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Full-Text Articles in Education

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Elementary Teachers In Inclusion Classrooms, Julie Elise Brown Apr 2024

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Elementary Teachers In Inclusion Classrooms, Julie Elise Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of elementary teachers in inclusion classrooms. The theory which guided this study was Bandura’s (2006) social cognitive theory as it related to the lived experiences of teacher preparedness for teaching in inclusion classrooms. Successful inclusion-setting outcomes were attributed to a teacher’s perception and attitude toward disabilities and their ability to teach them. This study was designed to answer the following central research question: What are the lived experiences of teachers regarding their preparation for teaching in elementary-level inclusion classrooms? Three sub-questions were used to understand the lived …


Improving Teacher Retention Within Archdiocese Of Washington Schools, Denise M. Ball Dec 2023

Improving Teacher Retention Within Archdiocese Of Washington Schools, Denise M. Ball

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study was to solve the problem of teacher retention for the Archdiocese of Washington Schools and to design training to address the problem. Specifically, this study solicited input from teachers to help define and or identify (1) the need for teacher retention, (2) what type of school environment they work in, and (3) how a school environment affects teacher retention. Individual teacher and focus group interviews were conducted, and a survey was utilized for data collection and analysis. The measurement instruments captured data on target teachers regarding school environment/climate and job retention, specifically, years in …


Understanding The Role Of Parent-Teacher Communication In Motivating Elementary School Students: A Case Study, Brittany Rose Powers Jul 2023

Understanding The Role Of Parent-Teacher Communication In Motivating Elementary School Students: A Case Study, Brittany Rose Powers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple case study was to understand parent-teacher communication and its role in motivating students in elementary school. The work was guided by the following central research question and two sub-questions: CRQ) How do parent-teacher relationships motivate students? SQ1) How does a met or not met basic need dictate the motivational outcomes of students? SQ2) How do elementary school students perceive the role of parents and teachers in their motivation to learn? A qualitative research design was used to gather individual experiences and participants’ perspectives. The multiple case study design allowed many participants to share varying perspectives …


Early Childhood Teachers' Experiences In Collaboration Practices Related To Developing Professionally: A Qualitative Case Study, Linda Alston-Morgan Jul 2023

Early Childhood Teachers' Experiences In Collaboration Practices Related To Developing Professionally: A Qualitative Case Study, Linda Alston-Morgan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine early childhood teachers’ experiences in collaboration practices to support teacher professional development in three early childhood schools in Central New Jersey. The theory guiding this study was social cognitive theory by Bandura (1986), which focuses on learning through observations and social interactions. Bandura’s theory aligned with the study and revealed how collaborative opportunities are utilized as an approach to help teachers learn from each other and develop professionally. However, specific activities underlying the professional development of teachers during the collaborative sessions need more exploration. The research included data regarding early …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Shared Responsibility Experiences Of Secondary Co-Teachers, Stuart Brady Apr 2023

A Phenomenological Study Of The Shared Responsibility Experiences Of Secondary Co-Teachers, Stuart Brady

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe co-teachers’ experiences regarding shared instructional responsibility in North Georgia secondary schools. Shared responsibility is generally defined as both teachers perceiving each other as co-equals in instructional responsibility and that neither teacher perceives the other as the subordinate or primary teacher in the co-taught classroom. The frameworks that guided this study is sociocultural theoretical framework, as developed by Vygotsky extended in recent co-teaching literature and Howlett and Nguyen, and teacher belief theory, developed by Parajes and adapted for co-teaching research by Kim and Pratt, which is supported by Bandura’s social cognitive theory. …


Secondary Teacher Experiences In Professional Learning Communities: A Phenomenological Research Study, Tiphani Jo Morris Apr 2023

Secondary Teacher Experiences In Professional Learning Communities: A Phenomenological Research Study, Tiphani Jo Morris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological research study was to describe secondary mathematics, science, English Language Arts (ELA), and social studies teachers’ experiences with PLCs at Central Texas secondary schools. Using Wenger’s (1998) social theory, the study answered the central research question: What are the lived experiences of secondary mathematics, science, ELA, and social studies teachers involved in PLCs in Central Texas? The sub-questions included: What collaborative experiences do secondary teachers have during PLCs? What professional learning experiences do secondary teachers have during PLCs? The setting included two middle schools and one high school located in Central Texas. The sample …


The Lived Experiences Of General Education Teachers' Consultative Interactions With Special Education Team Members: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Meredith Kearney Auscavitch Oct 2022

The Lived Experiences Of General Education Teachers' Consultative Interactions With Special Education Team Members: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Meredith Kearney Auscavitch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe general education teachers’ lived experiences of consultative interactions with special education team members in an urban school in New England. Information regarding desired outcomes of consultation as well as general education teacher-identified outcomes was explored. The theory that guided this study was the collaboration theory identified by Lee Vygotsky, which details the benefit of collaboration with others to gain knowledge of a task or process using a partnership to support a deeper understanding. A sample of 10 general education teachers provided their perspectives on consultation with special education team members. …


Parents' Experiences Of Teacher Support Related To Their Child's Individual Education Plan: A Phenomenological Study, Linda Hester Henderson Apr 2022

Parents' Experiences Of Teacher Support Related To Their Child's Individual Education Plan: A Phenomenological Study, Linda Hester Henderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to examine parents’ experiences of the support they receive from their children’s teachers when those children have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and attend public-school preschools. For this study, described support is defined as emotional, instrumental, or informational assistance, along with appraisal received from others during times of need. The theoretical framework for this study is Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler’s model of parental involvement and Epstein’s parent involvement model, which identifies six types of family involvement. These theories fall under Bronfenbrenner’s overarching ecological systems theory. The study includes 10 participants chosen through purposeful sampling. …


Developing Strategies To Improve Collaboration Between Special Education Teachers And Paraprofessionals: An Applied Study, Brianna Noel Wilbanks Jan 2022

Developing Strategies To Improve Collaboration Between Special Education Teachers And Paraprofessionals: An Applied Study, Brianna Noel Wilbanks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study is to find ways to increase collaboration between teachers and paraprofessionals in Title I, K-2 schools, and to find strategies to best train teachers and paraprofessionals to address this problem. This research study seeks to answer the following questions: Central Question: How can the problem of lack of collaboration between special education teachers and paraprofessionals be solved at Mountain Elementary School (a pseudonym) in North Georgia? To answer this question, interviews, focus groups, and a survey were used to collect data. Next, the data were transcribed and analyzed for themes. Finally, based on this …


Educators' Perspectives Of The Benefits And Barriers Of Cross-Level Teaching: A Collective Case Study, Lela Kristina Andrews Apr 2021

Educators' Perspectives Of The Benefits And Barriers Of Cross-Level Teaching: A Collective Case Study, Lela Kristina Andrews

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand the benefits and barriers of cross-level classrooms from the perspective of educators at a rural secondary school. For this study, cross-level learning is defined as a classroom that includes multiple grade bands who are working together in a classroom setting to learn a specific set of standards or objectives (Peñafiela & Tomàs, 2014; Scamati, Kent, & Mackenzie, 1993). This research study operated within the collaboration theory identified by Lev Vygotsky that highlights the value of collaborating with others to gain a greater understanding of a particular task or process that the …


The Effects Of Data-Driven Instructional Leadership On Student Achievement, Hayward Mark Chandler Jul 2020

The Effects Of Data-Driven Instructional Leadership On Student Achievement, Hayward Mark Chandler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Instructional leadership is key in reaching educational goals for students. Data-driven instructional leadership leveraged to improve teachers’ instructional practices provides opportunities for teachers to reflect, collaborate, and improve instructional practice. Data-driven leadership has been studied, but achievement results have not been a common topic. It is of value to understand the aspects of school leadership with causal nexus to student outcomes and what actions by leaders are associated with positive student outcomes. This study examined the achievement scores of four groups of schools (N= 81) in the state of New Mexico. The treatment groups leveraged data-driven practices, while the control …


A Qualitative Study Of Elementary Teachers' Perspectives Of Professional Learning Communities, Chanel Lee Bess Jul 2020

A Qualitative Study Of Elementary Teachers' Perspectives Of Professional Learning Communities, Chanel Lee Bess

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand elementary teachers’ perspectives of professional learning communities (PLCs) in a Southeastern United States elementary school. The theories guiding this study were Bandura’s social theory and Herzberg, Mausner, and Synderman’s two-factor theory of motivation. The research questions included: (a) How do elementary teachers describe the purpose of a PLC? (b) How do elementary teachers describe the experiences in PLCs? and (c) What are elementary teachers’ perceptions of benefits and barriers of PLCs? This study aimed to explore the perspectives of elementary teachers in PLCs and the attitudes of these teachers who collaborate …


What Works? A Collective Case Study Of Effective Collaborative Practices In Elementary And Middle School Inclusion Classrooms In Southwest Virginia, Shellie Denise Brown Jul 2020

What Works? A Collective Case Study Of Effective Collaborative Practices In Elementary And Middle School Inclusion Classrooms In Southwest Virginia, Shellie Denise Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The advent of inclusive educational practices in the United States in recent decades has prompted a need for increased and improved levels of collaboration among general and special education teachers. The purpose of this qualitative, holistic, collective case study was to develop an in-depth understanding of general and special education teachers’ best practices for effective collaboration in kindergarten through eighth grade public education inclusion classrooms in Southwest Virginia. This study investigated two teams of general and special education teachers who were demonstrating effective collaborative practices. This study sought to answer the central research question: What are general and special education …


The Effect Of Co-Teaching On Student Reading Achievement Scores, William Joshua Taylor Jun 2020

The Effect Of Co-Teaching On Student Reading Achievement Scores, William Joshua Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the co-teaching model on student performance on a high-stakes reading assessment. The significance of this study was to show the need for this type of research and the need for further research dealing with high-stakes assessments, its impact on at-risk students, and ways to assist at-risk students with preparation for high-stakes assessments. This study utilized a quantitative, causal-comparative design to determine if the co-teaching model influences student achievement scores while controlling for prior knowledge. The participants for this study were drawn from a convenience sample of eighth grade students …


Special Education And Parental Decision-Making Experiences: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Cheryl Y. Solomon Dec 2019

Special Education And Parental Decision-Making Experiences: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Cheryl Y. Solomon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to investigate the decision-making experiences of parents/guardians relative to an offer of Special Education Services for their child. The participants for this study were 10 parents of children in one suburban county in the northern Virginia region who made decisions regarding acceptance of Special Education Services. The children of participating parents were of varying ages and types of disabilities. The two theories that guided this research and helped explain factors that influenced parents’ special education related decision-making experiences were the grief cycle (Haley, Hammond, Ingalls, & Marin, 2013) and decision theory (Dewey, …


The Benefits And Importance Of Collaboration And Diversity In A Performing Arts Education, Karah Rushing Apr 2019

The Benefits And Importance Of Collaboration And Diversity In A Performing Arts Education, Karah Rushing

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis will explore the advantages of providing students with a diversified Performing Arts Education in which collaboration between art forms enhances students’ overall artistic abilities. In exploration of this topic, data was collected regarding how the training in each performing art form uniquely benefits a student. The information was gathered from interviews with Kindergarten through Twelfth-grade performing arts teachers, as well as from research which addresses how a student’s capabilities can be enhanced through a Performing Arts Education. The results of implementing differing teaching methods involving a collaboration between art forms show that a diversified Performing Arts Education is …


Professional Learning Communities And Relational Trust: A Correlational Study, Theresa Ann Pedersen Apr 2019

Professional Learning Communities And Relational Trust: A Correlational Study, Theresa Ann Pedersen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Professional Learning Communities (PLC) are considered best practice, but additional research was needed to examine the relationships necessary to build and sustain PLCs. The purpose of this correlational study was to determine if there is a relationship between the perceptions educators have about their PLC and the level of relational trust among its members. Scores for the analysis came from two surveys, The Professional Learning Community Assessment-Revised and The Omnibus T-Scale (Hoy & Tschannen-Moran, 2003). The sample consisted of 104 educators in 3 school districts in Iowa, Illinois, and New York; each was awarded model PLC distinction. Each teacher completed …


Factors Influencing Special Education Teachers' Mathematics Teaching Efficacy, Owen Martin Jun 2018

Factors Influencing Special Education Teachers' Mathematics Teaching Efficacy, Owen Martin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research examined the relationship between secondary special education teachers’ mathematics teaching efficacy and the number of years of teaching experience, years of co-teaching experience, and number of math content coursework taken at the undergraduate level. Students with special needs continue to score significantly lower than their general education peers on Virginia’s standards of learning mathematics tests. A quantitative, non-experimental correlational research design was used in this study. The targeted sample consisted of approximately 120 collaborating special education teachers in two school districts in southeastern Virginia. The Mathematics Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument (MTEBI) was measure mathematics teaching efficacy and teacher …


The Effects Of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning On Sense Of Connectedness, Sense Of Learning, And Overall Sense Of Community Among High School Students Enrolled In A Marketing Course, Rebecca R. Streetman Jun 2018

The Effects Of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning On Sense Of Connectedness, Sense Of Learning, And Overall Sense Of Community Among High School Students Enrolled In A Marketing Course, Rebecca R. Streetman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative static group study was to determine the effects of computer-supported collaborative learning on sense of community, sense of connectedness, and sense of learning for students in a high school Marketing Principles course. Sense of community pertains to feelings of belonging and is important to the learning process because it can foster shared positive experiences in the classroom setting. Both collaborative learning and computer-based instruction have been researched extensively and their benefits noted; however, this study is important because it focuses on combining the two into what is known as computer-supported collaborative learning. The independent variable …


A Transcendental Phenomenological Exploration Of The Shared Perceptions Of Online Adjunct Faculty In The United States Who Have A High Sense Of Community, Tiffany Ferencz Jun 2016

A Transcendental Phenomenological Exploration Of The Shared Perceptions Of Online Adjunct Faculty In The United States Who Have A High Sense Of Community, Tiffany Ferencz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of online adjunct faculty who have a high sense of community within their respective university. Sense of community was generally defined as feelings of connectedness within the university community. The theories that guided this study were McMillan and Chavis’ (1986) sense of community theory and Herzberg’s (1968) motivation-hygiene theory. McMillan and Chavis’ sense of community theory suggests a sense of community is a powerful force that influences people. Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory is used as it identifies guiding principles for why people are motivated to work. The central question …


Development And Validation Of A Classroom Observation Instrument For Implementation Of Co-Teaching Practices, Amy Rogers May 2016

Development And Validation Of A Classroom Observation Instrument For Implementation Of Co-Teaching Practices, Amy Rogers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to develop and field test the Co-Teaching Observation Instrument (CTOI) to determine its validity and reliability as an instrument for the observation of general and special education teacher practices in co-taught classrooms across kindergarten through twelfth grade levels. Face and content validity were established through a review by 10 experts in the field of special education. The experts were asked to pilot the instrument and then rate the composite instrument on a three point Likert-type scale in terms of whether it measures co-teaching practices including the dimensions of collaboration/teacher parity, teacher to student interaction, …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Impact On Collaboration As Perceived By Educators While Using Software To Manage Individualized Education Programs, Vaughn Hammond Dec 2015

A Phenomenological Study Of The Impact On Collaboration As Perceived By Educators While Using Software To Manage Individualized Education Programs, Vaughn Hammond

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to gain a deeper, richer understanding of how educators’ use of software to manage individualized education programs (IEPs) impact collaboration in the IEP process. Research questions included: (a) What are the challenges identified by educators when using software to manage IEPs? (b) What are the benefits identified by educators when using software to manage IEPs? (c) What are educators’ perceptions on the impact using software to manage IEPs has on the collaboration among the IEP team? (d) What are educators’ perceptions of the use of software on increasing collaboration skills? Educators from …


Edmodo: A Collective Case Study Of English As The Second Language (Esl) Of Latino/Latina Students, Michael Taylor Sep 2015

Edmodo: A Collective Case Study Of English As The Second Language (Esl) Of Latino/Latina Students, Michael Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The population of English as the Second Language (ESL) students continues to rise throughout the United States especially among those of Latino/Latina heritage. An important aspect to help these students succeed is to build a sense of community through a social constructivist framework. By using and developing 21st century skills through social networking, students can develop a sense of community which could lead to an increase in academic achievement. Utilizing a philosophical assumption of methodology allowed for flexibility and ongoing reflection for the current study, and it was applied in the conceptual framework of social constructivism and sense of community. …


Teacher Perspectives Of Professional Learning Community Teams With Respect To Their Collective Inquiries: A Case Study, Allen Pratt Jul 2014

Teacher Perspectives Of Professional Learning Community Teams With Respect To Their Collective Inquiries: A Case Study, Allen Pratt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand the perspectives of secondary level teachers in East Tennessee who are involved in Professional Learning Community (PLC) teams regarding both the environment and sharing of best teaching practices. The study examined PLC teams to better understand how the team design, interaction, and the process of collaboration enabled teachers to coexist as adult learners. The basic research question lies in what are teacher perspectives of PLCs relating to the environment of the collective inquiry and the transfer of knowledge at the secondary school level. The study examined PLC teams to better …


Success Despite Socioeconomics: A Case Study Of A High-Achieving, High-Poverty School, Thomas Brent Tilley, Samuel J. Smith, Russell L. Claxton Aug 2012

Success Despite Socioeconomics: A Case Study Of A High-Achieving, High-Poverty School, Thomas Brent Tilley, Samuel J. Smith, Russell L. Claxton

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Effective school leadership is becoming more difficult than ever with the challenges of increased accountability and high stakes testing that are components of federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation. These challenges are more pronounced in schools with high rates of poverty. This was a case study of a high performing, high poverty school that has consistently been one of the highest performing elementary schools in the state. The purpose of the study was to describe the leadership that exists at the school, the culture of the school, and programs that contribute to the school’s success. The researcher conducted observations …


The Co-Teaching Journey: A Systematic Grounded Theory Study Investigating How Secondary School Teachers Resolve Challenges In Co-Teaching, Sharon Gerst Jul 2012

The Co-Teaching Journey: A Systematic Grounded Theory Study Investigating How Secondary School Teachers Resolve Challenges In Co-Teaching, Sharon Gerst

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this systematic grounded theory study was to explain how problems inherent in co-teaching relationships are resolved by secondary school special education and general education teachers at an urban school district in Eastern Iowa. The participants were general and special education secondary school teachers involved in effective co-teaching partnerships. Data was collected from five partnerships, utilizing focus groups, interpersonal behavior theory questionnaires, classroom observations, and individual interviews. The researcher analyzed the data using systematic grounded theory procedures of open coding, axial coding, and selective coding to develop a theory grounded in the data collected about the process by …


Sharepoint Collaboration: Streamlining The Dissertation Process For Online Students, Amanda J. Rockinson-Szapkiw, Randall Dunn, David Holder Jan 2010

Sharepoint Collaboration: Streamlining The Dissertation Process For Online Students, Amanda J. Rockinson-Szapkiw, Randall Dunn, David Holder

Faculty Publications and Presentations

In the era of Web 2.0, document editors and collaborative workspaces have emerged. Primary functions of online collaborative workspaces include the ability to create a documents and document libraries online for others to view and collaborate and share document resources; thus, simplifying and streamlining projects that require collaboration. SharePoint is one such collaborative workspace. SharePoint is a server that has allowed for the simplifying and streamlining of the dissertation process for online students. The use of the various features of SharePoint for collaboration on dissertations are discussed. Benefits of using SharePont are outlined.