Ready-To-Teach Reads: Standards-Aligned Novel Studies For Seventh Grade Using Contemporary Middle Grade Fiction, Elizabeth Duvall

Senior Theses

This project aims to provide middle school English teachers with an easy way to update their curriculum to be culturally relevant using ready-to-teach unit plans based on diverse novels. Since research shows students benefit from reading texts from diverse cultures, each novel features minority voices. Both units include lesson plans for each day, and resources like slideshows, worksheets, and discussion questions. They were created using the South Carolina College and Career Ready Standards for English Language Arts. While these units are tailored to South Carolina teachers, they can be used by any educator whose standards align with the units’ learning …

What Keeps Teachers: A Systematic Review Of Induction And Early-Career Teacher Retention In Rural Schools, Bobbie Jean Mcdonough

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

Teacher retention remains a persistent challenge in United States education, particularly in rural K–12 public schools. This systematic review synthesized empirical research on induction and early-career teacher retention in rural United States settings published between 2000 and 2025. Guided by a postpositivist framework and aligned with PRISMA 2020 standards, 56 studies met inclusion criteria following structured database searches and multi-stage screening. Findings across the included studies indicate that retention was most consistently associated with induction, mentoring, professional learning, responsive leadership, collegial relationships, and teachers’ integration into their school and community, with no single support appearing sufficient in isolation. Across research …

Copyright Information

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Publication rights to works is granted to Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities, however, full copyright for works published in this journal is retained by the author(s). The author(s) may post their works online in an institutional repository, on their university departmental website, or on their own personal websites.

From The Editors..., Thomastine Sarchet-Maher

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

No abstract provided.

Call For Manuscripts, Thomastine Sarchet-Maher

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

The Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities is a peer-reviewed, open access, multi-disciplinary online journal with an international focus. We publish articles that reflect the best of research and practice related to inclusive science education, including works submitted by science and special education researchers, teacher educators, and teachers. Interesting topics have included innovative curricular ideas, instructional adaptations, research-based modifications, best practices, and management strategies in science education. JSESD adopts the philosophical perspective that all students can achieve in science, and that science benefits from the full participation of all students.

Reconceptualizing Educational Technology Integration In A Middle Level Teacher Preparation Program, Deborah H. Mcmurtrie, Bridget K. Coleman, Gary J. Senn

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

Our middle level education (MLE) faculty recently engaged in a self-study guided by this research question: How is our university preparing our MLE teacher candidates to integrate technology in teaching and learning? There were two overarching goals: 1) identify where we can introduce, practice, reinforce, and master technology skills and concepts. 2) reconceptualize our technology integration course. Our process included collaborating with stakeholders, surveying teacher candidates, examining theoretical underpinnings, exploring research-based best practices, and analyzing our programs. Data was collected through multi-year technology surveys and semi-structured focus group interviews. We grouped survey data into three broad technology categories: instructional delivery, …

“These Kids Can’T Access The Information”: A Case Study Of Teacher Understanding Of Foundational Reading Skills At The Secondary Level, Stevy Schliewe, Emily Zoeller

Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education

National literacy reforms aim to improve students’ basic reading skills, yet adolescent readers and teachers have not been adequately included in the conversation. The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of foundational reading skills at the secondary level among high school literacy practitioners. The study used a case study method to learn participant understanding of foundational skills and contextual factors surrounding their ability to teach them. Findings revealed how participants recognized the need for foundational reading skill development in their high school students. However, participants reported not feeling prepared to design this instruction and barriers presented in standards, …

Social Studies Teacher Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Professional Development To Support The Facilitation Of Controversial Conversations, Kristen Mast

Doctorate in Education

Funding and support for social studies instruction have dwindled in most public schools in the United States over the past two decades, leaving social studies teachers without high-quality curriculum materials and professional development opportunities. Without proper training, many social studies teachers are using ineffective instructional strategies and are not regularly utilizing best practices, including the facilitation of controversial conversations in the classroom. In a time when the political divide in the United States continues to increase, these skills can help strengthen American democracy in the long term. This study investigated professional development as a possible pathway to improve the facilitation …

“It’S A Lot More To It Than Just Research”: Integrating Critical Data Literacy And Reasoning With Data Into A Stem Summer Camp, Marc T. Sager, Saki L. Milton, Candace Walkington

Publications

Purpose: This study explores how middle-grade girls from predominantly underrepresented and underserved racially and ethnically minoritized (UUREM) backgrounds developed critical data literacy (CDL) through participation in a week-long residential STEM camp. Given the increasing importance of data science education in a data-driven world, this research examines how informal learning environments can support CDL development among youth from historically marginalized groups.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study draws on qualitative interview data from eleven participants, and their group-produced artifacts to investigate how the camp experience supported engagement with data and the development of CDL. Interviews explored participants' experiences with data collection, organization, analysis, and …

Reinventing The Regency: A Review Of Amalie Howard’S Queen Bee, Shari Revels-Davis

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

This review examines Queen Bee, Amalie Howard’s debut YA novel, highlighting its blend of romance, revenge, and richly drawn historical detail. The novel reimagines Regency- era storytelling through diverse representation, dynamic female rivalries, and an engaging plot driven by scandal and transformation. The review explores Howard’s effective fusion of historical settings with contemporary sensibilities and discusses the emotional impact on readers.

Building Buy-In For Student Support Teams: Lessons From Givhans To Carolina Springs, Patrice Green

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

This article examines strategies for cultivating staff buy-in and sustaining effective Student Support Teams (SSTs) within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework at the middle school level. Drawing from the author’s personal experiences of overcoming adversity and his leadership journey from rural Givhans, South Carolina, to serving as principal of Carolina Springs Middle School, the narrative highlights the critical role of intentional, data- driven interventions in promoting equitable student outcomes. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of proactive identification, individualized support, and collaborative problem-solving among educators. Common implementation challenges—such as staff resistance, initiative fatigue, and inconsistent follow-through—are addressed through actionable …

South Carolina Middle School Student Performance In Ela And Mathematics: The Imperative Of Assessment For Learning, Olivia S. Ochoo

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Despite broad access to middle school in South Carolina, recent SCReady assessment data indicate persistent literacy and numeracy achievement gaps, with so many students performing below grade level in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. This article evaluated five years of state- and district-level data, highlighting steady but small gains, and explored how current assessment practices failed to fully inform instruction to accelerate learning. This paper used a mixed-methods research design, particularly a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, in which both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to collect and analyze data. To be specific, document analysis and both open- and …

Digital Maker Education In Project-Based Learning Through Design For English As A Second Language Skills Development, Pratima Rani Banick

Journal of Research Initiatives

This study investigated the effectiveness of integrating a Maker Education (ME) approach within the PLT design, assisted by Computer-Mediated Tools (CMT), in enhancing the reading skills of Grade 10 ESL learners (aged 15–16) in an online ELT setting. Motivated by the growing need to foster creative and critical thinking and to address learners' lack of interest in traditional approaches to teaching academic reading, the study adopts an experimental design. Students were divided into two groups—a control group (n = 10) and an experimental group (n = 10)—using random sampling. The control group received instruction using the conventional teaching approach, while …

My Schoolhouse Remains A Ghost Town: When The School Closes, The Block Dies, Sunni Ali

Journal of Research Initiatives

This conceptual essay examines the neoliberal policy forces driving widespread public school closures in urban communities across the United States. Drawing on scholarship in education policy, urban sociology, and community studies, the author argues that the closure of traditional public schools — accelerated by charter school expansion and accountability-driven federal policies such as No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top — has had devastating consequences for low-income communities of color. The essay explores how school closures erode neighborhood cohesion, dismantle civic anchors, and disproportionately burden students and families with the fewest school choice options. The author advocates for …

Moving Forward: Teachers Managing Challenges And Change, Victoria A. Oglan, Lauren Gehr

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Teaching requires adapting to ongoing changes in pedagogy and technology, a reality intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. This article situates pandemic-era instructional shifts within a broader history of educational change and reviews contemporary professional texts addressing technology integration, artificial intelligence, literacy instruction, teacher clarity, and deep learning.

Middle School Magic: Building Belonging And Brain-Aligned Classrooms, Christopher S. Culver, Katie Kinder

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Middle school represents a critical developmental period when belonging, identity, and emotional regulation converge to shape academic and social outcomes. This article explores how belonging and brain-aligned kindness transform classroom culture through connection, collaboration, compassion, and the Science of Kindness. Drawing from recent neuroscience, educational psychology, and classroom practice, the authors demonstrate how these principles activate neural pathways of safety, motivation, and empathy that enhance learning and well- being. Integrating research with actionable classroom strategies, this article illustrates how small, consistent acts of care, such as greeting students by name, fostering collaborative learning, building relationships in trust, and practicing restorative …

Mental Health And Neurodiversity In Middle Grades Literature: Sharing Stories Of Anxiety, Identity, And Resilience For Today’S Adolescents, Brooke B. Eisenbach

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Literature offers a powerful entry point for classroom conversation and engagement around mental health and neurodiversity. Stories invite students to challenge stereotypes and deepen their understanding through exploration of character, conflict, and voice, rather than through lecture or the expectation of personal self-disclosure. This article examines five contemporary novels exploring topics of mental health and neurological diversity that teachers can utilize to integrate mental health and social-emotional learning in the classroom. Through authentic voices and relatable narratives, these stories provide educators, parents, and teens with meaningful insights into the realities of navigating challenges while emphasizing resilience, self-worth, and the power …

Freedom On The Sea: The True Story Of The Civil War Hero Robert Smalls And His Daring Escape To Freedom, William Bintz P

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Book Review

Villain Or Victor, Part Ii: Embodied Advocacy In A Time Of Democratic Turmoil, Kenesha Johnson, Theodore W. Anderson

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

This paper examines how middle level educators embody advocacy through movement, care, rest, and recreation as acts of democratic engagement. Extending Part I of Villain or Victor, it positions advocacy as a lived, physical, and relational practice grounded in wellness and cultural responsiveness. Through embodied pedagogy, healing-centered approaches, and intentional recreation, educators help young adolescents experience democracy through motion, connection, and collective courage. The paper links theory to practical strategies that build sanctuaries of belonging, support student voice, and nurture civic leadership in the middle grades.

Press Play! Integrating Gamified Tools Into Web- Based Formative Social Studies Assessments, Victoria L. Pierce

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

In an increasingly technology-dependent world, middle school students are emergent experts in technology use although novices in content knowledge. Middle school social studies teachers have dual issues of relevance and rigor to balance in their instruction with students at this developmental level. To strengthen students’ historical reasoning skills, middle school social studies teachers can implement gamified learning in a variety of ways to make use of technology skills and interests of students while also meeting content standards. This research models integration of gamified assessment into a virtual learning environment featuring educational games from organizations such as iCivics and Next Gen …

Understanding Distracted Minds: A Review Of Stolen Focus, Tammy J. Burnham Dr.

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

This review examines Hari's Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again, an exploration of society's lack of sustained attention in an increasingly digital world. Hari's investigation of technology's impact on cognitive abilities provides meaningful insights for those in the educational field, where educators must guide young people through social media environments. Hari argues that systemic forces are disabling attention spans, and he evaluates practical solutions for educators and parents. Stolen Focus is an important resource for educators committed to supporting students' cognitive development and mental well-being.

Front Matter

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

No abstract provided.

Scamle Journal 2026 Full Volume

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

No abstract provided.

Texas Secondary Spanish Teachers’ Perceptions Of Factors Influencing Instructional Self- Efficacy, Satisfaction, And Effectiveness, Tana Verlane Palafox

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ongoing shortages of certified world language teachers and declining enrollment in secondary language programs have intensified concerns about teacher burnout, professional isolation, and instructional quality. Research has indicated that collaboration, targeted professional development, and supportive leadership influence teachers’ instructional self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and instructional effectiveness. However, limited research has examined how secondary Spanish teachers in Texas experience these issues. This qualitative collective case study explored how Texas secondary school Spanish teachers perceive the impact of their professional experiences on instructional self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and instructional effectiveness. Grounded in Bandura’s social cognitive theory and Vygotsky’s social constructivism, the study examined how …

Enhancing Science Accessibility And Engagement For Students With Visual Impairments: A Randomized Trial Of The Talking Labquest In Nigerian Schools, Sariat A. Adelakun Dr

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Students with Blindness in Nigeria are often erroneously perceived as incapable of engaging with science at the basic education level, contributing to their low enrolment in science-related careers. Although various techniques and materials have been proposed to support students with blindness in science, many lack empirical validation. This study investigated one such approach by examining the impact of the Talking LabQuest on the interest of Students with blindness in science subjects.

A randomized controlled trial was conducted in inclusive junior secondary schools in Nigeria, involving 20 classrooms over an 18-week period. Twelve classrooms were randomly assigned to the intervention group, …

“What You Bring Matters”: A Case Study Of Middle School Engineering Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Jessica D. Gale, Dyanne Baptiste Porter, Meltem Alemdar, Sunni H. Newton, Abeera P. Rehmat, Jasmine Choi

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Precollege engineering teachers bring unique backgrounds to their teaching practice. Many follow nontraditional routes to teaching engineering, often coming from teaching other subjects or careers in other fields. Among the many variations influencing engineering teaching practices is pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). This multiple case study explores the PCK of five middle school engineering teachers implementing the same middle school engineering curriculum, STEM innovation and design (STEM-ID). STEM-ID engages students in contextualized challenges that incorporate foundational mathematics and science and advanced manufacturing tools such as computer-aided design and 3D printing while introducing engineering concepts such as pneumatics, aeronautics, and robotics. Drawing …

Leveraging The Intersection Of Ai And Play To Foster Human Connectedness And Character Formation, Lori B. Doyle, Ashley Brandon

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

The benefits of fostering character formation are vast, encompassing psychological, social and emotional growth, yet there is no universally prescribed manner by which to proceed. Central to these efforts is human connectedness, which enhances psychological functioning and provides a pivotal foundation for well-being. Emerging factors such as integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the pedagogy of play are novel topics for the conversation within the character formation discourse. These elements, while tangentially related, hold significant potential to amplify character formation and sense of belonging. This paper examines the intersection of AI, pedagogy of play, and character formation through a theoretical …

Factors Influencing Academic Recovery In Mathematics In Middle School Students After The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jon A. Debord

Student Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread disruption to K–12 education, with middle school mathematics among the most adversely affected subject areas. While prior research has documented pandemic-related learning loss, less is known about how recovery occurred in districts where mathematics performance rebounded. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore middle school mathematics teachers’ perceptions of factors influencing post-pandemic academic recovery in selected Illinois public school districts that demonstrated high levels of mathematics recovery. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory, this study examined how classroom, school, family, and district contexts shaped students’ recovery experiences. A basic qualitative research design was …

Sit, Stay, And Teach: Exploring Teachers' Perceptions Of Facility Dogs' Impact On Stress And Retention, Dennis Powers

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The teaching profession remains at a high level of workplace stress, a factor contributing to teacher burnout and turnover. The study examines how teachers in K-12 public education perceived that facility dogs might reduce stress, increase job satisfaction, and aid in teacher retention in public schools of a southeastern state. The study employed a qualitative, cross-sectional survey that was emailed to 112,546 educators from a LISTSERV request. A total of 1,242 individuals provided informed consent and completed the survey, which consisted of Likert-scale measurement items, open-ended questions, and an informational video inserted to achieve a common understanding of the facility …

The Hidden Opportunities Within The Stem Workforce Pipeline, Brad Schenker

STEM for Success Showcase

_{Five Connections in STEM Education That Can Harmonize America's Workforce Pipeline}

The recent changes to our education system have created a state of uncertainty and instability, which presents a unique moment in time to change systemic design failures that can be accomplished within existing budget, people and resource constraints.

This analysis of research, mostly from 2015-2025, identifies five opportunities in the STEM workforce pipeline to create “Moments of Impact” that can change the direction of a student's STEM education pathway.