Education Commons^™

Facilitating Play For Preschoolers With Severe Multiple Impairments, Hannah B. Wade

Masters Projects

Play is a fundamental right of childhood that should be accessible to every child because it has enormous benefits for all areas of their development and brings joy to their lives. Unfortunately, children with disabilities, especially those with severe multiple impairments, face many barriers to accessing play. Early childhood educators have the responsibility and privilege of supporting their students with severe multiple impairments in engaging in play by facilitating accessible play experiences within the early childhood curriculum. The goal of this project is to provide a guide for early childhood educators that supports them in facilitating playful learning for these …

The Importance Of Critical Thinking Skills In Secondary Classrooms, Clinton T. Sterkenburg

Masters Projects

According to research, many students lack effective critical thinking skills. The ability to think critically is crucial for individuals to be successful and responsible. Many students have difficulties understanding this important skill and especially lack the ability to initiate and apply the process. Although a difficult task, educators have the responsibility to teach critical skills to students and to discern when certain instructional methods or activities are not helping students. Each student is different, and their needs must be considered, this correlates with how they learn and process information. Research has shown that traditional teaching methods that require students to …

The Effect Of Augmentative And Alternative Communication Devices On Preschool-Aged Children With Disabilities, Jocelyn N. Fox

Masters Projects

Speech and language needs are not being met effectively in preschool-aged children. These skills are incredibly important, as speech and language skills affect all other areas of development (Greenwood et al., 2013). To help solve this problem, professionals who work with this population of students need to have effective practices in place to address the needs of these students. This project aims to provide preschool-aged children who have speech and language needs the access to communication they deserve. Through Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, many speech and language needs can be addressed. This project will provide training on AAC …

Increasing The Level Of English Language Learners Mathematical Word Problem Skills Using Language Interventions, Hannah M. Frederick

Masters Projects

This project highlights the possible solutions to the ever-increasing achievement gap between English Language Learners and native-English speaking students in United States’ schools. Standardized assessments are composed of mathematical word problems so instead of students being tested on their math abilities, they are also being tested on their reading comprehension. This adds an additional difficulty for English Language Learners who are in the process of learning English. This project outlines a plan to increase ELLs word problem skills through the explicit teaching of vocabulary and reading comprehension. These interventions will allow ELLs to improve their English abilities in a mathematical …

Strategies To Improve The Achievement Of Multilingual Learners, Breanna Marie Mason

Masters Projects

With the increase of the number of multilingual (ML) students in schools today, more strategies and practices are being researched and published. However, the achievement of these students continues to fall significantly below the achievement of their non-ML peers. Although teachers are receiving some training about culturally-relevant teaching practices, they are rarely given time to adjust these strategies based on the needs of their students to support a productive implementation. Teachers need more support and time to do so. This project focuses on both the strategies teachers and school staff should be implementing, along with a guide for implementation. Without …

Effective Reading Intervention In The Intermediate Grades, Cassandra Baas

Masters Projects

Reading proficiency among intermediate-grade students remains below expected grade level, necessitating a comprehensive approach to teaching reading intervention. Research indicates that students struggling with reading often exhibit difficulties in both foundational skills and comprehension. To address these challenges, a multicomponent intervention combining explicit skill instruction with engaging comprehension practice is needed. A cognitive science framework, emphasizing active learning, metacognition, and the role of automatic decoding in freeing working memory for comprehension, is essential. Additionally, a reader-response perspective is beneficial, as it encourages deep engagement and critical thinking, helping to foster a lifelong love of reading.

Effective intervention requires a deep …

Utilizing Morphology Instruction To Improve Students’ Reading Proficiency, Michelle Marie Sweigart

Masters Projects

Many adolescent learners face difficulties with reading comprehension as grades progress. Research suggests that this is due to a variety of contributing factors, including deficits in decoding, fluency, and vocabulary, in addition to content-area vocabulary becoming increasingly challenging. While research has shown the vast benefits of utilizing morphology instruction across grade levels to improve vocabulary, especially in secondary education, it is a largely underutilized area for intervention. This project explores the potential benefits of offering adolescents a morphological intervention to make grade-level vocabulary across content areas more accessible. Through the use of explicitly-taught strategies to systematically break down and employ …

The Link Between Classroom Diversity And Academic Advancements, Mary Kuik

Masters Projects

Racially diverse classrooms are not being taught in racially diverse ways, adding to an ever-growing academic gap for students of color. Various studies have pointed to several root causes to this issue, including a lack of representation, bias, inequitable discipline, poor curriculum, and socioeconomic disparity. Due to these causes, students of color are projected to be less successful in state testing and school overall, less likely to obtain a higher education, more likely to be disciplined, more likely to feel a detachment to historical content in the classroom, and more likely to feel a social disconnect from their peers. All …

Balancing Innovation And Integrity: Addressing Concerns Of Ai In Classroom Environments, Alexandria Patricia Thomas

Masters Projects

Research into the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has highlighted critical issues such as bias, privacy, and plagiarism. Despite these challenges, many educational practices have not evolved to address them effectively. This project develops a comprehensive approach to preparing educators for ethical AI use, offering a series of lesson plans and resources (Appendices A-M) designed to enhance teachers' understanding and management of AI in the classroom. By providing practical tools and guidelines, the project supports educators in balancing technical skills with ethical considerations. It employs Paulo Freire’s Critical Pedagogy and the TPACK framework to address AI’s impact on …

The Effect Of Trauma On Student Academic Achievement, Wendi N. Petersen

Masters Projects

This paper explores what current research says about the significant effect that childhood trauma has on student academic achievement. It looks at the ways in which students are impacted by trauma, how this affects them in the classroom and finally recommends a solution to help support educators and school staff in providing a safe, compassionate and encouraging classroom environment for students to learn and thrive in. Educators encounter numerous challenges in today's classrooms. The diverse needs of students today create a unique set of obstacles that teachers must navigate and address in their teaching. Students affected by childhood trauma present …

Increasing Secondary Students’ Spanish Oral Language Proficiency, Courtney Kozak

Masters Projects

Research has demonstrated the importance of students becoming orally proficient after taking foreign language classes. This project explores what can be done to combat the issue of students failing to gain an oral proficiency. It addresses instructional design and teacher impact, as well as student contribution to the issue. Multiple studies were reviewed on the best research backed practices for proficiency growth. After reading through all the research, it was determined that a proficiency-based instructional style that followed ACTFL World Readiness standards is the ideal approach. Going hand in hand with a proficiency-based instructional style is a classroom design of …

Visions Of Tomorrow: Using Blended Learning To Increase Student Motivation And Comprehension, Abby E. Majestic

Masters Projects

In schools across America, teachers struggle to motivate all their students to read within their classroom. It is necessary, therefore, that teachers structure their literacy classes in ways that encourage student motivation while providing opportunity for structured learning. Kervin et al. (2013) found that their students’ interests and engagement mainly motivated teachers when creating lessons that utilized technology. This technology use has been proven to increase student engagement and motivation within the classroom (Pragasam & Sulaiman, 2023). Researchers have been leaning into this idea and have created blended learning programs as ways to study the effectiveness of technology within the …

The Need For Trauma Informed. Culturally Conscious Restorative Discipline, Sara C. Potapa

Masters Projects

This project examines the prevalent issue of childhood trauma, how it affects a child’s development, and the ways in which school environments and educators can either cause further harm to students with trauma symptoms and how they can help facilitate healing. The importance of restorative discipline that is both culturally conscious and trauma sensitive is highlighted as well as the racial disparities that are present among Black and brown students when it comes to punitive and exclusionary discipline. Research shows that children thrive in trauma sensitive environments and that positive, caring teacher-student relationships are critical for the success of both …

Developing Early Literacy Screening Assessments And Corresponding Interventions, Sarah A. Coutts

Masters Projects

The topic of this project entails baseline assessments and corresponding interventions for kindergarten and first-grade students attending Newaygo Elementary School. Concerns of students failing to meet grade-level reading expectations continue to rise as achievement gaps grow. “Struggling readers are likely to experience difficulties across content areas, are at a higher risk for grade retention, are more likely to drop out of school before high school completion, and are less likely to pursue post-secondary education” (Ford et al., 2018, p. 207). This project aims to develop systematic baseline assessments and interventions to support students’ academic needs. Markovitz et al. (2021) emphasize …

Improving Reading Comprehension Of English Language Learners, Maximilian J. Young

Masters Projects

Reading comprehension ability of English Language Learners (ELLs) has been a growing concern for teachers and administration. The number of ELLs entering the classroom is growing. While current curriculum has tried to address this issue, teachers must combat this problem with a newer perspective on assessing and instruction. This project explains the importance of assessing for instruction rather than simple diagnosis along with why instruction should include explicit reading strategies. To adequately support ELL reading comprehension abilities, schools must provide support services to better prepare teachers in their classroom. In response to this problem, I provide a professional development course …

Impacts Of Cellphone Usage On Adolescent Social And Emotional Development, Chelsea N. Hammer

Masters Projects

Adolescent cellphone use has a negative impact on the school environment. This project explores how cellphones effect youth social and emotional development. The literature is reviewed as it relates to cellphone usage and emotional well-being, mental health, intrapersonal skill development and interpersonal growth. Cellphone addiction amongst teenagers is discussed as well protective factors to mitigate the damage cellphone use inflicts on student social and emotional development. This project advocates for making school stakeholders aware of these harmful effects so as to consider a re-examination of school cellphone policy. Incorporating periods of unplugging during the school day as well as using …

The Integration Of Mathematical Concepts In Physics Curriculum, Paige Poindexter

Masters Projects

Research has shown that students are struggling to grasp mathematical concepts and skills, which carries over to other subjects, such as science. As the need for an improved STEM education approach continues to grow, the use of integration to guide curriculum development has proven to be effective. This project dives into the available research surrounding the overlap of subjects taught in a secondary setting, focusing on the techniques proven to improve student academic success. This project addresses the need to draw clear connections between mathematics and physics courses, with the goal of improving student scores in both areas. The result …

Effective Vocabulary Instructions In Kindergarten Through Third Grade, Allison Ericksen

Masters Projects

This project proposal explains the lack of research and emphasis put on vocabulary instruction in kindergarten through third grade. There is a vocabulary gap between students who come from low SES and high SES that puts students at a disadvantage when it comes to reading, since 60% of comprehension is tied to vocabulary (Stahl and Nagy, 2005). However, the gap is often not addressed until later grades when it starts to be more necessary to comprehend what they read in order to learn. Teaching vocabulary in the younger grades will help prevent the gap from growing too large for those …

Supporting 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency: Utilizing Paraprofessionals To Provide Literacy Intervention, Hayley Jacobs

Masters Projects

Being able to read on grade level by third grade is a standard across the United States for public school systems. With the current educational climate enduring a teacher shortage, the ability to provide consistent reading intervention is affected. Paraprofessionals are increasingly being hired to support these gaps, but are not provided with the necessary resources and professional development to employ quality reading intervention. This project will provide the framework of a professional development schedule with necessary resources for paraprofessionals to refer to and expectations for paraprofessionals and administrators when implementing it.

The Push For Trauma-Informed Schools And Classrooms, Elizabeth Young

Masters Projects

In an ideal elementary educational setting, both students and teachers should expect to learn and teach in a setting without the disruption of extreme behaviors. If/when these behaviors do arise, students and teachers alike would have the tools to be able to safely work through the regulation of these behaviors. Elementary schools are seeing these behaviors negatively affect their students’ academic performance and safety. These behaviors are attributed to the fact that more students are coming to school having been exposed to, or are currently experiencing, trauma. In addition to this, many students have not been taught the necessary skills …

Indigenous Curricula And Teachers’ Preparedness, Caitlin M. Benson

Masters Projects

Indigenous curriculum in elementary school does not adequately describe the relationship between Indigenous people and the European colonizers. This inadequate representation leads to harm towards people of color and limits the understanding of U.S. history for all students. TribalCrit and other theories seek to offer ways to remediate this lack of Indigenous representation in U.S. culture and education. Using TribalCrit and Indigenous Studies Frameworks before teaching social studies curricula can help to prepare teachers to present the material to students in an equitable manner. The quick guides and resources located in the appendices of this project will give elementary educators …

Bridging Cultural Identities: Empowering El Students Through Acculturation, Sarah D.T. Corder

Masters Projects

English learners (ELs) are more likely to develop positive social and psychological outcomes when they acculturate to American society, which is to develop cultural competency while maintaining their home language, customs, and traditions (Berry et al., 2006). Yet, multiple factors in our current society cause ELs to lose connection to their heritage culture by assimilating to American society (Chen, 2018). This project first explores the factors that contribute to assimilation behaviors among elementary-age ELs and limit the positive social, emotional, and academic effects of acculturation. Using Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory as a framework, it then examines culturally responsive pedagogy as a …

Engaging Home Literacy Environments: Building A Partnership Between School And Home, Robert E. Samuels Iii

Masters Projects

The reading proficiency levels of fourth grade students in the United States has been stagnant or declining for nearly two decades, an issue only amplified by school closures during the pandemic. Struggling third graders, including those at Fennville Elementary School, are beginning fourth grade without a solid grasp of their foundational reading skills These skills are necessary for accessing complex text in fourth grade and later. A lack of parental involvement and absence of an engaging home literacy environment has added to these reading deficits. This project analyzes educational theories and research to determine the importance of parent and family …

Examining Teachers’ Perceptions Of School Conditions: Analysis Of Spring 2024 Working Environment Survey, Kiel Mcqueen, Jason Entingh, Grand Valley State University

Charter School Research Reports

This report uses teacher survey data across K-12 charter public schools authorized by Grand Valley State University (GVSU) to examine teachers’ perceptions of working conditions in schools.

Key findings include:

• Two-thirds of teachers in GVSU-authorized schools report favorable working conditions, which represents a six percentage point decrease compared to the prior year.
• Eighty-three percent of teachers report feeling satisfied working in their current school, which represents a one percentage point decrease compared to the prior year.
• Teachers indicating a positive school culture and climate are seven times as likely to report feeling satisfied working in a GVSU-authorized school.

Recommendations include: …

Examining The Relationship Between Subject-Specific Instructional Time, Instructional Practices, And Reading Achievement In The Charter Sector - Year One Report, Kiel Mcqueen, Grand Valley State University

Charter School Research Reports

This report uses teacher survey and student assessment data to understand how the allocation of instructional time and use of discipline-specific instructional practices varies across GVSUauthorized elementary schools. Key findings include:

• Two-thirds of instructional time in GVSU-authorized elementary schools is allocated to ELA and Math. • Considerable variation in the allocation of instructional time exists across GVSUauthorized elementary schools.
• Students scored at the 41st percentile on the NWEA MAP reading assessment prior to the study.

The Impact Of Soft Skills Training On Guest Satisfaction In The Hospitality Industry, Lawrie Colaco Mr

Masters Projects

The hospitality industry has become immensely fast-paced, and prioritizing guest satisfaction levels has been one of the main objectives. While hard skills such as technical expertise and operational proficiency are important aspects which are required by the hospitality staff, soft skills also play a pretty significant role. Soft skills enable the staff to be adaptive and communicative, it raises their empathy levels and teaches them to control their emotions and perform under stressful working environments. The importance of soft skills in this sector cannot be overemphasized, not only does this help with harbouring a positive attitude among the employees but …

Visions Of A Captured Mind: Using Expressive Film Techniques To Convey The Experience Of Liberty Deprivation As A Neurodiverse Individual, Sam H. Grant, Ken Fero

Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture

In this article, I make the case for the use of expressive film techniques to convey the emotional, or affective, experience of neurodiverse people who have been subjected to liberty restricting practices and policy. I do this by discussing my own experience with film practice as a man living with autism, presenting a broader philosophical case for how artistic modes of communication can close affective and social divisions between neurodiverse and neurotypical people, explaining why it is the cinematic techniques I advocate for are uniquely suited to neurodiverse people, and then I showcase some of my own work as a …

How Do We Get These Kids Reading? Supporting Readerly Identity In Secondary English Classrooms, Jenelle Williams, Jay Haffner

Michigan Reading Journal

In this article, we aim to clarify the specialized purposes for reading in secondary English language arts (ELA) classes. We will suggest ways ELA teachers can help build (or repair) students’ readerly identities while also ensuring they graduate with the necessary skill sets to transfer their knowledge into further studies, careers, and lifelong pleasure reading.

Blended Genres: Pairing Picturebooks And Poems Across The Curriculum, William P. Bintz

Michigan Reading Journal

Abstract

This article reports on an action research project conducted by a teacher educator in literacy education as part of a graduate course entitled Reading and Writing across the Content Areas. The purpose of the project was to actively engage graduate students, all of whom were pre-service and in-service teachers, in a course-related project in which students developed and implemented blended genres across the curriculum. It begins by situating blended genres within the traditional notion of paired text as a curricular resource and instructional strategy to support the process of intertextuality. It provides a brief overview of the course-related …

Safeguarding Learning Before, During, And After Emergency Remote Teaching, Carol Ann Paul, Lisa Reason

Michigan Reading Journal

This qualitative study explores 25 elementary educators’ experiences after Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) and examines the role of technology and face-to-face (f2f) interactions in the literacy classroom. Teachers in the study found substantial learning lags and extreme difficulty getting students reacclimated back into the classroom postpandemic. While they found technology to be adequate for differentiation and instant feedback, they noted the importance of f2f interaction for building relationships, social and emotional learning (SEL), reading, language, and fine motor skills. Aligned with Duke and Cartwright’s (2021) Active View of Reading Model, the study’s results advocate integrating SEL and literacy instruction, along …