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Full-Text Articles in Education
K-5 Teachers' Perceptions Of Culturally Responsive Teaching Challenges In Mathematics, Nataine Latoya Grant
K-5 Teachers' Perceptions Of Culturally Responsive Teaching Challenges In Mathematics, Nataine Latoya Grant
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The problem for this study was that K-5 teachers in a northeastern school district were challenged to implement culturally responsive teaching (CRT) practices in mathematics instruction. The purpose of this study was to explore K–5 teachers' perceptions about the challenges of using CRT practices in mathematics with culturally diverse students and to identify teacher suggestions for needed resources and training. Gay’s culturally responsive teaching theory formed the conceptual framework that guided this study. The research questions focused on providing K—5 teacher perceptions about their challenges of implementing CRT practices with culturally diverse students and about their suggestions for resources and …
Teacher Perspectives Regarding Low Teacher Retention In Rural Primary Schools In Tanzania, Tumaini Urio Morgan
Teacher Perspectives Regarding Low Teacher Retention In Rural Primary Schools In Tanzania, Tumaini Urio Morgan
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Tanzania, similar to other nations in Sub-Saharan Africa, has been experiencing a severe teacher shortage. The problem that was addressed is that factors influencing rural primary school teachers’ decision to continue teaching in Northeast Tanzania are unknown. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to investigate teachers’ perceptions on teaching in rural primary schools in Northeast Tanzania and the reasons why they remain. This study was guided by self-efficacy theory, a subset of Bandura's social cognitive theory. This descriptive qualitative study explored how rural primary school teachers in northeast Tanzania describe the challenges that cause them to consider abandoning …
K-5 Teachers' Perceptions Of Culturally Responsive Teaching Challenges In Mathematics, Nataine Latoya Grant
K-5 Teachers' Perceptions Of Culturally Responsive Teaching Challenges In Mathematics, Nataine Latoya Grant
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The problem for this study was that K-5 teachers in a northeastern school district were challenged to implement culturally responsive teaching (CRT) practices in mathematics instruction. The purpose of this study was to explore K–5 teachers' perceptions about the challenges of using CRT practices in mathematics with culturally diverse students and to identify teacher suggestions for needed resources and training. Gay’s culturally responsive teaching theory formed the conceptual framework that guided this study. The research questions focused on providing K—5 teacher perceptions about their challenges of implementing CRT practices with culturally diverse students and about their suggestions for resources and …
How Elementary School Principals Manage Their Workload, Cynthia Ann Mccabe
How Elementary School Principals Manage Their Workload, Cynthia Ann Mccabe
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Elementary school principals in a suburban, Mid-Atlantic public school system may face challenges when balancing their workload. This problem is significant as an elementary school principal’s workload could contribute to ineffective leadership. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how these principals balance their workload and obtain their perceptions of the administrative support required to meet the daily challenges of their job. The conceptual framework is Gronn’s distributed leadership model which is based on the purposeful sharing and disseminating of leadership responsibilities. The research questions explored how elementary school principals describe the challenges they have in balancing …
Administrator Perceptions Of Truancy Support For Rural Elementary Students, Jennifer Lynn Douthit
Administrator Perceptions Of Truancy Support For Rural Elementary Students, Jennifer Lynn Douthit
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
This study focused on the support administrators give to truant elementary rural students in a southeastern state using a qualitative approach. Students must be accustomed to attending school daily. Chronic absence in kindergarten foretells low classroom success levels at the end of 5th grade. The problem addressed in this study was that administrators are challenged to support students with a high rate of truancy in rural elementary schools in the southeastern United States. The purpose and research question of this study was to investigate how administrators support truant elementary rural students in a southeastern state. The situational leadership theory was …
Elementary School Principals’ Perceptions Regarding Instructional Leadership Practices Supporting Character Education, Dawn Angela Engle
Elementary School Principals’ Perceptions Regarding Instructional Leadership Practices Supporting Character Education, Dawn Angela Engle
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
AbstractThe problem addressed in this project study was that principals at the elementary schools under study had been inconsistent in applying instructional leadership practices (ILP) supporting character education (CE). The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of elementary school principals regarding ILP to support CE. The instructional leadership model was the conceptual framework guiding the study. The research question asked what practices elementary school principals implement to support CE in their schools. A basic qualitative research design with purposive sampling was used to select elementary school principals who were state-certified and administrators for at least 2 years. …
Educator And Parent Collaborative Literacy Support In A Title I School, Larhonda Young
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 …
Understanding The Effects Of Mathematics Professional Development On Teachersâ Perceptions Of Mathematics, Mike Flynn
Understanding The Effects Of Mathematics Professional Development On Teachersâ 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 teachersâ 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 teachersâ perceptions. The study purpose was to gain a deeper understanding of what elements of a PD course have the greatest effect on improving teachersâ perceptions of mathematics. Piagetâs constructivist and Vygotskyâs socio-constructivism theories made up …
Influence Of Administrators Support On Third Grade Student Behavior In Schools, Alicia Vink
Influence Of Administrators Support On Third Grade Student Behavior In Schools, Alicia Vink
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Research indicated that teachers' perceptions of administrator support behaviors, behavioral interventions, and students' classroom behaviors have a strong connection to students' academic outcomes. A lack of administrator support practices present challenges to teachers' effectiveness and students' academic and social success. The purpose of this quantitative study was to address the relationships among teachers' perceptions of administrator support, the FAST (Families and Schools Together) behavioral intervention program, and teachers' perceptions of student classroom behavior. Spillane's distributed leadership theory was used as a framework. The data were a subset of archival data from a target population of approximately 200 teachers working at …
Public Elementary School Teachers' Experiences With Implementing Outdoor Classrooms, Lori Schultz Goff
Public Elementary School Teachers' Experiences With Implementing Outdoor Classrooms, Lori Schultz Goff
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Children experience limited time outdoors and have few opportunities for outdoor learning in schools, putting them at risk for being unprepared to engage in solving environmental and societal problems. Researchers have examined outdoor learning at the preschool and high school levels; elementary school experiences have been explored less frequently. Guided by a conceptual framework informed by social emotional learning (SEL), ecological literacy, and teacher self-efficacy, this study investigated public school elementary teachers' experiences with outdoor classrooms including barriers and supports to creating and using outdoor classrooms. A qualitative design using in-depth interviews with interpretive phenomenological analysis techniques was conducted with …
Elementary Teachers' Self Efficacy For Improving Student Achievement, Regina Ann Epps
Elementary Teachers' Self Efficacy For Improving Student Achievement, Regina Ann Epps
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The local problem that prompted this study was declining student achievement scores in the 4th and 5th grades at a Title 1 elementary school in the southeastern U.S. As a result, school administrators initiated an environmental change from a self-contained classroom structure to departmentalization and team teaching for 4th and 5th grades. The purpose of the study was to investigate perspectives of teachers and administrators regarding their needs to address their own self-efficacy for improving student learning, and their perspectives of the team teaching and departmentalization processes in enhancing student achievement. The conceptual framework for this study was Bandura's theory …
Elementary Teachers' Experiences Integrating Technology With Literacy Instruction, Valerie Coward-Vaughn
Elementary Teachers' Experiences Integrating Technology With Literacy Instruction, Valerie Coward-Vaughn
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Elementary educators at the urban elementary school in this study struggled with technology-enhanced literacy pedagogy to increase student success. The purpose of this case study was to examine the extent to which educators built relationships between technology and teaching to improve student success. The study was guided by Venkatesh's unified theory of acceptance which was used to examine how educators accept and use technology in literacy instruction. The research questions examined teachers' perceptions of how they can build better relationships with technology and teaching to enhance student literacy success and their perceptions of administrative and district support services to enhance …
Examining The Intersection Of Teachers' Expectations, African American Males, And Equitable Strategies, Adell Cothorne
Examining The Intersection Of Teachers' Expectations, African American Males, And Equitable Strategies, Adell Cothorne
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Elementary African American males achieve proficiency at a lower rate than their peers in both reading and math. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand how elementary school teachers described their use of equitable strategies in teaching elementary African American male students, how these teachers described the experience of teaching African American male students, and how they used equitable strategies to shape the classroom environment to engage African American male students. Two theories provided the conceptual framework for this study-human development theory and critical race theory in education. Seven participants were selected through convenience sampling. Semistructured interviews …
Descriptions Of Differentiated Instruction In Mathematics In A Title 1 School District, Sheril Bulley-Simpson
Descriptions Of Differentiated Instruction In Mathematics In A Title 1 School District, Sheril Bulley-Simpson
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In an urban Title 1 school district, the average number of Grade 3-5 students who scored proficient or advanced on the state standardized assessment was 37.3% below Grade 3-5 students countywide and 19.4% below Grade 3-5 students statewide. Low mathematics scores may indicate a gap in practice that affects student achievement. The purpose of this descriptive case study was to examine teachers' descriptions of instructional strategies implemented to mediate instruction for students who struggle in mathematics. This study was based on the conceptual framework of Tomlinson's differentiated instruction (DI), a means of accommodating the varied ways that students learn. The …
Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Regarding The Use Of Data Decision-Making For Instructional Practice, Joy Simon Swain
Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Regarding The Use Of Data Decision-Making For Instructional Practice, Joy Simon Swain
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
At an elementary school in the northeastern region of the United States elementary teachers struggled with using data to make instructional decisions. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore elementary teachers' perceptions about how their teaching experiences prepared them to use data to make lesson decisions. The theoretical-conceptual frameworks of this study were Bandura's self-efficacy, a theoretical framework of data use at the building level, and organizational routines framework. The data collected from interviewing eight elementary teachers revealed their perceptions of having to use data to make lesson decisions and how these perceptions influence their teaching practices. The …
Elementary Teachers' Affective Relationship With Mathematics And Its Influence On Mathematics Instruction, Kelly Kreitzer Sutton
Elementary Teachers' Affective Relationship With Mathematics And Its Influence On Mathematics Instruction, Kelly Kreitzer Sutton
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In a South Carolina school district, approximately 45% of 3rd-5th grade students performed poorly on the state mathematics test. K-5 teachers attended district training to improve mathematics instruction and content mastery, but the training omitted teachers' affective domain in teaching. Teachers' affective relationships with mathematics (ARM) affects content delivery, instructional decisions, and teachers' confidence levels and motivation. The purpose of this sequential mixed methods study was to investigate whether teachers' years of experience, grade levels taught, or past mathematics experiences influenced K-5 teachers' ARM, as measured by the ARM survey, and to explore teachers' perceptions of their ARM in instruction. …
An Elementary Perspective Of The Value-Added Model, Pat Mccoy
An Elementary Perspective Of The Value-Added Model, Pat Mccoy
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In a small, rural school district in the southeastern United States, elementary school teachers were receiving positive evaluation ratings while student proficiency on state assessments was below the state average. Due to changes in federal and state laws, school personnel evaluate methods have undergone significant reform. The purpose of this study was to answer the guiding research questions of teachers and administrators perceptions toward the value-added model (VAM) of evaluation and how those perceptions affect teacher performance. Taylor's scientific management theory, which suggests examining human productivity through the lens of applied science served as the conceptual framework. Data were collected …
Elementary Literacy Coaching In A Florida School District, Crystal Jacqueline Tessmann
Elementary Literacy Coaching In A Florida School District, Crystal Jacqueline Tessmann
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Literacy coaching is a widely implemented method for increasing teacher effectiveness and student learning. However, literacy coaches, teachers, and administrators from various countries have expressed confusion and concerns regarding this method. In the current research setting, literacy coaching was implemented to improve reading test scores with inconsistent results. Cultural historical activity theory was used as the theoretical framework for this sequential explanatory mixed-methods research that explored literacy coaching relationships in the research site from the teachers' perspectives. Phase 1 research questions examined (a) differences between the amount of time coaches spent with teachers, (b) components of coaching teachers found most/least …
Implementing Elementary School Next Generation Science Standards, Kathy Kennedy
Implementing Elementary School Next Generation Science Standards, Kathy Kennedy
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards requires developing elementary teacher content and pedagogical content knowledge of science and engineering concepts. Teacher preparation for this undertaking appears inadequate with little known about how in-service Mid-Atlantic urban elementary science teachers approach this task. The purpose of this basic qualitative interview study was to explore the research questions related to perceived learning needs of 8 elementary science teachers and 5 of their administrators serving as instructional leaders. Strategies needed for professional growth to support learning and barriers that hamper it at both building and district levels were included. These questions were considered …
Technology Integration By General Education Teachers Of English Language Learners, Marie Simone Anglin
Technology Integration By General Education Teachers Of English Language Learners, Marie Simone Anglin
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
There is a growing population of English language learners (ELLs) in elementary schools across the United States, and a current academic achievement gap between ELLs and non-ELLs. Researchers have found that integration of Web 2.0 tools has benefitted ELLs in language learning settings, outside of the general classroom. The research problem addressed in this study, based on TPACK, explored general education teachers' experiences with integrating Web 2.0 technology to support academic language acquisition by ELLs and revealed the successes and challenges the teachers encountered. The 6 female participants in this qualitative interview study were required to have experience (a) as …
A Study Of Instructional Methods On Fourth Grade Reading Achievement, Benita Jessup
A Study Of Instructional Methods On Fourth Grade Reading Achievement, Benita Jessup
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a significant percent of 4th grade students read below the basic level. In one elementary school students participated in additional reading instruction as intervention for students scoring basic and below basic on the state standardized test. The purpose of this ex post facto non-experimental quantitative study was to determine the effectiveness of direct instruction versus fluency (repeated reading) instruction on the reading achievement of 4th grade students. This study is based on the theory of automatic information processing in reading and the theory of prosody. The overarching research question for this study …
Teacher Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Inclusion In Elementary Classroom Settings, Delicia Peacock Peacock
Teacher Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Inclusion In Elementary Classroom Settings, Delicia Peacock Peacock
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Inclusion classrooms were introduced in the United States in 1990 when the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act required that special education students be instructed in a general education setting. Ensuing changes in instructional formats have caused role confusion for special and general education teachers, resulted in mixed attitudes toward teacher responsibilities, and lowered teachers' sense of efficacy about being able to teach their students. Guided by Deci and Ryan's self-determination theory, this bounded case study design in a rural elementary school in a southeastern state was used to understand the perceptions of general and special educators regarding their work in …
Parent And Principals' Perceptions Of Cyberbullying In 21st Century Rural Elementary Schools, Kathleen Virginia Hosterman
Parent And Principals' Perceptions Of Cyberbullying In 21st Century Rural Elementary Schools, Kathleen Virginia Hosterman
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Cyberbullying is a common form of harassment and aggression engaged in by today's youth. This phenomenon is affecting primary-school-aged children as technology devices are now made available to elementary school students in rural settings. Based on the framework of Bandura's social cognitive theory, this mixed methods project study included a survey to quantitatively investigate the associations between parental knowledge of the phenomenon of cyberbullying and children's grade levels, and a focus group to gather qualitative data from school principals regarding their perceptions of the extent and impact of cyberbullying in 4 rural elementary schools in Massachusetts. Due to highly skewed …
Improving Instruction For English Language Learners Through The Development Of Coteaching, Anna Parrish
Improving Instruction For English Language Learners Through The Development Of Coteaching, Anna Parrish
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Researchers have described how a missing element in instructional services for English language learners is effective collaboration between general education and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) teachers. This collaboration is vital to the success of English language learners. This multisite case study was designed to gain insight into current practices and how to improve collaboration between educators in a way that improves instructional services for English language learners. Knowles' theory of andragogy, the transfer of learning theory, and constructivism were used as a basis for analyzing educators' perspectives and instructional practices. Two sites were selected for the study-one …
Teachers' Perceptions Of The Influence Of Professional Development On Music Integration, Marcy Thurmond Simmons
Teachers' Perceptions Of The Influence Of Professional Development On Music Integration, Marcy Thurmond Simmons
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
International Baccalaureate (IB) schools are focused on a school-wide approach to developing inquiring students who are motivated to succeed. The problem explored in this case study was based on a local IB elementary school's response to a reform model to integrate music into other content areas. The curriculum lacked an interdisciplinary approach to music education even though teachers had participated in some professional development (PD) to help them integrate music into content areas. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of elementary teachers regarding the influence of professional development on music integration at the IB elementary school. …
Parent Involvement Practices Of High Achieving Elementary Science Students, Samara Susan Waller
Parent Involvement Practices Of High Achieving Elementary Science Students, Samara Susan Waller
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
This study addressed a prevalence of low achievement in science courses in an urban school district in Georgia. National leaders and educators have identified the improvement of science proficiency as critical to the future of American industry. The purpose of this study was to examine parent involvement in this school district and its contribution to the academic achievement of successful science students. Social capital theory guided this study by suggesting that students achieve best when investments are made into their academic and social development. A collective case study qualitative research design was used to interview 9 parent participants at 2 …
Supporting Elementary Teachers In Effective Writing Instruction Through Professional Development, Whitney Nash Young
Supporting Elementary Teachers In Effective Writing Instruction Through Professional Development, Whitney Nash Young
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for writing have created a challenge for teachers at an urban elementary school as they struggled to provide effective writing instruction to support the rigorous expectations of the standards. The purpose of this study was to explore elementary teachers' lived experiences of instruction and better understand instructional writing procedures and strategies. The conceptual framework of this study was based on Dennick's work for incorporating educational theory into teaching practices, which combined elements of constructivist, experiential, and humanist learning theories. Research questions investigated how teachers perceived the impact of the CCSS writing standards on their practice …
The Relationship Between Family, Personal, And School Variables And The Math Achievement Of Elementary Students, Regina Wicker Kerr
The Relationship Between Family, Personal, And School Variables And The Math Achievement Of Elementary Students, Regina Wicker Kerr
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
School administrators and teachers must determine the factors most associated with academic success in order to meet the academic needs of all students. Researchers have identified general risk factors such as student socioeconomic status (SES), but there may be additional unidentified factors correlated to student achievement. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between a set of school, family, and personal demographic variables and students' math achievement. Bandura's social learning theory, Vygotsky's zone of proximal development, and Feurestein's mediated learning experience served as the guiding frameworks for this study. A descriptive correlational design was used to examine …