Secondary Education Commons^™

New Reader Response: An Examination Of Three High-Achieving High School Readers And Their Literacies, Minkyu Kim

Essays in Education

Since its inception, reader response theory has battled misrepresentations. It was reduced to discursive anarchy, perceived as not rigorous, and set apart from important scholarship movements like critical theory. This research argues that by expanding the definition of “reader” in “reader response” to include digital (aka “new”) literacies, the reader-text transaction can be much more inclusive, dynamic, and most importantly, true to our students’ everyday literacies. This article also includes a discussion of why it is so important for teachers to include digital platforms as sites of interrogation in a safe educative setting. By studying the out-of-school literacy behaviors of …

Exploring Student Engagement In A Blended And Gamified Statistics And Probability: Designed With Learning Styles And Player Types, Reymund R. Gonowon

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Educators are called to contribute towards achieving SDG 4: Quality Education. A major determinant in achieving this goal is providing learners with essential skills such as analyzing and interpreting data, making inferences, and driving evidence-based decisions which are the expected competencies in Statistics and Probability (STATPRO), one of the core subjects of the senior high school curriculum in the Philippines. To progress towards SDG 4, achieving the learning competencies of STATPRO is vital, however engaging students in a blended learning environment may be challenging. This study aims to explore the behavioral engagement of students in a gamified STATPRO class through …

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 …

Building Structures And Beliefs For Effective Multi-Tiered Systems Of Support At The Secondary Level, Hannah Loewen

Graduate Teacher Education

Abstract

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support or MTSS has become a popular service delivery framework for responding to students' academic needs through Response to Intervention (RTI) or behavioral needs through Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). The tiered framework is designed to increase the intensity or frequency of interventions identified through universal screeners, progress monitoring, and teams using data to make decisions about student needs. This study sought to understand how the secondary level structure impacts the implementation of a MTSS framework and how those structures and beliefs impact interventions and supports for students in middle and high school. This study …

Perceived Engagement And Achievement Of Students In A Career And Technical Education And Math Co-Taught Lesson In Southeast Tennessee: A Mixed Methods Study, Charis P. Reagan

Ed.D. Dissertations

Given the problem that students were not engaged in math class and were leaving high school without the basic math skills needed to be successful for college and career, the purpose of this convergent mixed methods case study was to investigate student and teacher perceptions of how math application through a Career and Technical Education (CTE) and math co-taught lesson influenced the level of student engagement in math and whether this co-teaching affected student achievement with math. As I reviewed the literature, I found a lack of studies related to co-teaching and if providing the students with the opportunity for …

An Investigation Into Two Mathematics Score Reports: Problem Solving Measure (Psm) And Measurement Of Academic Progress (Map), Benjamin Lawson, Jonathan D. Bostic

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

K-12 teachers and staff need high-quality score reports that accurately report students’ results. However, research about score reports that K-12 teachers and staff use indicates that they infrequently are given opportunities to share feedback to developers. To address this, we gathered feedback from teachers and administrators, in an explanatory sequential design of a mixed-methods study. A purpose of the study was to examine score report quality from two mathematics assessments. Two researchers surveyed in-service professionals (n = 34) about two score reports. Then, we conducted follow-up interviews (n = 6) to further unpack what school personnel find valuable and useful …

Changing Course

DePaul Magazine

The Chicago Teacher Residency program, a partnership between DePaul University's College of Education and the Academy of Urban School Leadership, prepares career changers to teach in high-need Chicago Public Schools.

Learning Spanish As A Second Language: How Instruction Differs For Spanish In Middle And High School, Megan Lenza

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Although many research articles focus on Second Language Acquisition (SLA) at the university level, few focus on SLA at the middle and high school developmental levels. Nevertheless, in the US, most students begin learning another language at these levels, and it is helpful to determine key factors for enhancing language learning. This project aims to study how the factors of target language (the language of instruction), context (exposure and environment of learning), and technology can promote SLA at the middle and high school levels. In this study, student SLA refers to the process and development of a Spanish as a …

Beyond The Frame: Unraveling The Influence Of Art In Social Studies Education, Emily Cox

Honors Projects

This study examines the integration of art into social studies education to enhance student engagement, academic outcomes, and meaningful discourse. By incorporating visual literacy and material culture through activities such as analyzing gravestones, it explores how art can connect students to historical and social concepts in impactful ways. Through student-driven analysis and interdisciplinary approaches, the research demonstrates how art integration supports academic objectives, fosters critical thinking, and encourages substantive discussions. The findings highlight art’s potential to enrich understanding, deepen personal connections, and make social studies more engaging and relevant for students.

Understanding The Correlation Between Socioeconomic Status And Student Achievement Amongst High School Students In Rural Mississippi, Aiesha L. Brooks-Hodges

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and student achievement among high school students in rural Mississippi. By using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative data from the Mississippi Department of Education’s Accountability Report Card with qualitative data from student surveys and teacher interviews, this paper explores how SES factors such as parental income and education affect academic outcomes in rural settings. The study highlights the significant disparities between low-SES and high-SES students in terms of standardized test scores, graduation rates, and access to educational resources. The findings suggest that addressing these disparities will require targeted interventions at …

More Than Just A Grade: Factors Influencing Secondary Students’ Engagement With Digital Feedback, Mandy Prior

Dissertations

The increasing use of technology in secondary education has shifted teacher feedback practices to digital environments. While digital feedback offers many promising affordances, the factors that influence how students engage with and use digital feedback are not well understood. Previous research indicates that digital feedback poses unique challenges for engagement. New paradigm feedback models seek to identify processes and actions that promote feedback engagement. However, these models require further study in digital and pre-higher education contexts. This qualitative single-case study investigated the factors influencing secondary students' engagement with digital feedback. Data included 24 student interviews conducted across four grade levels …

Impact Of Disciplinary Literacy Pedagogy On Student Historical Content Learning: A Mixed Methods Research Study, Jeffrey Mayr

Dissertations

This study sought to assess if a disciplinary literacy (DL) teaching intervention could increase student historical content learning. The purpose of this study was to help make recommendations for usage of DL teaching strategies in the future. DL is a new and promising teaching strategy that has a multitude of research-backed benefits. However, DL adoption has been hampered by a lack of clarity on if DL can improve student content learning and test scores. This study used mixed methods methodology. Quantitative assessment was utilized for a quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design to assess the impact of a two-week DL teaching …

The Impact Of Verbal Discourse On General And Special Education Students In The Ninth Grade Algebra I Classroom, Lauren Raschen

Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to determine if there was a difference in using verbal discourse methods in the Foundations of Algebra/Algebra I for the general and special education population.  This study was done in the collaborative classroom where the results of general education and special education students were compared.  The researcher also compared the results of the verbal discourse formative assessments to determine which type of verbal discourse made the greatest impact of conceptual understanding of mathematical operations using a quantitative study.  The data was collected for two formative assessments and compared using the multiple linear regression …

Diverse Possibilities Of Shakespeare: Teaching Twelfth Night Through A Queer Lens, Julia Ritzler

Honors Projects

This project seeks to understand the ways in which Queer Theory can be applied to secondary language arts education to enhance students' understanding of identity and gender in literature. For the purposes of this project, Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is being used as a case study text. This project includes a thorough analysis of Twelfth Night through a queer lens, a literature review of Queer Theory and educational pedagogy, a block plan and related instructional and assessment materials, a rationale for the block plan, and project limitations and implications for future research. By analyzing scholarly texts and applying the theories within …

Using Geogebra To Foster Imagination And Creativity To Build Mathematics Confidence In A Stem World, Joseph M. Furner

Transformations

Math teachers can better prepare all student for a STEM world using computer software like GeoGebra to better prepare our youth for such high-tech careers like that of which Einstein was part of while also emphasizing and fostering creativity in the learning of mathematics. It is critical we have young learners who are confident in their ability to do math and be creative. Teachers today need to check dispositions toward mathematics and address math anxiety while building math confidence in their students. In an ever-advancing world of technology, math teachers need to incorporate such emerging technologies like GeoGebra into the …

Rachel’S Saga: Using Adolescent Literature In The Mathematics Classroom As A Form Of Bibliotherapy To Help Students Overcome Math Apprehension, Joseph M. Furner

Transformations

Math anxiety is prevalent and an understanding of mathematics is critical in an increasingly technological/STEM society, teachers must play a role in reducing the levels of math anxiety of learners. More recently, children's and adolescent literature has been recognized now as a means to teaching mathematics to students through the use of stories to make the math concepts relevant and meaningful. Literature may be used as a therapy to reach students who may be frustrated with math and/or who experience math anxiety. Story and picture books such as Math Curse (Scieszka & Smith, 1995) and A Gebra Named Al (Isdell, …

Making A Career Out Of Teaching: Exploring Longevity And Resiliency In Tennessee School-Based Agriculture Teachers, S. Sirrena Wiggins, Blake C. Colclasure, Tyler Granberry, Christopher T. Stripling

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

The need for qualified school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teachers is often discussed in terms of teacher recruitment; however, retaining those teachers is also necessary to ensure the stability and longevity of SBAE programming. Through the lens of teacher resilience, this qualitative study sought to answer the question: What individual and social-ecological characteristics of Tennessee career agriculture teachers contributed to their resiliency and longevity in the profession? In response, we conducted a phenomenological study of Tennessee agriculture teachers with 15 or more years in the profession. After coding data from 15 interviews, six themes emerged: (1) Passion, (2) Support, (3) Adaptability, …

Evaluation Of A Token Reinforcement System For Assignment Completion In Students With Educational Disabilities, Brandon O'Dell

Theses

Token reinforcement systems are an effective tool in applied behavior analysis. Studies as early as the 1960s and 70s have demonstrated the effectiveness of token economy from addressing the behaviors of psychiatric patients (e.g., Allyon & Azrin, 1965) to supporting the academic achievement of students in school settings (e.g., McLaughlin & Malaby, 1972) Most recently, Espinoza and Hackenberg (2024) discussed the history and effectiveness of token reinforcement, while providing practical recommendations for its application. The current study aimed to implement a token reinforcement system to increase assignment completion and accuracy in three eighth-grade students with various medical and educational diagnoses …

An Exploration Of How Education Stakeholders Perceive The Implications Of Grade Repetition In Secondary Education In Western Uganda: A Qualitative Multiple-Case Study, Patrick Tumwine

Theses & Dissertations

Grade repetition is one of the bottlenecks to Uganda’s vision of producing skilled human capital to transform the nation’s status from peasant to middle class. This study explored how education stakeholders perceived the implication of students’ grade repetition at a secondary school level. I employed a qualitative approach with an embedded multiple-case study design, through which cross-case synthesis on each school’s perspective revealed similarities and differences in understanding grade repetition at a secondary school level. Individualism-collectivism theory guided the study, to understand how students realized educational expectations through an interplay of educational and cultural influence on a school’s instructional process. …

Aged 539 Graduate Internship Report - Buhach Colony High School, Shad M. Menezes

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This report documents the implementation and outcomes of a comprehensive agricultural education program at Buhach Colony High School, aligning with California Career Technical Education (CTE) standards. The project focuses on enhancing student engagement through curriculum development, leadership activities, Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), and career readiness initiatives. Key components include expanding pathway offerings in horticulture, mechanics, and agricultural sciences, integrating field experiences, and hosting guest speakers to connect students with industry professionals.

Aged 539 Graduate Internship Report - Live Oak High School, Savannah L. Burnett

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This report documents the implementation and outcomes of a comprehensive agricultural education program at Live Oak High School, aligning with California Career Technical Education (CTE) standards. The project focuses on enhancing student engagement through curriculum development, leadership activities, Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), and career readiness initiatives. Key components include expanding pathway offerings in horticulture, mechanics, and agricultural sciences, integrating field experiences, and hosting guest speakers to connect students with industry professionals.

Conceptual Understanding, Engagement, And Optimal Learning Moments With Problem-Oriented Project Learning In High School Physics, Catherine A. Howell

Dissertations

This research explored the effect of Problem-Oriented Problem Based Learning (POPL) on concept attainment and engagement in a high school physics class. While physics education remains a vital component of STEM education, secondary physics enrollment trails chemistry and biology. Issues contributing to physics’ reputation as a complex subject include prior misconceptions and the formulaic nature of pedagogy. Prior research indicated that active learning can challenge misconceptions and mitigate the sameness of instruction. POPL resides firmly in the active learning methodology of Project-Based Learning (PjBL). This study expanded the research by combining Physics, POPL, concept attainment, multiple components of engagement, and …

Perceptions Of Professional Learning: Discovering The Impact Of Defined Learning’S Professional Development With Teachers In An Urban District At The Middle School Level, Ramona Coleman

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This exploratory study, in which the participants portrayed a critical role, aimed to discover the perceptions of professional development in changing educator practice at the secondary level with middle school teachers in an urban school district. The data collection process included semi-structured interviews with nine secondary teachers via Zoom and in-person interviews in the content areas of science and social studies and data from the Defined Learning platform, emphasizing practical insights for adult learners, policymakers at the district level, and future researchers. Social studies and science educators were interviewed about their perceptions of professional development facilitated by Defined Learning experts …

Exploring The Interplay Among Effort, Motivation, And Self-Efficacy In High School Mathematics And Act Math Achievement, Katrina Lightsey

Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between high school students' attributions of effort, motivation, and self-efficacy as they relate to ACT math scores. Despite the important role of standardized tests in determining college admissions, there has been little research conducted to determine how students feel about these attributions and how they relate to math grades and ACT scores. A total of 52 juniors and seniors from local high schools participated in this study, which was conducted over the summer through voluntary participation following email invitations. The study was designed to measure students' self-reported effort, motivation, and self-efficacy using a survey instrument. …

Aged 539- Internship In Agriculture Education - Waterford High School, Jennifer Pierce

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This report explores the development and implementation of an agricultural education program plan aimed at enhancing student engagement, community involvement, and career readiness. Drawing from established models of program planning and needs assessment, the report focuses on the integration of instructional strategies, supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs) and FFA involvement to foster comprehensive student development. The plan outlines key goals such as increasing student enrollment, improving curriculum alignment with industry standards, and expanding partnerships with local agricultural stakeholders. Strategies include curriculum enhancement, teacher professional development, and the use of data-driven decision-making. The report also emphasizes the importance of evaluation and continuous …

Social Justice In Dance: The Exploration Of Dance As A Tool For Promoting, Recognizing And Influencing Change, Michelle O'Konis Linnehan

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to prove that dance could be used as a platform for representation and to foster change within the community and beyond. This purpose aligned with the goal, which was to measure the impact of a structured choreographic curriculum on student engagement with social justice topics. The goal of this study was to answer the following research questions:

Q1 Can dance be a tool in promoting social justice?

Q2 How will students in the classroom respond to an integrated social justice theme through dance and production components?

Q3 How will these topics be interpreted to …

“Kematz'ib' Para Gritar” Innovative Technologies In Revitalizing The Mayan Languages: Empowering Youth Through Poetry - A Narrative Study, Héctor De Jesús Palala Martínez

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation explores innovative approaches to preserving and revitalizing the linguistic and cultural heritage of Mayan-speaking youth of Guatemalan descent in rural Nebraska. It delves into the intersection of technology, artistic expression, and cultural practices, emphasizing the revitalization of Mayan languages in Abya Yala (the Americas), particularly emphasizing the Guatemalan and the Mayan diasporas in Nebraska.

The research investigates the roles of digital humanities, culture-based education, and poetic expressions in language preservation/revitalization efforts among Mayan youth and unaccompanied minors in transnational educational settings. Central to the study is an academic initiative for transnational Mayan high school students integrating poetry and …

Resilient Students: Traumatic Experiences, Aces, And Resources That Influence University Students’ Perceptions Of First-Year College Adjustment, Audrey W. Besch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The history of understanding the impacts of trauma on individuals has shifted from a narrow focus on physical injuries to a multidimensional understanding of how trauma influences the development of psychological and emotional interactions. This evolving understanding has informed the implementation of trauma-informed practices and interventions across various sectors. Tennessee institutions of higher education recognize the connection between trauma, student success, and systemic interventions. University students who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences have heightened vulnerability to stressful events as they transition from high school to college, increasing the likelihood of lower educational attainment, higher drop-out rates, and higher rates of …

Educator Perceptions Of Career And Technical Education Courses And The Involvement In Career And Technical Student Organizations On Student Attendance, Robert Satterfield

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of secondary teachers, administrators, and educational supervisors of the implications of Career and Technical Education courses and the involvement in Career and Technical Student Organizations on student attendance. Data for this study were collected quantitatively by utilizing Microsoft Forms to administer the survey to potential participants. The survey administered for this study contained 13 Likert scale questions and two open-ended questions. Once data were collected SPSS Version 25 was used to analyze the data from the survey. After data analysis, it was concluded that all 13 of the Likert scale …

A Qualitative Study Of Iranian Efl Teachers’ Perceptions Of A Digital Diversified Education, Seyed Mohammad Reza Marvasti Zadeh, Azizollah Dabaghi Varnosfadrani Advarnosfadrani, Mohammad Amiryousefi

The Qualitative Report

Because Iran is a country of learners of diverse languages, socio-economic classes, genders, and ages, digital diversified education seems appropriate to address needs in English language education. However, there is a notable gap in research on teachers’ perceptions about this type of education. To fill this gap, this study aimed to investigate the perspectives of Iranian teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) regarding a diverse digital education. Data were collected via an open-ended survey with 30 EFL teachers, both male and female, who were selected through convenience sampling. Analysis revealed several key themes, including the utilization of diverse …