Teacher Efficacy In Reading Intervention: The Role Of Coaching And Professional Development In Foundational Literacy, Susan S. Chapman

All Dissertations

This Dissertation in Practice utilized improvement science methods to increase teacher self-efficacy in foundational reading practices and to address the oral reading fluency (ORF) challenges of elementary students who consistently score below proficiency. Rooted in Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy and the Active View of Reading, the study aimed to build teacher confidence in delivering foundational reading instruction while improving student ORF rates. A Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle was implemented with second-grade teachers and targeted the following aim: increase ORF by 12 words correct per minute (wcpm) for students receiving Tier 3 intervention over an eight-week cycle. Coaching, using the student-centered coaching …

Effects Of Multi-Sensory Training In Physical Activity On Reaction Time And Fitness In Elementary Students., Sarah Anne Trout

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract This study examined the effects of multi-sensory Neuroplasticity training (MSNP™) using the ROXPro system on the psychomotor abilities of third-grade students in a Midwestern elementary school. The research aimed to determine whether the integration of interactive sensory-reactive technology in physical education could improve reaction time, agility, and explosive power compared to standard PE instruction. A total of 49 participants were assigned to either a control group or an intervention group, with the latter engaging in six weeks of ROX-based drills. A pretest-posttest design was employed, and data were analyzed using ANCOVA, repeated measures ANOVA, and independent t-tests to assess …

An Examination Of Inclusive Education Programs For Children With Disabilities, Haley Misiewicz

Masters Projects

This project addresses the ongoing need for high-quality professional development that equips early childhood educators with effective strategies for inclusive education. Research consistently demonstrates that inclusive settings benefit both students with disabilities and their typically developing peers, yet many educators report a lack of confidence, training, and support when implementing inclusive practices. Grounded in the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and informed by federal legislation such as IDEA and ADA, this project presents a professional development toolkit designed to support preschool through second-grade teachers in creating accessible, responsive classroom environments.

The toolkit consists of a 90-minute training session, …

Funds Of Knowledge And The Transition To School: A Scoping Review, Amelia Ruscoe, Leanne Lavina, Lennie Barblett, Fiona Boylan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Children's funds of knowledge (FoK) were recognised in the initial iteration of the Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) in 2009, the mandated framework for educator decision-making, and their significance was further emphasised in EYLF 2.0 in 2022. However, a unified understanding of children as knowledgeable individuals and how to effectively incorporate their diverse knowledges into early childhood education is still evolving. Recent evidence highlights the link between engaging with children's FoK and supporting successful transitions to formal schooling. Given that childhood is experienced differently across cultures and contexts, achieving consensus on the nature and value of FoK remains a …

Bilingual Program Implementation And Programming In The Midwestern And Southeastern United States: Lessons Learned For Application In Arkansas, Susan Wallace

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As of 2025, the state of Arkansas has no state-approved bilingual or dual-language education programs, despite passing legislation in 2021 to allow for their creation. This literature review synthesizes findings from recent empirical studies conducted in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States—regions with demographic and policy contexts more similar to Arkansas than states with long-time bilingual programs. This literature review explores both beneficial and complicating factors in bilingual program implementation, addressing themes such as policy, leadership, stakeholder involvement, program design, and prevailing ideological mindsets, before summarizing lessons learned from these studies. The implications are clear: effective bilingual programming requires intentional, …

Training To Teach: Creating Inclusive Learning Environments, Rebecca Anne Rose

Plymouth Interdisciplinary Education Open Journal

Inclusion is often discussed as a policy imperative, but its true impact is realised only through daily classroom practice. As student teachers, we argue that inclusion should move beyond compliance to become a mindset and a lived commitment. Our experiences reveal that policy and practice are not always as intertwined as we hope. As future educators, we aspire for inclusion to require ongoing self-reflection, courage, and compassion, ensuring every student is seen, valued, and empowered to succeed. We believe policy must genuinely support and reflect this commitment, making inclusion not just a requirement, but a fundamental part of educational culture …

Revisiting The Post-Tsunami Aceh School: A Community-Based Evaluation Framework For Improving Build Back Better Projects, Muhammad Naufal Fadhil, Aji Sofiana Putri, Muhammad Fadli Muslimin

ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement

This study proposes a community-based evaluation framework to assess and improve the existing conditions of post-tsunami schools based on the occupants’ evaluations. Rapid, donor-driven reconstruction often defaults to ‘fit-for-all’ solutions that bypass community needs, resulting in facilities that are misaligned with local contexts. This project focused on Lampageu State Elementary School in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, which was reconstructed in 2009 by a German NGO after the 2004 tsunami. The project began by observing the school’s physical condition through the community engagement team, followed by a review and exploration of the school’s design needs with the school community. The community-based evaluation …

The Evolution Of Schooling: From Industrial Obedience To Techno-Autonomy, Seb Taylor, Ron Roberts Ii

Digital Laboratory: Publisher of Internet Journal

This paper examines the enduring architecture of the American education system as a mechanism designed for compliance, not creativity. Rooted in 19th-century industrial logic, the structure of schooling, its physical design, time constraints, and assessment methods, has remained largely static despite seismic cultural and technological shifts. Through historical analysis and contemporary critique, this work interrogates the persistence of standardized methods, institutional prestige, and top-down instruction as barriers to meaningful learning and value creation. Drawing from interdisciplinary research and live case studies, including Alpha School’s AI-powered, mastery-based model, the paper advances the concept of techno-education: a student-centered paradigm informed by feedback …

Teachers’ Talk About Children’S Texts, Sarah J. Mccarthey, Ngan Vu, Jiadi Zhang

Teaching/Writing: The Journal of Writing Teacher Education

Using a framework for discourses about writing, the qualitative study investigates teachers’ discussions about student texts during focus group sessions. The setting was a small, private school with a diverse student population and teachers who shared an approach to teaching. Their discussions focused on aspects of student writing including word choice and voice; learning to write within genres such as narrative, opinion, and poetry; and writing for an audience. Teachers valued multimodality by emphasizing how pictures and text can support one another throughout the writing process. The data reflect teachers’ knowledge of the students as writers and their cultural and …

Combining Bibliotherapy And Dialogue Journaling In A Fourth-Grade Book Club: Impact On Students’ Writing Apprehension, Leah A. Bryars, Bethanie C. Pletcher

Teaching/Writing: The Journal of Writing Teacher Education

This article presents the qualitative findings derived from a larger convergent-parallel mixed methods study that explored the outcomes of a bibliotherapy and dialogue journaling intervention on the writing apprehension of eight fourth-grade student participants in an after-school book club. In addition to transcripts of dialogue journal entries, other qualitative data included survey responses from the fourth-grade language arts teachers, field notes, and a post-intervention focus group interview. The qualitative data set was transcribed, coded, and analyzed for emergent themes. Qualitative findings suggested that the student participants demonstrated increased confidence and were in the process of developing more positive attitudes toward …

Constructivist Media Decoding In Elementary School: Media Literacy Instruction Across A School Year, Faith Rogow, Bridget Crossman, Michele Coolbeth, Janet Balk

Journal of Media Literacy Education

In 2021, Ithaca College’s Project Look Sharp conducted a pilot project to demonstrate that school librarians were in a unique position to provide media literacy instruction and function as building and district leaders to mentor teachers in media literacy integration. The initiative taught librarians to use constructivist media decoding (CMD) – an inquiry-based, curriculum driven approach to media analysis and production. This article, informed by the evaluation of that effort, offers a qualitative view from three elementary school librarians who were part of the pilot cohort. They describe how they implemented CMD in ways that can be duplicated by other …

Opportunities For Growth: A Metacognitive Self-Talk Strategy That Improves Classroom Unity And Academic Attitudes, Sera Anello, Michael J. Haslip

Journal of Practitioner Research

This teacher action research study describes the development and application of the opportunities for growth teaching method to increase learner motivation, persistence, cooperation and positive self-talk among primary school students. The approach was implemented with 30 fourth graders in a Philadelphia public school classroom to foster unity, support attitudes toward academics and participation, redefine failure, and reframe challenges. Before this intervention, most of the students lacked self-regulation, self-awareness, and relationship skills needed to thrive. This study investigates how and to what effect the opportunities for growth approach shifts students’ language and mindset about academic and social challenges. Qualitative data was …

Teacher Inquiry: How Mathematics Discourse And Hands-On Learning Impact Student Outcomes And Teacher Attitudes, Mary-Katherine Miller

Journal of Practitioner Research

In this inquiry, the teacher worked alongside a university mentor to develop, monitor, and analyze the teacher’s wonderings. In a 3rd grade classroom, the teacher wanted to explore how hands-on and discourse strategies could impact mathematics achievement for all students. Specifically, the teacher explored how utilizing hands-on activities and discourse strategies in collaborative groups could lead to increased engagement and better outcomes for her exceptional student education (ESE) population in learning multiplication and division. Throughout the inquiry, the teacher used checklists, anecdotal notes, and student exit ticket scores to monitor student progress. At the end of the inquiry cycle, the …

Maintaining Elementary Student Engagement And Motivation During Stem Activities: A Phenomenology, Christopher Feiler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of maintaining student engagement and motivation during STEM activities in elementary classrooms across the United States. For this research, I applied Bandura's self-efficacy theory as my foundational framework. The study highlights that a teacher’s perception of their efficacy affects their instructional practices and the achievement levels that students reach in STEM disciplines. As such, the primary guiding research question in this case was framed as follows: In what ways do elementary educators articulate their experiences fostering engagement and motivation in students during STEM activities? Data collection for …

From Perception To Retention: The Influence Of Campus Culture And Climate On Teacher Attrition, Stephany D. Brown

Education Theses and Dissertations

This improvement science dissertation in practice investigated the influence of leadership support, collaboration, and recognition on teacher attrition. The study occurred over the course of two years on two suburban secondary campuses, in neighboring independent school districts. Voluntary participants included certified teachers, administrators and counselors. The two-phase, Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles involved the collection of quantitative and qualitative data emphasizing teacher perceptions through surveys and focus groups to evaluate campus culture and climate before and after implementation of the intervention. Phase two incorporated the targeted intervention; focused on public recognition of teachers within the school setting; specifically examining whether public recognition …

A Comparative Case Study Of Mentoring Practices By National Board Certified And Non-Certified Teacher Mentors, Bethany Mcclure

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

As preservice teacher candidates engage in field experiences that shape their development of teacher identity, it is important to examine their perceptions of the mentoring process. This study explored how preservice teacher candidates construct their own knowledge about mentoring as a process, as well as explored the perceptions of mentor teachers, both National Board Certified, and non-National Board Certified, as they facilitated the learning and growth of their mentees. Many prior studies on the mentoring process exist, however, a gap in the literature that was identified and explored through this study included the impact that National Board Certified Teachers have …

The K-12 Education Workforce In Nevada, 2024, Olivia K. Cheche, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

K-12 Education

This fact sheet presents data on the share of workers in the K-12 education workforce in Nevada. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Query System provides data on the amount of employment in all job sectors at the state and metropolitan statistical area (MSA) levels. This fact sheet focuses on employment and wage data for the State of Nevada, the Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV MSA, and the Reno, NV MSA as of May 2024.

Du Rural Summit 2025: Full Conference Proceedings, 2025 Du Rural Summit

DU Rural Summit Conference Proceedings

Proceedings of the DU Rural Summit 2025, held June 27-27 in the Pueblo Convention Center. A gathering dedicated to addressing the unique opportunities and challenges facing rural schools and their communities.

Burnout Theory, Pandemic Teaching And Teacher Efficacy: What Is Lost When Schools Return To “Normal”?, Katy Farber, Penny A. Bishop

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Our qualitative study examined educators’ perceptions of teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of burnout theory. Using the three components of burnout as theorized by Maslach and Leiter (2016), we analyzed teachers’ self-reports of emotional exhaustion, cynicism/depersonalization, and reduced sense of professional self-efficacy. We interviewed 16 teachers who taught through the emergency remote-learning phase of the pandemic in March 2020 and remained in the same district when prepandemic practices returned. We conducted semistructured interviews in person and on Zoom with special educators, integrated arts teachers, school counselors, and general classroom teachers. We describe the unanticipated finding that teachers …

Kingsborough Community College Education Program Cite Playbook, Laura Scheiber, Joanna Maulbeck, Denise Farrelly

Publications and Research

As equity is a core value of our program, we believe that it is important to not just offer exposure to computing and digital literacy activities to preservice teachers, but that our teacher education program intentionally incorporates design principles that support student agency, foster co-learning, highlight creativity and joy, understand how computing can be used for social action, and critically assess tech tools and cultures(CUNY Computing-Integrated Teacher Education, 2025). In sum, we want to make sure technology is integrated with thoughtful scaffolding that fosters more critical thinking and digital citizenship. As List et. al (2020) point out, “If pre-service teachers …

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 2nd Grade - Symbol Explorers: Discovering Us And Florida Symbols, Jessica L. Elliott, Hailey Smith, Therissa Leo, Julia Cecelia, Fredrieka Clemons

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will identify essential American and Florida symbols and the symbolic meaning behind what they represent through hands on experiences, visual lectures, and exploratory projects. The students will participate in whole group and small group discussions along with actively engage in several comprehensive opportunities.

Evaluating The Predictive Value Of Basc-3 Anxiety Scale And Working Memory Index Scores For Clinically Significant Test Anxiety: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Non-Classifiable Cases, Des'tiana S. Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation will explore how test anxiety (TA) affects working memory (WM) and whether certain factors can help predict higher levels of test anxiety. Anxiety has been defined as a common experience that can show up in various forms—like general worry, social fears, panic attacks, and specific phobias (APA, 2022). It was described as often triggering our natural “fight-or-flight” response, which can impact our ability to focus, think clearly, and remember things. For students, test anxiety has been especially challenging, affecting how they perform in high-stakes academic settings. Using data from a university based psychological assessment center, this study will …

Evaluating The Predictive Value Of Basc-3 Anxiety Scale And Working Memory Index Scores For Clinically Significant Test Anxiety: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Non-Classifiable Cases, Des'tiana S. Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation will explore how test anxiety (TA) affects working memory (WM) and whether certain factors can help predict higher levels of test anxiety. Anxiety has been defined as a common experience that can show up in various forms—like general worry, social fears, panic attacks, and specific phobias (APA, 2022). It was described as often triggering our natural “fight-or-flight” response, which can impact our ability to focus, think clearly, and remember things. For students, test anxiety has been especially challenging, affecting how they perform in high-stakes academic settings. Using data from a university based psychological assessment center, this study will …

Nsu Library Link - Summer 2025 - Volume 2.1, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Florida Link Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Navigating Through Difficult Roads And Terrains: Novice Teachers’ Challenges In Teaching In Remote Mountainous Settings In The Philippines, Albert C. Albina, Sarah Jean A. Salmorin, Dannyla N. Cainos, Rhea Mae C. Montano

The Rural Educator

In rural areas, the adaptation of urban-originating elementary teachers to remote mountainous school locations poses substantial challenges and necessitates innovative strategies. This study primarily explored the lived experiences of newly hired elementary teachers residing in urban areas but assigned to remote mountainous locations, specifically focusing on their adaptation processes, the challenges they encountered, and support mechanisms that influenced their teaching roles. Using a descriptive phenomenological approach and reflexive thematic analysis, this study involved in-depth interviews with nine newly hired urban-originating elementary teachers who were assigned to teach in rural schools in the Municipality of Santa Catalina, Basay, and Bayawan City, …

Exploring Teachers' Perceptions And Experiences In Adopting And Implementing High- Quality Instructional Materials At A Public Charter School In A Mid-Atlantic State, Marietta Maloy Williams

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This action research dissertation examines the perceptions and experiences of public charter school teachers in a Mid-Atlantic state regarding the adoption and implementation of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). Using a mixed-methods approach, the study investigated the impact of HQIM on teaching practices and student outcomes. A survey, followed by focus groups, gathered both quantitative and qualitative data from a targeted population of K–8 teachers. Data analysis included thematic coding of focus group discussions. Findings reveal significant challenges in HQIM implementation, highlighting the need for enhanced professional development and ongoing instructional support. The study concludes with implications for practice and recommendations …

Action Research Integrating Heggerty’S Phonemic Awareness Instruction For Transfer Into Third-Grade Writing, Jennifer Elizabeth Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Writing requires the ability to encode phonemes to separate sounds to spell. Students who are mystified by print often find writing a laborious task. This action research investigated the impact of Heggerty's Bridge the Gap phonological instruction on third grade writing development, specifically focusing on elaboration. Recognizing that strong phonological foundations are crucial for both reading and writing success, this study addressed the gap in phonological instruction found in upper elementary grades. The research questions guided the research: What is the impact of phonological awareness instruction on third-grade students’ elaboration domain in writing? 2.) What are the third-grade students' perceptions …

Effectiveness Of Digital Learning Materials On Students' Achievement In Science: A Meta-Analysis, Bingo L. Aligo, Maricar S. Prudente

Journal of Global Education and Research

Researchers have been examining educational resources and content to enhance and support the learning experience. As technology continues to transform the way we learn and access information, digital learning materials have become increasingly popular in modern education. This study looked at how different kinds of digital learning materials affected science students’ learning achievement. The moderator variables used were grade level (kindergarten, primary, intermediate, and secondary), subject (biological sciences, general science, and physical sciences), and length of exposure (1 to 3 weeks, 4 to 6 weeks, and 10 to 12 weeks). A total of 14 studies were considered, involving 789 students …

Enhancing Educational Outcomes For English Learners: The Role Of Culturally Responsive Teaching And Professional Development In Texas, Elisa Garcia, Kristi L. Santi

Journal of English Learner Education

The increasing population of English learners (ELs) in Texas public schools requires a focused approach to their education. This article explores the challenges faced by ELs, including the risk of misplacement in educational programs and the need for culturally and linguistically responsive teaching practices. Drawing on recent research, the article highlights the importance of professional development (PD) tailored to the unique needs of ELs. Effective PD programs should prioritize cultural and linguistic awareness, collaborative learning opportunities, and strategies for differentiated instruction. The article also discusses the significance of engaging parents and the community in supporting ELs. By implementing these recommendations, …

Everything Is Bigger In Texas: English Learners And The Difficulty Within Assessment, Identification, And Program Development, Gloria A. Avila, Kristi L. Santi

Journal of English Learner Education

This report explores the critical components of effective program placement for English learners, emphasizing the need for accurate assessment and identification processes to ensure appropriate placement. It highlights the rapid growth of the EL population, particularly in the state of Texas, and underscores the importance of developing tailored educational programs that meet the unique needs of English learners. By examining current practices and identifying key areas for improvement, this paper aims to enhance the academic and linguistic outcomes for English learners, ultimately fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment.