Education Commons^™

Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions Of Their Preparedness To Implement Ccss Writing Standards, Latonja Allen-Mallard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Writing achievement is a concern in the United States at the national and local level. The problem addressed in this study, in an urban Illinois school district, is that there has been a lack of adequate teacher instructional preparedness in Common Core State Standards (CCSS) writing instruction coupled with low student writing performance. The purpose of this study was to explore how elementary school teachers who teach Language Arts perceive their instructional preparedness to teach writing that aligns with the CCSS writing standards; and, to explore what elements of instructional preparedness they perceive would be beneficial to meet the demands …

Student Satisfaction And Educational Experience With Collaborative Learning Teams, Jacquelyn Lee Jenkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe use of collaborative learning teams is successful at many traditional higher education institutions. However, the use of collaborative learning teams at 3 University X campuses was noted as a source of frustration for students and may affect student satisfaction. Lower satisfaction rates equate to lower rates of success, graduation, referrals, and retention. The purpose of this study was to explore student satisfaction with the use of collaborative learning teams and how learning teams affect students' educational experiences at University X. Vygotsky's social learning theory and Astin's theory of student involvement framed the study. The mixed-method design included a quantitative …

Parents’ Perceptions Of Financial Technology To Support Financial Socialization And Literacy Levels, Patricia M. Page

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The current generation of emerging adults are ill-equipped to navigate the evolving financial landscape, which can further exacerbate socioeconomic inequality. Extant research rooted in Gudmunson and Danes’ family financial socialization theory and Brown et al.’s situated cognition theory, which served as the conceptual framework for this study, acknowledged the long-standing influence of parents and authentic learning opportunities on child(ren)’s financial literacy and well-being. This study’s research questions explored parents’ experience with, and perceptions of, a family-managed virtual bank and prepaid debit card service designed for children ages Pre-K through college. The basic qualitative approach and semistructured interviews provided context to …

The Values Influencing Assistant Principals' Decisions To Utilize School Resource Officers, Tracy Yvette Thompson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

School administrators use control and maintenance to create a safe learning environment for students in the United States public schools. However, when school resource officers (SROs) within U.S. schools are assigned authority over disciplinary procedures certain students become negatively impacted. Substantial research has been conducted regarding the impact and roles of SROs, but very few studies explored the opinions of assistant principals (APs), the individuals typically responsible for the enforcement of school discipline. In this study, a qualitative interpretative design was used to explore what values and beliefs guide APs in their decisions to involve SROs in school disciplinary procedures. …

Urban High School Principals' Leadership Practices And Academic Progress For At-Risk Students, Mary Delouise Duhart-Toppen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have shown that principals are vital to improving student academic achievement. Urban principals often face significant challenges in their environments and have large populations of at-risk students. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore and describe the perceptions of urban high school principals regarding the type of leadership practices needed to support the academic progress of at-risk students. Elements from transformational leadership, transformative leadership, and effective leadership practices informed the conceptual framework. Research questions addressed how principals described and perceived the practices, processes, and procedures used to create environments that support students in urban high schools …

Perceptions Of Curriculum Quality Management In A Multicampus Community College District, Cathy Donald-Whitney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Community college systems must create and maintain curriculum quality management processes and mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of curricula as mandated by state accountability measures. This basic qualitative study was employed to understand the perceptions of members of a curriculum quality management team at a multicampus community college district. Senge's learning organization theory and tenets of Gronn's distributive leadership principles guided this study. Semistructured interviews were used as the data collection method to examine perceptions of 8 full-time curriculum team members at a multicampus community college district in the southwestern United States about the organization, collaborative formats, and governing procedures …

Perceptions Of African American Faculty Retention Practices In Community College, Kyle Huntington Bright

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The retention of African American faculty at predominantly White institutions (PWI) has long been a point of concern in higher education. Midwest Community College (MCC), a PWI, 2-year public institution, has a problem of retaining African American faculty employed by the college. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of African American faculty retention practices at MCC since little is known about the African American faculty experience at PWIs. Delagado and Stefancic's critical race theory conceptual framework of counter storytelling, Whiteness as property, interest conversion, and critique of liberalism guided this study. A qualitative case study research …

Perceptions Of African American Faculty Retention Practices In Community College, Kyle Huntington Bright

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The retention of African American faculty at predominantly White institutions (PWI) has long been a point of concern in higher education. Midwest Community College (MCC), a PWI, 2-year public institution, has a problem of retaining African American faculty employed by the college. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of African American faculty retention practices at MCC since little is known about the African American faculty experience at PWIs. Delagado and Stefancic's critical race theory conceptual framework of counter storytelling, Whiteness as property, interest conversion, and critique of liberalism guided this study. A qualitative case study research …

Developing Teacher Leaders Through Professional Development Offered In A District Teacher Forum, Suzanne T. Koty

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teacher attrition is an ongoing problem in education, and the lack of leadership opportunities contribute to that problem. Teachers who serve in leadership roles are more likely to remain in the profession and positively impact students and the profession as a whole. However, there is little qualitative research to address how teachers develop the needed leadership skills to take on additional leadership roles. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experiences of participants in a District Teacher Forum. The District Teacher Forum is a cohort of teachers identified as Campus Teachers of the Year led by the …

Formerly Incarcerated Students Returning To School, Robert Earl Gaines

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Formerly incarcerated Grade 10'€“12 students in an urban high school in the Southern United States were dropping out at an elevated rate from August 2010 through May 2017. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to gain an understanding of teacher, parent, and academic advisor perceptions of the challenges experienced by Grade 10'€“12 students who had been incarcerated and then returned to a traditional school environment and support services and resources needed to assist with these challenges. Hirschi's social control theory guided this study, which describes 4 elements missing from individuals participating in criminal activity: attachment, commitment, involvement, and …

Career And Technical Education Teachers Integrating Literacy And The Support Administrators Provide, Heather Denese Piccott-Bryan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Education regulations in many U. S. schools require teachers, including career and technical education (CTE) teachers, to integrate literacy skills into the curriculum to support student performance on standardized tests. Changes in teaching strategies and content for literacy integration require administrators to improve the support systems for CTE teachers. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore CTE teachers' experiences in integrating literacy into the curriculum and the support they receive from administrators. Fullan's change model informed the conceptual framework for this study. Individual interviews with 4 teachers and 3 administrators from a state on the east coast …

Instructional Leadership Of Elementary School Principals Regarding Proficiency In Mathematics, Melvinia Robinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Elementary school principals, as instructional leaders, are critical to improving

mathematics proficiency. The research problem was that elementary school principals are

inconsistently applying instructional leadership to support mathematics teachers' efforts

to improve students' proficiency. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to

understand how elementary school principals apply instructional leadership to support

mathematics teachers in their efforts to improve student proficiency in mathematics. The

conceptual framework was the instructional leadership model of Hallinger and Murphy,

which defines three main dimensions of instructional leadership: (a) the school mission,

(b) the instructional program, and (c) the school climate. The research question …

Instructional Leadership Practices Of Middle School Principals Regarding Specialized Training In Mathematics, Sherry Ann Schock

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The research problem addressed in this study centered on middle school principals who were inconsistently implementing instructional leadership practices to support teachers teaching mathematics even though they received middle-grades leadership development (MLD) training. The purpose of this basic qualitative research was to understand why middle school principals, trained in MLD, were inconsistently implementing instructional leadership practices to support teachers teaching mathematics. The research question asked how middle school principals, trained in MLD, implement instructional leadership practices to support teachers teaching mathematics to improve student academic outcomes. The conceptual framework was Vygotsky's learning and development theory used within MLD training to …

Instructional And Managerial Challenges Of School Principals In Small Rural Schools, Brenita Jordan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Principals in rural schools often must do more work with fewer resources and serve in many capacities performing both instructional and managerial duties. School principals in small rural school’s experience challenges when performing instructional and managerial tasks. The purpose of this case study was to examine how school principals in small rural districts handle instructional and managerial tasks and the perception of their readiness to manage these instructional and managerial tasks. The conceptual framework was Hersey and Blanchard’s situational leadership, which defines main quadrants of leadership as (a) telling or directing, (b) selling or coaching, (c) participating or supporting, and …

Principals’ Perceptions Of Fostering A School Culture For Elementary Trauma-Exposed Students, Laura Ann Kelly

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Experiencing trauma can affect children’s ability to achieve academically. School principals are responsible for creating a positive school culture to support all children academically, yet there is limited knowledge of how principals create such a culture for children exposed to trauma. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand the practices of elementary school administrators in fostering a safe and trustworthy school culture that supports academic achievement for students who have experienced trauma. Maslow’s conceptual framework of human motivation informed this study, and research questions centered on how elementary principals perceive practices necessary to create and maintain a …

College Student And Faculty Perceptions Of Need For Remedial/Writing Support, Stacey Mcrae

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A public college in the Midwest experienced a significant increase of students enrolling in writing support classes, indicating a gap between the writing level students have leaving high school and the expected writing skills upon entering college. The local problem of inconsistencies in the writing skill level of students leaving high school and entering college on remedial status was addressed in this qualitative case study to better prepare them as competent students and eventual graduates. Perry’s theory of intellectual development provided the framework for understanding the challenges facing first-year students in support writing classes. The research questions focused on college …

Elementary School Principals’ Instructional Leadership Practices To Retain Novice Teachers In The Philippines, Gonzalo Miguel Pitpit

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Elementary school principals at the study site were inconsistently implementing instructional leadership practices to retain novice teachers in the Philippines. The purpose of this basic qualitative research design was to explore the instructional leadership practices implemented by elementary school principals that help retain novice teachers. The conceptual framework was the instructional leadership model characterized into three dimensions: (a) defining the school mission, (b) managing the instructional program, and (c) promoting a positive school learning climate. The research question was about what instructional leadership practices are implemented by elementary school principals to retain novice teachers in their job. Purposeful sampling was …

Strategies Insurance Company Managers Use To Retain Employees, Christopher Ramel Robinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Insurance business managers who fail to retain employees experience reduced profitability and productivity. Employee retention issues in the insurance industry negatively affect recruitment and training costs, employee engagement, and operational efficiency. Grounded in Herzberg’s 2-factor theory of motivation, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies that insurance company managers use to retain employees. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 5 insurance managers in New York and a review of company documents on employee retention strategies. Data were analyzed using Yin’s 5-step process of compiling, disassembling, reassembling, interpreting, and concluding data. The 3 themes that …

Instructors’ And Administrators’ Perspectives On Culturally Responsive Teaching In Rwandan Higher Education, Ephrard Rulinda

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In Rwanda, the number of culturally minority students in higher education institutions has been increasing in recent years, yet the role of instructors and school administrators in utilizing culturally responsive teaching (CRT) methods for those students remains unclear. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe instructors’ and school administrators’ views of their roles in utilizing CRT methods. The conceptual framework for this study included CRT best teaching practices and approaches; institutional, personal, and instructional dimensions of CRT; and components of the preparation for and practice of CRT. The study was conducted at a university with three campuses …

Administrators' Perceptions Of Arts Integration And Literacy Support For Elementary English Language Learners, Renee Marie Nebolon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In a suburban California elementary school characterized by significant numbers ofEnglish language learners (ELLs), school and district personnel were concerned that literacy among these elementary students remained low despite a recent district focus on literacy. This qualitative study addressed the problem of elementary ELLs not achieving the literacy skills necessary for success in English Language Arts (ELA) courses in school. The purpose of this study was to examine administrators' perceptions on implementing arts integration (AI) as a strategy to support the literacy of ELLs in ELA courses, the potential challenges associated with this strategy, and their role in a successful …

Job Satisfaction And Retention Of Middle School Teachers, Rebecca Jane Gault

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem investigated in this study was the high turnover rates of experienced, quality, and highly effective middle school teachers, which has a negative effect on student learning and achievement. The purpose of this qualitative study was to discover what specific support and professional development middle school teachers need to remain teaching. The conceptual framework that grounded this study was Herzberg’s two-factor theory of motivation. The research questions explored what experienced middle school teachers need in terms of support and professional development in order to improve their job satisfaction and increase their retention. Nine teachers, one from each middle school …

Texas Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions Of Data Chats, Candace Christina Hopkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A gap in practice at CES Elementary School (pseudonym) was the lack of data driven instructional decision making. This lack has contributed to the problem of low school scores on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). Low STAAR scores have negatively impacted student, teacher, and administrator retention. Data chats were implemented to help overcome the problem and improve practice, but this did not work. Hence, the purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of data chats that occurred within CES’s professional learning communities. The study was conceptually guided by the theory of action. Teachers’ perceptions …

Principal Transformational Leadership And School Climate In Title 1 Schools, Heidi H. Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Students living in poverty who attend Title 1 schools continue to underperform academically compared to their more-advantaged peers. Researchers have shown that leadership and school climate influence academic outcomes for students, and educators and community members need to understand effective leadership and school climate practices used where students have demonstrated academic growth. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to gain an understanding of principals’ perspectives on their leadership and school climate practices that may contribute to students’ academic growth in Title 1 elementary schools. The conceptual framework encompassed elements of transformational leadership and constructs of school climate. Interviews …

Case Study Of Teachers’ Instructional Practices Among Eighth Grade Students With Disabilities, Lashaundon Perkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Academic achievement of students relies heavily on a student’s reading proficiency. The college-and career-readiness reading test results of 8th grade North Carolina students did not meet expectations during the 2016-2017 school year. The overall reading performance of 8th grade North Carolina students who have shown achievement at or above proficient was 30%, which is below the national average. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the instructional practices of special education teachers in a low performing school in the eastern region of North Carolina. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory provided the conceptual framework for this study. Research questions addressed …

Leaders And At-Risk Students' Perceptions Of Online Credit Recovery Opportunities And The Role Of Efficacy, Angelo Mitsuo Barcinas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although online credit recovery opportunities are available to high school students enrolled in a United States of America territory credit recovery school, the inability of students to access these courses outside of the school is difficult because students do not have online access. This study examines the role self-efficacy plays on students successfully completing high school through taking advantage of online credit recovery opportunities. The purpose of this general qualitative interview study was to examine at-risk students’ perceptions of online credit recovery opportunities and the role of efficacy for students enrolled in online credit recovery school. Using the social cognitive …

African American College Students’ Perspectives Of Academic Challenges To Graduation, Bobby Calvin Luckett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Even though the enrollment numbers of African American students are comparable to other racial/ethnic groups at a university in the midwestern United States, the problem investigated through this study was that African American students were graduating at a slower rate compared to other groups. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of African American university students about the academic challenges they faced as they worked towards graduation as well as their experiences with and suggestions to improve institutional support to meet these challenges. The study was based on Tinto’s retention theory. For this basic qualitative study, data …

Principal And Teacher Perceptions Of How Principal Motivational Leadership Practices Influence School Climate, Emily Harber Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research indicates that school leadership influences the success of student outcomes through school climate. However, little is known about how principals and teachers perceive principals’ motivational leadership practices and how these leadership practices influence school climate. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain a better understanding of seventh and eighth grade principal and teacher perceptions of principal motivational leadership practices influence on school climate. This study was based upon Sullivan’s motivational language theory and Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory by way of the utilization of the conceptual framework on charismatic leadership. The research questions focused on principal and …

Embedding A Teacher Evaluation System Into A Middle School, Valynda Mae Andrews

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Educators at one middle school were continually failing to meet the reading and writing activities requirements written into its school improvement plans. Despite added district-provided collaboration time and the state’s 4-tier evaluation system, social studies, science and literacy grade-level teachers struggled to create a rigorous community-wide literacy program. No systematic investigation has been conducted to understand why these middle school teachers struggled to incorporate literacy learning into their learning environments. This qualitative instrumental case study examined how middle school educators use their state’s mandated Teacher Principal Evaluation Program, which includes an Eight-Criterion Rubric and University of Washington’s Center for Educational …

New Primary School Principals’ Understandings And Practice Of Instructional Leadership In Ethiopia, Dorothy Aanyu Angura

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Instructional leadership (IL) is recognized as an essential role of a school principal, yet in the African school context, there is a paucity of research on understanding new principals’ perceptions and practice of IL. This basic qualitative research explored the IL understandings and practices of new primary school principals and their understandings of teacher support for effective instruction. The study utilized the Practical Ideal Type (PIT) microconceptual framework to gauge what new principals understood and practiced and compared with what is established in literature in the Principal’s Instructional Management Rating Scale model. Using thematic data analysis, interview data of seven …

Understanding The Effects Of Mathematics Professional Development On Teachers’ Perceptions Of Mathematics, Mike Flynn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Negative mathematics perceptions may affect how teachers teach the subject, how much time they spend on the subject, and how well they teach it. The problem that grounded this study was that although anecdotal evidence showed that teachers’ experience with professional development (PD) courses in mathematics teaching improved their perceptions of mathematics, there was a lack of data regarding how PD affects changes in teachers’ perceptions. The study purpose was to gain a deeper understanding of what elements of a PD course have the greatest effect on improving teachers’ perceptions of mathematics. Piaget’s constructivist and Vygotsky’s socio-constructivism theories made up …