Secondary Education Commons^™

High School Career And Technical Education (Cte) Programming And Post-Secondary Career Pathways: A Correlational Study, Richard P. Jorgenson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative correlational research project was to examine the association between the 6 CTE components (i.e., curriculum, work-based learning, mentorship/industry connections, student organizations/competitions, non-degree credentials, and experiential learning) and a students’ choice of a career pathway. The current literature stated the benefits of CTE but left a void as to which CTE component had the most impact on a student’s choice of a career pathway. With a theoretical framework based on the Career Self-Management Model, the author analyzed data from a sample consisting of current high school students, former high school students, and current CTE teachers to …

Remixing Dialogue: A Case Study On Perceptions Of Hip Hop Pedagogy In A Professional Learning Course, Kelly J. Thelen

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This qualitative case study examines how teachers’ decision-making and professional autonomy shift while participating in a Hip Hop Pedagogy Professional Learning course supported by structured FIXIT (Lo & Wachter, 2023a, 2023b, 2023c, 2023d; Wachter & Lo, 2024) game-facilitated dialogue in a rural, culturally and linguistically diverse Midwest community. Grounded in Freire’s (1970) Critical Pedagogy, Ladson-Billings’ (1995) Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy (Paris and Alim, 2017), and Adult Learning Theory (Knowles et al., 2005), the study explores the reclamation of agency by teachers in a time of constrained creativity and educator autonomy shaped by strict policy environments, an emphasis on …

A Correlational Study Of The Relationships Between The Big Five Aspects Of Personality And Career Interest: Practical Implications For Teachers In Guidance Counseling Roles, Mary J. Haberman

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Classroom teachers are often required to teach advisory courses that include career counseling and social emotional learning components. The author used a combination of personality and career assessments to guide students into careers that were a good fit, not only for their interests but their temperaments as well. This holistic approach to advising allowed the author to address a wide variety of personal issues (e.g., unmet needs) that students were having and help them to discover their own motivations for approaching these issues. While the study is focused on collecting information from working adults, the results of this study could …

The Impact Of Educators’ Perceptions Of Neurodivegence On Their Self-Efficacy In Teaching Middle And High School Students With Adhd And Autism In Rural Minnesota, Nicolle D. Bettcher Erickson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to explore how we can best support our teachers in matching our ever-changing educational landscape, specifically our neurodivergent learners. When educating neurodivergent students (students with autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), we must understand how to teach these creative, sometimes misunderstood individuals and unleash their full potential. To do so, we need educational practitioners who have healthy perceptions of what it means to be neurodivergent and educators who understand both the talents and hurdles that being neurodivergent may entail. This study examined how non-special education teachers' perceptions of neurodivergence correlated with …

The Impacts And Interplay Of Adolescent Personal Contexts And Sense Of Belonging To Mathematics On Postsecondary Stem Field Interests And Intentions, Monica J. Weir

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This quantitative correlational research sought to examine the relationship between high school students’ sense of belonging to mathematics and their interests and intentions to pursue fields of study and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). With a theoretical framework based on the belongingness hypothesis and social cognitive career theory (SCCT), the author explicitly linked the universality of the phenomenon of sense of belonging to individual, contextual, environmental, and experiential factors that influence career-related interest development. A sample of 328 high school students attending one private, Catholic, college preparatory school in the Upper Midwest of the United States responded …

Understanding The Experiences Of Secondary Students Identified As In-School Truant And Their Perceived Contributing Factors To Truancy: When And What Caused The Disconnection, Joshua Donald Andres

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

A strong correlation exists between school attendance and positive school outcomes such as increased graduation rates, stronger sense of belonging, and a higher grade-point average (Churchill et al., 2021; Daily et al., 2020; Allensworth & Easton, 2007). Therefore, school administrators implement strategies that foster positive attendance behavior for students. Attendance data is quantitative in nature and, while quantitative data is needed for decisions related to policy and best practices, qualitative data may better identify root causes of truancy behavior. This study’s purpose was to identify perceived contributing factors that resulted in participants having high rates of in-school truancy, or going …

The Impact Of The Master Schedule On Student Perception Of Teacher-Student Relationships In Minnesota Middle Schools, Jonathon Graff

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Teacher-student relationships have been shown to have a marked decline at the transition to middle school (Hughes & Cao, 2018). The decline has been linked to a potential mismatch between middle school structure and the unique needs of the young adolescents that they serve (Eccles et al., 1993). This quantitative, correlational study explored the impact of school master schedules (i.e., school structure) on teacher-student relationships (i.e., TSRs) in Minnesota middle schools. The study searched for potential associations between student perceived teacher care and master scheduling type with the intent to fill a gap in literature and to help inform district …

An Investigation Of How High School Teachers Can Positively Influence The Mental Health Of High School Students, Anthony Mahady

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to better understand student mental health needs to advocate for intentional change within the school district where the study occurred. A critical case study approach was taken to learn about student and teacher needs, within a bounded location and time, to invoke intentional change for students in the school district. The study elicited responses from a student focus group of seven students, where they addressed the current mental health needs of students in the district. Responses from the focus group were used to inform the questions in the six semi-structured interviews conducted with high …

Most Likely To Succeed: Which Factors Influence College Students In Completing Their Two-Year Computer Degree And Graduating From College, Nathan Blommel

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

For many individuals, researching and finding a college to attend is a wonderful experience. Many students explore college and take multiple courses, but do not finish their intended degree. Past and current studies have identified factors and reasons to why students dropout from college. Two well-known theories include A.W. Astin’s student involvement theory (1984) and Tinto’s (1993) model of college student attrition. The purpose of this study was to identify factors amongst students who graduated and students who did not graduate from a two-year computer degree program. The data derived from the collective stories of those who had experienced it. …

High School Students’ Perceptions Of School Supports Toward Graduation: A Correlational Study, Heather Giese

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Addressing barriers to high school graduation is essential to decreasing dropout rates. Schools provide various supports for students on their pathway to graduation with varying effects on preventing dropout. Research studies indicate that students’ perceptions of the school and staff influence educational attainment. This post-positivist, correlational research study examined three research questions including students’ perceptions of the school and staff, students’ perceptions of graduation supports, and whether specific supports correlate to more positive student perceptions of the school and staff. Through a convenience sample, 21 students at a small, alternative high school in Minnesota completed two questionnaires. Questionnaires consisted of …

Manipulating The Distance Of Inter-Letter And Inter-Word Spacing To Improve Reading Accuracy And Speed In The Dyslexic Student, Jon Roemmich

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

Recent research studies have shown that increased inter-letter and inter-word spacing has a positive effect on the reading speed and accuracy of students with dyslexia. A few of these studies also included the use of increased font size. Research that has included using fonts designed for dyslexics in addition to increased font size has not produced favorable results in increasing reading accuracy and speed. In relationship to previous research our results have shown that a .5 inter-letter and inter-word spacing has a marginal positive effect on reading accuracy and speed. The use of .3 and .7 inter-letter and inter …

P-12 Teachers' Perceptions And Knowledge About Students' Mental Health And Their Willingness To Provide Mental Health Supports Within Their Classroom, Tamara Engel

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

P-12 students are experiencing higher rates of mental health needs, which generates a growing concern among teachers, parents, and educational leaders. Students with mental health challenges may struggle socially, emotionally, behaviorally, and academically and become at a risk for lower academic achievement, reduced graduation rates, and increased school suspensions and expulsions. While most of the literature is qualitative and has consistently identified schools as the ideal location to provide targeted mental health supports to students, teachers have reported having insufficient knowledge, skills, and resources to provide these supports to students. This correlational study aimed to move forward the quantitative methodology …

Implementation Of Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports (Pbis) And Its Impact On Middle School Students’ Academic Success And Problem Behaviors, Brittanie Watson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) has been implemented across the United States in the effort to help diminish problem behaviors and increase academic success. Schools across the country are reporting an increase in numbers and intensity of problem behaviors. In addition, academic success after the COVID-19 pandemic has decreased in some school districts across the United States. Therefore, districts are looking for an intervention to help increase academics and decrease problem behaviors. With school districts already implementing PBIS, research studies and analyses are needed to ensure that the outcomes expected of PBIS are occurring. In addition, with the little …

Leading With Equity Through Action: The Theory Of Racial And Gender Equity Advancement In Rural Schools, Anna Gross

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

All students deserve an equitable education. Rampant misinformation has flooded the educational world, and society as a whole, turning the concept of “equity” into something that has become politically charged. However, all students are different, and differences must be acknowledged and celebrated to ensure all students receive the education they need to thrive both academically and socially.

The purpose of this study is to examine equitable practices in rural schools. Using a constructivist paradigm, a grounded theory research approach was utilized through collection of qualitative data to theorize why some rural schools are further advanced than other rural schools of …

Impacting Student Self-Efficacy In English/Language Arts: Using Student-Generated Questions In Small Group Discussions, Heather Johnson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Student engagement in the classroom can be a struggle for many teachers. Research shows that student engagement can be impacted by student self-efficacy in the classroom, and student engagement increases when participating in small group discussions and inquiry-based activities. This qualitative study aimed to understand the impact using student-generated questions in small group discussions had on student self-efficacy in the high school English/language arts classroom. A survey was created and given to 21 twelfth-grade student participants prior to and after using student-generated questions in three separate small group discussions in an elective English/language arts class. Qualitative data were also collected …

Throwing Away The Late Work Penalty, Anthony Orttel

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

This 2023 study examines the academic effects of a penalty-free late work policy. The study focuses on whether taking away penalties for late work significantly decreases the number of missing assignments at the end of an academic quarter. During the third quarter of the 2022/2023 academic school year, students will not receive point deductions for turning in late work. This research took place in South Florida and included approximately 50 10^th grade biology students. Data and results from the study will follow.

How Doctoral Students In A Formal Leadership Program Conceptualize Followership: A Mixed-Methods Study, Katy J. Johnson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this exploratory mixed-methods study was to determine how doctoral students in a formal leadership program conceptualize followership. The methods used to conduct this analysis included distributing a Qualtrics (released in August 2022) survey and conducting one-on-one interviews with a sample of degree-seeking doctoral students within a formal leadership program. The researcher collected quantitative and qualitative data addressing students’ followership style, leadership attitudes and beliefs, and perceptions of followership. These data were analyzed concurrently using a triangulation design. A total of 67 students completed the survey, and seven students were interviewed. The findings revealed that the participants employ …

The Impact Of Student Cell Phones On Standardized Test Achievement In The High School English Classroom, Jackie Otway

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This 2022 study analyzes the impact cell phones have on secondary student’s academic performance and whether or not banning cell phones from classrooms is an effective policy for supporting student's academic success. To answer this question, two class periods of approximately 30 students in each period will be asked to adhere to two different cell phone policies; one conventional policy that allows for unstructured cell phone use during the class period and one policy that bans cell phone use for the class period. Academic performance and success will be determined by scaled scores on the standardized STAR Reading test, which …

The Impact Of Utilizing Non-Permanent Workspaces As A Formative Assessment Tool On Students’ Outcomes And Attitudes Towards Mathematics In A Middle School Math Classroom, Robert Minkkinen

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The present study investigated the effectiveness of utilizing non-permanent workspaces as formative assessment tools for middle school mathematics students in regards to their academic performance and feelings or attitudes towards mathematics. The researcher took two sections of eight grade basic algebra students, and implemented the practice of utilizing non-permanent workspaces as formative assessment tools with one section, and similar formative assessment strategies with the other section of students, but without the non-permanent workspaces. The participants from both sections took a pretest and post-test to determine the academic effectiveness of implementing the non-permanent workspaces. The participants from both sections also completed …

A Program Evaluation Of The Multi-Tiered System Of Supports (Mtss) And Its Role In Supporting Students’ Reading And Math Performance During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sonia Nistler

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to employ a quantitative research study to measure the degree of impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on students’ academic performance and determine the extent to which the MTSS program served to counter the impact of the pandemic on students’ reading and math performance. This study analyzed pre-existing STAR Reading and STAR Math data collected from 7^th-grade students at one Midwest public middle utilizing the September (Fall) and December (Winter) scores. The data sets were compared to determine the students’ reading and math performance trends in the three years preceding the COVID-19 …

Science Teacher Attitudes And Perceptions Of Disciplinary Literacy And Think-Aloud Effectiveness – A Case Study, Patricia Mueller

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The ability to read is the most important skill in a person’s life. Learning to read is emphasized in elementary school with the belief that mastering this skill early will result in the ability to read most texts in secondary school. As a student matriculates through school, secondary teachers are focused on teaching their content while integrating literacy skills when necessary or maybe not ever. This research focuses on science teachers and their attitudes about literacy integration, specifically using the think-aloud reading strategy to teach disciplinary literacy. It builds upon the work of Shanahan and Shanahan (2008, 2010, 2011), Ness …

Career, Academics, Exploration, Shadowing, Application, And Reality Store: Caesars, Brooke Hunstad

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Society’s expectation is that once a student graduates from high school, they will do one of two things; enter the workforce or continue their education. The flaw within this expectation is that rarely do high school students experience what their futures may look like depending on their career path. The focus of this curriculum is to provide knowledge and experiences that can help students reach society’s expectation. The population of focus is middle to high school students, preferably juniors and seniors. Research was collected and a literature review was prepared to support the demand of the curriculum in education and …

Analyzing The Effectiveness Of Different Media To Enhance Mathematical Discourse, Kyle Och

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This qualitative and quantitative study compared the effect of paper-pencil work in a mathematical discourse with problems and prompts presented virtually through various technological tools. The participants of this study were ninth and tenth grade students in two separate blocks of geometry class. These classes consisted of predominantly White students split into class sizes of 26 and 21. Since students were separated into two different geometry classes, one class was given paper problems and discussion prompts while the other received problems and prompts through Desmos Classroom Activities. This way, a quantitative analysis of three data points could be compared between …

The Effect Of Separating Grades From Feedback On Student Motivation, Nora Rogers

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

There is often a disconnect around instructional feedback between how the instructor intends the feedback to be used and how students actually use it. Research shows that students tend to view feedback as a means to achieve a higher grade, not as a tool for learning. Frequently, this means that feedback is ignored. Students tend to be motivated by performance goals as opposed to mastery goals thereby focusing on point acquisition above all. Therefore, this study explores the question: What is the effect of separating grades from feedback on the motivation of secondary honors students? Learners in this research study …

The Effect Of Virtual Labs On High School Student Attitudes Towards Chemistry, Emily Koehler

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This mixed-methods action research project evaluated high school chemistry student attitudes towards chemistry before and after the students completed a virtual laboratory. Students were surveyed by utilizing the Attitude Toward the Subject of Chemistry Inventory (Bauer, 2008) and a random sample of students were interviewed by the author. Survey scores in five subscales (emotional satisfaction, anxiety, intellectual accessibility, interest and utility, and fear) were compared through statistical analysis of mean, standard deviation, and t-test. Student attitudes were not significantly different before and after the virtual laboratory experience but did show a general decrease in perceptions of interest and utility of …

The Effects That A Flipped Classroom Has On Engagement And Academic Performance For High School Mathematics Students, Jordan Geraets

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Flipped classrooms continue to spark educator’s attention and curiosity as an alternative to the traditional teaching and engagement in a classroom, especially during the time of a global pandemic. New, innovative technology has allowed for educators to be able to evolve their classrooms into new learning environments. Research into how flipped classrooms can impact mathematics classrooms and how students engage and perform differently than in a traditional mathematics classroom was expanded on in this study to determine what benefits there could be for students and how effective the teaching model can be in a class where students often struggle. As …

Gradeless Learning: The Effect Of Eliminating Traditional Grading Practices On Student Engagement And Learning, Eric Sanders

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

In order for students to learn at high levels, there must be high expectations and strong feedback. Although traditional grading seems to be an inherent part of the educational system, there are multiple purposes for grades which often causes frustrations for both teachers and students. There is a need to expand the research on grading and its effect on both student learning and motivation. This action research study centered on three research questions: 1) What effect does the elimination of traditional grading practices have on student engagement in learning? 2) What impact does the removal of traditional grading practices and …

Impacts Of Concurrent Enrollment Offerings On Minnesota High School Programming: A Qualitative Exploration Of High School Administrator Perceptions., Erica Johnson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Concurrent enrollment plays an increasingly important role in dual credit program options throughout Minnesota public schools. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to discern any shared phenomenon among public high school administrators in schools where concurrent enrollment is offered. This dissertation was framed by two research questions: 1) Share your rationale for why your school is offering concurrent enrollment courses. 2) From your perspective, how does concurrent enrollment participation impact your student body?

A qualitative, constructivist, phenomenological study was conducted using semi-structured interviews across a mix of seven rural and urban Minnesota school districts. The participants included seven …

How The Covid-19 Pandemic Affected High School Student Mathematical Anxiety During Distance Learning., Ryan Christiansen

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Mathematical anxiety is the stress associated with an insecurity in a student’s own ability to solve a math problem (Beilock & Willingham, 2014). This stress can cause students to perform below their ability and put in motion a dislike for math that can last a lifetime. In the spring of 2020, a sudden interruption in learning, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, caused students to be separated from their teachers, setting up a situation in which students were not as fully supported as usual, and mathematical anxiety potentially increased. The previous research on students being separated from their teachers on …

Why Students Seek Help, Blake Rasmussen

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This project researched why students do and do not seek help in a high school class. Typically, when a student is more confident in their abilities, they are more likely to seek out help from a class teacher. Students who are less confident will conversely avoid looking for help, as they are afraid of what their peers and teachers will think of them for asking for help. This invites instructors to come up with ways to increase confidence and self-efficacy in these learners so they will then feel better about asking for help when needed.

Keywords: Self-efficacy, questions, help