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Full-Text Articles in Education
Improving Student Achievement With Social-Emotional Learning, Samantha Featherstone
Improving Student Achievement With Social-Emotional Learning, Samantha Featherstone
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
Research shows that social emotional learning can positively improve student success both emotionally and academically. Social emotional programs, skills, and overall learning within school systems benefit staff, students, and stakeholders. When there is a lack of a clear and organized social emotional curriculum, students suffer and lack necessary skills to have long-term success both academically and personally. Using various research findings, a school improvement plan was created to construct a school-wide social-emotional system that includes both a research-based program and a variety of social emotional skills. This plan also ensures ongoing professional development for staff to implement with fidelity. The …
Robust Math Fluency Routines To Support And Develop Students' Emerging Skills Of Fluency:, Molli Koehler
Robust Math Fluency Routines To Support And Develop Students' Emerging Skills Of Fluency:, Molli Koehler
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
In elementary school, students are gaining a mathematical foundation that propels their procedural fluency. The problem is the current mathematical systems and routines do not lend themselves to fostering an environment that enables procedural fluency skills to be built. A review of literature focused on procedural math fluency systems and routines are needed to be structured in order for students to receive an equitable, enriching, and conceptual approach to learning mathematical concepts. Located in Ames, Iowa, Abbie Sawyer Elementary’s 2022-2023 math proficiency data indicates the need for thoughtful and intentional professional learning on math fluency terminology, practices, and strategies. In …
Addressing The Behavioral And Emotional Needs Of Elementary School Students: A School Improvement Project, Katherine Ross
Addressing The Behavioral And Emotional Needs Of Elementary School Students: A School Improvement Project, Katherine Ross
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
Elementary school students are found to have increased behavioral and emotional needs require support above and beyond the scope of a general educator's capabilities. Research indicates the need for additional teacher training in the areas of adolescent behavioral disorders and trauma informed care in order for them to provide the best possible education, academically and socially. School counselors are often called upon to address student social emotional needs, however classroom teachers are typically the first to notice when a student needs access to additional support and also spend the most time with students; this school improvement plan addresses the necessity …
Incorporating Social-Emotional Learning Into Middle School Classrooms, Jessica Wolles
Incorporating Social-Emotional Learning Into Middle School Classrooms, Jessica Wolles
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This article is how the implementation of social-emotional learning in a middle school can improve behavior, academics, mental health, and social awareness amongst adolescents. This paper examines research from twenty research articles to communicate the need for social-emotional learning to be implemented in a middle school. This article outlines the school improvement plan for implementing a social-emotional learning curriculum.
Implemeng Tia In Classrooms To Reduce Behavior And Strengthen Relationships, Emily Wilkerson
Implemeng Tia In Classrooms To Reduce Behavior And Strengthen Relationships, Emily Wilkerson
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
Schools are seeing an increase in challenging behaviors in the classroom due to trauma that the children have experienced. Research suggests that a trauma-informed approach helps reduce unwanted behaviors and out-of-school suspensions. Other studies also show the importance of increasing Social-emotional learning and guidance counselors' time and how it can positively affect students' behavior. These slight changes can help children learn coping strategies and learn how to act in social situations. This school improvement project creates a five-year plan for Black Hawk Elementary. This plan intends to reduce behaviors by meeting students' needs by becoming knowledgeable in trauma-informed care.
Implementing Social-Emotional Supports With Coaching In A Preschool Program, Ashley Harvey
Implementing Social-Emotional Supports With Coaching In A Preschool Program, Ashley Harvey
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
Research findings show that coaching paired with professional development around a set of identified instructional practices is one way to increase teacher use of these practices. Combining coaching and professional development can be used to train teachers in the Pyramid Model. Studies show that effective Pyramid Model implementation can positively improve student relationships and adult-to-student relationships as well as increase positive behaviors in schools. With these research findings in mind, a school improvement plan was created to add professional development opportunities on the use of Pyramid Model Practices to improve social-emotional instruction in a preschool program in Eastern Iowa. Executing …
Implementing A Multi-Tiered System Of Support For Mathematics Instruction In Preschool Classrooms, Jennifer Petty
Implementing A Multi-Tiered System Of Support For Mathematics Instruction In Preschool Classrooms, Jennifer Petty
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
Early intervention in preschool mathematics instruction is key. Studies have shown that the development of early math skills may be the single most important factor for determining future school success. This school improvement plan lays out the necessary steps that the Sioux City Community School District (SCCSD) can follow to implement a Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS) for the Preschool Initiative classrooms that are a part of the Iowa Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program for Four-Year-Olds. This plan includes providing teachers who are a part of the Sioux City Community School District’s early childhood special education classrooms and the community partner …
Improvements For Trauma Informed Professional Development, Jennifer Wright
Improvements For Trauma Informed Professional Development, Jennifer Wright
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The growing knowledge base of trauma contributes to the field of education, specifically early childhood. This knowledge points to the direction of trauma informed care in the early years. With the need to support both students and teachers, the content and method of professional development needs special consideration. Past research indicates the Breakthrough Series Collaborative is a successful way to implement meaningful and lasting professional development. Research also shows MindUP curriculum as successful for giving both staff and students tools to self-regulate and discuss big emotions. This school improvement plan combines the methodology and curriculum proving successful the Attitudes Related …
Building Teacher Differentiation Self-Efficacy In The Classroom, Tyler Krattenmaker
Building Teacher Differentiation Self-Efficacy In The Classroom, Tyler Krattenmaker
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The practice of inclusion has allowed more students with disabilities to participate with their peers in general education classrooms than ever before. However, research findings show that in many cases, educators have low self-efficacy when it comes to their ability to serve students with disabilities within their classrooms. Studies have documented a need for professional development to target inclusion and accommodations, showing that increased training increases teacher self-efficacy in implementing students supports. With this research in mind, a school improvement plan was developed that focuses on a professional development series to increase educator self-efficacy in implementing accommodations frequently included in …
Trauma-Informed Practices: Professional Development For Elementary School Teachers, Hannah Humpal
Trauma-Informed Practices: Professional Development For Elementary School Teachers, Hannah Humpal
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This school improvement plan addresses the need for trauma-informed practices to be implemented at Timber Ridge Elementary School in Johnston, Iowa. Students who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are more likely to have poor attendance and lowered academic achievement compared to students without ACEs. Trauma-informed practices allow educators to understand such experiences and have resources available to teach students who have experienced trauma. Trauma-informed practices allow students to be present in school; therefore, increasing academic and behavioral success. This school improvement plan includes a detailed literature review surrounding trauma-informed practices. Additionally, this plan outlines a three-tiered professional development plan …
Professional Development Program Addressing Teachers’ Well-Being: A Natured-Based Intervention Approach, Carmen Chow
Professional Development Program Addressing Teachers’ Well-Being: A Natured-Based Intervention Approach, Carmen Chow
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
ECE Teachers are often exposed to a number of stressors in their professional environments that place demands on their physical and psychological well-being. Maintaining work well-being requires a multidimensional approach, including holistic professional development programs, stress interventions, recovery experiences, as well as a social support network. Nature-based intervention has been proven to alleviate stress, decrease depressive symptoms, and lower blood pressure in individuals. This school improvement project raises awareness towards promoting teacher well-being at an institutional level by implementing a nature-based well-being professional development program to increase staff capacity.
The Effects Of A Flipped Classroom On Student Engagement And Motivation, Tarence Roby
The Effects Of A Flipped Classroom On Student Engagement And Motivation, Tarence Roby
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The Lone Star High School, which is part of the Frisco Independent School District located in Frisco, Texas is looking for ways to better engage and motivate students in the classroom especially since the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way teachers teach and students learn. The problem is that Lone Star High School students lack the motivation to learn and stay engaged in the classroom setting. The purpose of this school improvement plan was to research the flipped classroom teaching model and to educate teachers through professional development about the benefits of using the flipped teaching method of instruction as …
A Technology Implementation Plan Using Group Professional Development Sessions, Peer Coaching, And Tutorial Videos, Amber Bradley
A Technology Implementation Plan Using Group Professional Development Sessions, Peer Coaching, And Tutorial Videos, Amber Bradley
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
Technology is an integral component of a 21st century education. In order to streamline digital learning, many schools are turning to digital learning management sites like Schoology. Sites like Schoology allow educators to organize and deliver content to improve student learning for both in-person and at-home education models. Coupled with platforms like Google Workspace for Education, they are effective tools in a teacher's digital toolbox for integrating and managing online components of learning. However, their effectiveness is dependent on a teacher's digital fluency including teachers' self-efficacy. This school improvement plan seeks to build teachers' digital fluency, especially in these two …
Effective Implementation Of Blended Learning, Carla Macumber
Effective Implementation Of Blended Learning, Carla Macumber
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This literature review depicts the current reality of blended learning in schools and the systems that will need to transform in order to fully implement technology into the daily school experience. Since technology is an integral part of society, schools are tasked with how to create and implement curriculums that include aspects of online learning. Moving from traditional education to a new blended learning approach brings about challenges for both teachers and administrators. Teachers must learn to understand new technologies and how to utilize them to teach with 21st Century skills in mind. Administrators need to lead districts through new …
Science In The Elementary Classroom, Melissa Birkey
Science In The Elementary Classroom, Melissa Birkey
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The elementary school day is filled with many different aspects of learning. Math and reading have been the emphasis of teaching over the last decade. Science is a part of students learning that needs to find its way into the elementary school day. This literature review compares different curriculum that is used to teach science in the elementary classroom as well as discusses an effective use of time to implement science into the daily schedule. When considering when and how to teach science, some teachers incorporate into other curricular areas as others find its own time during the day. Multiple …
Pella Middle School Technology Integration School Improvement Plan, Morgan Ernst
Pella Middle School Technology Integration School Improvement Plan, Morgan Ernst
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The demands and use of technology are constantly changing in the school setting. Teachers in the Pella Community School District felt as though they did not have adequate technology skills to deliver effective instruction virtually and requested further training. This school improvement plan contains a literature review to determine effective components of professional development. The plan also outlines a semester of professional development sessions for technology integration including tools and deliverables to demonstrate evidence of teacher learning.
English Language Learning Professional Development For K-12 Teachers, Kristen M. Fober
English Language Learning Professional Development For K-12 Teachers, Kristen M. Fober
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
In response to the growing population of English language learners (ELLs) in a school district in rural Iowa, professional development (PD) has been developed as a school improvement plan to help teachers learn how to meet the needs of this population. This plan has been developed based on a robust review of current literature on strategies to support ELL students. The school improvement plan includes a pre-survey, six 1-hour sessions of PD plans, PD resources (such as handouts and slides), and a post-survey. The intended outcome of the PD is for teachers to feel more prepared to work with ELLs …
Sustainable Instructional Coaching In Secondary Education, Laura Kniffen
Sustainable Instructional Coaching In Secondary Education, Laura Kniffen
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
With higher demands for student achievement and teacher efficacy, school districts have shifted from traditional professional development methods to instructional coaching. This literature review presents research on various models and analyzes the challenges that districts have discovered upon implementation. There are many factors that influence instructional coaches’ effectiveness, yet their flexibility and collaborative skills remain among the most important. In all models, instructional coaches must adapt to each teachers’ needs and juggle the variety of roles they are asked to fulfill. To help instructional coaches distribute their time effectively, research shows that districts must provide clear direction and support for …
The Impact Of Coaching To Support Professional Development In A Preschool Classroom, Katie Olson
The Impact Of Coaching To Support Professional Development In A Preschool Classroom, Katie Olson
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research study was to determine the effect that the combination of coaching and professional development have on teachers’ confidence levels and number of classroom practices carried out compared with teachers who only attend professional development. The participants included six female caucasian teachers who all teach preschool in public elementary schools in southern Iowa. Data was collected through the use of a rating scale and checklist of practices that were completed by the participants prior to and following the intervention. The results of the study indicated that there was not a large enough difference in the …
Effective Physical Education Professional Development, Caleb Van Otterloo
Effective Physical Education Professional Development, Caleb Van Otterloo
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This literature review explores how to create an effective professional development (PD) system for Physical Education (PE) teachers. The review begins by discussing Personal Learning Networks (PLNs), and the impact that they have on professional development. PLNs provide teachers with an opportunity to completely personalize their PD through Twitter, Facebook, and various other blogs. PD in schools is a huge aspect of the professional development process. Allowing time for content specific PD means teachers can analyze strategies and ideas that work for their content areas. Workshops provide teachers with the opportunity to learn from experts and continue to strive to …