Early Childhood Education Commons^™

Bridging The Gap: A Qualitative Case Study Of Pre-K Teachers' Literacy Professional Development Needs In The Context Of Georgia's Early Literacy Act (Hb 538), Deborah Lissimore

Dissertations

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how school-based pre-K teachers in Georgia perceived their literacy professional development needs within the context of the Georgia Early Literacy Act, House Bill 538, and to examine the role of teacher leadership in supporting their professional learning. Although the Act established evidence-based literacy requirements and professional learning expectations for kindergarten through third grade educators, comparable supports for school-based pre-K teachers were not clearly defined. Participants included five certified pre-K teachers employed in a Georgia public school district. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and researcher field notes, with member …

Teaching Difficult Histories: An Exploratory Case Study Of Teacher Experiences And Student Demonstrations Of Historical Empathy In A Cdf Freedom School, Michael T. Miller

Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored two research questions: What did CDF Freedom School teachers experience while teaching elementary and middle school students how to learn history with a critical lens? How did CDF Freedom School students’ work demonstrate historical empathy and perspective-taking? Using secondary data collected by Dr. Johari Harris from the Summer 2023 CDF Freedom School in Charlottesville, VA, a thematic analysis was conducted of exit interviews from four teachers, classroom observation data from one teacher, and writing samples from students in grades 3-8 in response to materials from the Educating for Democracy curriculum. Themes were created from teacher …

Qualitative Phenomenography: Sustaining Motivations Of Black Women Principals In Pk-5 Title I Schools, Kahliah C. Rachel

Dissertations

Black women principals remain underrepresented in educational leadership, yet they are disproportionately assigned to PK-5 Title I schools, where complex academic, social, and political demands converge. Limited research examines what sustains these leaders over time, particularly in roles marked by intersecting oppressions of race and gender. Grounded in Black feminist thought and intersectionality, this qualitative phenomenographic study explored the sustaining motivations of six Black women who currently served or had served as principals in a PK-5 Title I school in Georgia. The purpose of this study was to describe the different ways these principals understood and experienced the internal and …

From Wind To Wonder: Libraries And Storytelling At The Heart Of Urban Education, Angiah L. Davis

Georgia Library Quarterly

Georgia State University’s (GSU) Alonzo A. Crim Center for Urban Educational Excellence partnered with the Jim Cherry Learning Resources Center at GSU's Clarkston Library to launch an innovative literacy initiative during the 19th annual GSU Sources Pre‑Conference. Anchored by the theme “Seeing Ourselves in the Algorithmic Future of Education,” the program examined how emerging technologies intersect with creativity, literacy, community problem solving, and storytelling. This article shares the program’s design and impact, illustrating how cross‑institutional partnerships can foster inclusive literacy practices and prepare learners to navigate and shape the algorithmic futures that increasingly define educational landscapes.

Teacher Leadership And Specially Designed Instruction: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Teacher Leaders And Special Education Teachers In Elementary Settings, Tangie M. Rahming

Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of teacher leaders and special education teachers as they implemented Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) in elementary school settings. Despite SDI being a federally mandated component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), research consistently shows wide variation in how teachers interpret, deliver, and sustain SDI in real classrooms. Limited professional development, inconsistent coaching structures, and varying understandings of SDI across schools contribute to persistent gaps in implementation fidelity. To address these challenges, this study explored how teacher leaders support SDI implementation and how special education teachers make meaning of their instructional …

Using Iready To Support Math Intervention After The Covid-19 Pandemic, Marvin Prather

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to research the use of iReady for assisting in growing MAP RIT scores at STEAM Elementary School. This study will use quantitative methods. An ex post facto research design will be used with a causal-comparative approach, which means that a study will investigate potential cause-and-effect relationships between variables by examining existing groups or conditions that have already occurred, without actively manipulating any factors, essentially looking at “after the fact” to see if differences between groups can be linked to a potential causal variable The study examined the effect of the i-Ready Math program on …

Thinking Outside The Box: Exploring The Instructional Conversations Model Beyond English Language Learners Into Gifted Learners, Terri Thornton

Dissertations

Gifted students, characterized by exceptional intellectual abilities and unique learning needs, often find themselves navigating an educational landscape that may not fully cater to their specific requirements. Traditional teaching methods may fall short of engaging and challenging these students to realize their full potential. This dissertation delves into the efficacy of instructional conversations as an innovative pedagogical approach tailored to the distinctive learning profiles of gifted students. Through a comprehensive examination of relevant literature, theoretical frameworks, and empirical evidence, this study seeks to illuminate the impact of instructional conversations on the academic, social, and emotional development of gifted learners.

The …

The Impact Establishing A Focus On Learning Through Plcs Has On Student Growth In Elementary Mathematics, Heather Hodge

Dissertations

This quantitative study examined the impact of professional learning communities (PLCs) implementing a “Focus on Learning” in a Title I school in north central Georgia. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact PLCs can have on student growth and achievement in fourth and fifth-grade mathematics, once teachers spend time identifying essential standards for their respective grade level. The researcher conducted this study during the first year of implementation, so the findings will be used to identify ways to build and improve PLCs at their school in order to increase student growth and achievement in mathematics.

Evaluating The Need For Professional Learning That Highlights Proficient Teaching Strategies For Students With Autism In The Elementary Environment, Allison Norman

Dissertations

There is an increase in the identification of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) throughout the country. There is also an emphasis on inclusion within the classrooms in the country. This qualitative study addresses the need for teachers to grasp more knowledge about Autism so that they can help children with autism have better access to the general education curriculum and increase support for success in the classroom. Through an action research project, this study aimed to gauge elementary school teachers' existing knowledge about Autism and identify areas where they desired further education. The study involved surveying teachers to understand …

Connection Before Correction: The Impact Of Restorative Practices On Students With Disabilities, Katrina Shirley

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Dissertations

As an alternative to zero tolerance discipline policies that focus on punitive, exclusionary, and often predetermined consequences for a disruptive behavior, many educators in schools across the United States have started implementing restorative practices (RP) in their classrooms. RP focus on building relationships and classroom community. Educators implement RP as a preventative behavioral strategy for community building, but also as a responsive strategy to handle conflict in order to repair harm and restore relationships. Current research on RP include quantitative studies, many resulting in a reduction of exclusionary discipline, or qualitative studies with participants in middle and high school. This …

General Education Teacher Challenges With Teaching English Learners In The Mainstream Classroom: A Qualitative Study Of 3rd-5th Grade Elementary General Education And Esol Teachers’ Perceptions, Joanne Gauthier

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Dissertations

This qualitative study focused on the challenges that 3rd through 5th grade general education teachers faced while supporting and teaching English Learner (EL) students in the classroom from the perspectives of general education and ESOL teachers, based on their experiences in the classroom. This study took place at an urban Title 1 elementary school in the southeastern United States. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the teacher challenges surrounding EL instruction and its impact on student achievement. The theoretical frameworks that informed this study were culturally responsive teaching and critical teacher leadership. Several data gathering …

Powerful Partnerships: Examining Home-School Engagement In The Virtual Setting, Joshua Scott-Pineda

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

Over the years, establishing, maintaining, and expanding partnerships with families has proven to be a challenging task. Although there have been legislative efforts to improve the situation, they have been ineffective. Researchers have identified two possible causes: inadequate communication, or low parent self-efficacy. Then, a global pandemic upended everything, and schools had to completely shift to remote option, prompting a need to reevaluate engagement strategies altogether. This project aimed to investigate the views of experts, examine the communication strategies implemented by skilled teachers, and propose small modifications that could enhance the bidirectional relationship between schools and families.

Critical Reflections In Stem Education, Jessica R. Stephenson Reaves, Anna Maria Arias

KSU Distinguished Course Repository

The purpose of this course is to foster abilities to teach, assess, and critically reflect on STEM learning that supports authentic engagement in interdisciplinary design and inquiry. Students will engage in making connections to STEM research literature with learning and teaching practice. Field placement in a K-5 learning environment is required for this course, which is typically fulfilled through a candidate’s full time teaching position. Other arrangements are permitted but not provided. This placement is the responsibility of the candidate.

Finding Their Chrysanthemum: Linguistic Representation In Children's Literature, Marielena Zajac

Master of Arts in Professional Writing Capstones

Children in America today struggle with finding themselves in the books they read due to societal expectations. From an early age, children are dictated on the correct way to speak and write in “American,” which can leave children and their home languages feeling unseen and dismissed. To help further the conversation and promotion of linguistic diversity in American society, this capstone analyzes dialectal representation in children’s books, with a heavy focus on attitudinal linguistic principles rather than prescriptive mechanics. The secondary research explores current literature and resources that discuss literacy acquisition in adolescents, trends in dialects in America, and childhood …

The Analysis Of Home In Children's Picture Books, Lynn Auguste, Jinhee Kim

Symposium of Student Scholars

The continued implication, either implicit or explicit of the word “Home” in children’s books has brought researchers from all over the world to investigate the topic and try to explain the true meaning of home and why it matters in children’s literature. Home does not always imply physical building as most people tend to think; there is more to it than just construction. The purpose of the research is to analyze how the home is represented in children’s books. By doing this, the research intends to provide a better understanding of the home and discuss what should be considered when …

A Structured Literacy Approach To Support Striving Readers In Secondary Grades: Meaningful Transactions Through Morphological Awareness And Fluency Building, Samantha Bart-Addison, Robert A. Griffin

Georgia Journal of Literacy

A high school English teacher and a university literacy professor provide secondary teachers with structured literacy strategies to support striving readers in the middle and high school grades. The authors present strategies that can be utilized with diverse texts across learning contexts. As a structured literacy approach, morphological awareness and prosodic fluency are emphasized to foster deeper, more meaningful transactions between students and texts. An example of a full structured literacy lesson is also provided that includes multiple strategies and is based on a gradual release model with guided and independent reading cycles. Applicable strategies for delivery of these skills …

Connecting A Community Through A Family Literacy Project And Virtual Writing Collaboration: University Students Facilitate Access To Literature During The Pandemic, Anne Katz Ph.D., Alexandria Sledge-Tollerson B.A. In Early Childhood Education

Georgia Journal of Literacy

The importance of accessing and sharing children’s literature took on new meaning as educators pivoted to remote and online learning models over the course of the past school year. In light of the pandemic, College of Education pre-service educators enrolled in a Fall 2020 Language and Literacy Development course (which is usually scheduled to meet face-to-face twice a week) was re-structured as hybrid, where a group of students were scheduled to meet partially face-to-face and partially online on a weekly basis. I planned to adapt my family literacy project collaboration with a local community center, an academic service learning assignment …

Culturally Relevant Teaching For The 21st Century: The Success And Challenges Of Pre-Service Teachers When Using Technology In Critical Ways, Virginie Jackson, Stacy Delacruz, Dominique Harry

Georgia Journal of Literacy

This case study examined pre-service teachers' use of technology as they implemented culturally relevant literacy lessons while tutoring elementary students in their field placement sites. As we enter a new decade, we want our students to be future-ready with technology skills. Here, we present an examination of how pre-service teachers integrated culturally relevant teaching with technology along with a discussion of the tools and devices their students used. Findings provided evidence that as pre-service teachers experienced authentic and engaging learning experiences within a supportive space, they emerged equipped to teach in culturally responsive ways that supported student learning and deeper …

Education In Australia/ New Zealand Vs United States, Lauryn Calloway

Symposium of Student Scholars

The purpose of this research paper is to examine the possible differences between the education systems in Australia/ New Zealand versus the Education system in the United States. This paper will cover a variety of topics such as Early Childhood Education Goals and Outcomes, Birthing process, midwifery, and home births, Parenting for neonatal and early childhood, Intervention strategies with young children and their families, Minorities in the country and educational support for them, Teacher education, qualification, and benefits, EECE Policy Reviews and other useful information. The goals are to research and compare the results to one another.

Keywords: Goals, …

Promoting Bilingualism And Biculturalism In Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Families In South Korea, Jooeun Kim

Symposium of Student Scholars

In 2006, the South Korean government set forth a policy supporting Korean education for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) children, indicating they were incapable of learning “proper” Korean under foreign parents (Hong, 244). Considering how such children continue to be deprived of the right to acquire mother tongue in the South Korea, there have been recent efforts to develop bilingual coaching programs. In the long run, examining how it can be practically implemented and sustained as a helpful program can contribute to CLD children’s bilingual and bicultural development. The current study aims to explore perspectives and experiences of bilingual coaches …

Native Americans: Invisible Mirrors & Cracked Windows, Ashley Sadler

Symposium of Student Scholars

The purpose of this project was to analyze the traditional narrative in relation to how Native Americans are depecited in public schools across America. The traditional narrative, which can consist of textbooks, literature, videos, etc. often present inaccurate, harmful, and ignorant stereotypes about Native Americans to students. Often the instructional methods related to the subject of Native Americans provide students with little to no opportunities to explore both their history and cultures in multiple manners. Often presented as a monolithic group, the traditional narrative has done little to present Native Americans in a dynamic, positive, and realistic manner. Focusing on …

The Impact Of Reinforcer Preference And Variation On Response Rates In Preschool-Aged Children, Jason M. Aldridge

Symposium of Student Scholars

The Impact of Reinforcer Preference and Variation on

Response Rates in Preschool-Aged Children

J. Malachi Aldridge1, Allison L. Martin1, Alicia K. Mitchell2

1. Kennesaw State University

2. Appleseeds Behavioral Center

In the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, tangible items (i.e. toys) are often used to help learners meet goals in academic, social, and adaptive living skills. While use of high preference reinforcers has been linked to improved performance, repeated use of a single item can cause satiation and reduce effectiveness. Using a variety of reinforcers can allow therapists to minimize these satiation effects (Bowman et al., 1997; Koehler & Iwata, …

Where Are We With Education About Mental Health And Illness: A Survey Research, Symphony Williams

Symposium of Student Scholars

The purpose of my research is to investigate public awareness of mental health and illness. This study is paramount because of the mental health crisis our world faces today. I conducted a survey research in which I used Google Forms and asked a series of questions about the participants’ education, experiences, and opinions on mental health and illness. The total participants were 67. The analysis of survey responses resulted in several findings. First, 34.3% of the 67 participants had a diagnosed mental illness, and 72% of those participants suffer from some form of depression while 77.8% suffer from anxiety. These …

Still A Forgotten War? Investigation Of College Students' Understanding Of The Korean War., Symphony Williams

Symposium of Student Scholars

The purpose of my research is to investigate how much and what knowledge college students have on the Korean War. This study is important because the Korean War is often referred to as a “forgotten war” but is a significant event in American history, as well as an ongoing issue in today’s world. Investigation into what college students know and believe about the Korean War, as well as, where and when they learned this information, is critical in evaluating and reforming how the Korean War is taught in US schools. I designed a survey using Google Forms, and gathered results …

Nigerian Educational System And What Influences It Has On Young Children, Alexandria Alexander

Symposium of Student Scholars

The motives for this study on Nigeria is to compare it to that of the U.S. and to explore their educational system and the impact it has on ECE Programs. While contrasting these two educational systems we will focus on the countries literacy rate, how learners are supported in their education, and is there any access to early childhood care and educational services. My information is mainly based off of literature review. However, it can be considered as a qualitative study because I also conducted an interview with A Nigerian native. In conclusion my research methods adopted are both a …

Letter From The Editor, Shannon Tovey

Georgia Journal of Literacy

Editorial by Shannon Tovey, Editor-in-Chief

Immigration Picture Books By #Ownvoices Authors, Sanjuana C. Rodriguez, Karina Gonzalez, Carolina Rojas

Georgia Journal of Literacy

Reviews of Latinx immigration picture books

Seeking Calm Among The Chaos: A Letter From The Editor, Shannon Tovey

Georgia Journal of Literacy

A letter from the Editor of the Georgia Journal of Literacy

Letter From The Editor

Georgia Journal of Literacy

A Letter from the Editor

A Book Review Of The Writing Strategies Book, Dale Suzanne Ioannides

Georgia Journal of Literacy

Instructional Coach Dale Ioannides shares a review of Jennifer Sarravallo's The Writing Strategies book.