The study is a quantitative analysis into the selection process of the Masters in Business Administration (MBA) programme at the Tshwane University Technology (TUT). The selection battery used at TUT to select the MBA applicants is comprised of the Situation Specific Evaluation Expert (SpEEx), the English Literacy Skills Assessment (ELSA), and the 15 Factor Questionnaire (15FQ+). This test battery aims to obtain information on an applicant with regards to his/her cognitive potential (verbal and non-verbal ability), language proficiency, and personality. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the selection battery and the academic performance of those students selected into the MBA programme at TUT by examining the differences between the scores of the psychometric selection batteries and the academic performance of those students selected. Upon analyses and interpretation of the data it was determined that there were no statistically significant differences between the scores of the different components of the selection batteries used and the academic performance of those selected. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

Syftet med föreliggande studie var att studera sambandet mellan personlighet och hur studenter upplever sin studiesituation. Tidigare studier har visat att personlighet hade ett samband med upplevelsen av studiesituationen, bl.a. upplevda studiekrav. Framför allt visade dessa studier att personlighetsaspekterna ”Samvetsgrannhet” och ”Vänlighet” hade ett samband den upplevda studiesituationen. Deltagande i undersökningen var 155 studenter (18–48 år (M=24,44 år, SD = 4,56). En nätenkät med två delar genomfördes; första delen mätte personlighet utifrån femfaktorteorin, den andra delen mätte studenters upplevelser av studiekrav, social interaktion, skicklighet i studierna samt studiekultur. Deltagaren fick svara på sammanlagt 116 påståenden i en likertskala. Signifikanta skillnader upptäcktes gällande hur deltagarna svarade på frågor om ”Neuroticism” och ”Studiekrav” beroende på kön och vilken utbildning deltagaren studerade. Studiens resultat visade signifikanta samband mellan personlighetsdragen “Neuroticism” och upplevda studiekrav samt “Samvetsgrannhet” och ”Skicklighet i studierna”. Sammanfattningsvis bekräftades två av studiens tre antaganden. / This study aim was to investigate the relationship between personality and how students perceive their study situation. Previous studies have shown that personality has a relation on students’ perceived study situations, for example, perceived study requirements. These studies especially showed that the personality traits “Agreeableness” and “Consciousness” had a relation on students’ perceived study situation. 155 Students participated (18-48 years (M= 24,44, SD = 4,56). A two-section online survey was conducted; the first part measured personality based on the big five theory, the second part measured students’ perception of their study situation of study requirements, proficiency in the studies, social interaction, and study culture. The participant had to respond to a total of 116 statements on a likert scale. Significant differences were discovered regarding how students responded to questions about “Neuroticism” and “Study requirements” depending on gender and education. The results of the study showed significant relationships between “Neuroticism” and students’ perception of their “Study requirements” and between “Conscientiousness” and students’ perception of their “Proficiency in the studies”. In conclusion, two out of three assumptions were confirmed.

International students in the United States enroll in private and public high schools with a goal to graduate and attend an American university. This goal is often difficult to achieve because these students are not acquiring the academic English necessary to be successful in a post-secondary setting. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate what language-learning strategies (LLS) a group of East Asian international students at a private American high school had self-regulated and what strategies their content area teachers had taught them to use to become proficient in academic English. The conceptual framework was Oxford's findings on LLS and self-regulation, which is a self-motivated method of learning that English language learners (ELL) use to become proficient in English through control of the learning environment. The research questions explored which LLS the East Asian international students had used themselves and what LLS the teachers used to help the students attain English proficiency. Data were collected from interviews with 8 East Asian international students who were 12th graders during 2016-2017, 18 years old, and scored 18+ on the English section of the ACT. There were also interviews with 6 core content area teachers. Data analysis involved coding and development of common themes. Findings revealed that East Asian international students self-regulated LLS, and content area teachers did not purposefully plan or use LLS instruction to increase English proficiency among the students. A policy paper project based on the findings included recommendations for professional development, global education, and renewal of the international program. This study promotes positive social change by developing teacher and students' understanding of how to help all ELLs succeed at the secondary and post-secondary levels.

In an inner-city elementary school, students continue to lag in reading proficiency, and implementation of research-based, district-mandated teaching strategies is not well understood. The purpose of this case study was to explore teachers' perceptions of mandated, read-aloud expository text strategies in K-2 classrooms. The conceptual framework was Vygotsky's social constructivism model of learning, which envisions students learning by interacting with teachers and peers, in this case, using read-aloud strategies, until they become autonomous, expository readers. The research questions focused on benefits and challenges of the implementation of read-aloud expository text by K-2 teachers who were given a 5-year mandate by the school to use strategies of scaffolding, graphic organizers, think-alouds, and text talk. Data were gathered from 5 teachers who volunteered to participate and were trained in the strategies. Data collection included individual interviews, collaborating interviews, reflective journals, and field notes. Open coding and thematic analysis identified 6 themes of teacher perceptions, including benefits, situational strategies, and explanations for use, challenges, support, and implementation. Throughout the data collection process, teachers suggested the use of Text Talk Kit materials. These kits, in use by other districts, may be beneficial to all teachers and may lead to social change by allowing teachers to access materials to better instruct all struggling readers, a benefit across all curricular areas and for all students.

Linguistically gifted and talented students often do not receive appropriate instruction in the classroom. Little research has been conducted about how teachers of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses provide instruction to students who demonstrate advanced proficiency in a second language. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore how teachers of these courses provided instruction for students who demonstrate advanced proficiency in Spanish. The conceptual framework was based on Krashen's second language acquisition theory and Gardner's multiple intelligences theory. Participants included 2 teachers from 2 high schools in 1 county in a western state. Data were collected from individual teacher interviews, reflective journals, and documents such as course standards and course descriptions. Single case analysis involved coding and category construction, using the constant comparative method for interview and journal data, and a content analysis for documents. Cross case analysis involved an examination of all data sources and cases to determine themes and discrepant data. A key finding was that, in addition to course rigor, teachers used a variety of instructional strategies, such as flexible grouping, choice, higher order thinking skills, and formative assessments to meet the needs of all students, including advanced proficiency students. Recommendations are to improve the identification of linguistically gifted and talented students and to provide professional development in differentiated instruction. This study contributes to positive social change by providing educators with a deeper understanding that students who are proficient in languages will be invaluable in building a strong global community.

The majority of the school population at the research site struggles in reading and mathematics, particularly the English language learner (ELL) students. ELL students typically score lower than non-ELL students and perform at various levels of English language proficiency in reading and math. The purpose of the study was to identify and implement effective research-based strategies during math instruction to support and increase ELL students’ academic performance. This experimental research was composed of a between-subjects approach with a pre- and posttest control group design with a simple random sample selection. The objective was to measure the effectiveness of integrating guided reading instructional strategies in ELL students’ third grade math class. Students received instruction inclusively in the form of word problems. The study consisted of an experimental and control group, a total of 36 participants. The period of implementation for the experimental group occurred over a 2-week period, 5 days a week, for 60 minutes each day. Data analysis consisted of an independent samples t test on pre- and posttest scores and a Mann Whitney U test on end of semester grade level progress reading scores to detect two groups are significantly different. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) revealed the mean scores for the two groups. The objective was to evaluate the impact of teaching literacy in the content of math to increase ELL students’ academic achievement.

The aim of this study is to examine upper secondary teachers' selection processes, strategies and reasons for why literature is used to address ethical and existential issues in the EFL classroom. Additionally, it is also of interest to examine what advantages, challenges and learning outcomes are evident when addressing this specific issue. A qualitative approach was used for this study and the data was gathered through interviews with eight upper secondary English teachers. The results in the study showed the reasons for selecting literary works to address ethical or existential issues was adding new perspectives and the assets which literature offer. The results also accounted for various advantages and challenges, where pupils' development and the possibility of a free space were mentioned as advantages and language proficiency as a challenge. The learning outcomes were development of both critical thinking as well as the empathic ability.

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The purpose of this research was to explore how the personal and professional experiences of school leaders strengthened or hindered their ability to engage in social justice leadership to advance educational equity and encourage culturally proficient practices in their schools. I employed a descriptive multi-case study and the research was viewed through a conceptual framework that included social justice, equity, and the five elements of cultural proficiency. Five principals from three different school districts were selected as participants. They represented elementary, middle and high schools. Interviews consisted of semi-structured face to face interviews with each principal participant and one focus group interview with five participants. Each participant also provided a cultural autobiography. Findings revealed while principals may care deeply about providing equitable opportunities for students, the interest does not supplement knowledge, skills, experience, and support. The information gained from this study can inform the practice of school leaders, and the way in which districts and programs of educational leadership prepare school leaders to serve and address the needs of all students as public schools become more culturally diverse.