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I samtal om våra erfarenheter av arbete och praktik i skolan har vi kommit fram till attbedömning av elevers kunskaper inte alltid görs i enlighet med den målrelateradeskolans förordningar. Vår iakttagelse omfattar inte bara prov och betygsättning. Denomfattar även den dagliga verksamhetens utformning med hänsyn tillkunskapsbegreppet såsom det formuleras i de läro- och kursplaner och den pedagogiskabedömning som utgör grunden för vår syn på bedömning. Syftet med vårt arbete är attbelysa om styrdokumenten stämmer överens med den vardag i vilken lärare bedömerelever utifrån skolans styrdokument och traditioner som på lokal nivå formar praxis. Vidiskuterar vad man kan göra för att minska avståndet mellan dokument och praktikgenom ständiga samtal. Vi försöker svara på frågorna: Vilka riktlinjer för bedömning avelevers kunskaper och utveckling finns det i de nationella styrdokumenten? Hur tolkasoch implementeras de givna riktlinjerna på de lokala skolorna och i de enskildaklassrummen? För att svara på frågorna utgick vi från styrdokumenten, som beskriverhur skolan ska fungera och Skolverkets undersökningar av skolans arbete, sombeskriver hur den i praktiken fungerar. Vi valde att arbeta med Grounded theory ochKvalitativ textanalys i vilken man låter det analyserade materialet utveckla denteoretiska modellen. Detta resulterade i en kategorisering av den insamlade data vibedömde vara intressant för vår undersökning, kategorierna belyste olika aspekter avfrågan om bedömning. Vårt huvudsakliga resultat är att det finns brister i förståelsen avmålen och att detta äventyrar elevernas rätt till en likvärdig och kvalitativ bedömning. Ivår tolkning av materialet är en av orsakerna till detta att det på många skolor finns enavsaknad av professionella samtal om målen med hänsyn till frågan om bedömning.Framåtsyftande efterlyser vi en fortsatt diskussion om det professionella samtaletsutformning och plats i skolan.

Sandberg, Karin (2007) Vad händer i klassrummet? En observationsstudie av samspelet mellan lärare och elever. (What happens in the classroom? Observations of the interaction between teachers and students.) Skolutveckling och ledarskap, Lärarutbildningen 60p, Malmö högskola.Syftet med arbetet är att studera vilka situationer, beteenden och/eller strategier i klassrummet som förefaller vara avgörande för om lektionen ger upphov till uppmärksamma, engagerade och delaktiga gymnasieelever. Dessutom prövas en analysmetod, Grundad teori (Grounded theory), för att se om detta är en möjlig och tillämpar analysmetod för att uppnå syftet. Arbetet ger även en översikt av tidigare forskning rörande bl a interaktionen mellan lärare-elev. Datainsamling har skett med hjälp av så förutsättningslösa observationer som möjligt i en gymnasieskola inom Sydskånska gymnasieförbundet. Sammanlagt har 21 lektioner observerats fördelade på 5 dagar i två olika gymnasieklasser på ett yrkesinriktat program. Resultatet visar att det inte verkar vara upplägget på en enskild lektion som är avgörande för elevernas uppmärksamhet och engagemang, utan det är relationen mellan läraren och eleverna/klassen som är avgörande. I analysarbetet framträdde åtta kategorier, varav kategorin ¨Tydlighet¨ framstår som kärnkategorin. Denna innehåller vikten av tydlighet och struktur från lärarens sida samtidigt som den visar vikten av att eleverna har möjlighet att påverka.

The transition of students with emotional and behavioral disorders has often been difficult when the move is made from self-contained classes to a less restrictive environment in general education classes. This study analyzed the perceptions of students and teachers when six middle school students with emotional and behavioral disorders moved from self-contained classes to inclusive placements in general education classes in three schools that were part of a large metropolitan school district in the southeastern United States. Data were collected over a 2 month period using semi-structured student interviews and teacher surveys, as well as student records and other school reports and observations. Data were analyzed to develop a grounded theory that explained the differences between students who had successful experiences (no discipline referrals or failing grades) and students who experienced problems with inclusion. The students attributed their success to: (a) support from their teachers, (b) quiet, well-managed inclusive classrooms, and (c) planned systems for the inclusion process. The teachers attributed student success to: (a) general education teacher willing to take a student with EBD into their class, (b) academic and behavioral support systems, and (c) positive home-school relationships between the teacher and the child's family. The grounded theory developed in this study predicted that students have a greater chance of successful inclusion if they have (a) behavioral supports aimed at managing academic frustration, (b) a plan that encourages and rewards self-determination and (c) supportive teachers or family members. These findings also related important elements of research and provided insight on current practice for the inclusion of students with emotional and behavioral disorders.

The attempts to reform general education programs in higher education have been applied and studied throughout the history of higher education in the United States, but with even greater frequency and urgency over the past fifty years. Countless studies show the high percentage of institutions participating in these efforts and further studies lament the state of general education both as a reason to initiate reforms and as a result of the reforms. This effort is difficult enough for universities, but is further complicated when the curriculum for general education is part of a community college degree program. A grounded theory study was conducted to identify the underlying understanding of general education at one community college as well as the process for implementing and reforming the curriculum, especially the general education curriculum. Members of the curriculum committee as well as other administrators and faculty at the college who have a voice in the curriculum were interviewed and their responses were coded following classic grounded theory methodology. The resulting theory showed a divergence of understanding of general education when speaking about it abstractly and when speaking about the process to change the college’s existing general education program. The abstract understanding of general education is very consistent with the stated purposes of general education and the educational goals of the college. The practical understanding, however, indicates that the work of curriculum reform is compliance with guidelines from legislation and accreditation requirements. Thus, any efforts to establish a model of general education that would be more consistent with the understood purpose of general education that would require modifying the existing structure would meet great iv resistance because of the perceived need to comply with the existing model. Further studies concerning the same issue at other community colleges within the state, as well as the understanding of general education within the university system would contribute to a better understanding of the role of general education at the college and throughout the state system of higher education. The use of grounded theory as a methodology to achieve this reform provides a way to engage everyone involved more openly and to permit the efforts to be far more intentional.

Classroom teachers deal with numerous pressures in their classrooms including students’ difficulty with reading at the middle and high school levels. Often, teachers can identify the problems, but are often unable to rectify them because of a lack of understanding and support in incorporating reading as part of their content area instruction. This research was conducted to investigate the impact of a sustained, online reading professional development on the teaching practice of middle school and high school science teachers who took the 14-week course. This grounded theory research used the reflective assignment, a comprehensive, 10-week, job-embedded assignment of 62 science teachers, to generate categories and themes about the reading challenges they perceived in their own classrooms, what strategies and tools they chose to remedy those challenges, and the perceived changes they saw in their students and themselves. The theory that was derived from the data speaks to how effective, job-embedded reading professional development can impact the knowledge, motivation, and instructional practice of science teachers in the classroom

Grandfamilies, or families in which grandparents are raising their grandchildren, often form due to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) experienced by the grandchildren. ACEs have been linked to multiple negative short- and long-term behavioral and emotional consequences for children. Yet, having an ACE history does not guarantee negative outcomes, as protective factors such as positive relationships with a safe and caring adult, healthy family functioning, and utilization of formal services can mitigate the negative effects of ACEs. Researchers have regularly called on families to seek timely intervention and services for ACEs; however, many grandparents raising grandchildren report negative interactions with service providers as well as service delivery. Limited research has explored the extent to which grandfamilies with ACEs may have experienced similar interactions while seeking and using formal services. Guided by Andersen's (1995) Behavioral Model of Health Service Use, this qualitative study sought to explore (1) the service needs of grandchildren with an ACE history who are being raised by their grandparents; (2) the service needs of grandparents raising grandchildren with an ACE history; (3) the process of seeking services when grandparents raising a grandchild with an ACE history look for services for their grandchild; and (4) best practices for delivering services to grandfamilies with an ACE history. The research questions were primarily addressed through via interviewing 10 grandparents from Central Appalachia who were raising a grandchild with an ACE history and by conducting two focus groups of 8 to 12 formal service providers with experience working with grandparents raising grandchildren with an ACE history. Interview data were analyzed using grounded theory and focus group data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Study findings indicated that grandchildren have emotional and developmental needs. Grandparents described needs related to the emotional impact of raising a grandchild with an ACE history, family and parent involvement, and parenting a grandchild with an ACE history. Study results also highlighted how grandparents can expect to encounter barriers throughout the service seeking and delivery process. Study results also highlighted the critical nature of having a strong relationship with a service provider and the importance of a service provider reducing barriers, being attentive to grandfamily needs, and involving the grandparent in the treatment process. Finally, results from the focus groups revealed best practices such as providing grandparents with education on ACEs, being aware of intergenerational ACE cycles, and engaging in assessment and intervention when working with this population. Implications for clinical practice as well as directions for future research are discussed. / Doctor of Philosophy / Historically, grandparents have long been called upon to assist with caring for their grandchildren. In the last forty years, grandparents have increasingly shifted to a new role—that of parent. Grandfamilies are commonly created due to adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, which can include child abuse, child neglect, or household challenges such as parental substance abuse or parental incarceration. Experiencing ACEs does not guarantee negative outcomes in a child's life, but their presence and number can affect it, particularly when a child has experienced numerous ACEs. Professional services or treatment are one way to support these children. However, negative interactions with service providers or unfulfilled expectations with service delivery can dissuade grandparents from continuing services. This study sought to understand how grandparents raising a grandchild with an ACE history identify the grandchild's needs, come to the realization that their grandchild needs professional help, the process and experience of receiving that professional help, as well as what happened after the grandchild received professional services. After interviewing 10 grandparents raising a grandchild with an ACE history, study findings revealed how grandparents identify grandchild needs, and then manage those needs as well as grandchild behaviors. Study findings also illustrated a recursive relationship between grandparents managing grandchild needs and building a relationship of trust with the formal service provider once services have started. Building a relationship of trust with a formal service provider can then result in creating change or the grandparent deciding to end services. Finally, grandparent interview data revealed that throughout the entire process of service seeking, grandparents raising a grandchild with an ACE history commonly experience barriers hindering their access to services including personal, availability, and systemic barriers. Finally, the study sought to understand best practices for working with grandparents raising grandchildren with an ACE history, which include assessing for and creating interventions targeting ACEs, providing education on ACEs to grandparents, and being aware of intergenerational ACE cycles with these families. Strategies for clinical practice are also identified.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the decisions and perceptions of Lane Company's dislocated workforce regarding retraining and reemployment programs funded by the Minnie and B.B. Lane Foundation (MBL Foundation), Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), both organizations, or neither organization. Thirteen Lane Company dislocated workers were interviewed utilizing an open-ended questionnaire. The results of this study indicated that the retraining and reemployment needs of Lane Company's dislocated workers were accommodated. However, to accommodate those needs, two organizations were required, the VEC and the MBL Foundation. The VEC was instituted by the federal and state government to provide retraining and reemployment services to dislocated workers via the Trade Act of 1974. The MBL Foundation, a nonprofit organization, was established to provide funding for retraining and reemployment programs to Lane Company's dislocated workforce. Many dislocated workers approached the VEC to apply for retraining, but found that the funding was insufficient or the retraining program they desired was not approved under the Trade Act. The dislocated workers perceived the MBL Foundation as an alternative for supplementary retraining funds and programs they preferred. An approach to provide for the needs of dislocated workers is to revise and appropriate additional funds to the Trade Act. Moreover, the manner in which Lane Company's dislocated workers were accommodated may possibly stand as a model for meeting the needs of other dislocated workers. / Ph. D.

Brain injury has become the signature wound of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF), based on estimates that 10% of all returning warriors may have sustained a brain injury secondary to blast exposures. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects the lives of survivors as well as their loved ones, and the consequences associated with TBI inform well-being for all involved. This research uses grounded theory to understand contributing factors of female spousal well-being, specifically the female partners of servicemen who have sustained mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (mMTBI) during combat in OIF/OEF. Through the use of sequential interviews and transcript analysis, the Combat Related Traumatic Brain Injury (CoRTs) Model of Spousal Well-Being emerged illustrating the dynamic relationships among supports, role engagement, the process of redefining self, perceptions of personal empowerment and subjective wellbeing. Four key conclusions were identified from these findings: a) mMTBI affects the life of the surviving service member as well as the life of his partner, b) the myriad consequences of combat-related mMTBI on the female spouse prompted these women to engage in a journey of redefining self, c) communities of influence became the centerpiece from which participants could move forward with their lives or remain in their current state, and d) successful engagement in roles of choice provided study participants experiences from which to establish their new self, fostered perceptions of empowerment, and informed well-being. The CoRTs Model of Well-Being and conclusions provide a framework for future programming designed to target the needs of veterans and family members whose lives have been disrupted by brain injury sustained in combat. / Ph. D.

In July of 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) determined that Massachusetts had violated the civil rights of its English Language Learners (ELLs) by placing them in classes with inadequately prepared teachers. Massachusetts is the contextual background for this study but it also serves as an example of the challenges across the U.S. in preparing teachers to meet the diverse needs of the growing population of ELLs within a national context of increasingly standardized curriculum and testing. The U.S. Secretary of Education, the Massachusetts Commissioner of Education, policy makers, teacher educators, and academics are all looking to educational research for answers to the current challenges. There are many answers or approaches coming from multiple discourses of educational research. However, as has been demonstrated in Massachusetts, research-based approaches to educational challenges are not always successful. More needs to be understood about how these approaches are actually taken up in classrooms. Unfortunately, there is limited research about teachers' understandings and uses of different discourses of research. In this dissertation I have explored how two urban ESL teachers engaged with research at different stages of their professional development. The questions that guide this study focused on how the teachers made meaning of research and enacted research during the three stages of the study: their master's program, their ESL practicum and a site visit two years after graduation. I conducted two longitudinal case studies drawing on constructivist grounded theory (Charmaz, 2006). Building on the findings from my literature review of ESL teachers' engagement with research I collected and analyzed data from the three stages mentioned above over a five-year period. Multiple phases of analysis included critical incident analysis (Angelides, 2001), and text analysis (Fairclough, 1992; 2003; Janks, 2005). The findings of this study show that while the teachers engaged in multiple ways with research, certain types and discourses of research discouraged teachers from meeting the needs of their students. The teachers' engagement with research as praxis (Lather, 1986) was complex but entailed change-enhancing engagement with theory, practice, and action that not only met students' needs, but promoted socially just teaching.