Education Commons^™

A Qualitative Study Examining The Literacy Experiences Of Male Middle School Students Inside And Outside Of School, Ari Raymond Colondres

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

A literacy gap is a difference between a person’s ability to read for understanding and meaning-making and their anticipated ability to read for their grade level. A larger proportion of males are at least one or more years below grade level in reading ability compared to their female peers. This reading difference is called the gender literacy gap. Students over one year below grade level are at an increased risk of dropping out of high school and face the possibility of diminished lifetime earnings. Gender, low levels of motivation, low socio-economic status, low engagement, and school perceptions of literacy are …

Influence Of Restorative Practices On The Middle-School Classroom, As Reported By Teachers: A Qualitative Case Study, Julia Y. Andrews

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine middle school teachers’ perceptions of the influence that restorative practices have on the middle school classroom environment. For the purpose of this study, seven middle school teachers were selected who have implemented restorative practices in their middle school classrooms to provide feedback. Findings suggest that overall restorative practices have a positive influence on the classroom. The findings from this study can be used with teachers, administrators, counselors, parents, and school and district support staff to help create a positive campus culture between students and adults in middle school classrooms. The …

The Effects Of The Avid Program On Rural Student Growth In Middle Grades Mathematics, James Allen

All Dissertations

From this mixed method study, I present my findings on the effects of selected aspects of the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program on rural middle school students’ mathematics achievement. Previous research on the AVID program has focused on implementation in urban schools, although rural communities’ student populations continue to grow.

Most research on AVID’s success in urban settings show positive correlations between how long students participate in the AVID program and their college readiness. Other research about predictors of college success shows students who do not enroll in advanced level mathematics courses in middle school are less likely to …

Student Preferences About Student-Teacher Communication And Student Perceptions Of Teacher Presence In An Online Middle School, Kyle M. Doty

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative survey study was to determine how middle school students in fully online language arts courses perceived their teachers to be present and what methods of communication with the teacher middle school students desired. The purposive sample was composed of 100 sixth and seventh grade language arts students from a large virtual school in the southeastern United States. Student responses were overwhelmingly skewed, and results from the survey indicated a statistically significant finding. Students in online middle school find their teachers to be present and desire to be communicated with using text messages first and …

The Phenomenological Study On The Impact Of Servant Leadership For Establishing A Culture Of High Performance As Perceived By Middle School Principals Of Title I Middle Schools, Freddie Chavarria

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and describe Title I middle school principals’ perceived impact of the seven servant leadership constructs developed by Patterson (2003) on establishing a culture of high performance.

Methodology: The qualitative phenomenological method was used to describe and explore the middle school principals’ perceived impact of the seven servant leadership constructs developed by Patterson (2003) on establishing a culture of high performance. This method was selected by a thematic team of eight peer researchers to best examine the core meanings of K-12 leaders lived experiences. The sample for this study was middle …

Supporting Transgender And Nonbinary Middle School Students Through Inclusive Policies And Practices, Victoria Velding

Culminating Experience Projects

The United States is experiencing a youth mental health crisis. Research suggests rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation have reached concerning levels in transgender and nonbinary youth. School can be a hostile place for marginalized youth. Transgender and nonbinary youth are especially susceptible to harassment and victimization, making school a particularly hostile place. When schools offer support and LGBTQ resources, school experiences can be improved for transgender and nonbinary youth. Unfortunately, school-wide supports and resources for LGBTQ students are less common in middle schools than high schools, leaving many students struggling at a critical developmental stage in their lives. …

Virtual Instruction During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Katie B. Kelley

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Student motivation and the impacts of the school environment on it have been heavily researched. However, motivation during the COVID-19 pandemic has not been studied in detail due to the recency of events. To understand how the pandemic impacted student motivation, this study applied the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) in understanding how motivation functions through three pieces: autonomy, competence, and relatedness (Deci & Ryan, 1985). This current study examines students’ perceived motivation in virtual and hybrid instruction during a pandemic from students’ perspectives. It used surveys from a similar study with the addition of qualitative questions about instructional strategies (Edwards, 2009). …

Effects Of Excessive Student Technology Usage On Student Cognitive Engagement, Kristina Leah Loveland

Dissertations

Technology in the classroom has educators asking the question of whether technology engages students on a deep cognitive level or whether technology is holding students back. Educational technology has the potential to increase student engagement (Norris & Coutas, 2014). Wexler (2019) found technology is holding students back because they prefer the virtual setting to a real-world setting. The purpose of this mixed-methods research study was to determine if there is a connection between student cognitive engagement and excessive technology use. Developed by Antonetti and Stice (2018), the four components of Powerful Task Design were identified as the conceptual framework that …

The Effects Of Envoy On The Middle School Social Studies Classroom Behaviors, Christine Karst

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The aim of this study was to determine if ENVoY is an effective classroom management tool to use in a 7th-grade social studies classroom. There was a need to reduce the amount of time spent on stopping unwanted classroom behaviors, such as blurting and being off task. This research was completed over a six-week period in a suburban school. Data was collected using four different methods and completed multiple times throughout the research period. Classroom observations were conducted and behaviors were tallied. Students completed self-assessments asking them to reflect on four different behavioral criteria. Data was also collected using teacher-student …

The Relationship Between Motivation, Academic Achievement, And Engagement In Mathematics Using Digital Game-Based Learning: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study, Amy Rose Morgan

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Digital game-based learning (DGBL) has unique factors that can engage students in the learning process. It has been shown that incorporating DGBL into mathematics can help bridge the learning gap, differentiate instruction, and engage students (Yang et al., 2018; Hulse et al., 2019; Chen et al., 2012; Naik, 2017). This study examined how students’ prior engagements are related to their academic achievement as well as investigated students’ motivation while utilizing DGBL in mathematics. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was utilized to collect the quantitative data followed by the qualitative data. There were eighteen middle school participants in grades six …

Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: A Case Study In Georgia, Glenda Johnson - Mapp

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the phenomenon of culturally responsive pedagogy to address the problem of limited data to inform best practices in facilitating high teacher self-efficacy with culturally responsive teaching practices. Using a qualitative exploratory case study design with an initial quantitative component, the perceptions of content-area middle school general education teachers regarding culturally responsive pedagogy in their classroom teaching practices were assessed and considered in respect to their reported perceptions of self-efficacy with culturally responsive teaching. The study’s quantitative component used the Teacher Self-Efficacy on Culturally Responsive Pedagogy Scale to assess the perceived self-efficacy with culturally responsive teaching of 150 …

Middle School Transition: The Influence Of An Academy Approach And The Role Of Leadership, Kimberly Calhoun Odom

Theses and Dissertations

Students entering middle school frequently encounter challenges in their transition as they leave the comforts of elementary school. Traditionally, fifth grade students experience their last year in elementary school in a similar fashion to the previous five years of elementary school. They are in self-contained classrooms with one teacher for the majority of their school day. This study’s objective is to determine best practices and strategies that support fifth grade students in transitioning to the rigors of middle school. More specifically, the research focuses on the impact of an Academy structure in the elementary setting that models the transitions of …

Providing Voice And Choice In The Classroom: The Effect Of Choice Boards On Student Motivation And Attitudes, Deborah B. Malinoski

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research was to explore how incorporating choice boards as a tool for personalized learning in social studies influenced sixth-grade students to engage in the classroom. Engagement in the classroom is necessary for students to meet educational goals. To engage in learning, students need intrinsic motivation to encourage them to strive to meet their potential. Research in personalized learning shows students who are provided opportunities for “voice and choice” show higher signs of achievement in meeting their goals (Pane et al., 2017). This action research study was guided by two research questions that explored the effect …

Using Targeted, Small-Group Instruction And Culturally Responsive Teaching To Improve Reading Engagement And Confidence, Tina Marie Tuminaro

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate what happens to reading engagement and student confidence when targeted instruction and culturally responsive teaching is used in a middle school literacy classroom. Individual instruction in the areas of reading comprehension and fluency, as well as book clubs and literature circles, were used over a three-month period in an effort to motivate striving and reluctant readers and build confidence in their reading skills. Eleven sixth grade students participated in the study, and both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. Data was collected using a teacher's research journal, audio recordings, surveys, interviews, …

Reading And Writing Like A Scientist: Implementation Of Disciplinary Literacy Strategies In A Middle School Science Classroom, Cameron K. Boyette

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

This study examined what happened when disciplinary literacy strategies were implemented in a middle school science class along with the students’ and teachers’ perceptions of these strategies. The researcher implemented disciplinary literacy strategies that went along with the scope and sequence for seventh-grade science at the time of implementation of the study. She collected data through surveys, observations, and interviews with students and teachers. Data were analyzed through the constant comparative method and coding. When disciplinary literacy strategies were implemented, students showed compartmentalization of reading and writing to their ELAR classes. Teachers showed negative perceptions of their students’ literacy abilities. …

Design Of A Freight Transportation Outreach Curriculum, Breanna Stoesz

Civil Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This project is centered around finding a solution to the shortage of truck drivers within the freight industry. Specifically, this project aims to lessen this shortage by ensuring potential future drivers are aware of the benefits of the industry and are encouraged to consider this career path for themselves. By producing an engaging and educational freight transportation curriculum for middle and high school students to go through in outreach programs, these students would have an increased likelihood of joining the trucking profession and encourage others to become informed about the profession as well. In addition to the direct driving role, …

Increasing The Engagement Of Middle School Males Enrolled In A Foreign Language Class, Georgette Paula Leslie

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative action research study investigated the engagement of middle school males in a foreign language class based in a British overseas territory. The data collection methods consisted of focus groups, observations, and surveys. The participants for this research included five students who are identified as males. The desired outcome of the research was to determine whether teaching strategies aligned with Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences (MI), the learner-centered approach, and Robert Gardner’s motivation theory with reference to integrative motivation, increased the engagement of middle school males in the foreign language classroom. The research questions included: RQ 1. How …

A Problem-Based Learning Approach To Civics Education: Exploring Citizenship Through Authentic Scenarios In A Middle School Civics Classroom, Rebekah Meri Rowland

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on implementing problem-based learning as an instructional intervention in a middle school civics classroom. This action research study responds to the observations of the teacher-researcher who noticed that her students were not make meaningful connections to the practice of citizenship. The problem of practice was developed when the teacher-researcher realized that the students were not engaged in learning with the traditional lecture-style, rote memorization instruction; she needed an intervention that was active, collaborative, and meaningful. To increase the connection to middle school learners, the intervention should emphasize problem solving skills and build empathy for others through a …

The Critical Workshop: Writing Revision And Critical Pedagogy In The Middle School Classroom, Andrea R. Griswold

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation addresses the question of whether focusing on revision in writing instruction can be a form of critical pedagogy in middle school classrooms. Building on the work of A. Suresh Canagarajah, Lisa Delpit, Paulo Freire, Henry Giroux, Kay Halasek, Joseph Harris, Amy Lee, Timothy Lensmire, Min-Zhan Lu, Peter McLaren, Richard Ohmann, Ira Shor, and others, I explore and challenge commonly held attitudes about revision and language, primarily that the goal of revision is to correct errors and that language and its conventions should be thought of in terms of correctness. I explore the ways in which traditional writing workshops …

School Climate And Teacher Self- Efficacy: Teacher's Perspectives, Jennifer Prado

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

Teacher self-efficacy is used to describe how a teacher feels about their ability to perform the tasks related to teaching. This qualitative study focused on how teachers’ perceptions of their school climate affect teacher self-efficacy in eight middle school teachers in Arkansas. Participants were Arkansas middle school teachers with three or more years of experience. The typical participant was a 43-year-old female with an undergraduate degree in education, a master’s degree, and 16 years of classroom experience. A request for participants was sent to the superintendent of every district in Arkansas that had at least one middle school with the …

Contributing Factors Of Success For Middle School Agriculture Teachers, Sara Hughes

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The changing dynamics of middle school agriculture education requires research into the causes for some teachers and chapters to succeed while others do not. The reasons for success may be varied and related to many different factors. The aim of this study is to determine how programs perform at high levels, what factors help them achieve success, and the role that evaluation may play in the process. The types of evaluation used for middle school agriculture teachers in Georgia will also be analyzed.

Analyzing The Effects Of Mathematical Mindsets And Self-Regulation Of Middle School Students To Overcome The Challenges Of Math Anxiety, Bardhyl Gjoka

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

In the rapidly changing world, schools must prepare students for jobs and careers that may not exist today. Mathematics is one of the core subject areas that help students prepare to meet the demands of the 21st-century. When students are proficient in mathematics, they have the opportunity to build problem-solving skills. Learning mathematics helps students find solutions to a problem logically and develop analytical thinking skills. However, many students struggle with mathematical content and concepts during math lessons and learning activities. Teachers need to create practical age-appropriate lessons focusing on problem-solving skills to help students who fear math and experience …

Understanding Middle School Teachers’ Use Of Instructional Practices For Online Reading Comprehension, Carla Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Standardized test and district benchmark assessment results indicate that middle school students in a rural middle school in central Mississippi are struggling with reading comprehension. Although teachers in a specific school district are equipped with a pacing guide to teach state mandated college and career readiness standards, it is unclear how middle school English Language Arts (ELA) teachers are teaching reading comprehension in online environments. The purpose of this qualitative intrinsic case study is to explore how middle school teachers at one school use instructional strategies to teach students who struggle with reading comprehension in online environments. The conceptual framework …

Title I Middle School Teacher And Principal Perspectives On Inquiry-Based Science Instruction, Kirsten R. King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Title I middle schools face challenges delivering effective inquiry-based science instruction within the framework of Title I requirements. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore Title I middle school teacher and principal perspectives on and experiences with the challenges of delivering inquiry-based science instruction within the framework of Title I requirements. Dewey’s theories of experiential learning and Vygotsky’s theory of sociocultural constructivism provided the conceptual framework for this study. The research questions focused on teacher and principal experiences with inquiry-based science instruction and the impact Title I school policies and practices had on the delivery of inquiry-based …

Title I Middle School Teacher And Principal Perspectives On Inquiry-Based Science Instruction, Kirsten R. King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Title I middle schools face challenges delivering effective inquiry-based science instruction within the framework of Title I requirements. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore Title I middle school teacher and principal perspectives on and experiences with the challenges of delivering inquiry-based science instruction within the framework of Title I requirements. Dewey’s theories of experiential learning and Vygotsky’s theory of sociocultural constructivism provided the conceptual framework for this study. The research questions focused on teacher and principal experiences with inquiry-based science instruction and the impact Title I school policies and practices had on the delivery of inquiry-based …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Differentiated Instruction For Gifted Students In The Middle School General Classroom, Christine Belzic

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The research problem this study addressed was that general education teachers are struggling to meet the needs of gifted students with differentiated instruction at the middle school level. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate middle school teachers’ perceptions of differentiating instruction for gifted learners and any challenges or barriers the teachers may experience. Tomlinson’s theory of differentiation was the conceptual framework for this study. The research questions addressed teachers’ understanding of giftedness, preparedness to differentiate instruction for gifted students, strategies used for differentiating instruction for gifted students, and perceived barriers or challenges to differentiating instruction for …

Middle School Teacher Perceptions On Implementation Of The Math Workshop Model, Donna Mack

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mathematics achievement levels in the middle school grades have reportedly been below proficiency for students in the United States. The math workshop model has been identified as a possible approach to increase student achievement in mathematics. The purpose of this generic qualitative study, guided by Mezirow’s transformative learning theory, focused on understanding middle school teacher perceptions of the implementation of the math workshop model. The five research questions addressed middle school teacher perceptions of the implementation and influence of the math workshop and how it had transformed their understanding of teaching mathematics. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with nine …

Learning By Playing: A Curriculum Utilizing Improvisational Theater To Develop Prosocial Behavior Skills And Self-Efficacy In Young Adolescents, Lynn Lovett Barr

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Prosocial behavior requires competency in social-emotional skills including interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation. During the developmental stage of early adolescence, youth are learning these skills and are more likely to engage in prosocial behavior if they feel efficacious in them. However, most social-emotional learning programs focus on conceptual knowledge in these areas without providing sufficient opportunities for practice, which does not allow students to develop sufficient procedural knowledge and self-efficacy. Improvisational theater offers a solution to this problem; used in concert with social-emotional lessons, it provides practice scenarios and procedural learning opportunities. This project consists of a curriculum …

Self- And Socially-Regulated Learning In Middle School Science Classrooms: A Multiple Case Study, Lauren Cabrera

Theses and Dissertations

Students must employ self-regulated learning (SRL) and socially-regulated learning (soRL) in the science classroom, which includes a wide array of independent and collaborative learning activities. However, little is known about how student SRL and soRL co-occur in students’ learning and how the classroom teacher influences that regulation in situ (Cabrera et al., in preparation; Panadero et al., 2015). This explanatory, sequential case study analyzes classroom video data from six middle school science classrooms. The study uses an integrated coding scheme that captures SRL and soRL behaviors, soRL modes, and targets of regulation (Greene & Azevedo, 2009; Hadwin et al., 2018; …

A Weighted Individual Performance-Based Assessment For Middle School Orchestral Strings: Establishing Validity And Reliability, Kevin Ward

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The study established the validity and reliability of a weighted individual performance-based assessment tool within the utility scope of middle school orchestral strings. The following research questions guided this study:

1. What specific string-playing behaviors and corresponding criteria validate a weighted individual performance-based assessment tool for middle school orchestral strings?

2. What are the psychometric properties of the weighted individual performance-based assessment tool in authentic situations?

For Research Question 1, the expert panel and I were able to 100% mutually agree on 10 string-playing behaviors: tempo, rhythm, tone, pitch, intonation, technique, bowing, dynamics, phrasing, and posture that created the DISAT. …