This study examined how self-efficacy beliefs, a central construct of social cognitive theory, might be used to inform educational leadership and policy decisions related to school accountability measures. A survey of 112 principals in Florida was used to investigate the degree to which principals believed the goals of federal and state school accountability measures (the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and the Florida School Grades Plan) were actually attainable, and to what degree they believed their leadership actually helped achieve these goals. A large majority (83.8%) of respondents believed the state goals to be attainable, whereas only a minority (20.7%) believed the federal goals could be attained. This disparity was associated with a significant difference in self-efficacy beliefs related to the plans, and in the associated leadership behavior of principals. This significant difference in principal self-efficacy beliefs could predict a disparity in leadership effort toward goal attainment. The study suggested that policymakers should be cautious about revising the goals of the Florida School Grades Plan, since principals' self-efficacy beliefs related to the plan were already quite high. In contrast, the findings suggested that policymakers should look to revising the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 to correct the dearth of principal belief in the actual attainability of its goals.

A study was conducted among a sample of Korean American students to investigate the potential moderation of the risks related to English proficiency by the protection of school belonging. Perceived scholastic competence, self-reported school grades, and academic expectancies were used for dependent variables. It was hypothesized that students with higher sense of belonging would be less affected by English proficiency than their peers with lower sense of belonging. The risk of English proficiency was confirmed. However, school belonging did not have as much of an effect as expected and students with higher English proficiency seemed to gain more benefit from increased school belonging. This finding reminds educators of the pressing importance of English proficiency, and future research is suggested to investigate the unique effects of belonging among students of Korean, and perhaps other Asian, backgrounds.

A study was conducted among a sample of Korean American students to investigate the potential moderation of the risks related to English proficiency by the protection of school belonging. Perceived scholastic competence, self-reported school grades, and academic expectancies were used for dependent variables. It was hypothesized that students with higher sense of belonging would be less affected by English proficiency than their peers with lower sense of belonging. The risk of English proficiency was confirmed. However, school belonging did not have as much of an effect as expected and students with higher English proficiency seemed to gain more benefit from increased school belonging. This finding reminds educators of the pressing importance of English proficiency, and future research is suggested to investigate the unique effects of belonging among students of Korean, and perhaps other Asian, backgrounds.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-23T14:01:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Miria pre textual ate p 83.pdf: 2054760 bytes, checksum: 53a3abc6b27362028eb57b22cdd63c20 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-04-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O estudo investiga como se configura o ensino de História nas séries iniciais do ensino fundamental. Parte das proposições de Marc Bloch (2001) e Le Goff (2001, 2003, 2005, 2009), que permitem ampliar a noção de tempo histórico, assim como a concepção de fontes históricas. Esta pesquisa compreende as professoras como aquelas que medeiam os processos de aprender e ensinar História, como intelectuais transformadoras (GIROUX, 1997), em constantes processos formativos, sempre marcados pela reflexão das suas próprias práticas (NÓVOA, 1995). Entende que as professoras se apropriam (CHARTIER, 1990) do currículo que lhes é apresentado por múltiplas vias, portanto, o currículo não é neutro (SACRISTÁN, 1998). As professoras são, inevitavelmente, mediadoras. A elas é atribuído, politicamente, o papel de adaptadoras ou, em maior medida, o de criadoras (SACRISTÁN (1998). O currículo, nesse direcionamento, pode ser pensado no sentido proposto por Ferraço (2004), ou seja, nas redes de saberesfazeres, de discursospráticas. Pela via da aplicação de questionários, observações, realização de entrevistas e análise de conteúdo (BARDIN, 2007), investiga as práticas das professoras no município de Mantenópolis, visando a compreender como se efetiva o ensino de História e as apropriações que elas fazem das diretrizes curriculares. No contexto investigado, são apontadas, como temáticas principais para ensinar nas aulas: a História local, a História de vida da criança, as datas comemorativas e a temporalidade, tendo como principal recurso para esse ensino o livro didático. É por essa via que as professoras se apropriam dos conteúdos das diretrizes curriculares. Trata-se de situações multifacetadas, configurando em momentos em que a História se revela de modo fragmentado e aleatório, com o uso predominante do livro didático, em que os conteúdos de História aparecem como distantes das vivências das professoras e dos alunos. Entretanto, em outras situações, a História aparece com seus gozos e prazeres, de uma maneira integrada, articulando-se aos demais saberes que compõem o contexto das aulas das séries iniciais. No contexto investigado, a História se apresenta como uma disciplina que, integrada aos demais saberes, contribui para a aprendizagem dos alunos, principalmente no que se refere à leitura e à escrita, que constituem objetivo crucial das séries iniciais.

The purpose of this study was to examine the direct and indirect effects of selected factors on school grades in public high schools in the state of Florida. A sample of 316 public high schools was created using data obtained from the Florida Education and the Florida High School Athletic Association. The selected factors that were chosen to be measured in the study were: minority percentage as measured by the proportion of minority students in relation to the total student body at a given school, socio economic status percentage (SES) as measured by the proportion of students participating in the free and reduced lunch program in relation to the total student body at a given school, academic achievement of 10th grade reading mean scale scores and 10th grade mathematics mean scale scores as measured by the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), and football winning percentage as measured by reported scores to the Florida High School Athletic Association. The direct and indirect effects of minority percentage, socio economic status percentage, and football winning percentage were tested using a path model in calculating linear regressions to analyze the effects on school grades; while only the direct effects of academic achievement were tested for the effects on school grades. The path model assessed the desired path of the selected factors in the study (See Figure 1); however, all paths were tested in the fully recursive model as illustrated (See Figure 2) for both the 2004-2005 and the 2005-2006 school years in the sample. Selected factors that demonstrated strength of effects were examined for predictability on school grades. Selected factors that indicated indirect effects were analyzed for indication of any discriminating patterns. For the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 school years, there was not a statistically significant direct effect for minority percentage and socio economic status percentage on winning percentage; FCAT reading mean scale score and FCAT mathematics mean scale score on winning percentage; winning percentage and FCAT reading mean scale score on school grades; winning percentage and FCAT mathematics mean scale score on school grades; minority percentage, socio economic status percentage, and winning percentage on FCAT reading mean scale score; minority percentage, socio economic status percentage, and winning percentage on FCAT mathematics mean scale score; or minority percentage, socio economic status percentage, and winning percentage on school grades. Two important effects were determined in the linear regression analysis. First, socio economic status percentage was not directly significant on school grades; however, it had a significant direct effect on the FCAT scores schools received on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Second, the FCAT reading and mathematics mean scale scores had direct significant effects on school grades in both the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 school years. Recommendations were made for potential changes to the study to include school size, graduation rates, and student violence that could influence school grades. Future considerations should be given to inclusions based on the Florida Writes requirement, 10th grade science mean scale scores, and other subject content not currently part of the state mandate for graduation. In addition, a study could be conducted that included changes to the path model to reflect minority percentage more accurately in the effects toward the designation of school grades. Finally, a study could be conducted that included participation in sports to account for any ancillary variables that may contribute to the effects of the designation of school grades.

School leaders face increasing demands related to student achievement. These demands involve annual data reporting related to overall student, school, and district success. In Florida, this accountability and transparency requirement is addressed through an annual school grading system. It is essential that leaders utilize successful programs that directly influence positive student outcomes and demonstrate high quality education. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a youth leadership development program, specifically The Leader in Me (TLIM) program, on school grades. Based on data obtained from 16 public elementary schools across Florida, a repeated measures ANCOVA analysis revealed that no statistically significant differences in the mean school grade percentages were observed between schools that implemented TLIM and schools that did not utilize the program. In addition, no significant differences were noted in the mean school-wide achievement scores on state mandated assessments in the areas of English/Language arts, mathematics, and science. Furthermore,regression analysis revealed that the percentage of students identified as minority, the percentage of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch, and the percentage of students reported as chronically absent significantly influence school grades. A review of the existing literature related to The Leader in Me, staff and student leadership, and the study variables follows, as well as a discussion of the findings and implications for future practice and research.

I den svenska läroplanen beskrivs språk, lärande och identitetsutveckling vara nära sammankopplade med varandra. Genom att lärare skapar goda möjligheter för eleverna att samtala, läsa och skriva ges eleverna förutsättningar att utveckla sin kommunikation och därmed få ökat förtroende för sin språkliga förmåga (Skolverket, 2019, s.7).  Denna studie undersöker hur lärare förhåller sig till att implementera ett lekfullt arbetssätt i den språkutvecklande undervisningen. Studien syftar till att undersöka på vilket sätt och i vilken utsträckningen lärare använder lek som del av svenskundervisningen för att främja läsförståelseutvecklingen bland elever i grundskolans årskurs F-3. För att besvara syftet med studien har tre frågeställningar legat till grund, vilka är följande:  Vilken syn har lärare på lek som en del av läsförståelseundervisningen?  I vilken omfattning integrerar lärare lek i läsförståelseundervisningen?  På vilket sätt använder lärare lek som en del av undervisningen för att stödja elevers läsförståelseutveckling?  För att besvara studiens syftesfrågor har en kvalitativ gruppintervju och en enskild intervju genomförts med sex verksamma lärare i grundskolans årskurs F-3. Studien vilar på den sociokulturella teorin enligt vilken det sociala samspelet är avgörande för att lärande ska möjliggöras och teorin ”Learning by doing” som innebär att kunskap skapas genom erfarenhet och delaktighet i det sociala rummet. Resultatet av studien visar på vilka möjligheter lärarna beskriver att leken innebär för elever i undervisningssituationer. Resultatet synliggör även vilka medel de intervjuade lärarna använder och beskriver som gynnsamma i den lekfulla undervisningen. Vidare lyfter lärarna även vilka för- respektive nackdelar som finns med ett lekfullt lärandesätt samt hur de tänker och arbetar för att komma över situationer som utgör hinder i undervisningen. Resultatavsnittet följs upp av ett diskussionsavsnitt i vilket studiens resultat diskuteras med koppling till studiens syfte och tidigare forskning. / In the Swedish curriculum, language, learning and self-development are explained as closely linked together. Teaching that provides good opportunities for students to converse, read and write makes it possible for students to develop their communication and thereby gain increased confidence in their language skills (Skolverket, 2019, s.7). This study examines how teachers approach and implement playful activities as part of language development instruction. The study aims to examine in what way teachers use playful activities as part of the Swedish lesson to promote the development of reading comprehension among students in the preschool class and primary school grades 1-3. To fulfil the purpose of the study, the following three questions have been addressed:  How do teachers view the use of playful interactions as part of teaching reading comprehension?  To what extent do teachers integrate playful activities with teaching reading comprehension?  In what way do teachers use playful activities as part of teaching to support the development of students’ reading comprehension?  To fulfil the study's purpose and address the questions, a qualitative group interview, as well as an individual interview, was conducted with six active primary school teachers in preschool class and primary school grades 1-3. The study takes its starting point in the sociocultural theory, where social interaction is described as crucial for one to develop new knowledge, as well as the method “learning by doing”, where knowledge is seen as something an individual develops through experience and participation in a social context. The results of the study show the positive impact that playfulness has on students’ learning conditions. The results also indicate what tools and methods that teachers find most useful while incorporating play during the lessons. Furthermore, the teachers also highlight the advantages and the disadvantages of engaging in a playful way of teaching and how they work towards overcoming obstacles.

Research has shown that interest in science often decreases in the middle-school grades for both boys and girls, but that more boys continue on the science track in high school and college, leading to males dominating the fields of science and engineering in the work place. The interpersonal interaction between teachers and students, as both individuals and as a group, comprises a large part of the classroom learning environment. Though these interactions last only a school year, they can influence student attitudes and achievement in the long term. Past research has suggested that a key factor in improving student achievement and attitudes is to create learning environments which emphasize characteristics that have been found to be linked empirically with achievement and attitudes. The purpose of this study was to use quantitative methods to validate a learning environment questionnaire (Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction, QTI), to investigate outcome-environment associations, and to compare male and female students in terms of their attitudes, classroom environment perceptions and achievement. An attitude scale, based on items from the Test of Science Related Attitudes (TOSRA), and a 48-item eight-scale version of the QTI were administered to 1228 science students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 at one middle school in South Florida. Student achievement was measured using the students’ quarterly (nine-week) science grade. / The results revealed satisfactory internal consistency reliability for the QTI, with alpha reliability coefficients ranging from 0.51 to 0.83 for different scales with the student as the unit of analysis and from 0.54 to 0.96 for class means. For the 10-item attitude scale, the alpha coefficient was above 0.80 for both the student and the class mean as the unit of analysis, demonstrating high internal consistency reliability. Overall, the results of the statistical analyses supported that the QTI questionnaire and the attitude scale are valid and reliable instruments for use with secondary science students in South Florida. A strong relationship was found between student outcomes (attitudes and achievement) and many of the eight QTI scales with either the individual or the class mean as the unit of analysis. For example, students’ attitudes towards science were more positive when teachers exhibited more leadership and understanding behaviors and science achievement was higher when teachers were friendlier and less uncertain. The use of MANOVA tentatively revealed gender differences in students’ perceptions of teacher interpersonal behavior, attitudes towards science, and science achievement. However, the differences between males and females were statistically significant only for the Helping/Friendly, Dissatisfied, and Admonishing scales of the QTI and for achievement. In general, relative to males, female students had more positive perceptions of teacher interpersonal behavior and higher academic achievement.

This dissertation describes the decision-making process of parents in the field of postponing the compulsory school attendance or starting it on schedule. The qualitative research is based on an aggregate of 41 semi-structured interviews with parents and two focus groups, completed by subsequent observations and interviews with parents and teachers. The research goal consisted in illuminating the background of the high number of postponements in the Czech Republic, where every year about 20 % of children start in the first class a year later. The dissertation also provides insight on this topic in a comparative perspective and analyzes the initiation of compulsory education in selected European countries. The research results presented in the form of an established theory document that parents' decisions are based primarily on the needs of the family and especially of the need to be a good parent. The decision making is influenced also by the parents' attitude to the delay which has also impact on the weight being attached to other factors of the decision-making process, such as school maturity and individual areas of school readiness as well as the month of birth. During the decision-making process the experience of parents with enrolment in the first grade plays an important role as well. The...

Student self-report surveys showed bullying behaviors were problematic among students in one Midwest middle school. Despite implementing a version of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, students continued to self-report bullying behaviors that occurred on school property during school hours. It is crucial that educators are proactive in intervening and preventing bullying to establish a safe environment for academic success. The purpose of this study was to describe teachers' perceptions of bullying behaviors and their practices in reporting bullying incidents. Bandura's social learning and Locke's social contract theories served as the study's framework. Teachers were asked to describe behaviors they perceived as bullying and their practices in reporting bullying incidents. A qualitative, bounded, descriptive case study was used to collect interview data from 12 purposefully selected classroom teachers who were tasked with bullying intervention and prevention. Thematic analysis using the lean, open coding strategy was used to analyze the data. Teachers reported observing physical, verbal, and cyber bullying behaviors, credited their bullying knowledge to schoolwide professional development (PD), and believed they recognized bullying behaviors when incidents occurred. Teachers also reported bullying incidents to the principal and to parents if they had a positive relationship with them. Based on these findings, a 4-day PD was designed for teachers to collaboratively develop uniform practices in reporting bullying incidents to parents or guardians. These endeavors may contribute to positive social change by equipping teachers with procedures in reporting bullying incidents; thus, reducing bullying, improving the learning environment, and creating a safer school culture for teachers and students.