Education Commons^™

Educators’ Perspectives On Strategies To Close The Achievement Gap For African American Elementary Students In Mathematics And English Language Arts, Keamber Denise Booker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a persistent academic achievement gap between African American and European American elementary students in mathematics and English language arts. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore third through fifth-grade elementary educators’ perspectives on strategies used to narrow the gap in achievement for African American students in mathematics and English language arts from a school located in the southeastern region of the United States; consequently, the research question was developed to focus on these perspectives. The conceptual framework for this study was Ladson-Billings’s culturally relevant pedagogy. Purposeful sampling and snowball sampling were used to select study …

Preservice Teacher Efficacy To Teach Informational Text Comprehension Through Literature Circles, Amy J. Clark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Preservice teachers in an elementary education teacher preparation program are tasked with teaching informational text comprehension through literature circles during a literacy field experience. The problem addressed is that even after receiving explicit classroom instruction on this topic, preservice teachers expressed apprehension and self-doubt and may not have the self-efficacy to effectively teach informational text comprehension. The purpose of this project study was to explore preservice teachers' perceived self-efficacy to teach informational text comprehension. This study was grounded in a constructivist paradigm centered on Bandura’s concept of self-efficacy. The research questions concerned preservice teachers perceived self-efficacy to teach informational text …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Response-To-Intervention Reading Strategies In Middle Schools, Judy Bernadette Collins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As students enter middle school, many lack literacy skills, especially English language learners (ELLs). The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine what supports middle school teachers perceived they needed to be effective using response to intervention (RTI) strategies with ELLs. This basic qualitative study was framed by the RTI framework as described in the Individual with Disabilities Education Act and by Hall and Hord’s concerns-based adoption model. Interviews were conducted with eight teachers with a minimum of 3 years of service who used RTI practices in their classrooms in middle schools in school districts from the Northeast …

Contributions Of Doctoral Educational Leadership Programs To The Development Of Leader Self-Efficacy, Lori Christine Kall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Educational leadership programs have not often focused on leader self-efficacy (LSE) as a program outcome although self-efficacy has been considered a key component for successful leaders. Principals prepared through a doctoral degree were found to be more effective leaders than those without a doctoral degree and may be more skilled to build high-quality teacher teams resulting in higher academic student gains. The connection between participating in a doctoral program and building LSE was not understood. The purpose of this basic design qualitative study was to understand graduates’ perceptions of how their participation in their education doctoral program developed their LSE …

A Multicase Study Of Alaskan High School Teachers’ Adoption Of Digital Elements Of Gamification, Paul Marks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recent studies have indicated that gamification, the process of using game-like elements in nongame situations, increases student engagement and comprehension. The problem was that little is known about the extent to which digital elements of gamification are being used to help engage students in high school classes in Alaska. The purpose of this multicase study was to examine the extent to which their teachers were using gamification. The research questions that guided this study addressed the extent to which the teachers used gamification, how the teachers perceived the usefulness of gamification, and how they perceived the ease of use of …

Teacher Perspectives On Implementing Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum At An International Baccalaureate Elementary School, Whitney Nicole Niles

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers have difficulty implementing a social-emotional learning (SEL) program in the classroom at an International Baccalaureate (IB) elementary school in Georgia. As a district mandated initiative, elementary schools in the metro area have included SEL programs as an essential part of the curriculum to support the needs of the whole student. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore teachers' perspectives on implementing SEL at an IB elementary school. The conceptual framework drawn from Rogers' diffusion of innovations theory, focuses on what an individual does to implement and adopt an intervention. The study's guiding question explored 15 IB …

A Comparison Of Interprofessional Collaboration Competencies Among Newly Licensed Registered Nurses, Denise M. Pederson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nursing students who are provided interprofessional education (IPE) with students from other professional education programs develop interprofessional collaboration competencies (IPCCs). However, not all nursing programs provide this IPE experience despite the World Health Organization and the IPE Collaborative (IPEC) promoting IPCCs for nurses upon entering practice to improve health outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative, comparative, descriptive study, guided by the IPEC framework for collaboration competencies, was to determine whether there are self-reported differences in IPCCs among nurses who graduated within the past 3 years from learning institutions that provide IPE with multiple health care professional programs and those who …

College Deansʼ Perceptions Of How Their Leadership Styles Affect Graduation Rates, John Johnston

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem was that in 2016 the U.S. graduation rate of undergraduate students in for-profit higher learning institutions was only 23%, compared to 59% for public institutions and 66% for private nonprofit institutions. The purpose of this comparative case study was to explore for-profit and nonprofit college deansʼ perceptions of their leadership styles and how their leadership style affects graduation rates. Thus, the focus of the research question was determining college deansʼ perceptions of their leadership style and how their leadership style affects graduation rates. The basis of the conceptual framework was the full range leadership model. The sample required …

Hiring Manager Perceptions Of The Emotional Intelligence Skills Of Urban Community College Graduates, Janice Moore English

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractEmotional intelligence (EI) skills are an important factor in the successful entry in the labor market of the fresh graduates of urban community colleges. Even though previous studies provided substantial evidence to the importance of these skills, these studies also recognized a lack of preparedness for the newly community college graduates and add to the voices of local business communities who manifest concern in this regard. The purpose of this basic qualitative research project was to explore local hiring manager perceptions of the EI skills of community college graduates they have hired for knowledge work roles. Goleman’s theory of EI …

Instructional Leadership Practices That Support Increased Student Achievement In Ghana's Rural Districts, Anthony Kwame Gyamerah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Quality education is significant to the development of a country, but not all countries fare satisfactory in this regard. In Ghana, the rural K-12 public schools have persistent lower academic performance than the urban schools, despite the interventions of governments since Ghana’s independence. This study provides effective instructional leadership practices that support effective teaching and learning to enhance quality education in Ghana’s rural areas to bridge the performance gap between the urban and rural schools. This qualitative exploratory case study explored the instructional leadership practices that support student achievement in Ghana’s rural K-12 schools. The research questions investigated the instructional …

The Experiences Of Novice Elementary School Teachers In California, Lori A. Moayed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

During the past 10 years, obtaining and retaining qualified teachers have become increasingly difficult. Previous research has focused on the experiences of veteran teachers but has neglected to study the experiences of novice teachers. Using semistructured interviews, this qualitative study explored the experiences of eight novice teachers with a maximum of two completed years of teaching service. Through the use of flyers and participant referrals, the snowballing sampling strategy was used to recruit participants. The Colaizzi method was used to collect, interpret, and analyze the data. Five thematic results were found that were related to teacher experiences with required trainings, …

Parents’ Perspectives Of Parental Involvement To Support Student Academic Achievement, Arega W. Nigussie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractParental involvement is the foundation for family-school relationships that empower parents, improve student academic achievement, and encourage parents to participate in their children’s education. The problem is the inconsistent parental involvement in a Midwestern school to support students' academic achievement. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perspectives of parents about parental involvement and parents’ perspectives about their role in supporting the academic achievement of their children. The study was grounded in Epstein’s theory of six types of parental involvement and Moll’s theory of funds of knowledge. Two research questions were used to investigate parents’ perspectives on parental …

Stories Of Learning And Instructional Practices In Traditional Hawaiian Hula Education, Lynn Kaleihaunani Melena

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers of traditional hula have preserved Native Hawaiian cultural knowledge despite societal changes that led to cultural suppression in Hawaii. However, little is known about how these teachers accomplished this feat. The purpose of this study was to understand how hula instruction has evolved to transmit cultural knowledge and how past methods influenced current instructor practices in sustaining a vibrant culture. Research questions explored the instructional approaches and innovations of hula teachers past and present in one traditional hula school. The conceptual framework integrated the Native Hawaiian worldview and a Western theory of participatory creativity. A qualitative study using Indigenous …

Examining The Effectiveness Of Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Programs To Reduce Juvenile Recidivism, Monte Powell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Multiple community prevention programs have been established to help reduce delinquency, but further research is required to address the gaps that exist by measuring the effectiveness of state-sponsored (Community that Cares) and private programs (D.A.R.E.). The purpose of this study was to examine these programs, which may provide pathways toward a successful and fulfilling livelihood for juveniles by preventing them from reoffending. The research questions were aimed at determining the reasons why deviant behavior is increasing and identifying effective methods for improving organizational aftercare program efficiency to reduce juvenile delinquency and recidivism. Environmental and demographical variables were examined that are …

Increasing Nurse Manager Knowledge Of Authentic Leadership, Patricia Ann Stone

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractResearch has demonstrated a positive correlation between authentic leadership and positive patient and organizational outcomes. Given that nurses can be educated in authentic leadership, providing nurse leaders with training opportunities will help them develop authentic leadership skills which will benefit patients and the organization. At the project site, there is little opportunity for leadership development among nurse leaders. Thus, the purpose of this DNP project was to determine if an educational intervention focused on authentic leadership increase knowledge and awareness among nurse managers. Authentic leadership theory grounded the DNP project. Twenty-three nurse managers were invited to participate in an educational …

Middle School Teacher Perceptions Of Digital Tool Integration For Formative Assessment And Feedback, Jeanna R. Wagner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

District leaders in a suburban New England middle school expect that teachers will use technology to administer formative assessments and use the resulting feedback to plan subsequent instruction, but it is often unclear how or if feedback is being used to do so. Anytown Middle School (a pseudonym) teachers inconsistently use digital tools for formative assessment and feedback. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how teachers perceive the use of digital tools to facilitate formative assessment and use the resulting feedback to inform subsequent instruction. Guided by the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) conceptual framework, the …

Educator And Parent Collaborative Literacy Support In A Title I School, Larhonda Young

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In an urban elementary school serving a large percentage of low-socioeconomic status (SES) students in a southern state, the problem was that over 50% of student literacy scores remained below the state standard between 2016 and 2019. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine educators’ perceptions of teacher–parent collaboration to support literacy in the home and how these strategies may improve low-SES students’ literacy skills at the elementary target site. Using Bourdieu’s educational habitus theory, educators’ perceptions of teacher–parent collaboration strategies to enhance literacy and the advantages and barriers of fostering collaboration were examined for low-SES students …

Educational Interpreters For The Deaf: Job Ambiguity And Role Conflict, Marian Berry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThis study investigated the ongoing job ambiguity and role conflict of certified educational interpreters for the deaf (CEID). It explored and identified factors that contribute to the difficulty in recruiting and retaining CEID interpreters for K-12 schools. The difficulty is compounded by the need for increasingly complex and specialized skills and knowledge required to become a CEID. Little attention has been given to CEIDs and the problems of job ambiguity, role conflict, and interpreter shortage. Identification of the recurring factors in the job ambiguity and role conflict will contribute toward eliminating the shortage of CEID's. This qualitative study aimed to …

The Association Between Teacher Attachment Style And Student Engagement, Susan Bonnell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The teacher-student relationship is an important dynamic in student engagement. Higher education retention strategies include the teacher-student relationship as a focus. The present study focused on the attachment style of the teacher and the impact that it has on student engagement. The theoretical basis for this study was Bowlby’s attachment theory. Student engagement, both behavioral and academic, was measured after 9 weeks of a semester in general education classes. A quantitative design was used to determine the relationship between the teacher’s attachment style and student engagement. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyze the results. Significant differences …

Staff Education And Depression Screening In Pulmonology And Sleep Medicine, Christina Boyle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractDespite recommendations that all adults be screened for depression, providers at the project site struggled to consistently assess for depression. Identification of depression is an essential step in depression management, which is a concern for patients with sleep disorders and other pulmonary disease served at the site. The purpose of this project was to develop an education training program for clinicians regarding depression screening. The theory of cognitive development using the Iowa model of evidence-based practice (EBP) guided the project, which sought to determine if an EBP education program regarding depression screening would be an effective means for staff education, …

Parent Practices In Homeschooling Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Who Demonstrate Problem Behaviors, Cymantha Jewel Channey-White

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThere is a gap in literature regarding parent practices in homeschooling children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who demonstrate problem behaviors during instructional sessions. Research literature showed that children with ASD demonstrate problem behaviors during instructional sessions in educational environments. The problem is a gap in the literature regarding how parents who homeschool their students with ASD address the same behaviors. The conceptual framework—social learning theory. The research questions were focused on parent practices of managing problem behavior during homeschool instructional sessions and the support they received. Qualitative research was used to explore the experiences of homeschool parent practices in …

Designing Three-Dimensional Implementation Of Ngss To Support Science Education, Melissa M. Delaurentis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Next Generation Science Standards transitions science instruction to a strategic focus on students’ application of science content through sensemaking to deepen their understanding of naturally occurring phenomena. As an innovative educational initiative, NGSS requires a vast shift in how all stakeholders approach scientific learning in public education. New Mexico formally adopted NGSS in 2017 and promptly expected full implementation. The problem explored in this study is the perceptions of principals, instructional coordinators, and science educators on the implementation of NGSS, based on New Mexico’s abridged timeline, inadequate funding, and limited professional learning. The study used a qualitative exploratory case …

Perspectives On The Study Circles Program For Increasing Parental Involvement, Eugenia Sophia Dawson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Administrators were concerned over a lack of minority parental involvement and challenges in meeting the needs of a rapidly growing minority student population in a local school district. To enhance minority parental involvement, one local middle school implemented the Study Circles program that involved a series of interactive small group sessions in which parents and educators collaborate to build a culturally sensitive, inclusive community. The problem addressed in this study was grounded in the fact that the adequacy of this program’s implementation to address the low minority parental involvement at the school was not fully understood. Guided by Epstein’s model …

The Pre-School Teacher Experience Of Social Skills For Early Education Success, Cheryl Dorsey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Pre-school is foundational to future academic success, and social skills have been recognized as a critical component of that foundation. How pre-school teachers facilitate social skills development is an area requiring further study. The purpose of this research was to describe the experience of social skills development from the perspective of early educators. Attachment and social learning theories were used as theoretical frameworks to explore how early education teachers describe the social skills for early education success in young children and how early education teachers facilitate the development of important social skills. This study used a generic, qualitative design …

Lived Experiences Of Adults Using Emotional Support Animals To Cope With Anxiety, Kenneth Patrick Fisher

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Anxiety is a clinical disorder affecting nearly 40 million adults in the United States. Treating anxiety symptoms has been most effective when clinicians combine medication and therapy intervention. Still, treatments for anxiety varies among clinicians to determine which one may be the most effective. Emotional support animals (ESAs) provide one kind of intervention that clinicians use to treat anxiety in adults. However, existing research literature has not fully explored the phenomenon of lived experiences of coping with anxiety among adults with an ESA. Social cognitive theory provided a basis for this study’s theoretical framework for understanding this phenomenon. This study …

Elementary Administrators’ Perceptions Of Support For Novice Alternatively-Certified Teachers In High-Poverty Schools, Kelle Wilson Lofton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Novice alternatively-certified teachers are hired to teach in high-poverty schools at a higher rate than traditionally-certified peers. These teachers are often unprepared to teach in challenging environments and struggle to manage their classrooms and achieve student academic success. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative case study was to investigate elementary school administrators’ perceptions of support for novice alternatively-certified teachers in high-poverty schools in a southern U.S. state. Burns’s transformational leadership paradigm informed the study. The research questions focused on how elementary principals and assistant principals perceived transformational practices to support novice alternatively-certified teachers in high-poverty schools. Data were collected using …

Early Childhood Education Teacher Experience And Knowledge Regarding Outdoor Learning And Affordances, Jennifer Karshna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Early childhood education (ECE) teachers have indicated that they are interested in supporting children’s learning outdoors but have been challenged with intentional use of the outdoor learning environment (OLE). The purpose of this qualitative study was to illuminate ECE teacher experience with and knowledge of supporting children’s learning in the OLE, specifically using affordances for teaching and learning. The conceptual framework was based on the Reggio Emilia approach, Gibson’s affordance theory, Dewey’s ideas regarding educational experiences, and Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development. The key research question addressed teachers’ experiences and knowledge of affordances in the OLE. The 12 participants were …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Literacy Instruction With Autistic Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Heather Ann Marzenski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Families and educators have voiced concerns about the literacy skills of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the situation. Pandemic era studies have demonstrated the ramifications that students with ASD have faced, including regression of literacy skills, lower grades, lack of support services, and subpar instruction. Teachers' perceptions remained unexamined in the pandemic era studies. The purpose of this basic qualitative dissertation was to examine teachers’ perceptions about the materials and strategies used to deliver literacy instruction during the pandemic for students with ASD. The conceptual frameworks that underpinned this study were self-determination theory …

Educators' And Parents' Perceptions Of Family Engagement In A Head Start Program, Sondeania Marie Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Family engagement benefits children’s development and contributes to student academic success. However, educators feel that they are unprepared to engage families in the educational process, although they are encouraged to do so. The purpose of this basic qualitative study with interviews was to explore educators’ and parents’ perceptions of family engagement. The conceptual framework for this study was supported by Epstein’s ecological framework. A basic qualitative study and purposeful sampling were used to conduct semistructured interviews with 10 educators who were currently employed as teachers and with five parents who had a child enrolled in the Head Start program who …

Evidence-Based Hospice Care Education For Healthcare Clinicians, Nonie E. Weir

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Vulnerable populations with a terminal illness, who reside in a nursing home setting, continue to experience psychological, physical, and emotional effects that lead to end-of- life (EOL) suffering and discomfort. Globally, millions of individuals receive care from a hospice provider. By 2030, this figure will triple due to the increased lifespan of the geriatric population. The literature review has revealed that the practical problem is the lack of hospice care education received by healthcare clinicians. It is, therefore, important to prepare and educate healthcare clinicians about a peaceful death through an individualized plan-of-care (POC) from a holistic approach. The purpose …