Doctor of Philosophy / Curriculum and Instruction / Charles Heerman / This was a case study of two middle schools in New Mexico. Using organization for instruction (Marks and Louis, 1997) as a crux, the purpose of the building level study was to explore the elements of school leadership, instruction, and middle level program and to infer aspects of language policy. The needs threshold was based on the timeliness of reexamining linguistic diversity and on the importance of language concerns in education, principally as they related to ELLs and other linguistically diverse students. The problem stemmed from dynamic, culturally evolving changes in the environment of the two middle schools under study. Changes from economic factors, district leadership, immigration, and demographic shifts in the local area affected the two buildings’ capacity to effectively deliver educational and language services. The significance of the study maintained that school level language planning was rapidly becoming a competing theme in the process of education and required attention in light of important environmental and sociological factors. Metaphor was employed to help symbolize increasing complexities (e.g., array of special interests, human and individual diversity, etc.) found in context of the school with reference to organization, leadership, instruction, and program. Since the research was a case study, no hypotheses were formulated; instead a major research question and four sub questions were posed. A mixed method, multiple sources of information methodology was used in the collection and analysis of data. Twenty (N = 20) participants made up of building leaders (n = 4) and teachers (n = 16) were interviewed. Tables of student achievement scores were presented along with other demographic data. Although interviewees reported sensitivity to linguistic diversity, findings pointed to a lack of knowledge about language policy at all levels on the part of building leaders and teachers. Implications drawn described the important role language policy formation could play in educational structuring of middle school programs and instruction. A list of recommendations provided criteria to follow in making decisions about the feasibility of conducting school level language planning and made suggestions for further research. An extensive bibliography of relevant sources and transcripts of interviews were provided.

Although teachers and students are the primary actors in the classroom environment, they often have different perceptions of the instructional and relational aspects of the classroom. Despite these differences, research indicates perceptions of the quality of the classroom social environment have implications for both student and teacher outcomes. Additionally, research has indicated the differences in perceptions occur not only between students and teachers, but also among individual students within classrooms. The extent and the manner in which these perceptions converge may vary across different class and school contexts. School and class context, as well as individual characteristics and beliefs have shown to influence student and teacher perceptions of their environment. Thus, to further understand the relationship between perceptions and outcomes, it is important to understand the factors that influence perception. Therefore, the current study examined (1) the extent to which elementary school students’ and teachers’ perceptions of the classroom social environment differ from middle school students’ and teachers’ perceptions, (2) the extent to which teachers and students in elementary and middle school agree about the classroom social environment, (3) if the degree of convergence between teachers and students differs based on high or low levels of motivational and socio-emotional components of the classroom environment, (4) the extent to which school, classroom, and individual teacher factors help to explain teacher perceptions of their classroom environment, (5) and the extent to which school, classroom, and individual student factors help to explain student perceptions of their classroom environment. The sample comprised of fifth- and sixth-grade students and teachers from ethnically diverse elementary and middle schools. Exploratory factor analyses revealed differences in how teachers and students conceptualize the classroom environment. Results from multiple regression and design-model multi-level modeling indicated that school socio-economic status, classroom gender and ethnic composition, as well as teacher and student demographics and beliefs, influence both teacher and student perceptions of the Classroom Social Environment. Findings from the current study may guide researchers in developing effective instructional practices for specific teacher and student populations and may provide unique contributions to the literature regarding factors that may enhance early adolescences’ and teachers’ experiences in the classroom.

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This research examines the low proficiency in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and the effectiveness, or rather lack thereof, of English studies in Chinese urban middle schools. While most Chinese students learn English in middle school, very few are able to speak functional English. Even the surprisingly high marks for English tests and examinations are misleading, as these do not reflect the true ability of these students to use the English language. Possible factors contributing to this problem are highlighted, such as the inappropriate nature of university entrance examinations, ineffective teaching and learning methods as well as the teaching material used, overcrowded classrooms, lack of meaningful exposure to English, and learner’s heavy study burden. Aspects of learning and teaching English – the skills required (such as speaking, reading and writing) as well as the various teaching methods – are discussed. Learning a language involves grammatical, textual, functional and sociolinguistic knowledge, yet Chinese English language learners appear to develop organisational competence rather than pragmatic competence. This suggests that there is a possible flaw or shortfall in the teaching methodology and pedagogy behind teaching English and questions the effectiveness of English studies currently implemented at urban Chinese middle schools. In the light of this problem an in-depth look at language knowledge, the nature of language and proficiency levels, as well as the verbal communication process and language acquisition is taken. Furthermore, the differences between NLA, SLA and FLA are explained with a view to theories about how human beings learn a language. This involves various teaching methods, highlighting communicative language teaching and, at the same time characteristics of effective teaching as well as the textbooks used in a Chinese context for teaching English. The questionnaire methodology is applied in this research, and has been used to investigate and find reasons for this problem. Finally, recommendations are put forward regarding the following aspects: adding value to the present syllabus, improving the setting of assessments, providing more teaching materials, improving the language proficiency and teaching abilities of English teachers, and letting students have more time and opportunity to be exposed to the English language. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Afrikaans / unrestricted

While much is known about the benefits of professional learning communities as supportive structures for teaching teams to work together to increase student learning opportunities, team development requires strong administrators and teacher leaders. The purpose of this study was to explore teacher leaders' perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of professional learning communities in the middle school setting. With a foundation in constructivist and organizational learning theories, differences in teacher leaders' perceptions were investigated based on gender, number of years teaching at the schools, and number of years on the school leadership team. Within a nonexperimental, quantitative research design, 380 participants were invited and 127 responded to the Professional Learning Communities Assessment-Revised (PLCA-R) survey. A t test for independent samples was used to examine gender differences, and one-way ANOVAs were used to analyze differences in perceptions based on number of years teaching and number of years on the school leadership team. The results revealed no statistically significant differences for any of the variables on any of the PLCA-R domains, but there was a statistically significant difference (p = .013) in the PLCA-R overall scores for years of teaching experience. The information from these overall scores reflects a strong relationship between the number of years teaching, either 6-10 or 11+, and the domains in the survey. Results of this study add to the research on middle school professional learning communities and may contribute to positive social change by providing information on the perceived strengths and weaknesses that exist in professional learning communities.

To effectively and substantively impact the realization of school improvement goals, there is a perceived need for the implementation of participatory processes that involve parents, patrons, students, and educators through decentralization of the planning, programming, and implementation phases. Related to this need is the pressing requirement of providing educational leaders with a greater understanding of what knowledge and skills they should possess to effectively guide and direct the implementation of decentralized participatory processes. An exploratory case study of a nationally recognized middle school's decentralized participatory structure was conducted. The purpose of this study was to provide the comprehensive context of an existing decentralized participatory structure from which needed knowledge and skills could be determined. The likelihood of successfully installing future partnership structures can be increased by providing educational leaders with a description, analysis, and interpretation of participatory involvements. The conclusions for the case study were arrived at through a triangulation approach of key-informant interviewing, participant observation at meetings, and an investigation of essential documents. This researcher concluded that the following skills and knowledge base are important for participatory leaders to possess to successfully implement, direct, and guide a decentralized partnership program: Skills. (1) Group dynamic skills; (2) Human relationship skills; (3) Communication skills; (4) Decision-making skills. Knowledge Base. A participatory leader must possess knowledge of (1) how to positively channel diversity, (2) motivation theory and ways to capitalize on motivation theory, (3) ways to develop participants' capacity to participate effectively, (4) how to effectively facilitate the communication and coordination between and among identifiable groups which interlace with the participatory process, (5) the school effectiveness literature, (6) how to balance high task and high relationship, (7) how people learn most effectively, (8) goal theory and ways to set goals through other people, (9) effective planning procedures, (10) change strategy and how to effectively accomplish goals through other people, (11) the benefits of participatory decision-making, (12) the benefits of decentralization, (13) a range of leadership styles, (14) effective management practices, and (15) how to model a decentralized participatory structure.

The focus of this research was to investigate and clarify the work lives of middle school literacy coaches in central Florida by studying their backgrounds and experiences before assuming the role of literacy coach. Additionally, the beliefs of literacy coaches on what factors influence reading achievement were examined. The responses of 44 participating middle school literacy coaches were used to investigate (a) the academic and professional experiences of each coach, (b) the percentage of time spent in 13 literacy coaching activities, and (c) the working factors related to student reading achievement as evidenced on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Data from a web-based survey and personal interviews were used to collect pertinent data to create an awareness and understanding of the work lives of middle school literacy coaches. Descriptive statistics were used to present demographic information regarding the coaches. Exploratory regression analyses were performed using time devoted to coaching activities and school performance data to determine existing relationships. Qualitative analyses were used to determine emergent literacy coach themes from survey responses. All data were triangulated to develop case studies for a group of 10 literacy coaches. Narrative descriptions of all coaching and individual school data were presented in the context of schools‘ percentage of student subgroups that attained Adequate Yearly Progress in 2010. The results of the study indicated that, although literacy coaches believed that modeling lessons was the most influential activity in positively affecting reading proficiency, very little of their time was spent in that activity. Recommendations iv included professional development for administrators on the use of a literacy coach and for literacy coaches on their usage of time.

On the continuum of special needs students, gifted students are often under-served. Research suggests the lack of services reported for these learners is similar across gender, grade level and type of school. However, much of the existing literature regarding differentiation of instructional practices for gifted learners is limited to the elementary level. This study sought to identify administrative and teacher practices regarding differentiation for gifted students in the regular education classroom in middle schools. More specifically, quantitative questionnaires were developed to identify the types of differentiated instructional activities classroom teachers utilize, describe programs offered to gifted students and identify factors which school administrators believe to be important to their role in addressing gifted programming. This exploratory study utilized quantitative, non-experimental methodology. The sample included teachers and administrators in public middle schools in Alameda and Sacramento counties in California in which gifted learners are taught in the regular classroom. While middle school teachers who instruct gifted learners in the regular education classroom employ differentiated strategies in the areas of enrichment, curriculum and grouping, teachers also engage in non-differentiated practices in the areas curricular materials, assessment and acceleration. Results reveal that the use and application of the strategies devised for gifted learners is uneven. Differentiation in the instructional program does not occur with consistent frequency and limited opportunities are presented in the areas of enrichment, differentiated curriculum and grouping. Whereas administrators indicate enrichment, self-selected projects, subject acceleration, enrichment and flexible grouping, should be provided to all gifted learners, actual services provided school-wide as reported by both administrators and teachers focuses significantly on enrichment, differentiated curriculum and grouping. Data shows that the activities reported to be beneficial to students by administrators which include participation in enrichment activities, differentiated curriculum and grouping, are generally reported to be in use by teachers. Although administrators report many activities to be essential to their role in addressing gifted programming, limited training hinders administrators from providing adequate support to teachers and conducting appropriate evaluations.

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