K-3 Literacy Teachers’ Sensemaking Of Early Literacy Policies In New York State: A Survey Study, Abigail Ferris

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Teachers must have opportunities to engage deeply in sensemaking during periods of major literacy reform, as unclear expectations can limit their ability to implement policy with fidelity. Using a cross-sectional survey design, this study explored K-3 literacy teachers’ perceptions, awareness, and factors related to their sensemaking of three science of reading literacy policies and initiatives in New York State. Findings suggested varying levels of awareness of the three literacy policies and initiatives, with teachers reporting that policy messages were communicated primarily through top-down structures, such as principals and literacy coaches within their organizations. Participants drew on personal, organizational, and external …

Classification, Service Provision, And Early Academic Skills Of Early Elementary School Students Who Received Services As A Preschool Student With A Disability, Meghan Conboy

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Youth with disabilities benefit from coordinated supports and services, particularly during early childhood when they are developing foundational abilities that will influence their developmental trajectory (Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center, 2015; Sandall et al., 2005). Preschool-aged students who enter kindergarten with adequately developed pre-academic skills are more likely demonstrate high performance levels in academic domains throughout compulsory education compared to peers with low pre-academic skills (Christensen et al., 2020; Fitzpatrick, 2017; Hair et al., 2006; Tavassolie et al., 2022). However, despite the knowledge that both preschool programs and high-quality and effective early intervention benefit children across their lifetime, limited research …

Gender Inequality In Afghanistan's Public Schools: Provincial Disparities Amid Historical And Political Change, 2002-2021, Enayatullah Nasir

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This dissertation examines the persistence and spatial concentration of gender-based educational inequality in Afghanistan's public school system from 2002 to 2021–– a period spanning post-2001 reconstruction, the expansion of the Republic era, and the reversal under the second Taliban regime. Despite substantial international investment and two decades of repeated commitments to gender parity, access to and progression through public schooling remained profoundly uneven across the country’s thirty-four provinces. The Gender Parity Index values differ sharply between provinces, and those with the lowest overall enrollment tend to exhibit the widest gender gaps. Existing scholarship has concentrated on the national level, obscuring …

What They Learn, What They Use:  A Narrative Inquiry Into Teacher Candidates’ Application And Perceptions Of Their Professional Learning Experiences, Shaundricka Medlock

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The landscape of teacher preparation is shifting toward clinically rich, practice-based models designed to bridge the longstanding gap between theoretical coursework and the realities of classroom teaching. Despite these reforms, many teacher candidates continue to face challenges in transferring what they learn in teacher preparation programs into effective instructional practice. This disconnect raises concerns about the coherence, responsiveness, and equity of current clinical preparation models, particularly in their ability to prepare future educators for diverse and high-need learning environments. This narrative inquiry study explores how elementary teacher candidates experience and apply professional learning experiences during a year-long internship in a …

Leveraging Funds Of Knowledge And Funds Of Identity: Exploring Equitable Strategies For Diverse Classroom Settings, Evana Nusrat Dooty

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study explores how elementary teachers in the U.S. perceive and incorporate students’ Funds of Knowledge (FoK) and Funds of Identity (FoI) to promote equity in diverse classroom settings. A review of literature highlights the significance of culturally responsive pedagogy, FoK & FoI frameworks, and equity-oriented teaching practices. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect participants’ perspectives on leveraging students’ home and community knowledge in instructional planning and classroom interactions. Lesson plans were collected from all participants to get idea about how they could utilize  FoK and FoI approach in their classroom instruction. The findings highlight the need for teacher preparation …

Factors That Impact K-6th Grade Teachers’ Sense Of Self-Efficacy: A Mixed Methods Study, Becky A. Eckburg

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

Although there have been efforts to narrow the "achievement gap," research shows that the academic achievement levels of students in low socioeconomic school settings are likely to be significantly lower than the academic achievement levels of students in higher socioeconomic school settings (Babayiğit et al., 2021; Rahman et al., 2024). Studies also show that teachers have a significant impact on their students' growth, no matter what their academic setting may be (Petek & Pope, 2023), and that collective teacher self-efficacy is a significant factor in positive student achievement (Hattie, 2008). If targeted professional development could support teachers' self-efficacy, student achievement …

Nation, Nature And Childhood In Five Curricula: Towards Earthly Education, Zsuzsa Millei, Katarzyna Gawlicz, Lucy Hopkins, Camilla Eline Andersen, Danielle Ekman Ladru

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article explores the relations between nation, nature and childhood in five early childhood education curricula in the Nordic, post-socialist and settler-colonial states with the focus on the role education plays in the face of the climate crisis. The authors identify three interconnecting themes in which nation, nature and childhood are entangled in these curricula: 1) national nature as an object of learning; 2) nature and home/birth land and Country; and 3) stewardship for national nature. Exploring these themes from the perspective of alternative pedagogies developed to address the child–nature relations during the Anthropocene, the authors argue that these notions …

Yoga Storytelling As An Active Learning Approach: Insights From Early Childhood Classroom Practice, Serap Sevimli-Celik

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Movement plays a central role in early childhood learning, supporting children’s physical development, emotional regulation and cognitive engagement. In recent years, educators have been paying more attention to movement-based approaches to enhance classroom learning experiences. Yoga, when adapted for young children, offers opportunities for playful movement, body awareness and relaxation. This paper reflects on my experiences as a movement educator and explores how yoga can support active learning in early childhood classrooms. Drawing on a series of 30-minute yoga storytelling sessions delivered to five- and six-year-old children in a preschool setting, the paper illustrates how yoga storytelling can be integrated …

A Brunerian Theoretical Framework For Ece: A Review Of Jerome Bruner’S Theoretical Contributions To Early Childhood Education, Samantha Wynne, Christine Robinson, Dee O’Connor

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper presents the findings of an independent study, a systemic narrative literature review, that identifies and synthesises Jerome Bruner’s theoretical propositions related to young children’s knowledge construction and learning from birth to the early years of schooling. The research contributes the Brunerian Theoretical Framework, the first contextualised synthetisation of Brunerian theory as it relates to Early Childhood Education (ECE). Bruner’s postmodern constructivist and culturalist perspectives related to epistemology, theory, and pedagogy are explicated in the review of literature. Importantly, this paper explores Bruner’s culturalist provocation to centre epistemological inquiry in education. Bruner proposes that when educators adopt an epistemic …

The Contributions Of Student-Level And Classroom-Level Factors For Australian Grade 2 Students’ Writing Performance, Anabela Malpique, Mustafa Asil, Deborah Pino-Pasternak, Debora Valcan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Using multilevel modeling, the current study examined student-level predictors of compositional quality and productivity in Grade 2 Australian children (N = 544), including handwriting automaticity, literacy skills, executive functioning, writing attitudes, and gender; and classroom-level (n = 47) variables predicting students’ writing outcomes, including the amount of time for writing practices and the explicit teaching of foundational (handwriting, spelling, grammar) and process writing skills (planning and revision strategies). Multilevel analyses revealed that student-level factors, including gender, general attitudes, and transcription skills (handwriting automaticity and spelling), were key predictors of writing outcomes. Interaction analyses showed that spelling and word reading influenced …

Integrative And Contextual Instructional Models For Strengthening Scientific Literacy In Primary And Secondary Education (2020–2025): A Systematic Literature And Bibliometric Review, Jihan Salsabillah Misel, Eko Handoyo, Ellianawati Ellianawati, Bambang Subali

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Improving students’ science literacy remains a persistent challenge in schools. Although studies since 2020 examine strategies to enhance science literacy, no synthesis has compared integrative models across levels. This review addresses that gap through a PRISMA-based Systematic Literature Review of 1,518 records, with 24 studies included and supported by VOSviewer mapping. Findings show that Problem-Based Learning, STEM-based learning, and the RADEC model are the most effective approaches, while Differentiated Instruction, Flipped Classroom, and Project-Based Learning strengthen reasoning and scientific attitudes. These results offer guidance for classroom implementation and inform policy on teacher training and curriculum design within the Merdeka Curriculum.

An Accountability Myth: A Critical Analysis On High-Stakes Testing In U.S. Schools, Noelle E. Haskell

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

High-stakes testing has become synonymous with the United States (U.S.) education system. This began in the early 1900’s through the form of intelligence testing which was developed by several U.S. psychologists. Since then, high-stakes testing has taken on many forms. Popular policies such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Race to the Top, and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) have all taken aim at increasing academic achievement and holding schools accountable through high-stakes, standardized tests. Even through its varying forms, high-stakes tests have continued to perpetuate inequalities. Considering this, the current study examines how the rhetoric used in describing …

Implicitly Developing Young Learners’ Digital And Media Literacy Through Technology-Enhanced Tasks In Primary Efl Classrooms, Andreas Kullick

Journal of Media Literacy Education

This article presents a research project that explored the perspectives of preservice and in-service primary English language teachers on the use of technology-enhanced tasks to support young learners’ development of oral communicative competence in the diverse primary English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom. The classroom-based research involved the implementation of technology-enhanced tasks in three different projects in three different primary schools. The projects aimed to support young learners in developing their speaking competence in the target language. Data were collected through classroom observation, teacher training, videography of lessons, and participant interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the …

Intradistrict Inequality: Examining Educational Opportunity In Richmond Elementary Schools, Tara Sheehan

Honors Theses

Educational inequality in the U.S. is often discussed across district lines, but differences between schools within the same district are just as significant. This paper examines intradistrict disparities in Richmond Public Schools (RPS) by comparing William Fox Elementary and Broad Rock Elementary. Although both schools operate under the same district, they serve very different student populations and produce markedly different outcomes. William Fox serves mostly White and economically advantaged students, with higher test scores, lower absenteeism, fewer behavioral incidents, and access to a wide range of enrichment programs. Broad Rock, on the other hand, serves predominantly Hispanic and Black students, …

Integrating Chatgpt In Teacher Education: Examining Early Childhood And Elementary Pre-Service Teachers’ Experiences In Ai-Assisted Math Lesson Planning, Hae Min Yu, Hyeseong Lee, Seung Kim

Education Department Faculty Articles

This study examines how pre-service teachers in early childhood education (ECE) and elementary education (ELE) integrate ChatGPT into mathematics lesson planning. Using a mixed-methods case study framed by the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) with Contextual Knowledge (XK) framework and AI literacy, we analyzed the experiences of 44 pre-service teachers (24 ECE, 20 ELE) in mathematics method courses at a university in the Midwestern United States. Data sources included pre- and post-assessments, documentation of ChatGPT interactions, lesson plans, and reflection papers. Findings reveal significant gains in participants’ knowledge of and confidence in using ChatGPT, with increased willingness to incorporate generative …

The Effect Of Early Intervention Programs On Literacy Performance Scores Of Kindergarten Students In One Central Arkansas School District, Abigail M. Stone

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

This study was conducted in a central Arkansas school district to see if going to the Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) Early Intervention Program located in that central Arkansas school district made a difference in how well kids did on their kindergarten reading test (NWEA MAP Growth). This was a quantitative, causal-comparative study, meaning the researcher looked at archived test scores from kindergarteners in Fall 2021 where some of the participants attended ABC Pre-K, and some did not.

The main goal of the study was to answer this research question: Is there a significant difference in kindergarten readiness literacy scores between …

From Storage Closet To Creative Oasis: How To Set Up An Atelier And Outdoor Space For Young Children, Catherine Lynch, Cynthia Dicarlo

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

Creating meaningful learning spaces doesn't always require a big budget or new construction—sometimes, all it takes is a storage closet, a bit of imagination, and a deep respect for children’s ideas. In this article, I’ll share how we transformed underutilized spaces at our school into a vibrant atelier and outdoor classroom and offer tips to help you do the same.

Abcs Of Behavior: Strategies To Effectively Reduce Challenging Behaviors, Sarah Matthews

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

This paper explores the application of the ABC (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) model and functional behavior assessments (FBAs) to understand and manage challenging behaviors in early childhood education settings. Grounded in developmental theory and informed by professional experience as an early interventionist, the paper emphasizes the importance of identifying behavioral triggers and using individualized, developmentally appropriate strategies. The role of collaboration among teachers, families, and specialists is highlighted as essential for consistent and effective intervention. Key strategies discussed include coaching caregivers, embedding interventions within natural classroom environments, and using positive, non-punitive approaches to time-out. The paper advocates for proactive, respectful behavioral guidance practices …

Letter From The Editor, Cynthia Dicarlo

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

No abstract provided.

From The Margins To The Center: The Transformative Promise Of Philosophy For Children, Maughn Rollins Gregory, Megan Jane Laverty, Joe Oyler

Department of Educational Foundations Scholarship and Creative Works

What began as an innovative idea in the late 1960s—the recognition that even very young children are philosophically disposed—is no longer considered novel. While philosophy for children has transitioned from a fledgling initiative to a worldwide movement, it remains on the margins of education. In this article, we look back at key initiatives that have advanced its growth before looking ahead to what can move philosophy for children to the center of education. We consider the introduction and development of materials that invite children into philosophical spaces, the community of philosophical inquiry as a model of teachers' and children's philosophical …

A Qualitative Study Exploring Experienced K-5 Teachers' Perceptions Implementing The Science Of Reading, Christian Brady Cook

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of implementing the SoR for experienced K-5 teachers at Carlton County School System in rural Georgia. This study was guided by Bandura’s social cognitive theory, which was utilized to explore the lived experiences of experienced K-5 educators who were required to implement the SoR strategies into their literacy instruction. This hermeneutic phenomenological study used a qualitative research design to explore the following research question: What are the perceptions of experienced K-5 teachers implementing the science of reading? A combination of experienced K-5 teachers from three Title I …

Listening To Families: A Perspective On Practice For Reframing Chronic Absenteeism Through Parent Voice, Anthony S. Felder

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

Chronic absenteeism remains a critical issue in U.S. schools, particularly in urban communities disproportionately affected by poverty, trauma, and systemic inequities. Traditional attendance interventions often disregard the lived experiences of families, resulting in strategies that lack empathy and effectiveness. This perspective article draws on qualitative findings from parent focus groups conducted in a high-need urban district to emphasize what families believe schools should do to better support consistent attendance. Key themes highlight the necessity for practical resource support and two-way, trust-based communication between schools and families. Grounded in both practitioner experience and current research, this article presents actionable recommendations for …

Cv: Jennifer Buss (Elementary Education/Special Education), Jennifer Buss

Education Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

“She’S A Good Different. She’S Revolutionary”: How Fifth-Grade Readers Interpret Aspects Of Diversity In Literature, Margaret Barr

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Although diversity, equity, and inclusion have been a significant focus of research in children’s literature, many studies fail to consider the reader’s perspective and instead rely on text analyses. In the present study, the author employed focus groups to examine fifth-grade readers’ insights as they interpreted, related to, and engaged with the presence of diversity in texts. Findings indicate that readers interpreted diversity by envisioning the larger picture, recognizing the importance of others’ differences, and connecting through emotions. Thus, this study suggests that it is necessary for teachers to understand that students recognize and appreciate individual differences, to select texts …

The Power Of Core Memories In Financial Education For Gen Alpha Children, Karen Richel

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Financial education plays a critical role in shaping lifelong financial behaviors and decision-making skills. To create a lasting impact, it is essential to establish core memories associated with money management from an early age. This article explores the significance of these foundational experiences and their role in financial education for Gen Alpha children.

A series of eight immersive financial education events was developed to meet state and national standards for students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. These events employ play-based and object-based learning approaches, immersing students in engaging, age-appropriate activities that incorporate real-world scenarios. By creating a fun and memorable …

Exploring Generative Artificial Intelligence (Genai) And Developing Ai Competencies Through Joint Media Engagement In Family Settings, Tolulope Famaye

All Dissertations

As generative AI (GenAI) becomes increasingly prevalent, institutions seek to understand how students can explore AI in classrooms and develop AI literacy. However, little is known about how, families use these Large Language Models (LLMs) at home and how such engagement supports the development of foundational AI literacy skills. This study examines family engagement with generative AI to understand how AI competencies develops outside formal classrooms and to provide insights for designing contextually relevant AI learning experiences in schools. The study employs a single case study design, integrating quantitative analysis, thematic analysis, and quantitative ethnography to examine and analyze data …

General Education Teachers' Perspectives And Practices For Supporting English Language Learners In Memphis Charter Schools, Ijiah Hargrove

Dissertations

The growing enrollment of English Language Learners (ELLs) in U.S. schools, particularly within urban charter settings, presents unique challenges for general education teachers who are often underprepared to meet both linguistic and academic needs. The purpose of this study was to explore the instructional strategies, perspectives of their ability of self-efficacy, and institutional factors that shape how K–8 charter school teachers in Memphis support ELLs. This work is significant because teachers’ beliefs, preparation, and available resources directly impact ELL achievement and equity in education.

A qualitative single-case study design was employed, with twelve general education teachers recruited through purposeful sampling. …

Do They Matter? What Role Do 5th-12th Grade Teachers' Attitudes Have In The Academic Success Of Black Girls In Classrooms?, Kamita R. Thigpen

Dissertations

There is a recognized need to focus on the intersectionality of race and gender to determine the specific needs of Black girls in education and for them to gain more academic success. This study set out to determine teachers' attitudes towards Black girls in the post-racial era. A combined quantitative and qualitative methodological approach was used to determine if the attitudes of teachers towards Black girls maintain racial barriers that have been found in education.

Tennessee K-3 Teachers’ Perceptions Of Structured Literacy Curriculum Based On The Science Of Reading: A Phenomenological Approach, Amy L. Reece Townsend

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this study was to explore the perceptions and knowledge of Tennessee kindergarten, first-grade, second-grade, and third-grade teachers regarding early literacy and science-based curricula that incorporate the science of reading. This study examined the experiences of kindergarten through third-grade teachers in a Tennessee school district as they transitioned to a structured literacy approach grounded in the science of reading. The goal was to understand how teachers adapted to the new methods, what helped them succeed, and what challenges they faced during the change.

Data collection included in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Analysis of data occurred in three phases: (a) categorization …

The Educational Experiences Of Low Socioeconomic, Hispanic, Emergent Bilingual, Elementary Students: A Sequential Mixed Methods Study From Texas, Kiley Schumacher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The number of Hispanic students in Texas public schools has significantly increased over the past 20 years, yet their level of academic success continues to lag. Hispanic, emergent bilingual, low-socioeconomic, early elementary students face educational challenges related to barriers surrounding language and culture differences, limited resources, unmet needs, feelings of isolation, and an underprepared educational support system. This sequential mixed methods study reported on the perceptions of parents, teachers, and campus leaders in two Texas elementary schools regarding these students’ educational experiences. Guided by existence, relatedness, and growth theory, bioecological systems theory, and culturally responsive leadership theory, the study collected …