Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

Assessing The Academic Impact Of Two Adaptive Learning Technology Math Programs Using Hattie’S Visible Learning Theory, Charles C. Swan

All Theses And Dissertations

This quantitative study examined the academic impact of two adaptive learning technology math programs (Espark and iXL) alongside the social validity of teachers in a rural western Maine school district who used the program in their classrooms. Using Hattie’s Visible Learning Theory (2008) as the theoretical framework, the study tested two different hypotheses. The first hypothesis stated that both Espark and iXL would have an effect size of .40 or greater when the pre and post tests were compared. The study used the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) assessment for its pre and post assessment because it is a nationally normed …

The Lack Of Representation In Leadership At Predominantly White Institutions In The United States: A Qualitative Analysis On The Executive Leadership Pathway For African American Males, Eric Pulley

All Theses And Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of Black men in the United States who have overcome barriers to advance to leadership positions at predominantly White institutions (PWI). The qualitative phenomenological approach was used to examine three research questions that addressed the factors that encouraged Black men on their paths to pursue executive leadership positions, the obstacles they encountered, and how identifying as a Black male at a PWI affected their career pursuits. Social support theory (SST) guided the theorical framework and critical race theory (CRT) guided the conceptional framework. Interviews from six participants were used. During the interviews, …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Public High School Teachers And Instructional Coaches Participating In Virtual Instructional Coaching During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Alyson J. Manion

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of public high school teachers (grades 9-12) and instructional coaches who have participated in virtual instructional coaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three research questions guided this study: (1) How do public high school teachers and instructional coaches describe their experience with virtual instructional coaching during the COVID-19 pandemic?, (2) How do public high school teachers and instructional coaches describe the changes in instructional coaching experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic?, and (3) How do public high school teachers and instructional coaches describe their relationships with their instructional coaching …

Educators’ Perceptions Of The Universal Design For Learning Framework In Support Of Economically Disadvantaged Third And Fourth Grade Students, Luke Callahan

All Theses And Dissertations

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a set of principles that provides an innovative curriculum and instructional design framework. By eliminating learning barriers across a wide range of learner variations, UDL implementation can enhance teaching and learning. This study explored the perceptions of a sample of third and fourth-grade school teachers in a suburban school district outside of Boston, Massachusetts, implementing the principles of UDL to support the achievement of economically disadvantaged students. The constructivist theories of Vygotsky and Piaget guided the study's conceptual framework. The five prominent themes that emerged from the semi-structured interviews were (1) classroom learning environment, …

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of Public School Teachers’ Experiences While Teaching During A Pandemic, Andrew M. Bard

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of K-12 public school teachers related to stress and burnout while teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three research questions guided this study: (1) How do K-12 public school teachers describe their lived experiences while teaching during a pandemic?, (2) How do K-12 public school teachers describe their perceptions of stressors related to teaching during a pandemic?, and (3) How do K-12 public school teachers describe their experience as learners while adapting to teaching during a pandemic? Constructivism and social constructivism were applied as the conceptual and theoretical …

Factors That Correlate With Student Engagement And Success In Honors Student Theses At A New England Public Institution, Megan Williams

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the factors that correlate to successful outcomes on honors theses at an undergraduate public institution compared to findings collected from several private liberal arts colleges. Utilizing Kuh’s (2008) theory of engagement and success as a theoretical framework, this study sought to understand how participation in a single high-impact practice – a culminating senior experience – impacted sense of belonging, engagement and success in an honors senior thesis. An anonymous online survey (Trosset & Weisler, 2018) was deployed to answer two research questions: does a positive student-faculty relationship correlate to engagement and …

Examining Middle School Core Teacher Knowledge And Practices In Stem Education, Rachel Brill-Lee

All Theses And Dissertations

Many educational institutions reported challenges with achieving student success in STEM disciplines and attribute these challenges to the lack of knowledge and education among educators on how and what to teach regarding STEM education (Stehle & Peters-Burton, 2019). This qualitative case study explored how core subject teachers outside STEM/CTE education in one middle school in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States view, understand, and integrate STEM education and skills into their curriculum. The study used a combination of Likert surveys and semi-structured interviews to identify themes that may contribute to challenges many educational institutions are experiencing in regard to …

Perceptions Of Higher Education Learners And Educators Regarding The Learner-Centered Strategy Implementation: A Qualitative Single Case Study, Ngo T. Tran

All Theses And Dissertations

The problem in this study was the lack of an effective strategy implementation of learner-centered education in higher education institutions (Hoidn, 2017; Lee & Hannafin, 2016; Sabah & Du, 2018; Starkey, 2019; Sweetman, 2017). The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of higher education learners and educators on LCE strategy implementation. The study’s conceptual framework was rooted in personalized learning, and the theoretical framework employed the educational theory from Dewey (1897). Study findings included: 1. LCE is a philosophy of education that places learners and their needs at the center of the educational process. The LCE concept in …

Understanding The Perceived Impact Of Social And Emotional Learning Interventions On High School Student Success, Michelle Wright

All Theses And Dissertations

Integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) skills into instructional practices and academic content has become a priority in many school districts (CASEL, 2018). While educators and clinical professionals alike have made strides in recognizing the importance of SEL, the level of implementation across districts varies greatly (CASEL, 2018). This qualitative program evaluation explored whether school staff at a public suburban high school in the Northeastern United States perceived the implementation of various interventions aimed at increasing SEL skills of students to be successful. This study utilized semi-structured interviews to identify which interventions had been implemented by a group of school …

Perceptions Of Secondary Teachers And Post-Secondary Faculty On The Influence Of Dual Enrollment Participation And College Readiness: A Qualitative Single Case Study, Tanya Berfield

All Theses And Dissertations

Dual enrollment (DE) is the opportunity for high school students to participate in college coursework while high school. DE includes two overarching characteristics, student access and course integrity. Literature boasts of the benefits related to participation such as career exploration and college transition. Roadblocks may include cost, course eligibility, and lack of qualified teachers. Proponents of DE claim that a benefit of DE participation is increased student college readiness. State regulations are inconsistent regarding, development, implementation, and delivery of DE programming resulting in inconsistencies of student access and course integrity. ACT released a report in 2018 that states 38% of …

How Female Stem Undergraduate Students Form Their Science Identity, Todd Martin Medovich

All Theses And Dissertations

This qualitative case study describes how female science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students choose their undergraduate major, the obstacles they faced when making that choice, and how they overcome gender-based obstacles. These descriptions illuminate the manner in which they form their science identity.

There is a gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines (Viadero, 2009). This has been attributed to both biological and sociocultural causes. The biological basis for this disparity includes evidence of physiological differences between females and males, as well as the microaggressions and sexual harassment stemming from these differences (Bottia et al., 2015). …

Undergraduate College Student Perceptions Of Empathy Cultivation In The Humanities Classroom: A Qualitative Narrative Inquiry, D. E. Fulford

All Theses And Dissertations

Empathy—the human attribute of possessing concern for other humans in a way that others’ emotions are mirrored—is both an inborn characteristic, and one that can be taught in various settings throughout one’s life. This qualitative narrative inquiry study explored perceptions from undergraduate college students regarding empathy cultivation in the college humanities classroom setting using the theory of mind—the perspective-taking ability to infer other people’s intentions. Through Zoom-based, semi-structured interviews, data was collected from five undergraduate students at the university research site. Using thematic analysis to examine the data, four prominent themes emerged: (a) empathy cultivation in the classroom, (b) empathy …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Professional Learning Experiences Intended To Promote Growth In Their Discipline And Pedagogy, Karl O'Leary

All Theses And Dissertations

Professional learning is an essential tool for teachers to effectively learn and grow in their discipline. The professional learning model has not developed in tandem with the teacher certification requirements, as well as the changing dynamics in education. With the increase in mandated requirements, teachers have not witnessed an enhanced professional learning model that can align with their adult needs and guide them along the path to accomplish the goal of learning.

Preliminary research identified a gap in relationships from professional learning to the implementation in the classroom (Fulmer, 2016). The study’s research problem was that while professional learning experiences …

The Perceptions Of Instructional Coaches Regarding Relational Trust With Teachers: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Kathleen A. Provost

All Theses And Dissertations

Instructional coaching continues to be a professional development model that many districts utilize to foster professional growth among their teaching staff. Although instructional coaches are usually content area and pedagogical specialists hired as experts, there is a high level of teacher resistance to instructional coaching due to lack of trust reported between coaches and teachers in the kindergarten through 12th grade setting. Although previous research has signified the need for instructional coaches to build trust with their teaching colleagues, few studies captured the lived experiences of instructional coaches in how they build relational trust. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological …

Examining The Delivery Methods Of Current Content And Curriculum For Recruit Police Officers, Daniel Barrancotta

All Theses And Dissertations

This qualitative-interpretive, phenomenological analysis study describes the lived experiences of police officers, their training programs and their educational relationships with academy instructors and field training officers. The focus was not on content material, but rather the delivery methods of the curriculum, in an attempt to provide training programs that improve transference of knowledge for increased learning and job preparedness. This research study showed that a lack of knowledge and understanding of andragogy for police academy instructors and field training officers is creating a limited learning environment for recruit police officers. Without the knowledge and ability to use better forms of …

The Lived Experience Of Rural Cte Teachers As Members Of The Secondary Education Teaching Corps, Matthew E. Speno

All Theses And Dissertations

The secondary education system in the United States provides the opportunity for students to earn a high school diploma in preparation for post-secondary college and career. These students are taught by certified high school teachers with similar pedagogy but deliver instruction in different content areas. This qualitative study was conducted to understand how rural CTE high school teachers describe their lived experience of being a member of the secondary education teaching corps. Guided by two research questions that ask (1) how rural CTE teachers describe their teacher professional identity and (2) how rural CTE teachers characterize the role of vocational …

Massachusetts High School Teachers’ Perceptions Of Transitions In Teaching And Assessment Related To The Next Generation Science Standards, Alyssa Mocharnuk

All Theses And Dissertations

The experiences and perceptions of high school science teachers with the transitions in teaching and assessment related to the adoption of the 2016 Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Framework based on the Next Generation Science Standards were studied in this interpretative phenomenological analysis. The Next Generation Science Standards incorporated both traditional disciplinary content ideas and the new science and engineering practices (NGSS Lead States, 2013). Teachers were required to develop new materials, and difficulty in developing new ways of teaching and assessing science (Friedrichsen and Barnett, 2018; Kawasaki and Sandoval, 2020; Wilde, 2018) was exacerbated by the delay in high-stakes testing …

Self-Perceived Leadership Behaviors Of Collegiate Athletic Trainers And Strength And Conditioning Coaches: A Case Study, James Thomas Daley

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of the case study was to examine the self-perceived leadership characteristics, behaviors, and communication styles of professionals within the pillars of the high-performance sport model, specifically athletic trainers, and strength and conditioning coaches, to gain perspective on their ability to influence student-athletes and colleagues at the NCAA DIII level. A qualitative case study format allowed the researcher to engage with a small sample of participants and explore the differences and similarities between the participant groups. Participants were selected based on their primary job title and setting at over 80 institutions of higher education that participate in NCAA Division …

Lived Leadership Experiences Of Nursing Clinical Instructors In A Prelicensure Nursing Program: A Phenomenological Study, Catherine Marin

All Theses And Dissertations

The role of the nursing clinical instructor has evolved alongside the nursing profession. Nursing clinical instructors are expected to teach, coach, empower, and lead future registered nurses throughout their academic prelicensure journey. Although nursing clinical instructors possess at least the minimum required educational and clinical experience for their role as instructors, it is unclear how they obtain their leadership skills. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand how nursing clinical instructors attain self-empowerment and develop leadership skills. The theoretical framework was the integrated model of leader traits, behaviors, and effectiveness (IMoLB) developed by Derue et al. (2011). …

Organizational Change In The Legal Education Environment: Institutional And Individual Responses To Times Of Crisis, Mary E. Wilson

All Theses And Dissertations

The Great Recession of 2008 brought great upheaval to many aspects of the American economy. At first law schools saw an increase in applications and enrollment as individuals sought an education that would lead to employment. Within a few years, however, the job market for new lawyers deteriorated. By 2010-2011, the number of applications to law schools plummeted, as did the enrollment numbers. Since tuition is the life blood of law schools, the field of legal education was faced with an unprecedented crisis. This researcher collected and reviewed publicly available data to examine the changes that occurred in law schools …

The Influence Of Concept-Based Instruction On Student Academic Engagement, Amanda Romey

All Theses And Dissertations

Student engagement, including behavior, academic, cognitive, and social/emotional engagement is a complex multidimensional element of students’ overall well-being and success in school. As dropout rates continue to increase along with students feeling disenfranchised from the current educational system, there is a deep need to improve students’ experience in school by having them engaged in their learning. The purpose of this qualitative study is to identify the influence, if any, of concept-based curriculum and instruction on student academic engagement. This study examined the multiple elements of student academic engagement by addressing the concept-based learning construct, and student ownership of their learning …

The Benefits And Barriers To Arts Integration: Arts Accessibility In Public Montessori, Heather Teems

All Theses And Dissertations

This mixed-method exploratory case study investigates the research question: To what extent do pre-K through eighth-grade public Montessori school teachers perceive that their professional knowledge and abilities, experiences, and resources impact their capacity to integrate arts into their general classroom curriculum? Public Montessori teachers from five public-choice Montessori schools in a school district of the suburban and urban areas of southeastern South Carolina were invited to participate. The teachers in these public Montessori schools have varied levels of education and professional development experience with the arts in education. Some participants were general education teachers prior to becoming Montessori teachers due …

Rural Elementary Teachers And The Impact Of Professional Development On Mathematics Instruction, Heather Rockwell

All Theses And Dissertations

Rural elementary math teachers often lack a background in mathematics and even those with a strong mathematics background can sometimes struggle to model elementary math concepts (Holm & Kajander, 2019). Professional development (PD) provides teachers with an opportunity to increase their knowledge and skills while in the field. Although there are clear guidelines of what constitutes high-quality PD, not all PD achieves the same outcomes for teachers and students. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study was to understand PD experiences from the viewpoint of the rural elementary teachers, specifically the ways the PD experiences impact teacher efficacy and …

1:1 Chromebooks In High School Classrooms: Teacher Perceptions Of Integration Efforts, Jason Saltmarsh

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry study was to fully explore high school teachers’ perceptions of their experiences teaching in a 1:1 Chromebook environment. Data included high school teachers’ personal narratives detailing their experiences and observations about the use of 1:1 Chromebooks to support teaching and learning. Study data also included in-depth interviews with eight high school teachers. The four constructs of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology provided a theoretical framework for this study. Educational leaders face significant challenges in understanding the considerable impact of teachers’ perceptions of their decision to integrate and effectively use …

Role Of Health Professions Faculty Leadership In Student Success: Exploring Student And Faculty Views, Kim Emery

All Theses And Dissertations

High student achievement translates into high retention and graduation rates yet raising retention rates continues to be a challenge in U.S. health professions colleges. Institutions of higher education use a variety of program strategies to improve student success. Studies show that student success, although multi-factored, is most strongly influenced by faculty-student interactions. Radiologic technology programs have better retention rates compared to nursing programs but there is a lack of literature explaining this phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to explore how health professions faculty and students in radiologic technician and nursing programs understand faculty leadership behaviors related to the …

Creating The Conditions For Deeper Learning: Leadership Practices For Reframing 21st Century Education Systems, Caryn M. Lewis

All Theses And Dissertations

The convergence of advanced technologies, sociocultural trends and transformative shifts in global industries is accelerating the need for change in the American education system. Research and practice reveal promising developments in pedagogical approaches and a growing movement toward the implementation of deeper learning models. This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences and perceptions of superintendents leading dynamic shifts in public education to provide equitable access to deeper learning methodologies. The application of a dual framework supported the development of the study design and allowed for synthesis of the key components impacting system redesign. Data was elicited through semi-structured interviews to …

Value Perceptions Of Basic Clinical Laboratory Assistant Training With Certification, George Noll

All Theses And Dissertations

This study examined the perception of the value of medical laboratory science (MLS) program training and validation of that training with respect to entry-level clinical laboratory professionals. The demand for clinical laboratory professionals is increasing due to the number of retirees expected to peak by 2024 and is expected to yield a two to one job vacancy gap, mainly in entry-level positions. The study examined the perceived value of such traditional educational clinical laboratory programs from the viewpoints of the MLS educators and employers to effect change efforts to better match these programs with what is required within the career …

A Data Analysis Of Emotional Intelligence Interventions With Third Year Medical Students, Frank Bailey

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of a 10-exercise emotional intelligence (EI) series composed of exercises from the Lynn Leadership group in third-year medical students, taught over one year. This study sought to assess the education’s efficacy as evidenced by the change in the overall EI score. The overarching aim of the 10-exercise EI series was to offset the decline in medical student empathy during the clinical years; empathy undergirds the EI construct of social awareness. The data were collected from medical student cohorts in their third year Core Clerkships at a Northeastern United …

Faculty Perceptions Of Self Efficacy In Interprofessional Healthcare Education, Rose M. Defeo

All Theses And Dissertations

Interprofessional team-based care is of the utmost importance to maximize health outcomes. These mixed discipline teams work together to complement skills and support each other for patient-centered care delivery. To prepare future healthcare clinicians, effective and efficient interprofessional healthcare education is needed. Students must learn to reflect on their abilities and demonstrate confidence in their skillsets to work effectively within this type of group. Reflective ability and development of self-efficacy are the foundation for learning how to function in an interprofessional team. Faculty within undergraduate and graduate healthcare programs have been tasked with facilitating activities to teach teamwork, roles, responsibilities, …

Covid-19: Descriptive Case Study Of A K-8 School District’S Abrupt Transition To Remote Learning From A Traditional In-Person Model, Matthew C. Ferreira

All Theses And Dissertations

COVID-19 resulted in many changes worldwide in how humans and organizations interact and operate. One such significant adjustment was the closure and transition from a classroom instruction model to a remote instruction model across the United States. The purpose of this descriptive case study was to explore student achievement, teacher preparation and instructional hours, and student attendance levels for grades kindergarten through eighth grade (K-8) at four schools in a single school district. The study examined these datasets at a school administrative unit (SAU) comprising of three terms during the 2019-20 school year, comparing pre-COVID-19 levels with post-COVID-19 levels. The …