasmussen
Nebraska Collegiate Methods Professors’ Perceptions Of The Next Generation Science Standards: A Semi-Structured Interview Approach, Ashley B. Rasmussen
Student Work
This study utilized a semi-structured interview approach to identify how college methods professors in Nebraska are engaging pre-service K-12 teachers with the Next Generation Science Standards and to determine if this information is being carried over to Nebraska K-12 classrooms. The study attempted to address these items by answering the following research questions. First, what level of exposure and knowledge do methods professor have with regard to NGSS, and what are their perceptions? Second, what specific instructional strategies are college professors implementing to inform pre-service teachers about NGSS? Finally, are methods professors observing the three dimensions of NGSS carry over …
The Experiences Of Female High School Students And Interest In Stem: Factors Leading To The Selection Of An Engineering Or Computer Science Major, Sharon K. Genoways
The Experiences Of Female High School Students And Interest In Stem: Factors Leading To The Selection Of An Engineering Or Computer Science Major, Sharon K. Genoways
Student Work
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators, which leads to new products and processes that sustain our economy (Hossain & Robinson, 2012). We have been hearing the warnings for several years, that there simply are not enough young scientists entering into the STEM professional pathways to replace all of the retiring professionals (Brown, Brown, Reardon, & Merrill, 2011; Harsh, Maltese, & Tai, 2012; Heilbronner, 2011; Scott, 2012). The problem is not necessarily due to a lack of STEM skills and concept proficiency. There also appears to be …
The Impact Of A Professional Development Initiative On Technology Integration Within Instruction, Angela M. Daigle
The Impact Of A Professional Development Initiative On Technology Integration Within Instruction, Angela M. Daigle
Student Work
The purpose of professional development is to give teachers the skills and dispositions that they need to increase student achievement. There are many programs and initiatives that school districts can follow, but do they actually work. This is the question that school districts have to be asking themselves in order to determine if the professional development is worth the investment. Does the training that we give our teachers make a difference in what they do every day with students? This research seeks to answer the question ”Did the professional development initiative developed and implemented by this Midwestern suburban school district …
Examining Teacher Experiences: A Qualitative Study On Inclusion In The Elementary Classroom, Jennifer L. Sinclair
Examining Teacher Experiences: A Qualitative Study On Inclusion In The Elementary Classroom, Jennifer L. Sinclair
Student Work
This qualitative study utilized a semi-structured interview approach to better understand the experiences of general education teachers (n = 8) with the inclusion of special education students in the general education classroom. By gaining information about the experiences that general education teachers have with supports and services for, as well as communication about, inclusion, the study results provide additional information about experiences in order to inform the supports teachers receive to better educate students with and without disabilities. Each semi-structured interview was transcribed and coded for themes. Seven key themes emerged from findings: Acceptance, Time in General Education Classroom, Supports …
Mutual Fund Of The Minds: A Correlational Study On Education And The Economy At The State Level, Aaron Jay Bredenkamp
Mutual Fund Of The Minds: A Correlational Study On Education And The Economy At The State Level, Aaron Jay Bredenkamp
Student Work
During his tenure, President Barak Obama promoted education as a key to economic prosperity. However, in the post recession economy, many states reduced school funding. In Nebraska, the Governor attempted to reduce taxes for voters, while the Legislature examined how to balance the budget with a school funding formula that continually called for increased funding. Chapter One outlines this ongoing conflict between state and federal policy. Chapter Two provides a historical context of school finance policy with the state of Nebraska’s school finance history being provided in even greater detail. The indicators used to measure the economic impact of education …
An Evaluation Of A Support Program For First-Generation College Students, Aaron Krueger
An Evaluation Of A Support Program For First-Generation College Students, Aaron Krueger
Student Work
The purpose of this study was to evaluate a support program for first-generation college students. A qualitative study was conducted evaluating the Young Scholars Program from the perspectives of program participants. Data was collected through interviews with eight current and former program participants. The following research questions informed this study: 1. How do students perceive the program to be impacting their academic experience? 2. How do students perceive the program to be impacting their social experience? 3. How do students perceive the program to be impacting their career development experience? Through analysis of the data, three major themes emerged: Relationships, …
Rates Of Poverty And Special Education Students Among Open Enrollment Students, Heather D. Nebesniak
Rates Of Poverty And Special Education Students Among Open Enrollment Students, Heather D. Nebesniak
Student Work
The school choice movement is gaining momentum across the nation. More now that ever, families are looking beyond their local neighborhood schools to find a school that they feel reflects their educational values. Societal structures are changing and families look to the schools to provide resources that were historically outside the school realm. At-risk students, such as students living in poverty and students requiring special education services both require a greater pool of resources. In order to plan for enrollment growth and to meet student needs, educational administrators are faced with the task of predicting needs of students and securing …
Traditional Vs. Blended: The Effect Of Instruction Methods On Sixth Grade Pre-Algebra Students’ Performance And Perceptions, Lynn Marie Spady
Traditional Vs. Blended: The Effect Of Instruction Methods On Sixth Grade Pre-Algebra Students’ Performance And Perceptions, Lynn Marie Spady
Student Work
This study examined sixth grade students’ math performance under two models of instruction: traditional and blended. Blended instruction requires face-to-face learning with an instructor, but allows students to do a portion of the work independently online. Traditional instruction takes place with an instructor present at all times. One area of interest in this study was the level of procedural knowledge acquired under the two different models of instruction. Results from three different assessments indicated no significant difference between the two groups of students. An additional area of interest was students’ preferences in teaching strategies in math and approaches to learning. …
A Program Evaluation Using Stufflebeam’S Cipp Model To Evaluate Educational Service Unit 2 (Esu 2) Consortium For Special Education Of Administration Services (Cases), Jodie L. Sams
Student Work
The purpose of the study is to conduct a program evaluation utilizing Stufflebeam’s 2007 CIPP Model to determine if the Educational Service Unit 2 (ESU 2) Consortium for Administration of Special Education Services (CASES) effectively serves CASES member districts. The results of the program evaluation is intended to provide Educational Service Unit 2 (ESU 2) with results and feedback on how 1) to determine the extent to which CASES has successfully met program goals (Product Evaluation), efficiently utilized resources (Input Evaluation), and appropriately selected and implemented program activities (Process Evaluation), and 2) to examine how the program was developed (Context …