Education Commons^™

The Efficacy Of Implementing Financial Literacy Curriculum For College Students, Nyia M. Slade

Masters Projects

As college students continue to rely on student loans, it is concerning that only a few interventions are in place to promote financial literacy. The federally required Loan Entrance Counseling and Loan Exit Counseling are ineffective, leaving students at a disadvantage. This project addresses this issue by examining the significance and effectiveness of financial literacy programs at postsecondary institutions. A more comprehensive approach is necessary by implementing a financial education course that covers loan processes, financial literacy, and overall financial wellness.

An Examination Of The Importance Of Academic Support Programs For Two-Year College Student-Athletes, Amanda J. Glaza

Masters Projects

Literature has shown that there are many positive practices in supporting community college student-athletes, but the sheer number of positive practices out there can be overwhelming and having a summary of practices could be helpful for academic advisors to properly serve this unique population. This is necessary as research has revealed that the number of academic advisors who feel equipped to support community college student-athletes is low. Community college student-athletes are a unique population, with a diverse variety of needs. This project examines intrusive academic advising, enrollment and eligibility requirements for community college student-athletes, tutorial services and peer academic mentoring. …

Exploring The Lived Experience Of International Students Of Color At Predominately White Institutions., Soheli Farzana Jony

Masters Projects

International students are essential to US higher education, bringing cultural, global, and economic growth to US institutions each year. Despite previous research explaining this population's adjustment barriers due to cultural and linguistic differences, this project paper investigated the lived experience of international students of color (ISC) in relation to racism, microaggression, sexism, classism, and linguicism that they experience in U.S. higher education. Thus, to fully understand the lived experience of international students of color in predominantly white institutions, four major tenets of critical race theory: racism is normal and not aberrational, white supremacy, counter storytelling, and intersectionality, were applied to …

Supporting The Pedagogical Development Of Graduate Teaching Assistants: A Self-Directed Approach, Katie Cwiakala

Masters Projects

Despite increases in formal pedagogical training opportunities for graduate teaching assistants across institutions in recent decades, students participate in instructional roles with different levels of participation, experience, and autonomy in teaching. This project examines the existing professional development available to graduate teaching assistants, their self-reported needs, and provides a pedagogical development planning tool for graduate teaching assistants. The Pedagogical Development Plan for Graduate Teaching Assistants incorporates suggestions from reviewed literature, as well as andragogy theory (Knowles, 1980) and self-efficacy theory (Bandura, 1982). The framework consists of a self-guided planning document tool and catalog of pedagogical development opportunities available to graduate …

The Twice Exceptional Learner Making The Classroom More Engaging For All, Josy Goodwin

Masters Projects

Around the world there is a population of our student bodies that are often missed within the educational world. These students are incredibly bright and could qualify as being labeled as gifted. However, these students often have a disability that impedes their gifts. This is the twice-exceptional or 2e population. As more research is being conducted to learn more about these students, it is time to begin exploring ways that teachers can help this student population through communication tools, student case studies, and project examples. All with the goal of providing a more inclusive, rigorous, and positive learning environment for …

Enhancing Institutional Support Through A First Year Transfer Experience Program, Jade E. Bowman

Masters Projects

There is a great deal of literature revolving around the transfer student population. Many researchers argue that transfer students do not receive adequate attention and support within their first academic semester, considerably when transferring from a two-year to a four-year institution. In order to improve retention rates and overall persistence, postsecondary institutions need to prioritize transfer student initiatives for proper academic and social integration. This project aims to identify key components that impact the transfer process, while recognizing successful, adaptable interventions that can support the unique needs of the transfer student population. The design and implementation of a First Year …

Integrating Movement Back Into Schools By Creating A Culture Of Movement, Stephanie Sandera

Masters Projects

As rigor continues to rise, so does the amount of time we are asking students to sit sedentary in their seats. It has become a common practice for educators to reduce or remove from their schedules activities that get their students up and moving in exchange for more academic minutes. Currently there is a dilemma in schools in finding the balance between instructional time and physical activity; even though it is becoming more well known that physical activity increases student attention and learning. To rectify this gap in practice schools need to create a culture of movement that is integrated …

Mentoring To Minimize Burnout In Early Elementary Teachers, Bethany L. Kohn-Mcfadden

Masters Projects

Research shows that teacher burnout is impacting the educational field in adverse ways, with both teachers and students feeling the negative effects. Teachers are leaving or considering leaving the teaching field at alarming rates, with very few teachers to replace them. With a dwindling teacher population, the need to minimize the symptoms and effects of teacher burnout is imperative. This project combines the positive and researched based practice of new teacher mentoring with knowledge regarding burnout and personal intervention strategies that can help limit the effects of burnout. The mentoring program is designed to be implemented into current and relevant …

Addressing Bias From Faculty Through Implementing Bias Training, Tori A. Henning

Masters Projects

Research has indicated that college students experience bias from college faculty on a regular bias. However, there is no mandated training for college faculty on the various forms of bias and the impact that it can have on students’ ability to be successful. While bias influences many students, students of color, women, LGBTQ+ students, and students from of different ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds experience bias at greater rates than white students. This project explores how the various forms of bias, the training that college faculty receive, student development theory, and how bias impacts students’ success and their sense of belonging …

Implementing Differentiated Instruction In Early Elementary Classrooms Through Professional Development And Professional Learning Communities, Stephanie Zeichman

Masters Projects

In the classroom, the focus needs to be student-centered, and to achieve this, teachers can implement differentiated instruction. The purpose of this project is to provide Kindergarten through Second grade teachers with a guide to implementing differentiated instruction into their classrooms. Teachers will participate in professional development along with a yearlong professional learning community that will help build their knowledge on incorporating differentiated instruction and necessary strategies and activities to use in their classroom.

Food For Thought: A Food Initiative For Selective Institutions, Johanna Hossink

Masters Projects

Food insecurity is a problem facing many college students across the United States. While many colleges and universities have begun to address food insecurity on their campuses by providing resources such as food pantries and meal swipe programs, selective institutions have largely been left out of the conversation. Food insecurity in college creates a plethora of barriers that often prevent students from experiencing college in the same capacity as their food secure counterparts. Unfortunately, low-income students facing food insecurity at selective institutions must face the additional barrier of a culture of wealth that often renders their food insecurity invisible while …

The Need For Specialized Training For Faculty And Staff Working With Transfer Student-Athletes, Erin C. Kuyawa

Masters Projects

Literature indicates that there is a common need for specialized support and orientation for NCAA transfer student-athletes. This project examines the unique challenges both transfer students and student-athletes face when transferring into a new institution. Throughout the literature the need for additional training for higher education (orientation) faculty and staff is presented. Training to increase knowledge and awareness of student-athletes’ academic requirements required by the National Collegiate Athletic Association is created. It is anticipated by training faculty and staff working with transfer students that the number of transfer student-athletes deemed as academically ineligible following their transfer process will lessen.

Learning Outcomes Affecting Pre-K Students’ Performance: Focusing On Class Sizes, Diamond Johnson

Masters Projects

Research has showed that classroom size can have a huge contribution on students learning outcomes in a negative way. Instead of the constant reporting on reasons why classroom size is an issue, there should be more information provided on how to overcome larger pre-k class sizes when it’s out of the teachers control. Administration should be able to provide staff with resources that’ll help make their classrooms the best learning place no matter the circumstances. Bringing in the help needed to support teachers in their classrooms will show that larger class sizes are not a barrier, it’s a obstacle that …

Supporting Students In Inclusive Settings, Jordan B. Tucker

Masters Projects

Inclusion provides students in special education the opportunity to learn alongside their same-aged peers to the greatest extent that is appropriate. Although many special education students are included in general education classrooms, it is common that teachers do not practice asset-based approaches during instruction. Understanding and recognizing student strengths will help educators organize teaching strategies to equip students with the skills to identify what they learn well and what areas they have challenges in. It is crucial for teachers to provide meaningful learning opportunities that allow students to use their assets throughout the learning process. It is important for teachers …

Higher Education Professionals Are Not Prepared To Support Students' Growth And Exploration Of Religion And Worldviews, Matthew Gibson

Masters Projects

Religion and worldview development is often ignored within higher education. Whether inside of the classroom or in initiatives towards diversity, equity, and inclusion, religions and worldviews are kept out. This project looks at why this is the case and uses the Interfaith Triangle as a theoretical framework to provide a possible solution to this problem. This project was completed in three chapters. The first provides an introduction into why religion and worldview identity development are left out of higher education and how this project will address the issue. The second is a literature review that uses the Interfaith Triangle to …

Professional Learning For Educators To Gain Knowledge On Incorporating Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices To Support All Students, Morgan Pueschel

Masters Projects

Teachers and other school personnel need to take time to meet the basic needs of students and build relationships with them. Schools need to teach, model, and allow students to practice social and emotional skills which will in turn, provide students with the ability to learn and increase academic performance (Brackett & Rivers, 2014). The purpose of this project is to create a teacher professional learning opportunity for all school staff that work directly with students to teach them about trauma, the prevalence, how it impacts students, and trauma-informed teaching practices such as the use of social and emotional learning …

A Socially Innovative Curriculum For An Afterschool Program, Shelinda T. Knight Davenport

Masters Projects

ABSTRACT

Since the colonial days in what is now known as America, there has been the social problem of racism. Racism has always been and remains a cancer in America’s culture. From racism, a deep hatred has spawned for other races. To the extremes, it has led to violence and murder, and most Americans believe it is more prevalently outspoken today than it has been in the last 20 years (Schaefer & Edwards, 2022). This thesis project consists of a Disrupting Racism curriculum for approximately 3rd grade, which is situated in the literature on racism and education. Grounded in culturally …

Overrepresentation Of African American Children In Child Welfare, Mareeta M. Bracken

Masters Projects

African American children continue to be overrepresented in the child welfare system. This study will show how existing research illustrates how the systems are used to put many Black families and youth into the sights of the school-to-prison pipeline via this intervention. This specific issue is rooted in systemic and historical racism. The literature has revealed this and continues to show how teachers as mandated reporters play a role in shaping the outcome through how they perceive Black children to be subjected to abuse or neglect. The child welfare system is one of many institutional frameworks that has been shaped …

Understanding Approaches To Parental Education On Sex Education, Tonya Sue Pell

Masters Projects

Sex education in the United States has become a point of cultural, religious, and political debate. While the debate is mostly focused on abstinence-only vs comprehensive sex education being taught in schools, the role that parents have in their child’s sex education is a growing piece of the debate. This project adds to the growing research around sex education in the United States; specifically, how parent sex education can be used as a tool of social innovation to address the gaps provided in formal sex education. Parent educators were interviewed to learn their perspective on the benefits of parent education …

Math Engagement In Middle School Students, Elizabeth M. Rieman

Masters Projects

Student engagement is something with which teachers around the world struggle. There is an enormous amount of literature available with various ideas, tips, tricks, and suggestions for teachers to help engage their students in learning the required content. The techniques chosen, are specifically used to help middle school math teachers engage their students in the required content. From there, it offers a way to implement those strategies in a middle school math class.

Exploring The Impact Of School Connectedness On Students’ Mental Health And Academic Achievement, Matthew Scott Posthuma

Masters Projects

Abstract

Research and relevant literature have shown that school connectedness is not only associated with but has a profound impact on students’ mental health and academic achievement. School connectedness is a factor that can be influenced directly by the school environment and by interventions aimed at helping students that take place during school. School counselors carry out many of these interventions and have a responsibility to promote safe and protective environments for all students. Through the use of data and screening tools, school counselors are able to identify students that could benefit from participating in interventions. Interventions regarding school connectedness …

Teacher Attrition: Exploring The Literature On Teacher Attrition, Stephanie Timmer

Masters Projects

This paper examines what the literature says about teacher attrition within a social and cultural context. More and more, teachers are leaving the profession, new and old teachers alike. The COVID-19 pandemic has only heightened the teacher shortage in this country. Many states have started initiatives to improve teacher preparation programs, offer scholarships, and school loan forgiveness, however the issues of teacher attrition have more to do with how we are treating current teachers. Many people are leaving the profession due to poor work conditions, low wages, and the lack of respect for the profession from the general public. Making …

Lanthorn, Vol. 57, No. 28, April 10, 2023, Grand Valley State University

Volume 57, August 1, 2022 - April 10, 2023

Lanthorn is Grand Valley State's student newspaper, published from 1968 to the present.

Evidence Based Practices To Support Inclusion Of Students With Emotional Impairments, Christine Blomberg

Masters Projects

Students with emotional impairments (EI) often experience poor academic outcomes due to their impeding social, emotional, and behavioral needs and a significant achievement gap exists between students with emotional impairments and their non-disabled peers across all academic content areas (Popham et al., 2018). Overall, the research indicates that students with emotional impairments benefit from evidence-based practices in the general education setting such as positive behavior support plans, positive reinforcement, self-monitoring strategies, and peer mentors. A guide for the implementation of evidence-based practices and accommodations to support students with emotional impairments to engage with peers and in the general education curriculum …

Lanthorn, Vol. 57, No. 27, April 3, 2023, Grand Valley State University

Volume 57, August 1, 2022 - April 10, 2023

Lanthorn is Grand Valley State's student newspaper, published from 1968 to the present.

Defining And Increasing Student Engagement Using Flexible Seating In Elementary Classrooms, Jacklyn Phillips

Masters Projects

Education has mostly stayed the same since the 19th century, yet students and teachers have changed. Teachers once defined student engagement as the time students spent working on the task assigned. However, today there are many definitions for student engagement; which is correct? Researchers have defined student engagement as anything from "time on task" to seven different levels of engagement (Merwin, 1969, as cited in Trowler, 2010, p. 34; Schlechty, 2011). There is no one standard definition for student engagement. The concern is how educators increase engagement. This project suggests that educators move out of the 19th-century classroom setting and …

Grand Valley Magazine, Vol. 22, No 3, Spring 2023, Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley Magazine

Grand Valley Magazine is a quarterly publication about Grand Valley State University produced by University Communications since 2001.

Mental Health Of University Nursing Students: A Literature Review, Mackenzie Carpenter

Honors Projects

This paper explores the ongoing issue of mental health, specifically in nursing students. In addition to maintaining good academic status through exams, assignments, and papers, nursing students must also endure the stressful environment of a clinical setting. Through summarizing research and drawing overall conclusions, this paper examines the contributing and alleviating factors to poor mental health in this population. Data was obtained from studies published from 2017 to 2023 in the CINAHL database, and 11 studies were retrieved from a data collection process to be included in this review. Multiple studies show a low deviation in mental health levels, healthy …

Analysis Of Disability Support Resources At Grand Valley State, Calle Faerber

Honors Projects

In order to receive support and accommodations in postsecondary education, students must self-report their disability to the institution they attend. Due to this policy, there are many barriers that students may face in their pursuit of these services. Barriers include fear of negative perceptions of disabilities by faculty or peers, negative perceptions of accommodations, and lengthy documentation requirements. This study aimed to determine the potential barriers for students at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and what the university is doing to address these barriers. In this study, a total of 28 undergraduate students at GVSU were surveyed and one staff …

A Research-Based Approach For Teaching Written Apologies To English For Academic Purposes Learners, Lisa Leopold

MITESOL Journal: An Online Publication of MITESOL

This article describes a research-based approach for teaching written personal, corporate, and public apologies to advanced English language learners. Following an explicit-inductive approach, the proposed lessons incorporate authentic input, metapragmatic explanation, noticing activities, corpus-based exercises, and empirically based research findings, all of which have been shown to enhance learners’ sociopragmatic and pragmalinguistic competence. Learners apply research findings to analyze authentic apologies, revise them for greater sincerity, and use a corpus to expand the range of expressions for apologizing. The pedagogical activities expand the scope of written pragmatics instruction which has been relatively under-represented in the field of pragmatics.