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Theses and Dissertations

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Full-Text Articles in Education

Connecticut Teachers’ Knowledge Of The Science Of Reading, Barbara Daly-Byrnes Jan 2024

Connecticut Teachers’ Knowledge Of The Science Of Reading, Barbara Daly-Byrnes

Theses and Dissertations

Learning to read proficiently is an essential skill needed in both academics and life. Without this skill, one’s opportunities are limited socioeconomically, socially, and throughout all daily life. However, there is growing concern that the methodology currently used in many school systems is not preparing children for the rigors of reading in the 21st century. In some states, the situation has resulted in state departments of education mandating reading curricula based on the science of reading. This study explored Connecticut PreK–Grade 3 teachers’ knowledge of the science of reading and the Connecticut Right to Read Act through a socio-cultural lens. …


Early Identification Of Students At Academic Risk Based On Learning Management System Log Data, Roger Sheng So Jan 2024

Early Identification Of Students At Academic Risk Based On Learning Management System Log Data, Roger Sheng So

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding student engagement with the institution from the first day of classes to the end of the semester would help inform the institution of the potential risk that a student will drop out of a class or of the school. Learning Management Systems (LMS) record student interactions with the system and might be able to be used to identify students who are at academic risk. The scope of this study is to retrospectively analyze first-year student activity for the Spring 2022 semester for early warning signs worthy of intervention. A student risk assessment will be determined by reviewing student LMS …


Implementing Inquiry: A Case Study Of Secondary Science Teachers’ Perceptions Of Curriculum Change, Pamela A. Gordon Jan 2024

Implementing Inquiry: A Case Study Of Secondary Science Teachers’ Perceptions Of Curriculum Change, Pamela A. Gordon

Theses and Dissertations

With the constant strive for higher standards in education, New York State has joined with other states in the nation to develop a new strategy to teach science and 21st-century learning skills to ensure that our children are ready to compete in the global economy. This study sought to determine the current knowledge and perceptions of in-service teachers in New York State regarding the shift in standards from the 1996-based standards to the recently adopted New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS) and their implementation in the classroom. The study aims to help identify the shifts in classroom practices resulting …


First Grade Teachers’ Self-Efficacy During Transformational Changes In Literacy Instruction, Amy M. Arnold Jan 2024

First Grade Teachers’ Self-Efficacy During Transformational Changes In Literacy Instruction, Amy M. Arnold

Theses and Dissertations

Schools across the county are transitioning from balanced literacy to researched based reading instruction. This shift impacts not only instructional practices in reading, but the fundamental understanding of reading development. Teachers are on the frontline of this huge endeavor. This research examined five first grade teachers’ self-efficacy through this transformational change. One-on-one interviews were conducted to explore teachers’ perspectives as they make this shift. Through interpretative phenomenological analysis, (IPA) four themes emerged; lack of training, feelings of disconnect, teacher overwhelm, and passion for change. Recommendations for practice include clear and concise communications of the shifts that are necessary when moving …


The Impact Of Perceived Job Satisfaction, Motivational Attitudes, And Organizational Commitment: A Comparative Analysis Between Special Education Teachers Employed In Public Versus Private Schools, David Haimovich Jan 2024

The Impact Of Perceived Job Satisfaction, Motivational Attitudes, And Organizational Commitment: A Comparative Analysis Between Special Education Teachers Employed In Public Versus Private Schools, David Haimovich

Theses and Dissertations

During and after the Covid-19 pandemic, a high turnover rate of PreK-12 special education teachers continues to persist. To ensure all students with disabilities receive equitable access to a special education teacher, turnover intentions among private school teachers require further insight due to a long-standing gap in research. Using the theoretical frameworks of Herzberg’s (1959) Two-Factor Theory and Meyer & Allen’s (1997) Three-Component Model of Commitment, this non-experimental correlational study examined the influence of six demographic factors related to teachers’ perceptions of job satisfaction, motivational attitudes, and organizational commitment among special education teachers employed in PreK-12 suburban schools in the …


Leveling The Playing Field: Covid-19’S Impact On Interscholastic Athletic Participation In New York State Public Schools: An Ex Post Facto Analysis Of District Demographics And Sport, Justin T. Cobis Jan 2024

Leveling The Playing Field: Covid-19’S Impact On Interscholastic Athletic Participation In New York State Public Schools: An Ex Post Facto Analysis Of District Demographics And Sport, Justin T. Cobis

Theses and Dissertations

Each year in New York state, tens of thousands of student-athletes participate in interscholastic athletics on over 15,000 public school teams. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on interscholastic athletic participation rates in New York state public schools and their relationship to school districts’ demographics, including percentage of non-White students, percentage of economically disadvantaged students, total enrollment, and graduation rates. The sample consisted of 218 public school districts located throughout New York state, with approximately 20 participant districts from each of the 11 New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s governing …


The Effects Of An Integrated Curriculum With Embedded Sustainability Themes On Teaching And Learning Experiences At A Primary School, Jeanne Marshall Jan 2024

The Effects Of An Integrated Curriculum With Embedded Sustainability Themes On Teaching And Learning Experiences At A Primary School, Jeanne Marshall

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this case study is to investigate the effects of an integrated curriculum with embedded sustainability themes on teaching and learning experiences at the primary school level. The researcher examined why and how the district chose to create the integrated curriculum and how the big ideas of sustainability were embedded. Through the perspectives of teachers and administrators, the researcher analyzed how incorporating sustainability themes changed the teaching and learning culture. The transdisciplinary approach moves past the traditional boundaries of a discipline allowing curriculum to address real world problems. Using a transdisciplinary approach by integrating sustainability themes into the …


Equity Lens: Teachers’ Beliefs Of Culturally Responsive Teaching, Reading Instructional Practices, And Rti Tier 1 Practices In A High-Poverty School District, Catherine Cueva Jan 2024

Equity Lens: Teachers’ Beliefs Of Culturally Responsive Teaching, Reading Instructional Practices, And Rti Tier 1 Practices In A High-Poverty School District, Catherine Cueva

Theses and Dissertations

Teacher self-efficacy has been shown to impact student’s achievement. This study examined teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs as it related to their ability to implement culturally responsive teaching and reading instructional practices as part of Response to Intervention Tier 1 practices in a high-poverty school district. The belief scores of 99 elementary school teachers were examined across one high-poverty school district in the northeast. The non-experimental study used a self-efficacy survey adapted from four surveys to determine teachers’ confidence in their ability to implement culturally responsive teaching, reading instructional practice, and RtI Tier 1 practices. The researcher also examined teachers’ general beliefs …


Bilingual School Counselors With Additional Mental Health Training And Diversity Sensitivity Form Stronger Connections With Diverse And At Risk Populations Which Increase Student Success And Overall Graduation Rate, Andrea Judge Jan 2024

Bilingual School Counselors With Additional Mental Health Training And Diversity Sensitivity Form Stronger Connections With Diverse And At Risk Populations Which Increase Student Success And Overall Graduation Rate, Andrea Judge

Theses and Dissertations

This study will examine the relationship between school counselor and ELL student and see if at risk and diverse populations graduate on time when they have a relationship with their counselor. Also if the school counselors have additional training helps school counselors form relationships with their students. The researcher will inquire about additional certifications, such as mental health counseling, school counselors may have and if having additional certifications creates a connection and increase the graduation rate. Administrators that oversee counselors from Suffolk County high schools on Long Island will be asked to participate in the survey on ethnicity, certifications and …


Prospective Nursing Students’ Perceptions Of The Importance Of Nutrition Literacy: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, John J. Spano Jan 2024

Prospective Nursing Students’ Perceptions Of The Importance Of Nutrition Literacy: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, John J. Spano

Theses and Dissertations

Proper nutrition is essential to the prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. It is also important during the recovery period from disease as well as in the maintenance of general good health. In many health care settings, nurses are the initial health care provider with whom patients have contact. All forms of literacy require a solid foundation in fundamental literacy concepts that must be reinforced to fully develop content-specific literacy, such as nutrition literacy. Nutrition literacy is defined as the extent to which nutrition information is acquired, processed, comprehended, and applied in ways that benefit …


The Transparency Problem In Higher Education Administration: Using A Grounded Theory To Create A Model For Rebuilding Trust, Linda Romano Jan 2024

The Transparency Problem In Higher Education Administration: Using A Grounded Theory To Create A Model For Rebuilding Trust, Linda Romano

Theses and Dissertations

Tuition-dependent higher education institutions face myriad external and internal challenges, including waning public confidence, demographic shifts, systemic sluggishness, and reduced workforces. Research on higher education administration tends to focus on senior-level leaders, with the operational experience of rank-and-file administrators largely absent from scholarly inquiry. This research endeavors to address the gaps in research by centering the experiences of entry and mid-level non-unionized administrators at tuition-dependent institutions. Guided by systems theory and using Kathy Charmaz’s Constructivist Grounded Theory methodological approach, this research presents a grounded theory of broken trust and a foundational pipeline model to mitigate this breakdown in trust and …


Hagwon: Shadow Education In The Korean American Community, Minkyu Kim Jan 2024

Hagwon: Shadow Education In The Korean American Community, Minkyu Kim

Theses and Dissertations

Asian and Asian American students are achieving academic success at disproportionate rates, even when faced with low social capital (i.e., English is not the primary language spoken at home) and high rates of poverty (especially in urban settings like New York City). A contributing factor to their academic success is shadow education. Shadow education (SE) is defined as systemized learning that occurs outside of compulsory schooling, at private cost, with the objective of guiding students through and providing them with a competitive edge in school admissions—often with a focus on high-stakes standardized academic exams (Bray, 1999, 2013). In Korean, shadow …


English Language Learners: A Quantitative Study Of Digital Home Access And Its Relationship To Reading Achievement In Grades Four And Eight, Schalea S. Sanders Jan 2024

English Language Learners: A Quantitative Study Of Digital Home Access And Its Relationship To Reading Achievement In Grades Four And Eight, Schalea S. Sanders

Theses and Dissertations

Today’s world is highly digitized and requires digital access and literacy for educational, professional, and personal success. Students from traditionally disadvantaged backgrounds, such as English Language Learners and those from households experiencing low-income, often face additional challenges accessing digital devices and high-speed Internet at home. Researchers have yet to fully examine how digital access relates to reading achievement among students in the U.S. K-12 public school system. The current study used correlational secondary data analysis to examine relationships among home access to digital devices and high-speed Internet and student reading achievement outcomes. In addition, the association between digital home access …


Kindergarten Teachers’ Perspectives About Literacy And The Relevance Of Assessments: Impact On Students’ Success And First Grade Transition, Claudia T. Watts Jan 2024

Kindergarten Teachers’ Perspectives About Literacy And The Relevance Of Assessments: Impact On Students’ Success And First Grade Transition, Claudia T. Watts

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to investigate kindergarten teachers’ beliefs about literacy and the relevance of assessments at the kindergarten level, the literacy skills kindergarteners should possess, how these skills are acquired, to what extent their beliefs about literacy influenced their instructional methodology, and their perspectives on the role of parental involvement. This study was guided by six research questions. The participants consisted of twenty kindergarten teachers from various elementary public schools within a large and diverse school district in Virginia. The participants are from two ethnic backgrounds and had ranges of experience teaching kindergarten. Over a …


Secondary Ela Teachers’ Perceptions Of Classroom Dynamics In A Technology-Rich Learning Environment, Graham Otton Jan 2024

Secondary Ela Teachers’ Perceptions Of Classroom Dynamics In A Technology-Rich Learning Environment, Graham Otton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this narrative study was to explore secondary ELA teachers’ perceptions of teaching and learning in a technology-rich educational environment. This study was conducted in a central high school district in New York state across four school buildings. Though the central high school district provides uniform guidance and material for the instructional programs in all high school buildings, the execution of instruction and teacher development happens daily in the buildings themselves. Though one district, each building serves distinct communities with pronounced school cultures stemming from varying student and faculty demographics, as well as building leadership. The researcher explored …


Decodable Deliberations In Early Reading Instruction: A Mixed-Methods Study Of First-Grade Teachers’ Perceptions, Selection, And Use Of Decodable Texts, Patricia Gallery Jan 2024

Decodable Deliberations In Early Reading Instruction: A Mixed-Methods Study Of First-Grade Teachers’ Perceptions, Selection, And Use Of Decodable Texts, Patricia Gallery

Theses and Dissertations

The fundamental significance of literacy achievement cannot be overstated. However, the 2022 National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP) divulges alarming findings, with a mere 33 percent of the nation’s fourth graders performing at or above proficiency in reading (NAEP, 2022). Exploring the nexus of research-informed pedagogy and practice is imperative to disrupt this deleterious trajectory. This mixed-method study will examine how first-grade teachers select and use texts for beginning reading instruction with a critical lens on teachers' perceptions of decodable text to fully understand the complex intersection of intentionality and attitude when choosing texts for early reading instruction. This study …


An Examination Of The Cultural Competencies And Practices Of Preservice Teachers Enrolled In Nonurban Alternative Teacher Preparation Programs, Terrie L. Gyles Jan 2024

An Examination Of The Cultural Competencies And Practices Of Preservice Teachers Enrolled In Nonurban Alternative Teacher Preparation Programs, Terrie L. Gyles

Theses and Dissertations

The critical shortage of qualified teachers in hard to staff urban schools has been a persistent issue in the U.S. for decades. Teachers and researchers have pointed to the inadequacy of teacher preparation programs to prepare teacher candidates to address the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students and special education students as the catalyst of the teacher shortage in urban schools. Urban school systems, like the New York City Department of Education, have had success in filling their teacher shortages through alternative teacher certification programs. Through these programs, teacher candidates are given a preservice teacher preparation that incorporates three …


In Support Of A Read-Aloud Accommodation: A Meta Analysis Study, Sarah Elizabeth Ryan Jan 2024

In Support Of A Read-Aloud Accommodation: A Meta Analysis Study, Sarah Elizabeth Ryan

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the read-aloud accommodation benefits for students with disabilities (SWD) and students without disabilities (SWOD). In this study, researchers recommend ways in which to remove encumbrances faced by SWD in reading comprehension. In general, research has shown that both SWD and SWOD have met some degree of success from the read-aloud accommodations. Further, this meta-analysis will attempt to reveal important factors that influence the effects of read-aloud accommodations. For example, how the accommodation effect size influences the subject area of reading versus that of math. This study will also show that the effect of read-aloud accommodations is significantly …


The Experiences Of Formerly Incarcerated Black Male Students At A Northeast Community College, Ashtian C. Holmes Jan 2024

The Experiences Of Formerly Incarcerated Black Male Students At A Northeast Community College, Ashtian C. Holmes

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological inquiry is to understand the experiences of formerly incarcerated Black male students who attend a Northeast urban community college and the unique barriers they encounter while navigating the institution. The United States imprisons more people than any country in the world, and Black men are disproportionately overrepresented in the United States criminal legal system. At the same time, Black men, are severely underrepresented in higher education and lag behind their White and female counterparts in nearly all indicators of collegiate success, including enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. Formerly incarcerated individuals face unique and substantial barriers …


Teacher Perceptions Of Their Preparedness To Teach Early Literacy Skills Using Developmentally Appropriate Practices In Universal Prekindergarten Programs, Tara A. Sokol Jan 2024

Teacher Perceptions Of Their Preparedness To Teach Early Literacy Skills Using Developmentally Appropriate Practices In Universal Prekindergarten Programs, Tara A. Sokol

Theses and Dissertations

Early childhood education is a dynamic field, constantly evolving with the introduction of new curriculums, initiatives and programs. The classroom teacher is the constant, providing essential early literacy instruction amidst all of these changes. Universal Pre-Kindergarten is a vital program that provides access to quality early childhood education for New York City residents. According to the Office of Early Childhood Education, there were nearly 68,000 students enrolled in these free, full-day, high-quality programs in the 2018-2019 school year (2022). Universal Pre-Kindergarten is described as using Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) as the basis for its teachings. Educators are responsible for using …


Exploring Science And Mathematics Teachers’ Professional Identity Development During Arts Integration Processes, Lulu Sun Jan 2024

Exploring Science And Mathematics Teachers’ Professional Identity Development During Arts Integration Processes, Lulu Sun

Theses and Dissertations

Currently, studies on STEAM education or arts integration focus on students’ experiences rather than teachers’ challenges. Thus, the purpose of this dissertation is to set an example for policymakers, educators, and researchers, to provide better support for art-integrated mathematics and biology teachers by understanding their professional identity growth and their informal art learning. In this qualitative study, I employ case study as my research methodology by conducting interviews, observation, and physical artifacts. My sample consists of a high school mathematics teacher and a biology teacher who bring art to the teaching. My research findings highlight the significance of artistic thinking …


The Impact Of Catholic Education On Non-Catholic Chinese Immigrant Students, Huifu Hou Jan 2024

The Impact Of Catholic Education On Non-Catholic Chinese Immigrant Students, Huifu Hou

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated teachers’ and parents’ perspectives on the impact of Catholic education on non-Catholic Chinese immigrant students. The research attempted to answer three questions: How did teachers and parents perceive the impact of Catholic education on non-Catholic Chinese immigrant students’ academic achievement? How did teachers and parents perceive the impact of Catholic education on non-Catholic Chinese immigrant students’ personal moral values? And what are non-Catholic immigrant parents’ perceptions of Catholic education? The study is framed by moral development (Kohlberg & Hersh, 1977) and sensemaking (Weick, 1995) two frameworks. The methodology chosen for the research was a single case study, …


Prekindergarten Teachers’ Perceptions Of Their Role In Language Development In Play, Lena N. Cosme Jan 2024

Prekindergarten Teachers’ Perceptions Of Their Role In Language Development In Play, Lena N. Cosme

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to develop a deeper understanding of prekindergarten teachers’ perceptions, beliefs, and understandings of their role in language development in supporting language development through play. Purposive sampling was used to gather a sample of 12 prekindergarten teachers who taught in classrooms worldwide. The study was guided by a qualitative research design and data were collected through semi- structured interviews. The conceptual framework that underpinned this study was based on Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory and Jerome Bruner’s theory of play. Six themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) play and language go hand in hand, (b) how I see …


Perceptions Of Bilingual Education Through An Organizational Culture Theory Framework, Martha Tuthill Jan 2024

Perceptions Of Bilingual Education Through An Organizational Culture Theory Framework, Martha Tuthill

Theses and Dissertations

The increase in the English language learner (ELL) student population in New York state has significantly impacted education in many school districts. The New York State Education Department has adjusted regulations for instructing ELL students in Part 154, and administrators and educators are adjusting educational programs to meet ELL student needs through bilingual and English as a new language (ENL) educational programs. The main purpose of this study was to explore perceptions regarding opportunities, challenges, and successes in a bilingual program for ELL students and examine how an organizational culture influences ELL education in the bilingual program. This qualitative multicase …


Is Proximity Enough? A Case Study Examining A College Access Program On The Grounds Of Public Housing On The West Coast, Nicole S. Berry Jan 2024

Is Proximity Enough? A Case Study Examining A College Access Program On The Grounds Of Public Housing On The West Coast, Nicole S. Berry

Theses and Dissertations

The issue of college access for students from low-income communities has been a longstanding challenge in American higher education. Despite numerous efforts to address the gaps in college attendance and graduation rates between students from low-income and more affluent communities, the problem remains present. This has led to a need for an in-depth analysis of college access programming explicitly tailored to low-income communities, particularly those residing in public housing authorities. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD, 2016) has recognized this need by funding and piloting college access programs in several public housing authorities around the United States. These …


Cultural Responsiveness Training In Teacher Preparation Programs: A Qualitative Case Study, Loraine Keriece Richardson Mccray Jan 2024

Cultural Responsiveness Training In Teacher Preparation Programs: A Qualitative Case Study, Loraine Keriece Richardson Mccray

Theses and Dissertations

The American education system has experienced a change in the racial and ethnic background of the student population nationally and in the Long Island, New York region. Yet, the teaching population remains mostly white and female. Teacher preparation programs train teachers in content, pedagogy, and adolescent development. During the training, teachers need to develop their ability to connect and understand their students' cultural and racial norms that may not exist in their program of study. This is no fault of the teacher or program but may be an inherent piece missing from the systems established to credential preservice educators. With …


The Journey Of Dominican Women As Administrative Leaders In U.S. Higher Education, Kelba M. Sosa Jan 2024

The Journey Of Dominican Women As Administrative Leaders In U.S. Higher Education, Kelba M. Sosa

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative narrative study delved into the experiences and journeys of Dominican women ascending to administrative leadership positions within U.S. higher education institutions. The main purpose was to explore the challenges and successes encountered by these women, addressing the identified issue of their underrepresentation in such roles. Participants, comprising 13 Dominican women, held positions ranging from Directors and Faculty/Professors to Vice Presidents, Chiefs of Staff, and Presidents. Their ages spanned from 45 to 75, representing a diverse range of experiences and perspectives. The research methodology embraced a qualitative approach with a narrative design, aligning with the study's theoretical framework rooted …


Lgbtqia+ Educators Within New York City Public School Settings: A Narrative Study On Lived Experiences And The Negotiation Of Identities, Leticia Perez Jan 2024

Lgbtqia+ Educators Within New York City Public School Settings: A Narrative Study On Lived Experiences And The Negotiation Of Identities, Leticia Perez

Theses and Dissertations

Research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and pansexual (LGBTQIA+) populations in education has mostly centered on the experiences of LGBTQIA+ students (Ferfolja & Hopkins, 2013). This narrative research study extends the focus of LGBTQIA+ school populations to include self-identified LGBTQIA+ educators working within New York City (NYC) public schools to understand how the lived experiences of NYC public school LGBTQIA+ educators impact their personal and professional self-perceptions, interactions with members of school communities, and their day-to-day practice. As a study grounded in critical, queer, and theories of belonging, this research sought to also identify …


The Personal Journey Of Individuals Self-Disclosing Their Disability Status Within An Urban Postsecondary Environment, Nelson Carrillo Jan 2024

The Personal Journey Of Individuals Self-Disclosing Their Disability Status Within An Urban Postsecondary Environment, Nelson Carrillo

Theses and Dissertations

A qualitative narrative study was conducted on the personal journey of individuals self-disclosing their disability status within an urban postsecondary environment. The study was intended to uncover the personal journey of students with disabilities self-disclosing their disability status within an urban postsecondary environment. Through semi-structured interviews and targeted journal responses, it explored the students’ lived experiences of seeking out and using accommodations and the students’ perceptions of faculty members’ use of universal design for instruction and universal design for learning. The findings demonstrated that a community-based institution that values diversity among professors, faculty members, and students is an environment that …


Impact Of Implicit Racial Bias On Students Of African Descent In Predominately White Institutions, Edwin Mathieu Jan 2024

Impact Of Implicit Racial Bias On Students Of African Descent In Predominately White Institutions, Edwin Mathieu

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated how implicit racial bias influences the perceptions of students of African descent in predominately White colleges (PWIs) in the United States (U.S.). The theoretical framework for the study is critical race theory (CRT). CRT challenges racial indifference by exposing how racial advances often come at the cost of promoting or feeding into White self-interests (Patton et al., 2007). This non-experimental quantitative study examined how GPA, the number of credits earned, gender, race, and campus culture impact students of African descent’s perceptions of culturally implicit racial bias. It used Asian, Hispanic, and White students as a comparison group. …