Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

The Effect Of Responsive Classroom On The Social Emotional Learning Of Preschool Children: A Mixed Methods Study, Jacqueline Barnhart

Graduate Theses & Dissertations

Approximately 2.4 million students enter kindergarten without the social-emotional skills needed. Preschool is when children should be engaged in learning how to interact with their peers and the skills to be successful in kindergarten (Curby et al., 2015). Helping children develop the skills needed to interact with peers appropriately is essential in Early Childhood Education. Preschool plays an essential role in raising healthy children by fostering their cognitive development and their social and emotional development (Durlak et al., 2011). Schools need to address and meet the challenges that arise from student's inability to manage emotions and challenging behaviors that interfere …

Equity Leadership For English Learners During Covid–19: Early Lessons, Magaly Lavadenz, Linda R. G. Kaminski, Elvira G. Armas, Grecya V. López

Academic Journal Articles

This article provides the findings of an exploratory, qualitative study on distance learning policies and practices from a purposeful sample of five California school districts and 25 district and school leaders with large numbers and/or larger percentages of current or former English Learners. To understand the extent to which leaders address English Learners’/Emergent Bilinguals’ (EL/EM) needs during the pandemic, we posed the following research question: What are leaders’ local policies and practices in designing and implementing distance learning to promote equity for English Learners? We gathered three key district policy documents across three moments during the pandemic: (1) COVID-19 Operations …

Letter From The Co-Editors, Todd Pagano, Sami Kahn

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

No abstract provided.

Netsci High: Bringing Agency To Diverse Teens Through The Science Of Connected Systems, Stephen M. Uzzo, Catherine B. Cramer, Hiroki Sayama, Russell Faux

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

This paper follows NetSci High, a decade-long initiative to inspire teams of teenage researchers to develop, execute and disseminate original research in network science. The project introduced high school students to the computer-based analysis of networks, and instilled in the participants the habits of mind to deepen inquiry in connected systems and statistics, and to sustain interest in continuing to study and pursue careers in fields involving network analysis. Goals of NetSci High ranged from proximal learning outcomes (e.g., increasing high school student competencies in computing and improving student attitudes toward computing) to highly distal (e.g., preparing students for 21st …

Faculty Attitudes Toward Technology-Driven Instruction In Developmental Mathematics, Jenna W. Kramer, Stephany Cuevas, Angela Boatman

Education Faculty Articles and Research

Innovation in instructional technology has contributed to the rapid implementation of technology-driven instructional platforms, particularly in developmental math coursework (Bickerstaff et al., 2016). In this phenomenological study, we investigate how faculty perceive and respond to a mandated, technology-driven instructional model for developmental math coursework at public colleges in Tennessee. Through interviews with faculty members across four colleges, we find that many faculty agreed that technology helped them to better track student performance, provide more targeted assistance, and communicate directly with students. Faculty also expressed concerns that technology provides the opportunity or temptation to game the system, interfering with true learning, …

Trend Of Research Visualization Of Sociology Of Education From 2001 To 2020: A Bibliometric Analysis, Dr. Hazir Ullah, Mr. Muhammad Shoaib

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper is designed to evaluate sociology of knowledge, sociology of education, educational sociology, sociology, and education using bibliometric analysis from 2001 to 2020. The main purpose is to consolidate the published scholarship on the sociology of education in the Web of Science indexed documents. There was a lack of measurable quantities on the subject. We used the bibliometric analysis and a total of 1698 published documents were found. The study findings showed that the topic of 'sociology of knowledge' was on top with a total number of 1698 publications, 1392 articles as a type of published documents, 1236 publications …

Without A Map: An Examination Of District Leadership During The Covid-19 Crisis, Megan E. Welter Phd

Muskie School Dissertations

Achieving coherence and coordination in a complex system like a school district is complicated by the nested layers of the organization. This structure allows for teachers in classrooms and schools in a district to operate autonomously, as their organizational layers insulate those in the center from external demands and mandates. The COVID-19 pandemic represented an external demand that led district leaders to implement a series of situational reforms that affected nearly every aspect of the educational organization.

This qualitative study examines how the experiences and decision-making processes of district, school, and teacher leaders from a single district in Maine during …

Faculty Achievements, April 2021, Otterbein University

Faculty Achievement Reports

No abstract provided.

Understanding The Perspectives Of First-Generation 4-H Members, Kristy Lee Ouellette Phd

Muskie School Dissertations

Informal education programs like 4-H have the potential to expose young people to opportunities and experiences which may lead to increased social and educational capital. Previous research has consistently found that young people thrive within the 4-H Youth Development program.

The study identified commonalities throughout the multiple modes of participation and identified the ways in which participants are indeed on a thriving trajectory. It involved 12 first-generation 4-H members in Maine between the ages of 14-19. Through the use of in-depth interviews and the creation of ecomaps, this qualitative case study uncovered participants’ perspectives of the Maine 4-H program. This …

The Interaction Of Open Educational Resources (Oer) Use And Course Difficulty On Student Course Grades In A Community College, Lane Fischer, John Hilton Iii, Virginia Clinton-Lisell, Yao Xiong, David Wiley, Linda Williams

Entrepreneurship Faculty Research

Students report that not being able to afford course materials has adverse academic consequences. It is possible that this would be more problematic in relatively more difficult courses. Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching and learning materials that are openly licensed and often available at low or no cost to students. This study examined the interaction between OER use through a campus zero textbook cost (ZTC) initiative and course difficulty on student course grades from 35 different courses at a community college while controlling for student gender, previous grade point average, and Pell grant eligibility status. Although the main effect …

Teacher Perceptions Of Teaching Science Using The 5e Instructional Model, Erica Sheilasha Gaines

Theses and Dissertations

Changes made to science education on the national level caused many changes for state education systems. In the state of Georgia, science education instructional leaders also saw the need for a change in the way science needed to be taught to students. Due to the need to improve science teaching and learning and to increase interest in the STEM fields, Georgia Standards of Excellence for Science were released in 2016. Science teachers were required to shift their instructional practices to teach science as a practice by engaging students in specific tasks aligned to science and engineering practices. This study focused …

Review Of Flexible Learning Spaces In Education, Emily A. Fisher, Donger Liu, Guy Trainin

Research and Evaluation in Education, Technology, Art, and Design

Research has shown that Flexible learning spaces have benefits in educational settings. The space has an impact on teachers' pedagogies and mindsets. In turn, instruction can be more student-centered promoting more interaction and engagement with each other and content. These findings imply that Flexible Learning Spaces can contribute to positive shifts in mindsets for teachers and students, as well as disrupting the dynamics of traditional classroom settings and instruction.

Examining The Lived-Experiences Of International L2 Phd Students: A Narrative Study, Sydney B. Basford

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The primary purpose of this qualitative narrative study was to explore the lived experiences of international PhD students who used academic English literacy during their research for their theses/dissertations. The second purpose of this study was to identify ways international PhD students mitigated academic language challenges for their theses/dissertations. This qualitative narrative study was founded on the theoretical framework of constructivism and sociocultural theory created by Vygotsky. The research participants were three L2 international PhD students who lived in America while conducting research for their dissertations or theses. Video recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted with all participants to gather rich, …

Social Media: The Impact On Spiritual Formation Among Generation Z Freshman College Students, Sam Ninan

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of social media on the spiritual formation of Generation Z freshmen college students. Social media app usage has become prevalent within society, and Gen Z members are the first to grow up their entire lives with Internet access. Christian universities must understand the impact of social media apps on incoming freshman students, as they develop spiritual formation strategies aimed at the college population. In addition, the students’ own perceptions of how they are being impacted is important to identify, in order for them to make the necessary changes towards spiritual …

A Qualitative Case Study Exploring How Title I Schools Build The Capacity Of Staff And Families In Support Of Academic Achievement, Denise D. Atwell

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This qualitative case study explored family-school partnerships in five Title I elementary schools in one central Florida school district. Literature confirms that engaging parents and families in their children's education provides positive results for a child's well-being socially, emotionally, and academically. Furthermore, partnerships between families, schools, and communities, in which all stakeholders share in the responsibility of a child's academic success, are beneficial to everyone, especially children and schools. The existing problem is that most educators do not know how to do this and many educators receive little, if any, support to build their capacity or aid their efforts in …

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 Effects Of Standards-Based Grading And Strategies For Implementation: A Review Of Literature, Kayla Veenstra

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Grading systems in many secondary schools often follow a traditional system where students accumulate points from many different components in class which are then weighted to equate to one letter grade representing everything. More school leaders are beginning to recognize faults that traditional grading can have in lacking clarity, coherence, and validity in what grades report of student learning in a course, and therefore, are turning to a standards-based grading system. Transforming an entire grading system in a secondary school is a major undertaking that can have many implications. However, it is challenging for school leaders to be prepared for …

Maintaining A Relational Classroom While Implementing Ts Gold, Leslie K. Gustafson

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Teaching Strategies GOLD is an authentic assessment tool. It is used in many preschool classrooms to observe student development in their daily routine. Teaching Strategies GOLD is an effective means of assessing student development. One of the challenges when implementing Teaching Strategies GOLD is its comprehensiveness. The extensiveness of the assessment has been found to be very time consuming for educators to implement. This has raised the question, “How does an educator maintain a relational classroom while implementing Teaching Strategies GOLD?” The purpose of this paper to research the value of preschool and the use of authentic assessment. It will …

Perceptions On Implementing A Comprehensive Athletic Website And Online Streaming Service For Kentucky High Schools, Steve Chen, Adrienne Hall

Faculty Research at Morehead State University

Student participation in interscholastic athletics reached record levels in 2019-20 for the third consecutive year in Kentucky (KHSAA, 2020). Sport marketers have strongly advocated social media as a powerful and effective tool to promote sporting events at all levels. However, existing studies rarely focus on the trend for promoting interscholastic sports through social media platforms. This study examined the potential of an interactive website and online streaming service focusing on interscholastic sports may provide to high schools in Kentucky. After evaluating more than 102 high school athletic websites, the authors found schools were in need to improve the current website …

Investigating Pre-Service Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Virginia Computer Science Standards Of Learning: A Qualitative Multiple Case Study, Valerie Sledd Taylor

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Computer science education is being recognized globally as necessary to better prepare students in all grade levels, K-12, for future success. As a result of this focus on computer science education in the United States and around the world, there is an increased demand for highly qualified teachers with content and pedagogical knowledge to successfully support student learning. As a result, there is a call to include and improve the computer science training offered to pre-service teachers in their educator preparation programs from methods courses to practicum and student teaching experiences. Thus, it is important to understand how pre-service teachers …

Closing The Loop: Development Of A Dashboard For Quality Improvement Of Business Education Programs, Alicia Iriberri, Donald N. Stengel

International Journal for Business Education

Business schools continuously improve their processes and program assessment activities, but fall short in achieving faculty's awareness of process steps and disseminating results to inform and trigger continuous improvement actions. The assessment process of the Craig School of Business at California State University, Fresno had worked well. It evaluated student learning of core competencies of its Business Administration degree programs. The assessment process had a sound set of program goals and student learning outcomes and metrics. Learning outcomes were measured semiannually, and reports were written annually. Assessment results consistently surpassed benchmarks. Still, the assessment process did not effectively disseminate results …

An Examination Of The Factors Leading To Students’ Preference And Satisfaction With Online Courses, David Mc.A Baker, Ramaprasad Unni, Shantia Kerr-Sims, Gerald Marquis

International Journal for Business Education

This paper presents the results of a one-year study of undergraduate business students’ preference and level of satisfaction with online instruction at one university. A questionnaire was voluntarily completed by 305 undergraduate business students during the 2019-2020 academic year. Multiple regression analysis revealed that prior experience with online courses, ease of communication, personal benefits - convenience of taking online courses and expectation of improving GPA were positively associated with satisfaction in online courses relative to face-to-face courses. Learning benefits from online courses such as availability of course materials did not have a significant relationship. Satisfaction was positively related to preference …

Teacher Self-Efficacy And Teacher Work Engagement For Expatriate Teachers At International K12 Schools In China, Jennifer L. Johnson

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this non-experimental, descriptive quantitative survey study was to evaluate if teacher self-efficacy predicts teacher work engagement for expatriate teachers in international schools in China. The purposive sample was composed of 103 expatriate, international school teachers who have worked in China during the past 10 years at an international K12 school and are personally known to the researcher or the researcher’s contacts. The Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) and the Engaged Teachers Scale (ETS) measured teacher self-efficacy and teacher work engagement. Results from simple linear regression indicated a statistically significant predictive relationship between teacher self-efficacy and teacher …

The Perceptions Of High School Graduates Regarding The Effectiveness Of Their 504 Accommodations, Jackie A. Wyche

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of high school seniors diagnosed with mental or physical impairments regarding the effectiveness of their 504 academic accommodations. The approach of this qualitative study was transcendental phenomenology. Phenomenology is defined as the qualitative approach to research that encompasses the exploration of lived experiences of the participants. The participants for this research study were high school graduates who had 504 accommodations during high school. Participants for this study contr ibuted by answering open ended questions from an interview guide. In the course of the in depth data analysis, the interviews …

The Corridor Of Shame: An Immersed Analysis Of South Carolina Schools, Darren R. Burton

Senior Theses

This research project discusses school funding instruments of rural and urban schools in South Carolina and uncovers its effect on student academic achievement. Educational achievement is assessed based on report card datasets between 2018 and 2019, containing South Carolina Assessment of State Standards (SCPASS) score data and South Carolina College and Career Ready Assessment (SCREADY) score data. This research project uses a comparative analysis to evaluate each group’s performance in the subjects of English Language Arts and science. The statistical analysis tools that this research project uses include analysis of variance (ANOVA), linear regression analysis, and Microsoft Power BI. The …

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 …

Educators’ Sensemaking Of Data Within An Mtss Framework: An Exploratory Case Study, Stephanie Marie Green

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine how educators working within a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework make sense of data, how they use data for instructional decision-making, and how the data use cultures at the district and school levels influence this data use. The study was designed with a theoretical framework informed by the sensemaking about student outcomes model (Bertrand & Marsh, 2015), the data literacy for teaching framework (Mandinach & Gummer, 2016c), and the data use cultures framework (Firestone & Gonzales, 2007). I explored these issues through a case study methodology, utilizing semi-structured interviews, observations, document …

Application Innovation Of Educational Measurement Theory, Method, And Technology In China’S New College Entrance Examination Reform, Zhengyan Liang, Minqiang Zhang, Feifei Huang, Derong Kang, Lingling Xu

Chinese/English Journal of Educational Measurement and Evaluation | 教育测量与评估双语期刊

China’s new college entrance examination (the new gaokao) reform provides an opportunity for researchers and practitioners of educational measurement to directly participate in the reform. Therefore, conducting in-depth research on the characteristics of the new gaokao and the issues it faces, and finding corresponding solutions theoretically, methodologically, and technically will not only help to deploy the education examination reform smoothly, but also expand and enrich the research and application of educational measurement. This article provides discussions and suggestions on some issues related to the new gaokao reform, including the stability issue of the examination brought by the scoring methods and …

How Do Educationally At-Risk Men And Women Differ In Their Essay-Writing Processes?, Randy E. Bennett, Mo Zhang, Sandip Sinharay

Chinese/English Journal of Educational Measurement and Evaluation | 教育测量与评估双语期刊

This study examined differences in the composition processes used by educationally at-risk males and females who wrote essays as part of a high-school equivalency examination. Over 30,000 individuals were assessed taking 12 forms of the examination’s language arts writing section in 23 US states. Writing processes were inferred using features extracted from keystroke logs and aggregated into seven composite indictors. Results showed females to earn higher essay and total language arts writing scores than males, but only by trivial amounts. More pertinent was that, after controlling for language arts writing score, age, and essay prompt, all seven process indicators showed …