Secondary Education Commons^™

Rural Student Postsecondary Decision-Making: Navigating Narratives Of The Purpose And Value Of Higher Education, Ashley Renee Leggett-Bradley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The narrative surrounding the purpose and place of higher education has shifted dramatically over the past few decades, despite the persistent perceptions of the necessity of an educated society. With these shifts and conflicting narratives comes the question of how students are influenced by these narratives as they make their postsecondary decisions. This study seeks to illuminate the unique way that rural students receive, understand, and are influenced by these potentially conflicting narratives through a qualitative multi-site case study. All three sites are located within the North Central Appalachian portion of the state of West Virginia, and encompass a range …

Virtual Learning Walks Assignment Description, David Wolff

Open Educational Resources - Teaching and Learning

Learning Walks are structured walkthroughs with the purpose of professional development and growth. Learning Walks include multiple people so that immediate reflections may occur through collaboration. In higher education, model classrooms are not readily available for preservice teachers to practice and apply coursework knowledge. Virtual Learning Walks are a creative approach to resolve this challenge. This assignment asks preservice teachers to watch a recorded lesson with the mindset that they are visiting a colleague’s classroom to observe them for professional growth. Students take notes during the observation then analyze the observation for their own growth.

Trends, Challenges, And Evidence-Based Strategies For School Dropout Prevention In Virginia, David B. Naff, Thea Racelis, Regina Frazier, Meleah Ellison, Christina Tillery, Andy Bristow, Audra P. Lancaster, Sabrina Evans, Leah Wiedenhoft, Dina Abdul Rahman, Sharrie Merritte, Karli Johansen, Sooyeon Moon, Jean Samuel, Tara Davison

MERC Publications

This MERC research and policy brief explores school dropout prevention by focusing on recent trends and research. It addresses the following questions:

1) What are recent trends in school dropout?
2) What factors contribute to school dropout?
3) What are the consequences and implications of school dropout?
4) What are evidence-based strategies for school dropout prevention?
5) What are federal, state, and division-level policies related to school dropout prevention in the MERC region?

It concludes with a series of key takeaways and recommendations.

An Investigation Of The Impact Of Esser Relief Funds On Illinois High Schools, Douglas J. Wildes

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

During and in the immediate years after the global COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has given school districts across the United States millions of dollars through a series of three final grants called the Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ESSER) Grant to help improve education, decrease student learning losses suffered during the shutdown, and make educational facilities safer for students and staff. This study examines ESSER Grant dollars and academic achievement data from 57 Chicagoland high school districts and assesses whether a correlation exists between how these funds were allocated and student achievement performance. A Pearson correlation coefficient was …

Investigating Sleep Education Criteria In Illinois Public Schools And Its Alignment With Evidence-Based Practices, Bayleigh T. Pasley

Masters Theses

The purpose of the current study was to examine high school health curricula regarding sleep prevention and intervention practices and whether instructional content aligned with best practice for this age group. Specifically, the Primary Investigator and her thesis chair developed the Sleep Education and Preventative Practices Checklist/Questionnaire (SEPPC and SEPPQ) as tools to evaluate the sleep content covered in different public high schools across Illinois. The SEPPC and SEPPQ were identical in that they contained 17 different items which looked at different sleep topics reviewed by current literature. The SEPPC/Q contained two main topics: adolescent sleep knowledge (11 topics/items) and …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Utilization Of Student Voice By Midwest Urban Secondary Schools Within School Improvement Plan Strategies, Jessica Peifer Busse

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This phenomenological study aims to understand and establish the influence of student voice, particularly from marginalized students, in the school improvement process to yield positive student experiences for urban, comprehensive ninth- through twelfth-grade high schools in the United States Midwest. The focus of this study will be to compare the experiences of White students and students of color within the school system, compare the experiences of students when student voice is utilized as a school improvement plan strategy, and identify the correlation between the student voice strategy and school leadership viewpoints. The study of student voice will begin with a …

The Exclusion Of Black Girls: A Quantitative Study, Ursula Moorer

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Existing research consistently indicates that Black girls are assigned disproportionately exclusionary disciplinary consequences such as, suspension and expulsion rates, surpassing their White counterparts and Black boys. According to the Report to Congressional Requesters, (United States Governmental Accountability Office, 2018), exclusionary discipline is any type of removal from a student’s normal educational setting. This quantitative correlational study examined the relationship between the racial demographics within a school's student and personnel populations and occurrences of suspensions faced by Black female students in grades 9 through 12. Archival data were used from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) website. NYSED data are …

Science Teachers’ Initial Use Of Ngss Science Practices In Diverse Classrooms, Amy Tankersley, Elizabeth Hasseler, Elizabeth B. Lewis, Lyrica Lucas, Brandon Helding

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

In the landscape of U.S. education, the widespread adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) offers a unique vantage point for researchers to better understand teacher-, school- and classroom-level factors that advance reform initiatives in science classrooms. Addressing a gap in current knowledge, our study probes how secondary science teachers implement one dimension of NGSS - the science practices (SPs). Our data collection encompasses teacher interviews and meticulous observations of science lessons, coded for NGSS science practices (SPs) and inquiry-based teaching. Embracing a methodologically rich approach, our study employs both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. Quantitatively, we …

Establishing A Seven-Stage Iterative Framework And Card-Based Toolkit For The Facilitation And Sustainment Of Communities Of Practice, Michelle O'Keeffe

Theses

This thesis explores the establishment of a framework and card-based toolkit to support the facilitation and sustainment of Communities of Practice (COPs), with a particular focus on COPs in the education domain. COPs have been present in various sectors, such as healthcare, business, finance, and education, for over three decades. These communities bring together individuals who share common problems, concerns, or areas of expertise, aiming to improve their practices collectively. However, there is a lack of understanding regarding the best approaches to facilitating, developing, and sustaining COPs over time. To address this gap, four empirical studies were conducted. These studies …

Exploring Perceptions Of Advanced Coursework Enrollment Practices: A Multiple Case Study, Tomika Ferguson, David B. Naff, Jenna Lenhardt, Amy E. Jefferson, Isaiah Moore, Andrea Herndon, Richard Ashburn, Jessica Harris, Jenna Conlee, Courtney Forstmann

MERC Publications

This report from the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium highlights findings from a multiple case study exploring enrollment practices related to advanced coursework matriculation in a suburban middle school and rural high school. In connection with the MERC Equitable Access and Support for Advanced Coursework study, this multiple case study included perspectives from students, parents, and educators as they reflected on the factors that support and inhibit access for advanced courses in their schools.

From Elementary School To Doctoral Education: An Autoethnographic Journey, Gwendolyn D. Dailey

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Every child has a right to education, and their skin color should not determine their education quality. However, since the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education (1954), it has been proven that race continues to matter in the success and failure of education (Delgado & Stefancic, 2001). The persistent achievement gaps between students of different racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as the disparities in access to high-quality educational opportunities, demonstrate how race and ethnicity shape the educational experiences of students of color (Stanford Center for Education Policy Analysis, 2012). Unfortunately, stories such as Ruby Bridges of New …

2024 Viewbook, Office Of Admissions

Viewbook

At IMSA, you will be part of a community of 652 diverse students passionate about learning. Located in suburban Aurora, IMSA’s campus consists of seven residence halls spread across 97 acres. While living and learning on campus, you’ll make new friends, encounter new ideas, and learn to live independently. You will also have the opportunity to explore over 85 clubs, organizations, and IHSAsponsored co-curricular and athletic programs. IMSA provides a safe, nurturing environment. Professional Resident Counselors (RCs) live in each hall and will help you navigate your home away from home through the Residential Life Curriculum. Through this curriculum, you’ll …

Summer Vacation Activity Manual, Aisha Naz Ansari, Sadia Muzaffar Bhutta, Zarfin Saleem, Sohail Ahmad

Institute for Educational Development Pakistan (IED-PK) Archives

A guidebook with a compilation of activities to help parents/caregivers boost the holistic development of children during summer vacations.

Winter Vacation Activity Manual (Sindhi Version), Aisha Naz Ansari, Sadia Muzaffar Bhutta, Zarfin Saleem

Institute for Educational Development Pakistan (IED-PK) Archives

This resource is a compilation of activities to help parents and caregivers boost the holistic development of children during and beyond winter vacations.

Portraits Of A Rural Georgia High School Stem Program, Jonathan L. Garner, Gwen Scott Ruttencutter, Forrest R. Parker Iii

Georgia Educational Researcher

This research examined school personnel’s strategies and practices responsible for increasing student science proficiency at a certified rural high school STEM program. In the United States, difficulties have developed in adequately preparing students for careers in STEM sectors, especially in secondary education. This trend has led to increased difficulties for high school graduates competing globally for high-paying jobs. Rural schools have been especially susceptible to inadequately preparing their students academically. I used qualitative research portraiture to generate a mental image of the STEM program at the selected high school. I interviewed three teachers and two administrators in a certified rural …

Impact Of High School Climate And Bullying On Depression And Anxiety In Emerging Adulthood, Tyler K. D. Larson

Honors Program Theses

Depression and anxiety disorders are a significant public health concern, especially among adolescents and emerging adults. Education is a central component of adolescents’ lives that shapes their development and experiences. School climate refers to the overall nature and quality of a school’s environment. Social relationships, teaching and learning practices, school facilities, safety, and school connectedness all contribute to school climate. Previous studies have found that positive school environments serve as a protective factor against adverse mental health outcomes. However, many of these studies focus on a single aspect of school climate, and there is conflicting evidence on how school climate …

Transcending The Taboo: Using Literature To Explore Depictions Of Suicide With Adolescents In Secondary Classrooms, Elizabeth M. Williams

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This thesis examines depictions of suicide in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (1597), Art Spiegelman’s Maus (1986), and Octavia E. Butler’s Kindred (1979) in the context of teaching literature in secondary classrooms during the developmental stage known as middle adolescence. Using an analysis of these literary works, this thesis advocates for incorporating self-regulation practices when addressing conceptually challenging and emotionally complex ideas. It proposes model lessons and emphasizes the responsibility of educators to facilitate discussions on weighty concepts. This thesis also emphasizes the need for an intersectional approach when examining trauma and suicide. Furthermore, it underscores the unique developmental and …

A Study Of K-5 Teacher Perceptions Of Home Visits On Attitude, Belief, And Behavior, Dene E. Gainey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the qualitative descriptive study was to explore teacher perceptions of attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs as it pertained to home visits. The body of research available prior to the study focused on parent appreciation and takeaways from home visit experiences and/or students’ achievement as it pertained to having experienced a teacher coming into their home environments. Specifically, the researcher wanted to understand how K-5 teachers perceived their attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs prior to conducting home visits, during home visits and after the home visits were completed.

Through semi-structured interviews, participants were asked a series of questions that were …

Asynchronous Class For Algebra I Preparation, Hunter Garretson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Algebra I is the first high school mathematics class students take making it an important building block in the student’s growing mathematical foundation. Mitigating any losses in knowledge over the summer by using educational review tools has been proven helpful in previous studies. Every student comes from a different background, socioeconomic class, ethnicity, culture, etc., allowing each student to have a different summer experience. A meta-analysis looking into the concern of Summer Learning Loss (SLL) found that while some of its sample size would make summer knowledge gains, more than half of the sample size was projected to suffer from …

Finding Connection: Teaching With Culturally Responsive Texts, Chloe N. Pounds

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Deciding which texts to teach in English Language Arts (ELA) classrooms poses challenges for educators. Traditionally, many teachers rely on established curricula, however, the increasing diversity of student populations highlights the need for texts that reflect student interests and backgrounds, as well as the need for culturally responsive pedagogical practices. To investigate student perceptions and benefits of culturally diverse texts, I created a short story unit and collected student reflections and teacher observations.

An Examination Of Students Perceptions And Achievement Results In Co-Taught High School Math Courses, Joy Bacino

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examined student perceptions about the impact of their math class on their learning and compared these perceptions across co-taught and single taught classrooms and IEP status of students. Student perceptions across groups indicated some differences. Of significance is students with IEPs in co-taught environments shared less favorable comments regarding their learning and reported learning more previously in their single-taught classrooms. End of course exam scores and PSAT scores were also compared and a significant difference between the ends of course assessment scores for non-IEP students within the single taught classroom and IEP students within the co-taught classroom was …

Florida Queer K12 Teachers Perceptions Of School Climate Under “Don’T Say Gay”, Katherine E. Foley

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Florida's newest legislation leaves many Florida queer teachers feeling marginalized and unprotected in the classroom (Block, 2022). The “Parental Rights in Education” Bill (FL HB 1557 and FL HB 1069), infamously renamed “Don’t Say Gay”, was created ostensibly to help protect parental rights and choices in education. The new law prohibits the discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through twelfth grade classrooms. “Don’t Say Gay” provides vague guidelines for queer teachers on approaching topics like sexual orientation and gender identity. Despite the evidence that queer teachers who are open and honest about their identity often find themselves …

Foreign Expert: A Memoir Manuscript, Jenny L. Rowe

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This is a full memoir manuscript that I wrote for my MFA thesis, which is tentatively titled Foreign Expert. In this manuscript, we follow myself as narrator as I struggle to adapt to life in Beijing (prior to the pandemic) while also recovering from a recent divorce. The man I’d been married to for five years back in Iowa had become violently mentally ill, and though I’d been fortunate enough to remove myself from him, I quickly learned that being a foreign expert in China—my residential visa title—required more work than basic survival. By the end of my two years …

Assessing Algebra Readiness: A Three-Year Study Of The Orleans-Hanna Prognosis Test And Middle School Math Placements, Tabitha Nicole Ringler

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This study investigates the viability of the Orleans-Hanna Algebra Prognosis Test (Hanna and Orleans, 1982) as a modern predictor of algebra readiness among eighth grade students. At over 40 years old, the Orleans-Hanna Algebra Prognosis Test (1982) is still commonly utilized by schools as the main source of mathematical ability grouping. The guiding question for this research is whether the test is outdated and should be retired, or is it still a valid predictor of algebra readiness.

Utilizing a longitudinal study spanning three years, the research examines the performance of math students placed in an advanced class versus students who …

Protecting Feminist Culture Through Feminine Register In Speculative Fiction: Linking Curriculum And Reading For Pleasure In Nsw High Schools., Abdul Baseer

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper presents a case for speculative fiction’s potential to uphold the feminist cause in our current global scenario of male violence. Young Adult (YA) and children’s speculative fiction around feminist themes should be included in high school libraries for pleasure for reading and forms of support to the current curriculum and to address contemporary social issues including patriarchy and less space for feminist agency. This writing suggests five titles in current speculative fiction built around the feminine register for inclusion in a New South Wales high school’s library collection targeting stages 5 and 6 students and linked to the …

Macromolecular Gold: Navigating Biofuel Extractions In A High School Class, Claire Adrian-Tucci, Andrew Adrian, Sara Beam, Demetrice Smith-Mutegi

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Extracting and creating biofuels from algae is an exciting area of development for renewable energy. There is a lack of protocols for high school students that feature lipid extraction from algae, largely due to the safety considerations and equipment used in industry. Biology standards include the chemistry and function of macromolecules, and biofuels are an engaging, authentic case study for high school students. This paper describes the development of an imperfect lipid extraction method that is safe for the high school classroom. Through the lab and related activities, students develop their understanding of the characteristics of macromolecules, practice developing their …

Payday Power-Up: Let's Make A Raise Distribution, Ayse Ozturk

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

This study illustrates a problem-solving activity reflective of a real-life situation wherein high school students articulate their reasoning while contemplating the effectiveness and fairness of distributing raises. Study data were gathered via teaching experiment methodology in problem-solving sessions at a mathematics camp for secondary students. Examination of the data indicated that students sought entry points for problem-solving by making assumptions and pinpointing crucial variables. Framing mathematics within the concept of fairness encouraged students to review their work, engage in active listening, and find purpose in mathematical reasoning.

Teaching First-Generation Newcomers In Charter High Schools: Teachers’ Perceptions Of Students’ Barriers, Teaching Practices And Strategies, And Teaching Supports, Daniel Loh

Theses and Dissertations

Teachers in the United States are experiencing challenges linked to the increasing number of immigrant students entering schools. Los Angeles County Charter schools are among the country's most diverse, with many immigrant students. Although first-generation and immigrant students’ education barriers and teacher challenges are documented, little is known about teachers' experiences with newcomer students, a particularly vulnerable group. This phenomenological study explored charter high school teachers’ lived experiences concerning their teaching challenges and perspectives on the barriers for first-generation/newcomer immigrant students, their descriptions of the strategies and practices used, and their perceptions of the support they receive. Twelve teachers from …

Beyond The Classroom: Unraveling The Impact Of Student Engagement On Graduation Rates In New York City, Kimberly Mccall

Theses and Dissertations

This study critically examined the impact of student engagement on high school graduation rates amidst the educational disruptions ushered in by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a concentrated focus on the United States. It evaluated the essential engagement factors--rigorous instruction, collaborative teaching, supportive environments, and trust--and their role in addressing disparities in graduation outcomes (New York City Panorama, 2022; Wang & Degol, 2014). Anchored in the theoretical frameworks of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1979), social-emotional learning theory (Durlak et al., 2011; Williamson et al., 2015), and Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory (Vygotsky, 1987), this research utilized a comprehensive quantitative analysis of data …

Educators’ Experiences And Perspectives On Teaching Sexuality Education To High School Students In Vietnam, Tram Van

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study explored experiences of teaching sex education and identified challenges to sexuality education among 10 Vietnamese high school educators. Sexuality education high-school teachers in Vietnam participated in in-depth interviews focused on (a) experiences associated with teaching sex education in Vietnamese high schools and (b) how high school educators’ experiences with professional training related to sex education influenced their teaching practices. This research explored teacher characteristics, curricula, professional development, and environmental factors. Study data were collected via Zoom interviews, enabling the researcher to engage participants in their subjective viewpoints and overcome the hurdles of long-distance travel and health …