Using paraprofessionals to meet the social, self-care, and instructional needs of special education students began in the 1960s. The roles, duties, and expectations for these paraprofessionals evolved over the subsequent fifty years. Special education paraprofessionals play an important role in the education of students with disabilities. Since the inclusion of students with disabilities in nationally mandated assessments, their utilization has increased (Brenton, 2010). The research literature has shown that these paraprofessionals have not received adequate training for, or supervision while, performing their responsibilities and duties. Findings from the literature also highlight that these individuals provide a disproportionate amount of instruction to students with disabilities when compared to certified educators. This study focused on the responsibilities, duties, and professional needs of special education paraprofessionals in kindergarten through sixth grades. Using a concurrent mixed methods design, it utilized a three-part survey and one-time interviews to inform recommendations for expanding data collection and creating a sustainable learning community for the specific sample analyzed during this study. The current study found that many of the responsibilities and duties of this sample of special education paraprofessionals are different from those revealed in previous research. According to their responses, they do not operate independently, and they spend a significant amount of time following the teachers’ lessons plans and working under the teachers’ direct supervision. This sample of professional development needs focused on duties and responsibilities that they would like to learn more about or perform better, including training in behavior management and one-on-one tutoring.
This study focuses on understanding the impact of voice on a student conduct administrator’s role and retention in that role at community colleges. By understanding the development of student services from the Colonial era to present day and providing background information about the different types of approaches utilized to address student conduct violations, this study builds the framework to understand the impact of voice on a student conduct administrator’s role and retention in that role at community colleges. The theoretical frameworks-exit, voice, loyalty, (Hirschman, 1970), use of the ProSocial Voice (Dyne, Ang, & Botero, 2003), and principles of effective retention (Tinto, 1987) provide the foundation for the use of a qualitative narrative approach to answer the research questions (1) what impact does the ability to use voice as a student conduct administrator have on the professional’s remaining in the position? (1a) what, if any, impact does the ability to facilitate change in the institution’s student conduct process influence the professional’s remaining in the position? (1b) what, if any, impact does a student conduct administrator’s ability to advocate for the use of an approach of their choosing to address conduct violations influence his or her remaining in the position? 12 60-90 minute interviews were conducted with current student conduct administrators that work at the community college institution. Chapter 1 informs the reader about the problem, chapter two provides a detailed literature review, chapter 3 outlines the methodology and sample while chapter four provides themes of the study and data analysis. The final chapter, chapter five, discusses the findings, and recommendations for policy, practice and future studies.
The demands of high-stakes testing, tenure reform, and teacher accountability have dominated the landscape of education for almost two decades. The expectations placed on public schools require leadership that supports and motivates teachers to perform at extremely high levels. Public schools therefore must fill their institutions with principals who possess a leadership style that can inspire and empower teachers to tackle these demands and set a clear vision for the future of their schools. Transformational leadership is a model of leadership that has been shown to elevate and motivate followers to perform beyond organizational expectations. The purpose of this study is to examine the common transformational leadership behaviors and methods of application utilized by public school principals. This study uses quantitative and qualitative methods of research separated into two stages. In the first stage, the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire-Self (MLQ) was used to survey 66 public school principals in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The results of the survey were analyzed and used to develop a cohort of 10 principals to participate in the qualitative stage of the study. In this second stage, the cohort of 10 principals participated in face-to-face semi-structured interviews in order for the researcher to further examine their behaviors and methods of application. The data from the MLQ and the interviews revealed that transformational leadership exists in public schools in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The results from this study identified specific behaviors and methods of application that align with the four domains of transformational leadership. This study contributes to the existing research on transformational leadership and also provides current public school principals with information regarding behaviors that can be implemented to enhance their practices. Further research that builds upon the application of transformational leadership and its effect on variables such as school climate, teacher turnover, and student achievement would reveal the influence that transformational leadership has on other aspects of school leadership.
According to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), 1.6% of Americans identify as gay or lesbian and 0.7% identify as bisexual (Somashekhar, 2014). Applying these statistics to the number of public school teachers in New Jersey indicates that of the more than 114,000 teachers, over 1,800 teachers would identify as gay or lesbian and almost 800 teachers would identify as bisexual (New Jersey Department of Education [NJDOE], 2016). The findings of this study provide insight to the school climate of LGBT teachers and offer guidance to boards of education, administration, and pre-service teacher training programs.
This study used qualitative research methods and was divided into two phases. The first phase of the study consisted of participants completing an online survey. Potential participants were notified of the survey through emails, social media, advertisements, flyers/posters, letters, and in-person requests. The survey was accessible to all current public school teachers in New Jersey. Participants were asked to answer questions pertaining to their school environment based
on homophobic remarks, harassment, school characteristics, and personal characteristics. The results of this survey were used to create a cohort faction of four teachers. Of the four teachers chosen to continue with the study, two scored the lowest on the survey, indicating a high prevalence of homophobic issues in their schools, and two scored the highest on the survey, indicating a low prevalence of homophobic issues in their schools. The second phase of the
study included face-to-face interviews in a semi-structured format. Participants answered open-ended questions. The purpose of the face-to-face interviews was to examine the indicators of school climate as well as the overall school climate for LGBT teachers.
The purpose of this study was to examine the sustained impact of participation in the Tools of the Mind preschool program on language arts, mathematics, reading and writing achievement in middle school, the specific impact of participation on racial subgroups and socioeconomically disadvantaged students, and the effects of student mobility on academic achievement. Using a nonexperimental, quantitative, longitudinal design, the achievement of the original cohort of students who participated in the program was examined over 2 consecutive years. The results of the study suggest that participation in the Tools of the Mind program increases the overall achievement of socioeconomically disadvantaged students and the writing performance of African American students. Analysis of student mobility data revealed that a high rate of student mobility has a negative impact on student achievement. These study results are consistent with decades of research into the impact of participation in a high-quality preschool program. Caution should be taken in interpreting the results because promotion of the development of self-regulation and executive function, aspects that set the Tools of the Mind program apart from other preschool programs, is not measured by the NJASK, and thus the impact of the program may have been underestimated.
The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a PLC model as theorized by Hord (1997) and as influenced by Bandura's (1997) theory of self-efficacy on grade 4 mathematics and language arts literacy achievement on High-Stakes Criterion-Based Assessments (HSCBA). The researcher conducted this study in an urban New Jersey elementary setting and utilized a longitudinal non-experimental quantitative design. The researcher measured total population, ethnic sub groups and special education achievement through an analysis of the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJASK) among 1,479 4th grade students to determine if there was a statistically significant link between PLCs and student achievement levels. The researcher subsequently conducted a series of ANOVAs on the NJASK4 data obtained. The study results support the benefit of PLCs as capacity-building, efficacy-supporting structure that improves student achievement.
Are fraternities still relevant to the college student experience? By examining the moral, student, and leadership development of IFC fraternity men, while controlling for institutional and student characteristics, the current study analyzed the roots of the purported value-added nature of fraternities using data from the Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership (MSL). Specifically, the current study examined fraternity men’s gains in self-authorship, internalized moral perspective, advancement along Kohlberg’s model of moral reasoning, and the individual “c’s” of the social change model while controlling for the variables of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and parental education. This quantitative study used both descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze data from a national dataset; inferential analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis one-way Analysis of Variance and the Mann-Whitney U test as a post hoc analysis. The interesting and troubling findings of this study allowed for the elucidation of much needed policy change, new best practice, and a call for reform in the fraternity movement.
Study abroad has been a part of the curricular and co-curricular programming of higher education since 1875. Yet, despite the long history, a literature search revealed that study abroad is the least examined of the high impact practices (HIPs) related to engagement theory. Further, despite its promise as a retention strategy, study abroad has never been fully explored as a solution to the retention ills of higher education. Therefore, using data from the 2011 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), this study analyzed the engagement and retention value of higher education, principally through the use of MANOVAs and Mann-Whitney U tests. To learn more about the engagement practices of students who study abroad and elucidate learning style characteristics of study abroad participants, an analysis using Chi-square testing was conducted about students’ participation in study abroad, other voluntary high impact practices, and co-curricular activities. The results of the analysis illuminated that study abroad participants have a significant, impactful tendency to hyper-participate during and after their study abroad experience, suggesting an overall positive effect on the outcome variables. Students who studied abroad made significant gains in relation to Tinto’s construct of social integration; this was consistent across race/ethnicity, academic major, and gender factors. The students made different gains in retention, albeit to varying degrees, as measured by level of academic integration and positive feelings about institutional actions. Finally, students demonstrated engagement gains that were mostly significant; these differed by race/ethnicity, academic major, and gender. As a result of these findings, leaders in higher education should consider study abroad as a tool to help students socially integrate, increase their engagement, and, among certain student populations, increase retention. If study abroad were integrated as a part of the core curriculum, study abroad would stifle the high dropout rates currently plaguing American higher education.
Teacher evaluation has existed in many forms throughout history. With or without formal processes teachers are held accountable for student learning and achievement gains through a variety of measures such as standardized test scores, parent feedback, administrative feedback and students' grades. Recent political movement has spurred legislators to support more rigorous and specific evaluation systems that increased accountability of teachers and school districts to link teacher evaluation to student learning. New Jersey adopted the TEACHNJ act in 2012 which required set number of evaluations for tenured and non-tenured teachers, criteria for each evaluation through a variety of models, and test scores and teacher developed assessments were tied into a final score for teachers. If the teacher evaluation system aims to improve practice and identify areas for professional growth, it is important to understand teachers' perceptions on the new system. The purpose of the study was to examine the perceptions of teachers related to the effectiveness of the teacher evaluation system in New Jersey and the perceived benefits and limitations of the new system. This mixed-methods study surveyed teachers from six suburban districts in New Jersey. The districts varied in size and socioeconomic factors, but all districts were in their second year of the new teacher evaluation system. Teachers answered eight survey questions using a Likert scale and two open-ended questions that allowed respondents to expand on any of the questions or any other related comments not addressed in the survey. The study revealed that teachers believe in the fundamental principles that serve evaluation processes. Teachers understood the research behind the systems and the need for accountability. The key in successful teacher evaluation is comprehensive training opportunities for teachers not only in what constitutes effective teaching practices, but with the implementation of these practices into the classroom. Further, teachers need to have training on how to utilize the tools used to manage the evaluation systems so that teachers are not tied up with bureaucratic practices that take away from the time to plan effective lessons or collaborate with colleagues. Additionally, evaluators need to continue to learn alongside the teachers to ensure reliability and consistency within the different evaluations a teacher receives from multiple observers. Further research that aligns teacher evaluation with student achievement, as well as teacher evaluation within a variety of settings with specific evaluation models would be valuable. As new teacher evaluation systems become the norm in districts across the nation, further study would provide school leaders with ways to ensure successful and effective implementation policies that support both students and teachers.
The construction industry in New Jersey has long provided a viable opportunity to young men and women searching for employment as an alternative to continuing education beyond high school. Although New Jersey's county vocational school systems were established and are funded for the purposes of educating and training students in prerequisite skill sets for work force positions, discussions with the administration of today’s county vocational school districts suggests that enrollment in many of the programs developed to prepare students for construction industry or building trades programs has been decreasing. This mixed methods study examined the evolution of building trades education in New Jersey’s county vocational high school system through the perspective of the administrators charged with leading the districts currently offering programming in the same. More specifically, these administrators were asked to identify the variables they believe to have contributed to a perceived decline in enrollment in these courses. The null hypothesis tested as part of this study was that there is no statistically significant relationship among New Jersey county vocational school administrators’ perceptions and the variables that impact enrollment in high school level Building Trades programming. In addition to testing the null hypothesis, role emphasis was placed on answering the following, research questions: 1. What are the variables that have impacted enrolment in Building Trades programming at the high school level? 2. Are there notable differences in beliefs of the respondents based on the population of the county in which the school districts operate? 3. Is there a program structure that is more effective at maintaining consistent enrollment than others, i.e. shared time programming vs. full time programming? 4. Are county vocational school districts moving away from offering prerequisite coursework in traditionally less academic trades and more towards traditionally highly academic trades, i.e. engineering, technology and medicine?
This dissertation investigated the degree to which economic trends in the United States, since the publication of A Nation at Risk in 1983, have influenced subsequent education policy from 1983 to 2010. It aimed to examine the interrelatedness of economic trends within American society, as defined by employment, earning power, and the gap between the rich and poor; how corporate and private philanthropy have created the economic impetus for educational foundations; and how corporate needs, as dictated by economic trends, influence educational policy. This influence effectuated the inception of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), an educational reform movement that has resulted in the expansion of government, the advancement of a nationalized curriculum whose primary concern is developing “college and career readiness” skills, and the establishment of new industries driven by the demands of markets associated with a nationalized curriculum.
The purpose of this mixed methods study was to investigate the impact of New Jersey’s permanent Interdistrict School Choice Program relative to equity as perceived by participating school superintendents. This researcher measured the impact of New Jersey’s Interdistrict School Choice program utilizing quantitative and qualitative data collected via a web-based survey instrument, the New Jersey Interdistrict School Choice Perception of Equity Inventory. In this approach, data from Likert questions and open-ended responses were used to evaluate superintendent’s perceptions based upon the independent variables of district socioeconomic status, district geographic classification and district enrollment dynamic. A triangulation design mixed methodology was employed to converge both the quantitative data and qualitative data for analysis. The quantitative survey data was utilized to compute inventory scores for each participant that were disaggregated based upon the independent variables. This researcher subsequently conducted ANOVA tests to determine if there were significant differences in the superintendents’ perceptions of the impact of the Interdistrict School Choice Program. The qualitative data, generated from the survey open-ended responses was pattern coded and analyzed for frequency. Finally, this researcher validated and interpreted the combined quantitative and qualitative results. The results of the study were that 71 participating superintendents held overall positive perceptions of the impact of the New Jersey Interdistrict School Choice program relative to equity. There were no significant differences in the perceptions of participating superintendents based on district socioeconomic status, district geographic classification and district enrollment dynamic.
According to a 2007 report by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, approximately 3.5 million people (including 1.35 million children) become homeless each year. Of that number, about 125,000 people--a group the size of the entire population of Hartford, Connecticut or Waco, Texas--are persistently homeless, but the vast majority of homeless persons are temporarily homeless. In my thesis, I will focus more on the homeless youth. Many homeless youth lack the essential needs to have a successful transition to adulthood. Across the nation, an increasing number of families without homes are trying to provide or maintain a relatively stable educational setting for their children. It is reported that there are roughly 3.5 million homeless people in the United States. An estimated 40 percent of this figure is made up of homeless families. Close to 26 percent are children under the age of 18. The obstacles involved in educating homeless children are numerous. Homeless families often move from place to place, making it hard for their children to regularly attend school or even follow through with important paperwork requirements like school records transfers and immunization documentation. Many families simply lack the money for transportation to and from school. And for school districts, identifying homeless children is a daunting task – especially given the recently expanded definition of the term homeless to include those living in parks, motels, and doubled-up with relatives or extended family. “Distinguishing who is homeless and who is not is very difficult,” says Josh Diem, a homeless advocate and doctoral candidate at the University of North Carolina. “You can’t just pick them out of a crowd.” (Jackson, nhi.org). New Jersey has several objectives and regulations put in place to help homeless children and youth attain the fundamental right of a free education. As we all know, everything is easier said than done. I want to make sure that these objectives are in fact put in place. As the Chinese Proverb says, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Colleges and universities benefit from a diverse community composed of faculty and staff who serve to enrich the lives of students. Diversity exists among professional staff just as it does among student populations. Where there is diversity, there may also be discrimination, and older adults may face more burdens as they continue their educations than younger adults (Simi & Matusitz, 2016).
This study explores the issue of age discrimination amongst professional staff who have served colleges and universities. Emphasis is equally placed on extracting the experiences of perceived ageism from participants who are both younger and older adults in the industry. These experiences are examined to understand how perceived ageism in the workplace has impacted the individuals on a personal level. Additionally, this research considers the impact that ageism has on individuals and their loyalty to their institutions, which subsequently may impact the operation and culture of the institution.
Results from the research study (N = 4) paint a picture of perceived ageism happening in very different ways amongst the participants. These experiences range from relatively subtle comments made by coworkers, including faculty and staff in some instances, to what seems to be the outright denial of an employment opportunity based on their age. These experiences have altered their identities, and the range of ageist experiences is similar to those that have been examined in other research (Shih, Young, & Butcher, 2013). Furthermore, it is likely that the experiences perceived as ageist intersect with other forms of discrimination (Granslee & Sayer, 2006). Ultimately, participants reported holding the higher purpose of serving their students and community that may combat turnover due to ageist incidents, but the experiences raise questions about institutional cultures at a time when the generations may be at odds with one another.
As suggested by Briggs (2016), an analysis of the demographics, enrollment, and population of randomly selected STEM programs is needed to understand how successful they are. “Historically, underrepresented minority groups, which constitute about 25% of the US population and 17.9 of undergraduate students, make up only 2.5% of students in STEM majors and 6% of the entire U.S. science and engineering workforce” (Committee on Prospering, 2007; Piper & Krehbiel, 2015, p. 20). The purpose of this study is to determine if higher education institutions are following the U.S. Department of Education expectations. Based on a 2019 report by the U.S. Department of Education titled Education Indicators in STEM degrees, the requirements for a diverse STEM program where students are U.S. citizens and permanent residents includes awarding over 18% of bachelor’s degrees to females, awarding over 18% to Caucasian students, awarding over 33% to Asian students, awarding over 15% to Hispanic/Latino students, and awarding over 12% to African American students (National Center for Education Statistics, Indicator 26: STEM Degrees, 2019, p. 2). In this research, I analyzed enrollment and diversity reports and data made accessible by select universities in the northeast, mid-west, south and western parts of the United States. Universities were selected from Rochester, NY, Houston, TX, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, and Columbus, OH. Results indicate that Caucasian and Asian student are the majority in STEM (especially in Rochester, NY, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY and Columbus, OH, promoting STEM in colleges and universities located in rural and suburban areas (meaning any location in the U.S. either north, south, east or west) remains challenging, and the number of immigrants enrolled in STEM appears to grow but only in urban settings. Suburban and rural area with heavily Caucasian populations will not see diverse programs.
The primary purpose of this study was to examine issues of advocacy for people with mobility challenges that may find limitations in participating in the physical environment of a private higher education institution. The interviews inquired about the meaning of inclusion in the university through the lens of university student tour guides and their approach to accommodating visitors who have mobility challenges. The evidence sought was to explore and exchange dialogue with university student tour guides and administrators in programs and services of Admissions, Student Life and Development, Residence Life, and Disability Services. The interaction focused on the perceptions associated with the promotion of equity and social inclusion of visitors who have mobility challenges.
The advocacy lens guided the researcher to address the issues of microaggressions of people with mobility challenges at a private higher education institution. The ableism theory was a conceptual tool to recognize the social and cultural identity of students’ abilities. The method involved crosschecking multiple data sources and collection to evaluate the extent to which all the evidence converges. The study would bring about narratives of personal experience and engagement of the physical facilities on campus from the university student tour guides. Also, the study affirmed how knowledgeable university student tour guides have of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance of the private higher educational institution. Through the eyes of university student tour guides, the study focused on how they became aware and attentive to the needs of visitors who have mobility challenges on a university campus tour. The research brought about narratives of personal experience and engagement.
Alternate abstract:
El propósito principal de este estudio fue examinar cuestiones de defensa de las personas con problemas de movilidad que pueden encontrar limitaciones para participar en el entorno físico de una institución privada de educación superior. Las entrevistas indagaron sobre el significado de la inclusión en la universidad a través del lente de los guías turísticos de estudiantes universitarios y su enfoque para alojar a los visitantes que tienen problemas de movilidad. La evidencia buscada fue explorar e intercambiar diálogos con guías turísticos y administradores de estudiantes universitarios en programas y servicios de Admisiones, Vida y Desarrollo Estudiantil, Vida en Residencia y Servicios para Discapacitados. La interacción se centró en las percepciones asociadas con la promoción de la equidad y la inclusión social de los visitantes que tienen desafíos de movilidad.
La lente de promoción guió al investigador a abordar los problemas de microagresiones de personas con problemas de movilidad en una institución privada de educación superior. La teoría del capacitismo fue una herramienta conceptual para reconocer la identidad social y cultural de las habilidades de los estudiantes. El método implicó la verificación cruzada de múltiples fuentes de datos y recopilación para evaluar hasta qué punto convergen todas las pruebas. El estudio generaría narrativas de experiencia personal y participación de las instalaciones físicas en el campus de los guías turísticos de estudiantes universitarios. Además, el estudio confirmó el conocimiento que tienen los guías turísticos de estudiantes universitarios sobre el cumplimiento de la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA) de la institución privada de educación superior. A través de los ojos de los guías turísticos de estudiantes universitarios, el estudio se centró en cómo se volvieron conscientes y atentos a las necesidades de los visitantes que tienen desafíos de movilidad en un recorrido por el campus universitario. La investigación generó narrativas de experiencia personal y compromiso.
For years, the educational community has debated the support for students in the upper tier, the middle tier, and the lower tier of ability in schools. This purpose of this study was to explore and analyze the effectiveness of AVID strategies and concepts in closing the achievement gap that exists between students who naturally perform at high levels and students in the academic middle, thus increasing their college and career readiness and leveling the playing field. Improvement was measured by the degree to which AVID strategies and concepts were infused within the AVID curriculum, as well as within the general education curriculum at ABC High School. Improvement was also measured by examining students’ performance on the PSAT and SAT or ACT as instruments of college and career readiness. Last, achievement was measured by examining and tracking college acceptances for students in the AVID program over the course of the four years it has been implemented at ABC High School.
After examining the AVID program at ABC High School and the quantitative and qualitative data, the findings that determine the effectiveness of AVID strategies and concepts in closing the achievement gap that exists between students who naturally perform at high levels and students in the academic middle yielded favorable results. The results of this study may be of significant interest to educators who support the achievement of students in the academic middle and are searching for a means to enhance their programming to better prepare students for post-secondary work. The outcomes of this study can also be used as a tool for other educational leaders and inform decisions regarding whether or not the AVID program would be a successful addition to their current academic program.
College completion rates are one of the major issues facing immigrant and non- immigrant students in the United States, especially among Hispanic and African American student populations (Scott-Clayton, 2015). Socioeconomic inequalities in college completion have become a significant concern nationwide (Page et al., 2019). The passage of the Higher Education Act of 1965 has promoted an increase in college enrollment rates; however, gaps in enrollment and college completion have persisted (Bailey & Dynarski, 2011). Nearly half of students enrolled in a 4-year college will complete a bachelor’s degree in more than 6 years. No less than 62% of White, 39% of American Indian and Alaskan Native, 40% of Black, and 50% of Latino students enrolled in 4-year college complete a bachelor’s degree in a 6-year timeframe (National Center for Education Statistics [NCES], 2012). To promote college completion among Hispanics and African Americans, the researcher explored Dominican and Haitian English as a Second Language (ESL) students’ college experiences in post-secondary institutions in the United States.
Cognitive measures, such as ability tests, placement tests, and final grade point averages, have been the metrics traditionally used to determine students’ placement and to predict success in mathematics ability-level courses. However, there is growing evidence that non-cognitive traits, such as grit (2016) and a mindset (2006), challenge educators to consider the validity of adding measures of students’ attitudes toward learning as non-cognitive predictors of their success in mathematics. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore the relationships between cognitive and non-cognitive predictive measures of fifth-grade students in order to create an alternate formula for refining the placement process, enhance their academic success in sixth-grade mathematics, and capture the students’ voices to better understand their struggles and successes in mathematics.
For this mixed methods study, data were collected quantitatively and qualitatively. Specifically, the fifth-grade students completed two surveys, the Grit-S survey and a Mindset survey, to measure two non-cognitive domains. Three cognitive measures were considered for the fifth-grade students: their Math 6 Placement Test scores, their Math 5 GPAs, and their grade 4 CogAT 7 scores. To collect students’ definitions of success in mathematics, the study concluded with interviews prompted by open-ended questions designed to solicit greater insight into students’ understandings of their own successes and challenges in mathematics.
These quantitative and qualitative data revealed that developing formulas that included all five independent variables’ non-cognitive and cognitive measures would be more effective than the district’s present “cognitive only” approach for determining students’ placement into sixth grade mathematics. The researcher identified the non-cognitive skill of grit as an important factor when predicting Math 6 Accelerated results. Students’ responses indicated that they dedicated over three and a half years to their favorite activity, a finding that confirms Duckworth’s (2016) research on strategies for developing an individual’s passion, persistence, and resilience.
In the interviews, students revealed an emphasis placed on speed in mathematics. If the students were fast, then they believed they were good at math. However, if they were not fast, they believed that they were not good at math, which could lead to math anxiety (Boaler, 2015). The students’ beliefs in their abilities to learn and understand mathematics was supported by their interview responses. Their positive attitudinal responses suggested a growth mindset, and negative attitudinal responses echoed a fixed mindset (Dweck, 2006). The students shared that, when they faced a challenge in math, they used positive behavioral learning strategies, both individual and interpersonal, that allowed them to persevere while struggling with math concepts. Together, these strategies confirmed the research of Dweck (2006), Boaler (2015), and Duckworth (2016). The students articulated that they enjoyed learning mathematics when the lessons were active and hands-on, and when they searched for patterns through problem solving, which confirms Boaler’s (2015) argument that a constructivist pedagogical approach to teaching mathematics engages and deepens students’ learning and conceptual understanding.
This mixed-methods study with a narrative component explored the effect athletic participation played on the academic achievement of senior student-athletes and non-athlete in a public school in Northern New Jersey. The motivation for the study was the conflicting perceptions and research as related to the impact athletic participation had on academic success at the high school levels. Through student athlete and non-athlete comparisons of G.P.A.'s, H.S.P.A. and S.A.T. scores, the researcher found athletic participation did affect academic achievement for high school seniors between the years of 2007 and 2013, as hypothesized. When comparing the six dependent variables among athletes and non-athletes, the athletes proved significant on all variables measured by using a MANOVA. More specifically, statistical significance was found in female athletes' G.P.A.s and on the S.A.T. writing section. Analysis was also obtained from the target high schools' teachers, as well as from N.J.S.I.A.A. Hall of Fame coaches. The Likert scale survey items and open-ended responses from the survey responses exposed the following regarding the academic achievement of senior student-athletes: the effect of athletic participation was mostly positive on academic performance, despite the general perception that student-athletes are sometimes treated more leniently with respect to disciplinary infractions and academic requirements; coach involvement directly affects academic achievement; athletic participation and academic achievement was important in the target school community and coaches measured success both in terms of wins and loses, as well as student-athlete character and academic performance.
This research uses both quantitative and qualitative methodology in a mixed methods research model to explore the implementation of a policy to integrate iPads as an instructional tool through the experiences of classroom teachers and students. The study’s participants consist of classroom teachers and students involved in an iPad implementation policy at a suburban Catholic high school in New Jersey. The researcher surveyed both teachers and students to gather their opinions on the iPad implementation program. The researcher is also an educator and administrator at this institution and used the participant-observer method to gather qualitative data. The researcher described how iPads affected the techniques teachers took to implement it as an instructional tool any pedagogical changes that occurred any disciplinary adjustments that occurred any student adaptations that occurred and what if any professional development that was utilized or desired.
In total, 66 teachers and 891 students agreed to participate in this study. Among other findings, both teachers and students agreed that the implementation and integration of iPads has created a more positive learning atmosphere and has the ability to prepare students for the future. Regarding pedagogy, it is confirmed that changes have been made to the pedagogical curriculum in order to integrate iPads into the curriculum. Regarding discipline, it was evident that disciplinary actions have adjusted once iPads were integrated and implemented into the curriculum. Regarding student learning adaptations, the majority of both teachers and students are in agreed that the iPad is an effective tool to utilize when considering student learning adaptations. Lastly, regarding professional development, both the teacher and student populations agreed that teachers could use more professional development to effectively incorporate iPads into the classroom.
Why do some schools look to band-aid or temporary solutions to address negative behaviors occurring in schools? Character education, which may be commercialized or developed through homegrown programs, is a preventative measure that can be used to mitigate behavioral issues. Incorporating this strategy into school curricula can curb vices that may stem from negative behaviors. Schools implementing character education have reported that their schools have become a safe haven for a productive learning environment, where academic achievement is significant.
This research investigated three public elementary schools that have been awarded the National Schools of Character distinction. Using a triangulation approach, data was collected from interviews, observations, and reviews of character education documentation. Data analysis unearthed themes and patterns and shed light on paralleled and unparalleled character attributes that the schools fostered through their individualized programs. This study examines the effectiveness of implementing a character education curriculum that suits school needs. The results demonstrated that the positive effects of character education extend beyond the students to benefit the faculty, parents, and broader community.
With respect to future research, a long-term study may be used to determine whether the positive effects of character education endeavors continue throughout the students’ public school education. Long-term positive outcomes may lead to students to become good, productive citizens in adulthood.
The purpose of this qualitative study is to understand working-class parental involvement in the education of Latino secondary students in the U.S. Literature indicates that most Latino parents want their children to enroll in a higher education institution. However, statistics and research show that enrollment rates to a higher educational institution are below average among Latino students. While many factors contribute to Latino students’ success, I considered the level and areas of parental involvement as the main factor in this study. The study focuses on language barriers, cultural differences, socioeconomics, parents’ preparation and understanding of the school system, and family issues among Latino parents. To examine these elements, six Latino parent couples were interviewed. The results of the analysis deepened the understanding of what it means for Latino parents to be involved in the education of their children.
The six narratives offered insight into how Latino families connect, develop relationships, communicate, motivate, and perceived parental involvement in their children’s education. Ultimately, this research found that Latino parents felt involved in their children’s education despite the barriers. Although not involved in a traditional way, Latino parents expressed feeling a sense of responsibility to being involved in their children’s education.
The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in the results of English language learners in English language programs compared with those students who refuse services as measured by the ACCESS for English language learners and the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) in both Mathematics and English Language Arts. This study was conducted in a large public-school district in urban New Jersey. This research presents the results of a retrospective quantitative analysis conducted to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference in the ACCESS results and PARCC scores of the two student groups: English language learners who had participated in English language programs and those students who opted out of receiving services. Archival district data were obtained for students in grades kindergarten through twelve during the 2016–2017 school year. Additionally, the study examined the difference between ACCESS and PARCC outcomes for English language learners compared to refusals disaggregated by gender. Previous research examining how different language instructional programs for English learners could help with planning and implementing the best methods and strategies when addressing the needs of the English language learner population were consulted.
The federal government and accreditation boards are making colleges accountable for their students’ success by measuring their outcomes. Institutional Research of Colleges must make available on their website their graduate outcomes so the public can easily find that information. Retention is a problem for higher education and especially for first-generation college students (FGCS). They are taking more than four years to graduate from colleges while they are raking a pile of debts. There are some studies about the retention of men only because an institution of higher education always had more male students. But no significant studies are done about women and especially of those who are FGCS of low-income of a minority (LIM) background. The trend is that future college students will be mostly of minority background, and increasingly women. This is qualitative research to interview five FGCS-LIM women. It was truly fortunate that the five participants happened to be diverse with totally different familial, educational, and career backgrounds which enhanced the credibility of the great common motivators that made them successful in their studies. The results of interviews conducted, provided common themes found were certain capitals were inherited from their parents “Capitals from Parents” and other capitals were acquired during their college journey “Capitals from Colleges”. Those capitals promoted and supported their success at their different predominantly White universities. This research provides suggestions to university enrollment administrators to promote the retention of FGCSLIM women.
Early childhood is a uniquely nuanced time; in many cases, it is very difficult for adults to tell the difference between a child’s colorful personality and an inherent disability. A child who demonstrates an inconsistent attention span, for example, may appear to simply be distracted. An educator may attribute this behavior to excitement or innocence when, in fact, the child may suffer from something much more subtle and intrinsic.
Researchers have indicated that signs of anxiety disorders can be detected in children as young as three. Children living with anxiety may experience negative short- and long-term effects if it goes undetected. Given unprecedented times, anxiety has become quite prevalent. Therefore, it is imperative to raise awareness of and increase training in and identification of signs and symptoms. The present study is a qualitative study designed to increase what is known about anxiety in preschoolers. This research also explores teachers’ perceptions of preschoolers who are anxious or have anxiety disorders and examines teachers’ self-efficacy in recognizing and managing such preschoolers. Suggestions are made for future research to improve practices in the early identification of childhood anxiety in a school setting.
This study is based upon the premise that the perception of teachers toward the effectiveness of the Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching observation/evaluation model influences their performance in the classroom. The purpose of the study was to identify teacher perceptions of how they are observed and evaluated using this model under the new statutes and regulations dictated through the TEACHNJ Act passed through the state evaluation system, AchieveNJ, within one school district in Somerset County, New Jersey. This study examined whether there existed any statistically significant differences in perceptions among or between teachers according to their gender, level of assignment(s), years of experience, or educational degrees and certification(s) held. Subsidiary questions focused on the overall perceptions of teachers as they relate the Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching teacher observation/evaluation model for improving teacher performance, the professional learning the they had received on the usage of the model, the ability of the model to define specific activities for improvement, and whether not the observation process had an effect on improving their professional practices in the classroom.
The researcher survey instrument, and it was tested for reliability and validity by running an initial pilot survey in a district similar in demographic makeup to the district used to conduct the data collection for this research. With the help of a statistician, the survey instrument was modified and improved upon in order to collect data regarding teacher perceptions of the Danielson Model. The survey also made allowances for additional comments to identify any common perceptions on Danielson or the usage of the observation/evaluation model.
The data analysis, run using Microsoft Excel, revealed that a statistically significant difference existed based on degrees attained, teaching assignment, and years of teaching experience. Gender and certification(s) held did not produce any statistically significant differences.
Additional research is necessary concerning the perception of teachers with regard to the other major observation/evaluation models currently being used in New Jersey. Research on teacher performance beyond the quantitative data analysis presented in this study, using either qualitative analysis or a mixed methodology approach to teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching teacher observation/evaluation model in New Jersey, may provide insights beyond those garnered from quantitative analysis alone. The additional comments provided by the respondents further indicated that a qualitative or mixed methodology approach is warranted. Inter-rater reliability of the observers may also be an area that requires further research, as is the link between teacher performance, student growth objects (SGO), student growth percentiles (SGP) and observation/evaluation scores.
Public school students in the State of New Jersey must be assessed at least annually in English/Language Arts in grades 3–11, and in Mathematics in grades 3–8, as well as in Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry. These scores assess a student’s mastery of the adopted standards in education for the State of New Jersey. Minimum passing scores for each assessment are set, and student and district success is measured based on the percentage of students who achieve passing scores. Passing rates are then utilized, in part, for the implementation of policy and the allocation of resources by state and federal agencies. School districts in New Jersey are organized by District Factor Groupings, which are classification categories that represent an approximate measure of a community’s relative socioeconomic status (SES). There is abundant literature that suggests students from lower DFG groupings do not achieve at the same level as students from higher DFG groupings, as their SES is a significant variable to be accounted for in their learning. This study compares the outcome of the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessments in Math and English/Language Arts in New Jersey of DFG groupings from low to high across the 21 counties in New Jersey. The goal of this comparison is to highlight systemic inequalities that exist within the educational structure that may be exacerbated by a focus on high stakes testing.
The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine if there is a relationship between transformational leadership style, school climate, student conduct, and student attendance in urban elementary schools. Survey data were collected from a purposeful sample of elementary school principals and a convenience sample of their staff members in an urban school district in Northern New Jersey.
In 2015–2018, 20 urban schools in northern New Jersey considered “failing schools” were awarded a School Improvement Grant (SIG), supported by the Federal Department of Education (Federal DOE) through the New Jersey Department of Education. With this funding, the urban school district undertook the challenge of the turnaround school model between 2015–2018, which resulted in positive change in student conduct, student attendance, and the school’s climate because of incorporating a transformational leader. This dissertation examines if there are any positive outcomes in student conduct, attendance, and the climate of an urban school when including a transformational leader.
The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ-5X) was used to measure the degree to which a principal displays the factors of a transformational leader based on teacher perceptions, and the principals used it to self-assess. The New Jersey Culture and Climate (NJCCS) survey was used to measure teacher perceptions of school climate, and interviews were conducted to gain insight into staff perceptions of the qualities of a transformational leader. This study also investigated if a relationship exists between transformational leadership and a school climate.
The study surveyed 20 urban schools located in a large urban district in New Jersey. Principals’ leadership styles were determined from the MLQ-5X, and school climate was determined from the school district’s (NJCCS) reported number of Office Conduct Reports (OCR) and student attendance data incidents recorded in the district’s data system.
The United States’ attrition rate for first-generation college students (FGCS) is 50% compared to 38.5% for their continuing-generation peers, and the attrition gap begins in freshman year. For the September through May 2016 academic year, 43% of U.S. FGCS freshmen failed to return for their sophomore year, compared to 28% of continuing-generation peers. The purpose of this quantitative study is to determine the relationship between psychosocial resilience as measured by the Resilience Scale (RS) and freshman-year Grade Point Average (GPA) for a sample of 108 FGCS attending four-year undergraduate colleges and universities in New Jersey. Psychosocial resilience theory served as the theoretical framework. The study employed a quantitative correlational design to address the relationship among psychosocial resilience, GPA, age, and ethnicity using multiple regression analysis. A significant positive relationship was found between psychosocial resilience and GPA for FGCS. This relationship persisted after controlling for age and ethnicity. A significant positive relationship was also found between psychosocial resilience and age. University administrators seeking to reduce undergraduate attrition rates for FGCS might consider interventions to build psychosocial resilience. Future research is needed to identify effective interventions to reduce FGCS attrition.
Trans students face several challenges that limit their pursuit of higher education. These challenges include inadequate support, lack of inclusion and understanding, unfair treatment, and disparities linked to social stigma, discrimination, and the denial of civil rights. These challenges affect their college experience and put them at an elevated risk of suicide, psychiatric care and hospitalization, poor academic performance, truancy, school dropouts, drug and substance abuse, and sexually risky behaviors, among other risky behaviors or acts. The lack of enrollment, inclusion, or acceptance of trans students in some colleges is attributed to numerous factors, including negative perceptions of transgender people. This study investigated the perceptions of trans students in higher education concerning their inclusion and acceptance in college. The study assumed that the respondents were not biased about their identity and responses and that the instrument used to collect the responses produced reliable answers. The setting of the study was in a public institution located in Northern New Jersey. Enrollment in higher education and identification as a trans student were the inclusion criteria for this study. The study was composed of seven participants. All seven students identified themselves as trans students. Before the study, the researcher sought approval from the IRB.
The participants were also asked to sign an informed consent before the study. The participants received a $25.00 Visa gift card for participating in the study. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from the participants. The responses obtained were then analyzed using a thematic approach. These steps the researcher used NVivo12, a qualitative analysis software, to conduct the analysis. Most of the participants reported that they had experienced positive experience in college or university. The majority of the participants reported that they were grateful to have access to the PRIDE club. Three of the seven stated that the PRIDE club helped them make friends. Six of the seven participants predominantly emphasized the importance of pronouns and faculty members using the appropriate ones. Four participants agreed that there was a lack of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus.
Regarding the normalization of students on campus, three of the seven participants explained that they would feel much more comfortable if being trans would have equal consideration as cisgender people or that they would not be singled out and marginalized. Five of the seven participants reported that their fellow students accepted them, and this contributed to them feeling included. Only one of the seven participants felt discomfort due to exclusion by other students (this did not include an in-depth look at the effects of micro-aggressions). The findings of the study indicate that majority of trans students feel accepted by their colleges and fellow students. The results of the study also showed that clubs such as the PRIDE club play a crucial role in providing a supportive environment for trans students. However, this study had some limitations. One of the limitations of this study is that the sample used was exceedingly small, and thus it does not accurately represent the entire population. Therefore, future research should use a large sample when investigating the perceptions of transgender students in higher education. Secondly, the tool used to collect responses were not efficient in detecting biases in the responses. Additional limitations were that not all trans students in the college are members of the Pride Club. A final limitation included the ability to gain trust with the participants.
The purpose of this research study is to understand whether the peer mentoring experience benefits the peer mentors as it does those who are being mentored. The research seeks to understand whether traits in the peer mentoring program align with the traits employers are looking for in recent graduates. The study also seeks to understand what motivates students to become peer mentors. Finally, the research identifies which experiences peer mentors believe will be necessary for their future careers. The analysis uses a Phenomenological approach to explore the peer mentoring experience from the peer mentors’ perspective.
A full description of how a STEM protocol model can be an effective and comprehensive implementation of a complete initiative program. A discussion of the factors affecting student comprehension, progress, and cognitive development is made. A historical discussion of STEM policy and programs is included, as is an assessment program in the context of student learning outcomes. A complete STEM protocol design is presented, and an inferential statistical study is made regarding student progress, factors influencing learning, performance, cognitive development, applications-oriented skills, and long-term acquisition of knowledge and performance. A survey was done on an incoming introductory physics course that measured Pre-test and post skills. Inferential statistics were performed, and an analysis of the data was done to measure cognitive and deductive and analytical skills. An ANOVA statistical study was done on Pre-tests and concomitant post-tests, and a comparison of the results was conducted to determine the need for gradual development and influential factors that determine positive results. A t-test was also done to determine the actual differences in the means between pre- and post-tests. In addition, a qualitative survey was conducted to measure the influences and factors determining STEM learning. Then the data sources were compared against each other for themes that were supported across all the data. A critical analysis is made of the STEM methodological protocols along with inferential variables of influence enumerated. It was found that an actively engaged student population can have a direct and positive influence on developing STEM cognitive skills.
American high school educators have developed and adopted various disciplinary practices to discourage misconduct among students. Amongst the popular practices are zero-tolerance policies and restorative procedures. Zero-tolerance policies are those whereby student punishment occurs when they violate the code of conduct. Usually, it results in their suspension. Thus, they miss school for a period, which may negatively impact their academic performance. Restorative practices involve using strategies that seek to improve and repair relationships between students or students and staff. They avoid punitive measures that may include suspension, allowing the student not to miss school time. However, studies conducted by education researchers have shown a disparity in the instilling of discipline in schools; African-American students’ punishment is more intense than that of their peers. Examination of the genders of both races separately shows that disparity is even more significant. The punishment of African-American male students, when compared to their peers, is more intense for similar misconduct. These disparities affect academic achievement, the likelihood of graduation, and performance on standardized tests that measure readiness for college and career.
Therefore, this study sought to find the impact of restorative practices and zero-tolerance policies on absenteeism, suspensions, and academic performance on African-American male students in a predominantly black high school. The predominantly black high schools in New Jersey have high racial disciplinary gaps compared to other states in the country. Hence, the study analyzed absenteeism, number of suspensions, and academic performance in a high school that had implemented traditional zero-tolerance policies and compared it to a high school that had implemented restorative practices as a disciplinary measure. The schools’ records for the 2018-19 year were the source of data; it included information on students’ standardized test scores, suspensions, absences, and the school’s makeup by gender and race. To keep up with research ethics, the researcher redacted the students’ personal information and obtained permission from the school administration before using the data for the study. The study is quantitative and involved the statistical analysis of the quantifiable data. The researcher also used positivism philosophy in this study to calculate the impact of disciplinary actions.
Overall, the data examined was of 456 African-American male students. The school that implemented restorative practices saw marginal signs of improvement in the number of chronically absent students. The restorative practice school also had a higher percentage of students with no suspensions and fewer students with one or more suspensions. Students at the school with traditional zero-tolerance policies had marginal gains with a higher rate of students meeting or exceeding expectations in English Language Arts and Math standardized tests.
The study adds to the research on disciplinary actions in American high schools, but researchers can further study the topic to determine if the findings are similar in other states. Researchers can also examine other disciplinary actions such as PBIS to determine if their implementation leads to better academic performance, reduced suspensions, and lower absenteeism rates among African-American male students when compared to peers.
Many scholars have suggested over the past several decades have pointed to a persisting achievement gap between white and black students. A lack of parental support and advocacy, peer influences, student health issues, poor nutrition, and low socioeconomic status are among the factors contributing to this gap (Chubb & Loveless, 2004). This study analyzed the standardized test results of students in all New Jersey schools belonging to socioeconomic District Factor Groups. The goal was to determine whether race and economic advantage impact academic achievement. Two subgroups, one comprising black students and one consisting of white students, were examined over a designated time period. Findings demonstrated that two factors—race and socioeconomic status—strongly contributed to student performance on standardized testing. It is more important than ever to advocate for the closing of this gap in educational achievement.
An urban public school district in the northeastern United States implemented the AVID Program, an evidence-based social-emotional learning program, into schools in 2013. This case study investigated the impact of the AVID Program on school connectedness at two middle schools within that system, both serving Grades 5–8. For the purposes of this study, school connectedness refers to a student’s connection to school through student attendance, and academic achievement—as reflected in attendance and performance—suggests that the better students feel and perform, the more likely they are to attend, and the more welcomed the students feel, the better they perform. The study sought to determine if there were statistically significant changes in student attendance and academic achievement at the schools within a cohort of students who entered the AVID Program in 2018–19 by performing a paired-samples t-test. This study also sought to determine faculty perceptions of school connectedness at the subject schools by performing a descriptive analysis of survey data to support the hypothesis. The quantitative data and descriptive analysis of the survey data merged to provide a comprehensive explanation of the relationship between the AVID Program and school connectedness.
Students might lose skills and knowledge accomplished in the school year throughout the summer break. The aim of the examination is to survey the effect of an all-year school plan on school and career preparedness, as determined by the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) marks of twelfth-grade students. SAT outcomes will be examined for urban high school students with a yearly calendar and pupils with a conventional school calendar. Through quantitative examination, the checking will use various independent t-tests for two free examples, which offered the effect of the school calendar.
In view of the investigation of total scores of SATs, it was evident that the relationship between the all-year school calendar and the conventional one indicated a degree of measurable criticality. It was clear that the all-year school calendar is more viable; thus, the recommendation that the policymakers ought to recognize further reception and usage of the calendar model to easily prepare urban high school seniors for colleges and professions. The research further recommends that the stakeholders in education ought to organize student’s dependent on various demographic arrangements like age and sex to enhance the rightness of assessment dependent on SATs through which the students are set up for their next levels. With this, the research paper recommends extra research regarding the most adequate usage systems for a policy that controls the selection of the all-year calendar to approve the findings of the current research.
Key words: examination, Scholastic Aptitude Test, school calendar.
This research study looked at the components that may influence teacher attitudes in an accepting manner toward including students with learning disabilities. The purpose of this study was to examine the reasons that may influence the attitudes of general education teachers toward including students with specific learning disabilities. The factors that were examined in the study included gender, length of years teaching, and the amount of special education courses taken in college. Elementary general education teachers from two schools in an urban school district in New Jersey were given the ATTM-m survey to determine their attitude towards special needs students. The results of this study indicated that general education teachers regardless of gender, length of years teaching, and the amount of special education courses take, were not willing to accept the inclusion of special needs students into the general education classroom. It is recommended that future research is needed to further investigate these findings.
The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate New Jersey public school principals’ and assistant principals’ perceptions on the effectiveness of feedback delivery to teachers during post-observation conferences. Specifically, principals’ and assistant principals’ perceptions of how time, training, and protocols impact the process of providing effective feedback to teachers during the post-observation process. Federal guidelines and NJ state statutes have placed a greater emphasis on the role of principals and assistant principals to provide more complex feedback to teachers in the New Jersey teacher evaluation model (New Jersey Department of Education [NJDOE], 2015; NJDOE, 2017b; USDOE, 2012; Popham, 2013). Studies suggest that if the post-conference feedback is effective and promotes teacher effectiveness, principals and assistant principals must have time for feedback, utilize an effective feedback protocol, and be adequately trained to provide the feedback (Education First, 2015; Park et al., 2014). In addition, these feedback supports or processes, norms, and structures must be in place to ensure that the post-evaluation conference is a success (Park et al., 2014).
In the post-conference, the feedback process must be useful, specific, constructive, timely, allow and encourage teachers to share their thoughts, and create a collaborative process that results in professional goal setting. The study found that principals and assistant principals did not always have time post-conference for an effective feedback process. In addition, instructional leaders did not always utilize an effective post-conference feedback protocol with fidelity. The researcher also found that principals and assistant principals do not strongly agree that they were trained adequately to provide effective feedback in the post-conference session. Collaboration between teachers and instructional leaders yielded the lowest mean in all three supports in the study. This finding suggests that there was not enough time for collaboration in the feedback process. Collaboration was the least utilized by both principals and assistant principals, and both groups perceived they were the least adequately trained in collaborating with teachers to set professional goals.
The purpose of this study was to determine if private high school teachers' characteristics, their knowledge of the 2011 New Jersey Anti-Bullying Law, and the impact on their reporting of bullying incidents. The study was conducted at an urban private high school in northern New Jersey, where the participants in this study were asked to complete a survey. The survey instrument measured demographic information; specifically, gender, age range, ethnicity, the number of years teaching, the number of years teaching in the current school, educational level, and the teachers own experience with bullying as a student. The survey also measured the teachers' general knowledge of bullying; specifically the New Jersey's 2011 Anti-Bullying Law. The data analysis, which was run on SPSS, showed that only ethnicity had a significance influence while the other demographic variables were found not to have any significant influence on a private high school teachers' reporting of HIB incidents. The results also showed teachers lacked knowledge about the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Law of 2011.
This study collected teacher perspectives on the impact of mandated high-stakes online testing to identify current needs for teachers and students regarding the development of student technology skills for such assessments. Participants included 41 teachers who instruct students in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade in any capacity from ten school districts in central New Jersey. A mixed-methods design provided data in the form of an online survey complemented by interviews with nine teachers from online survey participants.
No teachers feel that all their students have mastered any of the skills pertinent to high-stakes online testing. Forty-three percent of all participants still feel that fewer than half of their students are prepared to demonstrate what they know in high-stakes online assessment platforms. This finding is critical because even though it has been 5 years since the initial mandate, this testing platform necessitates both students and teachers develop technology skills and classroom integrated practices needed to allow students to utilize the testing platform in high-stakes mandated assessments tacitly.
Teachers felt that many, if not all, students still need to develop skills, including keyboarding, typing math expressions, reading online text, and writing online. Teachers feel that there is a need for time to engage in technology professional development. The preferred venue choice is participating in a presentation/workshop with an in district mentor/coach available after the presentation. It is understood that technology is not going away, and beginner technology skills are not inherent. Young students need to be taught these skills the same way they are taught skills with paper and pencil before applying them. Individual school districts need to work together to identify and plan for the best way to integrate the technology skills development of students, especially those with special needs, across all content areas.
Teacher evaluation has existed in many forms throughout history. With or without formal processes teachers are held accountable for student learning and achievement gains through a variety of measures such as standardized test scores, parent feedback, administrative feedback and students' grades. Recent political movement has spurred legislators to support more rigorous and specific evaluation systems that increased accountability of teachers and school districts to link teacher evaluation to student learning. New Jersey adopted the TEACHNJ act in 2012 which required set number of evaluations for tenured and non-tenured teachers, criteria for each evaluation through a variety of models, and test scores and teacher developed assessments were tied into a final score for teachers. If the teacher evaluation system aims to improve practice and identify areas for professional growth, it is important to understand teachers' perceptions on the new system. The purpose of the study was to examine the perceptions of teachers related to the effectiveness of the teacher evaluation system in New Jersey and the perceived benefits and limitations of the new system. This mixed-methods study surveyed teachers from six suburban districts in New Jersey. The districts varied in size and socioeconomic factors, but all districts were in their second year of the new teacher evaluation system. Teachers answered eight survey questions using a Likert scale and two open-ended questions that allowed respondents to expand on any of the questions or any other related comments not addressed in the survey. The study revealed that teachers believe in the fundamental principles that serve evaluation processes. Teachers understood the research behind the systems and the need for accountability. The key in successful teacher evaluation is comprehensive training opportunities for teachers not only in what constitutes effective teaching practices, but with the implementation of these practices into the classroom. Further, teachers need to have training on how to utilize the tools used to manage the evaluation systems so that teachers are not tied up with bureaucratic practices that take away from the time to plan effective lessons or collaborate with colleagues. Additionally, evaluators need to continue to learn alongside the teachers to ensure reliability and consistency within the different evaluations a teacher receives from multiple observers. Further research that aligns teacher evaluation with student achievement, as well as teacher evaluation within a variety of settings with specific evaluation models would be valuable. As new teacher evaluation systems become the norm in districts across the nation, further study would provide school leaders with ways to ensure successful and effective implementation policies that support both students and teachers.
Several studies on the impact of social media usage on adolescent anxiety and/or depression have been done in the last several years (Andreassen et al., 2017; Bell, 2019; Best et al., 2014; Brunborg & Burdzovic, 2019; George et al., 2018; George & Odgers, 2015; Haidt & Twenge, 2019; Hunt et al., 2018; Kelly et al., 2018; Keyes et al., 2019; Lin et al., 2016; Rasmussen et al., 2020; Shensa et al., 2018; Twenge, 2013, 2017, 2020; Twenge & Campbell, 2018, 2019; Vannucci et al., 2017; Wegmann et al., 2015; Woods & Scott, 2016). However, only a few of the studies have focused on adolescents at the middle school level. Research has shown that as social media usage has increased, so has adolescent anxiety and depression (Twenge, 2017a). The present study aimed to gain guidance counselors’ and school psychologists’ perceptions on whether social media use increases anxiety and depression among middle school students within affluent districts in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Participants included eight middle school guidance counselors and two middle school-based school psychologists from affluent districts in Monmouth County, New Jersey. An interview-guide approach was used to conduct individual, semi-structured, virtual interviews. This study revealed that adolescents’ rate of social media usage can be associated with the level of anxiety and depression either indirectly or directly.
The sustainability of an institution of higher education lies in its ability to attract and retain students. Young-Jones, Burt, Dixon, and Hawthorne (2013) assert that faculty–student interactions contributed to student success along with other factors. One outside factor that contributed to student success was the role of the advisor in linking students to the institutional culture. O’Banion (2012) reminded us that when students first enter college they are unprepared for making sound decisions about courses, their career, and even their future; therefore, they rely heavily on the guidance they receive from institutional representatives. Advisors are one of the main representatives studied by scholars, as well as the theories and best practices associated with advising. What we lack is a clear understanding of what advising practices are beneficial to students, and how those practices can improve advising. The purpose of this study was to compare the viewpoints of supervisors, advisors and students regarding their knowledge, experiences, and opinions surrounding advising at small institutions in North Carolina. To this end, the research questions were the following: How are advisors addressing academic, career, and interpersonal needs of students at small 4-year public institutions in North Carolina? What advising strategies hindered successful advisement of students at these small institutions in North Carolina? What do the various stakeholders identify as beneficial practices that improve advising on small campuses in North Carolina? Surveys, interviews and open coding procedures were used on two North Carolina institutions. Further research should explore efforts to improve advising in other states and their results on retention.
This quantitative study investigated the relationship between a principal’s grit and the school culture in their building. The research focused on one district in New Jersey with participants from elementary, middle, and high schools. First, principals in each school were surveyed using Duckworth’s Short Grit Survey to determine their self-perceived level of grit. Then educators in each school were surveyed using Gruenert and Valentine’s School Culture Survey to describe the school culture. This study identified factors that contribute to successful leadership, including leadership styles and characteristics such as grit. The study also explored current research about school culture and best practices in supporting professional learning communities, unity of purpose, and promoting learning partnerships.
This study aimed to understand the relationship between a school principal’s grit and school culture and provide further recommendations for increasing school culture. The results of this study successfully established that there was a relationship between the two variables, principal’s grit, and school culture. In addition, the study concluded that there were high mean scores for principal grit and school culture for each building. However, the data showed a statistically significant negative correlation between overall principal grit scores and school culture scores, r = –.161, p ≤ .001. Specifically, the school settings would benefit from collaborating with school administrators and colleagues to improve perceptions of collaborative leadership, teacher collaboration, unity of purpose, and collegial support.
The purpose of this honors thesis is to serve as a call to research and action of both experts and current and future mathematics educators. Mathematics is a complicated, abstract, and beautiful field. Math is used in everyday life, whether or not it is recognized. However, the thought of partaking in any activity involving mathematics can cause stress and anxiety. Sometimes, this occurs in the classroom, but may also happen in everyday activities. Examples include calculating a tip or calculating interest on a loan. This phenomenon has been identified as Math Anxiety. Research has been done for many years to understand this complex concept, including its causes and effects on students and adults; however, there is so much that remains unknown. This study reviews the current literature on math anxiety in the classroom, both at the K-12 and undergraduate levels, to recognize the importance of identifying math anxiety. This research will come to form a tentative action plan for educators to help alleviate math anxiety for both their students and themselves.
Community college libraries provide retention support for students navigating through their coursework. This research consists of interviews with 10 out of 18 library directors in New Jersey. This study takes a sizable positive step in determining how an academic library supports retention since a library director is uniquely qualified and able to view and understand the various departments, collections, and how the staff interacts when assisting students. The importance of teaching students how to be self-sufficient to assist in their retention is a fully formed concept that can now be researched, analyzed, and expanded upon in postsecondary education. A student who is self-sufficient in navigating the library improves retention in a college because they possess the tools to stay enrolled in a college for more than a semester or two. Therefore, a self-sufficient student is more likely to attain their individual education goals. The library and the library director are the catalysts for this growth transformation to occur for each student. How the library collaborates with other departments to support retention is also analyzed and discussed. Finally, how the library director communicates and advocates for the library with their academic vice president is also analyzed.
There is an increasing number of people with autism. Autistic women have a different presentation of autism than autistic men and may have different needs. As more autistic men and women go to college, they bring challenges and strengths. They have difficulties with persistence and completion of a degree. To improve the success of autistic students, more information is needed about what influences their success.
This research looked at three autistic women who were successful in college. The three women and various people who supported them were interviewed. There were four themes that emerged regarding factors that contributed to the success of these young women. Their parents were involved with assisting them. They found a close-knit individualized environment in college. They were able to develop interests besides academics and they utilized services that were available to them.
This study contributed to the literature of autistic women in college. Future research can develop these themes by exploring different populations and different schools. Other avenues for future research could be to explore men and women and gender-fluid autistic people to see if there is a difference in their needs, examining a population of autistic people that are not as forthcoming about their diagnosis and the participants in this study, and determining what kinds of training or activities can be done to make the university culture welcoming of neurodiversity.
More than 50% of fourth graders in the United States are reading below a proficient level, with more than 75% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch scoring lower than the U.S. average reading score. A framework of background knowledge is essential for vocabulary acquisition so the reader can comprehend the meaning of a text. Maintaining and building a reader’s foundation of background knowledge means that erosion of knowledge does not occur due to external factors such as socioeconomic status, limited English proficiency, or academic support at home. It is necessary to design literacy instruction with a primary focus on content knowledge to provide a foundation for reading achievement that can have a reciprocal effect on increasing reading comprehension skills. The narrowing of the elementary curriculum has jeopardized this foundation since the inception of NCLB, the marginalization of science and social studies education in elementary schools, the recommendations on how much time is recommended to teach these subjects effectively, and how knowledge in these content areas can support reading achievement. This quantitative cross-sectional field study aimed to measure the current perceptions of kindergarten through fifth grade teachers on whether integrating science and social studies content knowledge into reading instruction is a factor in student reading achievement. Their perceptions of the quality of professional development, resources, and time allotted to integrate content knowledge into reading instruction were also measured. The data from the surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics to identify the patterns and trends among the self-identified variables and the sum inventory score calculated for both research questions. Once these data were examined, inferential statistics in the form of one-way ANOVAs were conducted to determine if there were significant differences in the mean inventory scores of the categorical variables within the sample population. There was an overall positive response to the statement that integrating science and social studies content knowledge into reading instruction impacts student reading achievement. There was also a statistically significant difference in responses between teachers who have been teaching 11–15 years versus those who have been teaching 1–5 years and a statistically significant difference between teachers who teach kindergarten and first grade and those who teach multiple grade levels. There was an overall negative response to the quality of professional development, resources, and time allotted to integrate content knowledge into reading achievement and a statistically significant difference between kindergarten and first grade teachers versus teachers who teach multiple grade levels as well as between second and third grade teachers versus teachers who teach multiple grade levels.
The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study is to describe how corporate sponsorship influences an incoming NCAA D-1 student-athletes’ university or college selection decisions from the perspective of student-student athletes and school recruiters. This study may benefit schools and corporate sponsors (Wear et al., 2016). A better understanding of students’ selection processes would aid school athletic programs in recruiting and retaining high-caliber players, which in turn brings them greater team success and corporate sponsorship. Additionally, this study may allow corporate sponsors to better understand how their sponsorship investment influences players.
Despite the exponential growth of sponsorship contracts on college campuses, there has been little research on the effect these contracts have on the decision making of university students (Wear et al., 2016). This study would add valuable knowledge to the literature, while potentially benefiting schools and corporate sponsors that are looking to improve their athletic programs and the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns. Students have the potential to benefit from this study as well. By understanding how corporate sponsorship may influence student decision making, students may be able to make more informed choices about the schools they attend. By performing this research, it is possible the researcher may be able to better understand how incoming NCAA D-1 student-athletes’ school choices are influenced by corporate sponsorship.
First-generation college students are the first in their families to pursue postsecondary education. As a result, they may lack the information and resources to navigate the college process and its transitions. More research is needed on how focusing on first-generation students' strengths can inform programs and support to assist with the postsecondary transition. This study further explores the assets that first-generation students bring to the college experience and how capitalizing on these strengths through programs and support can ease the transition process and help first-generation college students develop a sense of belonging. This qualitative, phenomenological research study was conducted through ten interviews with undergraduate, first-generation college students. The emerging themes were parents and family, peers, professors and staff, and programs and services, which aligned with the literature. This research study had two significant findings: (a) students with older siblings who completed college, extended-generation students viewed themselves differently from traditional first-generation students, and (b) first-generation students felt a sense of belonging and connectedness throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and its continuing effects. Suggestions for future research and implications for practice are also discussed.
Schools and Districts continue to look for ways to grow their teaching staff’s professionalism, skills, efficacy, and their positive impact on their students and the community. The State of New Jersey Department of Education has even created a teacher evaluation system where teachers must earn effective or highly effective evaluative status in order to stay off the “In need of improvement” lists and face measures to increase their ratings or face the loss of tenure and his or her employment.
In New Jersey, teachers have a framework to earn points for their effectiveness rating. The framework is well defined and addresses all areas that impact teachers, the students, the school, and the community. It has been recognized that there are teachers who rise above and excel in certain areas. Not only do they excel, but they demonstrate great leadership and help guide other teachers in improving their practices. In 2018, the State of New Jersey developed a teacher leader endorsement program that would harness, grow, and recognize the leadership the effective and highly effective teachers in New Jersey can bring to their schools.
The State created the endorsement program. However, they left it to the school districts to decide if a monetary or higher status position was obtainable from earning the endorsement. The endorsement does not necessarily earn teacher graduate credits, a master’s degree, or a license to do another job within education in New Jersey. The program is still in its infancy as of the year 2020 - 2021. Currently, those interviewed were in the first group of teachers to complete the one-year endorsement program.
This research gathers data from teachers currently enrolled in the Teacher Leader Endorsement Program to learn more about their experiences, where they were novice teachers, and now, as experienced teachers, and what led them to enroll in the program. This research takes a dive into the relationship between the teacher and his or her principal, district grooming, school culture, and if monetary compensation must be a factor in having a robust enrollment in this endorsement program.
Researchers and policymakers have shown significant concern over urban communities' sociological and criminological disparities. Yet, research has not focused on the direct correlation between life’s hardships and stressors for minority students raised in urban communities and their resiliency to pursue higher education. This study explores the perspectives of 7 students enrolled at a small, private, 4-year higher education institution in Northern New Jersey. The findings illustrate the importance of collegiate programs that directly impact the lives of urban minority students exposed to trauma-related incidents within their communities that create life stressors and hardships.
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between teachers’ beliefs about social and emotional learning competencies, their perceptions of collective efficacy, and job satisfaction among a group of teachers who work in a district with a systemic whole school approach to social emotional learning (SEL), and another group of teachers who work in a district that does not report a systemic whole school approach to social emotional learning. The study focuses on adult and student social emotional learning framework and teachers’ shared belief that they can positively influence student outcomes. The researcher was interested in this relationship after investigating the question: Do teachers in a district with a systemic whole school approach to social-emotional learning display differences in their beliefs regarding social emotional learning competencies, collective efficacy, and job satisfaction compared to their counterparts in districts without systemic whole school approaches to learning? This question was posed due to the assumption that social emotional learning benefits both students and adults alike, and the acknowledgement that collective efficacy is the number one influencer of student achievement (Hattie, 2019).
First and foremost, the researcher hypothesized that a relationship exists between teacher beliefs about social emotional learning competences and perceptions of collective efficacy. The administrator-researcher further hypothesizes the following: Teachers’ perceptions of collective efficacy in a district that implements a systemic approach to SEL are statistically higher than teachers’ perceptions of collective efficacy in a district that does not implement a systemic approach to SEL, teachers’ self-reports of SEL beliefs in a district that implements a systemic approach to SEL are statistically higher than teacher’s self-reports of SEL beliefs in a district that does not implement a systemic approach to SEL, and teachers’ self-reports of job satisfaction are statistically higher in a district that implements a systemic approach to SEL. By understanding the potential differences in beliefs about social emotional learning competencies, perceived collective efficacy, and job satisfaction between districts that implement systemic whole school approaches to SEL and those that do not, the administrator-researcher aimed to provide guidance for school leaders on ways to draw connections regarding various initiatives.
The participants were teachers of grades K-8 from a New Jersey district that reported a systemic school-wide approach to SEL, and teachers of K-8 grades from a New Jersey district that did not report a systemic school-wide approach to SEL.
The methods included a quantitative, non-experimental design. This study attempted to determine if teachers in districts that report systemic school-wide approaches to social emotional learning statistically differ in their responses than teachers in districts that do not report systemic whole school approaches to social emotional learning. This was consistent with the study’s theoretical framework linking a connection among SEL, behavioral changes, and efficacy.
This research will ultimately help decision makers understand the impact of systemic school-wide SEL programing with regards to beliefs about social emotional learning, perceived collective efficacy, and job satisfaction. The results of this study will assist educational leaders and various stakeholders make thoughtful decisions regarding the implementation of social emotional learning initiatives.
Low student completion rates have increased pressure on college and university administrators across the country to raise retention and graduation rates and have forced the review of many practices on campus. This qualitative study aimed to examine the effects of financial aid on higher educational persistence among African American males. Semi-structured interviews with African American male students were conducted to identify perceptions of the financial aid department and financial assistance related to successful persistence among the identified population. Findings from the interviews showed the perceptions of factors that created successful persistence were (a) meaning interactions with financial aid, (b) percentage of aid coverage, (c) family expectations/support, (d) and additional financial aid opportunities. A detailed analysis revealed that the student participants agreed that staff/student relationships and financial aid stability were important factors related to the retention of African American male students. Students also indicated that the percentage of aid covering their tuition/fees is a huge factor when assessing which college to attend. In addition, family expectations/support were connected to enrolling in a university but were not an important factor in retention when considering financial hardships that arise for college students. Finally, implications for practice and recommendations for future research were identified. The study findings might be helpful to college and university administrators needing to improve student completion rates. The findings might also be helpful to African American male students seeking a college or university to attend.
RtI refers to a specific set of interventions to support students who struggle to make progress in the general education settings. Fuchs and Deshler emphasized that teachers need to understand the conditions and contextual factors of RtI within a school district that may influence its implementation. Implementing these reforms requires ongoing professional development, clear expectations for RtI implementation, teacher cooperation, and substantial time to unify these procedures into personal and institutional practices.
RtI implementations tend to lack teacher support, training, and utilizing resources effectively. Implementing systemic reform requires teachers to develop their teaching skills in selecting interventions and conducting assessments to meet students’ needs. Even for generally effective interventions, there is likely to be a substantial proportion of non-responsive children. Learning in the first few weeks of the intervention may be a useful indicator of appropriate response to treatment and could inform instructional decisions.
This study explored teachers’ knowledge of RtI, perceptions of RtI intervention/instruction tiers in their school, and suggestions for RtI implementation. Specifically, to identify the differences in teacher perceptions and if there is a consensus among teachers of the meaning of RtI and its effectiveness for struggling elementary students.
Teachers’ individual beliefs regarding the value of the academic material they teach, the nature of the subject, how they should teach it, as well as their assumptions regarding students, classrooms, instructional materials, the nature of learning, and how students construct knowledge can all have considerable influence over their teaching practices and effectiveness in the classroom. To become proficient in effective scientific inquiry, students must be paired with teachers who believe in the benefits of scientific inquiry and the inquiry teaching method and who are confident in their ability to teach using inquiry-based instructional methodologies. In this quantitative study, the beliefs held by a group of 11 experienced high school science teachers, charged with delivering an inquiry-oriented science curriculum, were examined to determine whether they preferred inquiry-oriented classroom activities over more traditional teacher directed non-inquiry activities.
To measure each participant’s beliefs quantitatively regarding the efficacy of specific inquiry-oriented, neutral, and non-inquiry student activities, this study made use of the ɣ-version of the Inquiry Teaching Belief (ITB) instrument developed and validated by researchers William Harwood, John Hansen, and Christine Lotter (2006). Statistical analysis was used to compare the mean distance measures taken from each participant’s ITB model to identify their preference for activity types. The findings of this study indicated that although the participants did not share specific preferences for individual classroom practices, they did, as a group, share a measurable and statistically significant preference for inquiry-oriented activities over non-inquiry activities. This finding is significant in that it demonstrates there is alignment between teacher beliefs held by this group of teachers and the design of the curriculum at the high school where they work.
The goal of this qualitative study was to learn more about how online Ed.D. students are persistent and resilient in pursuing their academic goals during the Coronavirus pandemic. With the ongoing pandemic and remote learning circumstances, doctoral students are facing more challenges they must overcome to stay on track with their academics. More specifically, the researcher sought to understand what doctoral students believe are their biggest barriers to completion during the pandemic. To do so, the researcher interviewed 10 current students in the program who were within six credits of completing their program course requirements in order to learn more about their persistence and the factors they felt contributed to keeping them motivated and optimistic about maintaining a growth mindset, despite pre-existing and new pandemic-related challenges they encountered. Understanding students’ potential barriers to completion can help with future implications for practice within the program and the implementation of necessary student resources for support.
The disproportionality of Black male students is one of the most critical problems in special education within the U.S. (Skiba et al., 2006). This quantitative study aimed to examine how teachers' perceptions of classroom norms and professional development affect how they refer Black males to special education. The issue of disproportionality among Blacks in special education has been discussed in educational literature since the 1960s and continues to be a concern today. This study examined how teachers' perceptions of Black students' language, family history, behavior, cultural differences, and biases affect who they refer to as special education. Data were collected from kindergarten to high school teachers in a small suburban school district. Participants in the survey took the Gresham survey, which is divided into two sections. Part one's purpose was to gather information from teachers about the overrepresentation of Black males that are ultimately referred to special education, while section two's purpose was to collect demographic information on the survey participants. Their responses were then analyzed to determine the extent to which a teacher's perception of classroom norms and professional development affects who they refer to special education.
This research provides an overall view of how teachers' perceptions and lack of professional development contribute to how they refer Black students to special education. In addition, this study highlighted the importance of professional development to ensure that teachers are aware of how their personal beliefs may affect their classroom decisions.
There are jobs available today that did not exist 10 years ago. According to employers, there is a significant gap in essential universal skills in recent college graduates necessary for success in any career. Because of student debt and rising college tuition, more than ever, higher education is being held accountable for its contribution to workforce readiness. How does higher education prepare students for jobs that do not yet exist? How can higher education better prepare students for the workforce? Higher education has been a gateway to higher-paying jobs in America and other developed countries. Employers look to higher education to teach students the skills required in the workplace. Some careers in areas such as computer programming, accounting, and engineering require specific skills or hard skills that can be measured by tests and certifications. However, businesses expect students to have developed competencies in areas that are more difficult to measure. These competencies include verbal and written communication, problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and the ability to work well in teams. These soft skills lead toward success in any career, yet according to hiring managers worldwide, these skills are lacking among college graduates. How can higher education continue to provide value to employers if these key competencies have not been learned?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education moved almost exclusively to online operations, causing an unprecedented technological shift in college operations, teaching and learning, and professional and social interactions to the digital space of modern videoconferencing. Utilizing Prensky's (2001) digital natives and digital immigrants theory, this qualitative research case study with interview approach identified and examined the strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and frustrations in utilizing modern video conferencing in instruction and college operations in the largest suburban community college in New Jersey with administration, staff, and faculty who skew towards Prensky’s definition of digital immigrants. Drawing upon ethnographic approach, the researcher interviewed fifteen higher education professionals to understand their experiences with video conferencing in their said role, the levels of social presence they demonstrated, how they engaged digital native students in video conferencing, and what challenges these digital immigrants faced in developing social presence to connect with digital natives. The research study found that higher education professionals' experiences with video conferencing caused them to consider how to create and maintain presence, persona, and social interaction and conversation in video conferencing. To address the lack of preparation associated with emergency remote teaching and operations, this research study examined the experiences of higher education professionals' use of modern video conferencing to formulate best practices for training in video conferencing.
This qualitative study examined 20 high school counselors’ perceptions of their experience serving LGBTQ adolescents in New Jersey. To begin addressing the gap in the literature, the purpose of the qualitative dissertation study is to examine high school counselors’ perceptions of and experiences with the LGBTQ population’s issues in northern New Jersey high schools. The qualitative study is a phenomenological inquiry that inspects high school counselors' experiences related to the lives of LGBTQ students in their communities.
The four overarching research questions guiding this qualitative study were (a) "What are high school counselors’ perceptions of FERPA, 1974, FERPA, 2016, and Title IX federal law used to protect the LGBTQ population?," (b) "What are high school counselors’ perspectives of school district policies and procedures regarding LGBTQ adolescents’ needs?," (c) What are high school counselors’ perspectives on professional development training related to LGBTQ students’ needs?," and (d) "What are common issues high school counselors have encountered as major barriers for the LGBTQ population, and how have school counselors handled these issues?"
The phenomenological inquiry allowed me to understand how members of the LGBTQ community were treated in their high school settings according to their school counselors. For this study, one-on-one open-ended semi-structured interviews with high school counselors were conducted using Zoom, and each interview took approximately 40 to 60 minutes to complete.
To explore diverse participant experiences and contextual differences, this qualitative study took place at various high schools across northern New Jersey urban school settings. School counselors were recruited via emailed recruitment invitations to high school counselors and school district guidance counselor supervisors. Data were collected through 21 virtual open-ended interview sessions; participants’ questionnaire responses, transcripts from the Zoom sessions, and researcher field notes leading to summaries of interview recordings completed directly after each interview session.
Analyzing qualitative data research was a continuous task that started immediately after data collection. Data were coded and analyzed after the data were reviewed and the interviews transcribed (Galman, 2013). Consistent with this approach, data from the virtual semi-structured open-ended interviews were continuously reexamined. Interview data was carefully coded and grouped into categories as themes were identified. I relied on open coding, research questions, the conceptual framework, transcript, and audio recordings to analyze the data. Research data were reviewed numerous times through an interactive process and coded and analyzed for meaning.
Twenty high school counselors aged 38 to 75 were the participants in this research. Themes emerging from both virtual interview sessions and participants questionnaire were presented together and divided into five overarching thematic categories included (a) counselor advocacy, (a) counselors’ perspectives of district policies, (c) counselors’ experiences of LGBTQ challenges, (d) counselors’ experiences of LGBTQ “ coming out,” and (e) counselors’ view of faculty support/collaboration. The findings demonstrate the advantages of fostering counselors’ advocacy to provide LGBTQ adolescents with resiliency, respect, and affirmation. In addition, the results of this study raised some broader implications for future research into providing LGBTQ-related services and resources in school communities.
Student evaluation of teachers (SET) is an important method of assessing professors' teaching skills and effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to determine whether and to what extent a relationship between grades and student evaluations of professors exists and how this relationship influences faculty practices, such as teaching styles, grading habits, and employment terms.
This mixed-methods research was significant in that it was conducted at a faith-based institution. The faculty was composed of lay personnel and clergy who were surveyed in 30-to- 45-minute mid-semester interviews. The student population included seminarians—students studying to become priests— and students in religious formation, as well as lay
students. Students were surveyed using a modified SET form distributed near the end of the semester.
The study found that there is a relationship between grades and SETs: students receiving higher grades tended to give higher ratings to their professors, and students receiving lower grades tended to give lower ratings to their professors. The findings also showed that seminarians were less likely to give low ratings to their professors than non-seminary students (rs = .398 vs. .204). The research showed that SETs do have an impact on professors' performances. The data indicated that most faculty made changes to their instructional practices in response to student evaluations. The research also revealed no significant difference between the reactions of lay and religious personnel to SETs.
The results of this investigation include suggestions for modifications of practices and policies that would apply to this college and seminary's administrators, faculty, and students. In addition, recommendations for further research and application to other higher education institutions are discussed.
Students with special needs are being educated alongside their general education peers at a growing rate. With this increase and the movement towards inclusive classrooms, teacher perceptions are critical to analyze to ensure that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills that are needed to instruct students with and without disabilities. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of teacher perceptions specific towards the efficacy of inclusion programs. This study focused on the perceptions of elementary education teachers regarding a student’s ability, academically and socially, in an inclusive classroom; the perceptions of elementary education teachers on how best teaching practices and personal experience can affect inclusive education; and the perceptions of elementary education teachers on teaching practices and school structure in relation to inclusive education. This study was conducted using a survey that targeted elementary school teachers in two northern New Jersey suburban public school districts. The survey results were analyzed, and they revealed that teachers need additional support and hands- on learning experiences to instruct inside an inclusive classroom appropriately. The results were grouped into three themes.
The demands placed on principals to meet the wide range of needs present within the learning community continue to expand within the context of school reform. While there is some research on the ideals of successful turnaround school reform strategies, there is a lack of research on
the essential key levers it takes to reform a school and district effectively, efficiently, and sustainably. This sequential-method critical theory case study examined the relationship between school and district accountability designation; the key levers, systems, and structures used to exit accountability status and turn around failing schools; and the sustainability of the key levers in promoting successful schools and districts in good standing with the state education department. The data collected in this study clearly highlights the positive impacts of authentic and focused Teaching and Learning, Safe, Supportive and Equitable Environments, and well-developed Student Support Services has on exiting accountability status and sustaining positive results, year over year. The knowledge derived from this study has implications for K-12 institutions, aspiring education leaders, and higher education and colleges of education.
There has been extensive research done on varying leadership styles as well as how school leaders employ these styles in order to improve students’ academic achievement. However, little literature exists that discusses how leadership style affects a principal or assistant principal’s approach to managing student discipline. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to examine how school leaders perceive their leadership style and how their style affects the way they address student discipline in their school buildings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 principals and assistant principals from an urban, public school district in northern New Jersey who served students in grades four through eight to answer the following research questions:
RQ1: How do principals and assistant principals’ perceived leadership styles impact their leadership practices and approach to student discipline?
RQ2: How are student discipline outcomes affected by the perceived leadership styles of principals and assistant principals?
This dissertation shares the thematically coded data gathered through the interviews. Participants discussed demonstrating care for students, staff, and families, even when they did not specifically identify Caring Leadership as their individual style. This caring approach was critical to building positive relationships and determining disciplinary consequences for students that served as alternatives to suspension and other forms of exclusion from schools. This was especially important to the school leaders who participated as they and their staff continue to navigate providing high-quality education to all students in this post-pandemic world.