Exploring The Experiences Of Chinese Heritage Language Learners In California Public High Schools: A Mixed Methods Study, Min Chuan Jasmine Wang

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to comprehend the motivations and learning experiences of Chinese Heritage Language Learners (CHLLs) who study in Chinese programs in California public high schools where Chinese American students are under-studied and their voices are not heard. The study used Gardner’s Socio-educational Model, Fishman’s Reversing Language Shift (RLS), and Asian Critical Theory (AsianCrit) as the theoretical frameworks for the investigation. The methodology of this study applied the mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, starting with an online survey data collection and following up with interviews with CHLLs and language teachers. The researcher then conducted classroom observations to support …

Becoming A Bilingual Teacher On The Border: Developing Ideological Clarity At A Hispanic-Serving Institution, Laura J. Salazar

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

As teacher education programs encourage more candidates to pursue bilingual certification, a need exists to improve the ways that preservice teachers (PSTs) are prepared to teach in bilingual classrooms. Research suggests the importance of preparing PSTs in the area of linguistic ideological clarity. Scholars define ideological clarity as an ongoing process through which individuals can critically consider their ideological orientations as well as dominant ideologies that favor those in power, with an aim of becoming agents of change through this process (Alfaro & Bartolomé, 2017). This case study sought to understand the opportunities that bilingual PSTs have to develop ideological …

Teacher Language Ideologies Concerning The Reclassification Of Emergent Bilingual Students: Navigating The Levels Of Power In Reclassification, Claudia Cabrera

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Reclassification is a crucial educational student outcome when a school system determines that a student is English proficient and ready for mainstream instruction without language support services (Umansky et al., 2020). This study examined the relationship between crucial and complex language ideologies of dual language teachers and the reclassification of emergent bilingual students1.. Language ideologies were the theoretical framework for the study through which the voices of dual language teachers were captured. The analysis of data sources, including teacher interviews, classroom observations and evidence of biliteracy development, helped to understand and reveal how dual language teachers navigate the dynamics of …

Developing Hispanic Pre-Service Elementary Bilingual Teachers’ Cultural Competence And Teacher Identity Through Mixed Reality Simulation, Yajaira A. Flores

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the constant migration of diverse populations, multicultural communities are developing across North America. As a result, multi-culturally diverse classrooms are multiplying (Allen et al., 2017). Our pre-service teachers must be multi-culturally prepared to enter diverse classrooms and effectively teach students without implicit bias (Ladson-Billings, 1995; Banks, 2010; Paris, 2017). Pre-service teachers' identity and cultural competence should be prioritized in teacher preparation programs. Using Latino/a Critical Race Theory (LatCrit), Practice-Based Learning, and Teacher Identity as conceptual frameworks, this study will answer how Mixed Reality Simulation (MRS) may be used as a teacher preparation tool (Aguilar & Flores, 2022) to …

More Than A Monolith: Three Essays On The Diverse Journey Of Immigrant Students And Their Postsecondary Outcomes, Rian Rinaldi Djita

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

For many years, the United States (U.S.) has been the country with the largest number of immigrants. As a result, policy about immigrant students’ success becomes crucial since it carries not only ethical implications but also economic and societal implications. While there have been other alternatives for students’ success, such as Career and Technical Education (CTE), undeniably, college is still seen as a common pathway to success (e.g., Choi, 2015; Heckman et al., 2018; Turner, 2004). Unfortunately, there are several gaps in the literature on immigrant students’ success and postsecondary outcomes. First, while there is an increasing number of immigrants …

Becoming A Bicultural High School Teacher In The United States: An Autoethnography Of A Latina Educator, Silvina Jover

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This research was guided by two autoethnographic questions, namely: How does autoethnography enable understanding of the needs of emergent bilinguals in the sociopolitical context of local and federal language policies in the United States? As well as extended by the following ancillary questions: a. What are the patterns and variations that emerge from journal entries crafted by the author of this study? And b. What are the patterns and variations that emerge from state and national news pieces between the years 2015 and 2020?

This narrative serves not only to present the challenges encountered within the field of multicultural education …

Impact Of Reclassification Of Assessments Tests Of English Language Proficiency Assessments For California (Elpac) On The English Language Learners, Nivardo Martinez Nunez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The reclassification process of English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) significantly impacted the English Language Learners (ELLs) in educational settings. This senior capstone examines the multifaceted impacts of reclassification of assessment tests of ELPAC on the ELLs, and discusses its implications for academic achievement, language proficiency development, and socio-emotional well-being on them. Through a comprehensive review of literature, interviews with English language teaches and anonymous survey for middle school and high school students, the findings indicated that there are benefits as well as challenges for the ELL students when they take the ELPAC assessment tests involving a much more …

Family Engagement: Identifying And Meeting Family Needs, Clara Beas

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Family engagement in early education is insufficient. The Early Learning Program is an agency which serves low income families by providing early childhood education and a variety of different services like health and dental screenings for children and nutrition and parenting workshops for the parents and family to do together. The project is aimed to evaluate the agency's Family Strengths and Needs assessment tool and provide updates to better serve families by focusing on areas that are lacking. As a result, the assessment language was clarified and the method of delivery improved so that future assessments will gather more accurate …

Food And Culture In Challenged Books, Noah Hawkins

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper looks at the way food and culture are intertwined and discussed in literature. I also discuss how many of these books that represent culture in America are being challenged across the country. My research takes a deeper look into why challenging these books is more harmful for students than it does good. My lesson planned is then planned around poetry and how food and culture and be a great opportunity to talk about their culture in their homes. My lesson plan aims to make students better writers as well as be able to give them a voice to …

Nuestro Futuro: Exploring Perspectives About Cultivating Bilingual & Bicultural Latinx Educators In California, Jaime Garcia Ramirez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In response to the nationwide effort to cultivate, recruit, and retain qualified bilingual and bicultural Latinx teachers and the growing demand for bilingual education in California, this qualitative study explores the perceptions of teacher educators at University X. The research considers the significant presence of emergent bilingual learners (EBLs), the increasing Latinx population, teacher shortages, and high attrition rates. The study aims to investigate how University X educators and teachers perceive initiatives designed to increase the number of bilingual and bicultural Latinx educators and their suggestions for improvement. Through a comprehensive analysis of collected data and an extensive review of …

A Historical Analysis Of Bilingual Program Implementation, Jessica Gonzalez Perez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to uncover opportunities for reimagining the dual language program. Furthermore, it aims to provide valuable insights to district leaders contemplating initiating such programs. Through an examination of the program's inception and subsequent evolution, the research will offer a comprehensive understanding of its background and development. Integral to this exploration are district leaders' and campus administrators' perspectives and viewpoints directly involved in implementing the program. Their insights will shed light on the program's journey and inform potential improvements or adaptations. Ultimately, this study endeavors to serve as a roadmap for district leaders navigating the …

Ecologies Of Teaching With Bilingual Students: Connecting Identity, Agency, And Assessment In First-Year Writing Class, Sumantha Nikole Zapata

Theses and Dissertations

As many students who graduate from high school transition into applying for college or university, they are not aware of the drastic changes that come with it. For bilingual students, this transition can be much more challenging due to their language barrier and the lack of support they may receive. The intersection of demographics, pedagogy, and linguistic agency led to the research question for this study: how can pedagogies in first-year writing classes be adjusted or developed to justly educate and assess bilingual students who are still working toward competence in English? The history of bilingual education …

Exploring Cultural Enrichment And Musical Development: The Role Of The Brazilian Ensemble In The Jazz Program At The University Of Louisville., Diego Jose Da Silva

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis undertakes the multi-dimensional study of the Brazilian ensemble as a powerful source of cultural enrichment and musical development under the jazz pedagogy framework at the University of Louisville. This paper attempts to establish the role of the ensemble in nurturing students' musical skills, promoting cultural understanding, awareness, and a sense of collaboration among the students through observation, interviews, and analysis.

“I Want To Say The Right Thing”: Developing Translingual Literacy Practices Through Early Care Educator And University Researcher Partnerships, Angie Zapata, Mary Adu-Gyamfi, Adrianna González Ybarra

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

An early care educator (ECE) and university collaborative model of teacher learning offers a distinct departure from common top-down models of professional development. Implementing a Social Design-Based Experiment, ECE and university partners collaborate to explore translingual picturebooks to address curricular inequities in their school settings. Featuring the experience of one white, middle-class ECE (Tamara) in a Midwest rural suburban school, we identify three critical components of this ECE and university researcher collaborative inquiry model: role of ECE as mentors and supporters, picturebooks as tools, and role of university partners as facilitators. Tamara’s experience highlights the critical components of the model, …

Assessing Teachers’ Dispositions Towards Culturally Responsive Pedagogy In Northwest Arkansas High Schools, Rylie Ford

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

Culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) entails the use of cultural knowledge, prior experiences, and learning styles of ethnically and culturally diverse students to make instruction more relevant and effective for them. Furthermore, practices within this pedagogy are validating, inclusive, emancipatory, and ethical, and help diverse students succeed academically while maintaining their cultural identity. Numerous studies have indicated that using culturally responsive pedagogy increases student academic achievement, sense of self, and emotional well-being (Ladson, 1995; Gay, 2018). Considering the varying degrees of cultural and linguistic diversity in Northwest Arkansas (NWA) schools and the lack of reported professional development relating to CRP, this …

Books As Bridges: Utilizing Multicultural Literature To Foster Connection, Representation, And Inclusivity In Student Education, Elizabeth Vega

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Linguistic and demographic diversity is growing in classrooms across the United States however teacher demographics remain overwhelmingly composed of monolingual white women. There is great need for a bridge between cultures that honors and empowers diverse experiences. Through personal and professional experiences, I have witnessed the power of crossing cultural bridges through literature. Purpose: This study investigates the role of multicultural literature as a powerful tool to bridge cultural divides, provide authentic representation for marginalized groups, and cultivate a sense of belonging among students from various backgrounds. Methodology: This study reviewed peer-reviewed sources to gather insights into the effectiveness …

Exploradores De Idiomas: High School Led Spanish Lessons, Lauren Sebring

Honors Projects

To better understand how to educate U.S. students to be global citizens, this applied research project will investigate how cities can begin to incorporate small language programs into their communities in order to create more opportunities for students to become bilingual and develop global competence.

Telehealth: A Rising Intervention For Latina Mothers Experiencing Prenatal And Postpartum Depression, Britney Gutierrez

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Abstract: Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is high among Latina women but often goes unrecognized and untreated. Recognition and management of PPD in this population is crucial as PPD contributes to negative health effects on the mother and infant. Purpose: This research aims to look into telehealth to improve screening methods and treatment for Latina mothers through a Spanish mobile health application that will provide screening and education on PPD. Method: This mixed-method quality improvement study will include 300 participants from an OB-GYN and Pediatrics community clinic, > 18 years old, of Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, Spanish speaking, currently pregnant, or had a child …

Addressing The Physical Demands Of Caregiving Or Children With Disabilities In Nicaragua: A Quality Improvement Collaboration With Fne International, Grace Price

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Many caregivers of children with disabilities experience chronic pain and related symptoms of cumulative physical trauma. This type of phenomenon is particularly prevalent in developing, low-income countries where environmental accommodations may not be as accessible. A quality improvement program, was conducted as a doctoral capstone project to create resources addressing the physical needs of caregivers of children with disabilities in Nicaragua. Program participants included teachers at a school for children with disabilities and special needs in Nicaragua. The primary project deliverable consisted of conducting an in-person workshop to train the teachers with evidence-based methods for preventing chronic pain and other …

Searching For Equity Within Children's Literature: A Professor And Students' Journey Of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion And Belonging, Beth Lattanzi

Education Doctorate Dissertations

Children's literature, books written specifically for children ages birth through fourth grade, is a core resource in early childhood education and is heavily used as part of the instruction of pre-service students. Many professors of early childhood educators take great pride in their personal classroom libraries, often including favorite books from their schooling and pre-service days. A professor's personal classroom library consists of children's books used within the classroom, books used as examples, and books loaned to students for assignments. Pre-service students get excited to share their favorite books in class and in their field placements. After years of teaching …

Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, “If I Told You That A Flower Bloomed In A Dark Room, Would You Trust It?1”: A Case Study In English Language Arts Achievement, Anna E. Russell Ziegler

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the relationship between culturally responsive pedagogy and student achievement to showcase how teaching can build a more equitable learning community where all students thrive. Using a case study model, the author explores how one English teacher designed culturally responsive instructional practices to improve student performance. Analyzing data from student work, student interactions, and student conversations, I discovered instructional themes that improved learning for each student and can be transferred to classrooms across the country.

Transcultural Perspectives In English Language Education: Teaching English In The Czech Republic From An American Lens, Bailey Price

Honors Projects

This project aims to provide a thorough examination of the English language education landscape in the Czech Republic, shedding light on key aspects such as the age of initiation, fluency attainment expectations, and the influence of various educational tracks. It delves into the sociocultural factors shaping English language acquisition, including the perceived necessity of learning English, parental language practices, and generational differences in proficiency. To capture the perspectives of American English teachers working in the Czech Republic, my research explores their attitudes, expectations, and challenges. This considers factors such as the necessity of knowing the Czech language and the perception …

Input And Output In An English Classroom: A Young Learner Corpus Of English (Yolecore), Thomas Zapounidis, Marina Mattheoudakis

Journal of Educational Research and Innovation

This article highlights the need for a new type of corpus that will combine both a learner and a pedagogic corpus. The need for such a type of corpus is underlined by the interaction between input and output and the expected impact of the former on the latter within all instructional settings. Such a corpus will allow us to collect data, including teacher language, learner language, coursebook content, etc. and relate it to students’ output at specific points in time. Our study aims to present and describe the Young Learner Corpus of English (henceforth,YoLeCorE), which is an …

Cultivating Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Approaches To Social And Emotional Learning For Students With Or At-Risk For Emotional And Behavioral Dis/Abilities, Sharde Theodore, Lindsay Romano, Fanica Young, Danica Moise, Tahnee Wilder

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

School policies are largely driven by perceptions and expectations for how students should behave academically and socially, yet these practices often lack the cultural relevance and sustainability required to support racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse (RELD) students with or at risk for emotional and behavioral dis/orders (EBD). Similarly, many evidence-based practices for behavior do not consider internalizing behaviors (e.g., anxiety, toxic stress), exemplifying a critical need for equitable practices aimed at supporting the prosocial and emotional needs of RELD students with or at risk for EBD. Given the multifaceted social, emotional, and behavioral needs of RELD students with or at …

Connecting Culturally Relevant And Sustaining Education Competencies In Teacher Preparation Programs To The Experiences Of Mixed-Race Learners In K-12 Settings: A Mixed Methods Study, Marissa Wallace

Education Doctorate Dissertations

Mixed-race individuals are increasing in number within the United States population. There is limited research on mixed-race learners in K-12 school settings. This study delves into the unique educational experiences of this group of learners and provides implications for future teachers. With a focus on the Pennsylvania Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education (CR-SE) competencies, the researcher incorporates the competencies into course work and field experiences for pre-service teachers taking a course focused on literacy instruction and intervention. Quantitative, pre- and post- surveys, and qualitative data, open-ended responses, observations, and end of semester reflections were collected from pre-service teachers. Qualitative data, …

Factors Supporting Academic Engagement Among Cambodian American High School Youth, Vichet Chhuon, Angela Dosalmas, Nida Rinthapol

Journal of Southeast Asian American Education and Advancement

This exploratory study examined the relationship between Cambodian American

students’ (N = 77) attitudes and beliefs regarding school climate and school

engagement. We examined engagement through two primary constructs:

academic intrinsic motivation and future educational expectations. Four specific

correlates of engagement were examined to understand the quality of Cambodian

American students’ school engagement: sense of racial fairness; feelings of

teacher support; perceptions of self-competence; and perceptions of positive

classroom environment. Perceptions of self competence were positively

associated with higher educational expectations. Our regression models found

that students’ sense of positive classroom environment in addition to teacher

support was important …

The Wyandot Of Anderdon Nation: Meaning-Making, Constructing, And Affirming Their Tribal Identities Through Archiving Historical Documents, Elizabeth Ann Berton Reilly

Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies ETDs

This qualitative study examines how the Wyandot of Anderdon Nation makes meaning, constructs, and affirms their tribal identity. This tribe is a non-federally recognized community in Michigan.

This study employed an Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing framework, combining Critical Indigenous Research Methodology with a narrative one. I investigated how they preserve their language and culture and what that means to them. This led to an exploration into mixed-race Indigenous identities, how archiving and genealogical and tribal historical knowledge tie into creating and affirming personal identity.

This study demonstrated that there are many ways to be Wyandot and that each interviewee makes meaning, constructs, …

Immersive Japanese Language Learning Web Application Using Spaced Repetition, Active Recall, And An Artificial Intelligent Conversational Chat Agent Both In Voice And In Text, Marc Butler

MS in Computer Science Project Reports

In the last two decades various human language learning applications, spaced repetition software, online dictionaries, and artificial intelligent chat agents have been developed. However, there is no solution to cohesively combine these technologies into a comprehensive language learning application including skills such as speaking, typing, listening, and reading. Our contribution is to provide an immersive language learning web application to the end user which combines spaced repetition, a study technique used to review information at systematic intervals, and active recall, the process of purposely retrieving information from memory during a review session, with an artificial intelligent conversational chat agent both …

Assessing Higher Order Thinking In The New Jersey Social Studies Standards For Grades K-8 By Using Artificial Intelligence (Ai), Connie Sanchez

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

New Jersey consistently ranks as one of the top-performing states in the country when it comes to education. Most recently, it was ranked third in the nation. A look at the state standards in any subject shows the state works diligently to vertically align standards while also challenging students in order to better prepare them for the future and to be able to live in a global society. It is evident in looking at the New Jersey Department of Education’s standards that the planning they do is performed with an eye toward the future. The social studies standards are no …

Latinx Science Students’ Sense Of Belonging In Rural Wisconsin, Patrick Robinson, Cynthia Baeza, Luis Gonzalez-Quizhpe, Abigail Robinson, Diego Román, Katherine Ward

Journal of Extension

This study explores the sense of belonging of rural middle and high school Latinx science students in Wisconsin. Between 2000 and 2015, the Latinx population was the fastest growing ethnic group in Wisconsin and increased by 95%. Yet, little is known about the experiences of these students in rural schools or their engagement in science learning. Our research contributes to addressing this knowledge gap and provides insights into Latinx student experiences relative to the science classroom and community. Our findings indicate that a primary determinant of Latinx science students’ positive sense of belonging is a positive relationship with their teachers.