Learning kanji (i.e., the Chinese characters utilized in the Japanese writing system) is unique for learners of Japanese who speak Chinese as their first language (L1) due to their ability to transfer their knowledge of L1 hanzi (i.e., the Chinese characters utilized in the Chinese writing system). The present study is a longitudinal investigation into the effects of affective variables and kanji growth on kanji learning utilizing the self-determination theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985, 2002). L1 Chinese learners of Japanese as a second language (L2) responded to a questionnaire designed to measure eleven affective variables and took kanji tests three times over one academic semester (N = 229-340). In addition, interviews were conducted with 12 participants to further explore the affective variables influencing kanji learning. The data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate latent growth modeling, multiple regression analyses, and path modeling to answer six research questions. The results showed that: (a) there were no associations between the initial affective status and the initial kanji proficiency; (b) intrinsic motivation and introjected regulation exerted significant positive and negative influences on short-term kanji growth, respectively; (c) growth in kanji proficiency did not cultivate intrinsic motivation, nor did intrinsic motivation lead to growth in kanji proficiency; (d) perceived competence was significantly associated with both the initial status of intrinsic motivation and changes in intrinsic motivation; (e) perceived competence was not associated with either the initial level or the development of kanji proficiency; (f) perceived competence positively affected four variables, intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, external regulation, and mastery goals; (g) perceived autonomy led to lower amotivation and higher intrinsic motivation, but caused lower external regulation; (h) peers' positive influences positively affected all six variables, cultivating higher intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, introjected regulation, external regulation, and mastery goals, as well as causing lower amotivation; (i) peers' negative influences led to lower identified regulation and higher amotivation, and higher introjected regulation, and; (j) attitudes toward L2 community/speakers did not influence any of the SDT kanji learning motivation and mastery goals. The results of the interview study revealed that (a) the participants felt various types of enjoyment in kanji learning, including intrinsic motivation-knowledge, intrinsic motivation-stimulation, and intrinsic motivation-accomplishment; (b) ideal L2 self guided intrinsic motivation; (c) introjected regulation was channeled by ought-to L2 self and feared L2 self, and; (d) feared L2 self was uniquely formulated as a result of the complex interactions of various factors such as pride as L1 hanzi knowledge holders and normative pressure from Chinese peers. Evidence gathered in research targeting English learners is not necessarily applicable to the learning and motivation for learning other languages. The present study contributes to a better understanding of the universality as well as the individuality of the roles of motivation in L2 learning. / Applied Linguistics

Denna studie handlar om hur kunskaps- och färdighetsrelaterade nivåskillnader påverkar engelskundervisning på mellanstadiet. Studien undersöker vilka utmaningar kunskaps- och färdighetsrelaterade nivåskillnader skapar i undervisningen samt vilka metoder som kan användas för att skapa en flexibel och anpassningsbar undervisning i engelska. Studiens empiri består av kvalitativa intervjuer där sju lärare från två kommuner intervjuats. För att få en djupgående bild av lärarnas egna uppfattningar, erfarenheter och reflektioner genomfördes semistrukturerade intervjuer där lärarnas egna tankar fick ta plats.  Studien visar att kunskaps- och färdighetsrelaterade nivåskillnader har en stor påverkan på engelskundervisning på mellanstadiet. Den visar också att dessa skillnader skapar stora utmaningar hos undervisande lärare och att det, trots en förståelse för de behov som nivåskillnaderna skapar, råder brist på effektiva och hållbara undervisningsstrategier för att möta alla de olika nivåerna. / This study is about the way in which disparate knowledge and proficiency levels affect the teaching of English in middle schools. The study examines what challenges the discrepancy in in knowledge and proficiency levels create, and what methods that could be used to create a flexible and adaptable teaching of English. The study is based on seven qualitative interviews with seven teachers from two municipalities. In order to get a profound view of the teachers´personal perceptions, experiences and reflections, semistructured interviews were used to give the respondents ample opportunity to reflect upon their own thoughts.  The study shows that the disparate knowledge and proficiency levels have a great impact on the teaching of English in middle schools. It also shows that they create great challenges for teachers of English and that despite a widespread understanding of the needs that the different levels create, there is a lack of effective and sustainable teaching strategies to meet all of the different levels.

The primary focus of the current study was to determine if there is a relationship between size of high school and advanced academic achievement as measured by the Virginia Index of Performance while statistically controlling for multiple combinations of the following variables; socioeconomic status, urbanicity of school, per-pupil expenditure, and student-teacher ratio. The combinations of variables used in the current study were determined by knowledge gained in the review of the literature. Level of award on the Virginia Index of Performance, school enrollment, percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch prices, per-pupil expenditures, student-teacher ratios, and school locale were collected for all high schools in Virginia with 9th-12th grade configurations for school years 2006-07 through 2008-09. A sequential multiple regression analysis was conducted using level of Virginia Index of Performance award earned as the dependent variable and school size as the primary predictor variable while statistically controlling for per-pupil expenditure, student-teacher ratio, socioeconomic status, and urbanicity in different combinations. The analyses performed on the collected data revealed that school size, when other variables were accounted for, was not a significant predictor of performance on the Virginia Index of Performance incentive program. When the analyses were performed for Research Question 2, however, socioeconomic status was found to be a significant predictor of performance on the Virginia Index of Performance incentive program. Multiple limitations should be noted when interpreting the results of the analyses. The main limitations to the current study were a restricted population of schools due to confines placed on grade configurations of schools included in the study and the initial criteria of making Adequate Yearly Progress for two consecutive years in order to be eligible to receive an award in the Virginia Index of Performance program. The combination of these restrictions resulted in a large number of schools being excluded from the current study. Due to the range restrictions placed on the studied population, the relationship between size of school and advanced student achievement could be stronger than reported. Future research should include a less restricted population of schools and other measures of advanced student achievement. / Ed. D.

The United States public schools promote inclusion and educational equity among diverse student populations. Considerable and growing numbers of students with categorical disabilities and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) are enrolled in regular classrooms. The systemic barriers in learning that they have could impact teacher perceptions and decisions about teaching practices as well as the teaching profession. These students have challenged K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers to provide high-quality, accommodative service and equitable educational opportunities in an increasingly STEM-infused society. Professional development associated with teaching students with disabilities and LEP is critical to inform in-service STEM teachers with these students' learning needs and promote student success. Effective preparation and support help maintain teacher satisfaction and retention within the teaching profession. However, the levels and perceptions of STEM teacher participation in such professional development, and whether the service load and professional development regarding the concerned groups of students associated with teacher satisfaction and retention remain unclear. This dissertation addresses these issues through two research studies using secondary analysis of the 2011-2012 School and Staffing Survey Teacher Questionnaire (SASS TQ) national dataset. The first study focused on K-12 STEM educator participation and perceived utility regarding their professional development experience concerning students with disabilities and LEP. Quantitative analysis revealed an overall lower level of participation and perceived utility of such professional development for STEM educators compared to all other educators. The second study examined teacher satisfaction and intent to remain in teaching, as well as their relationships to teacher service load and professional development specific to students with disabilities and LEP. Results indicated that K-12 STEM educators were less likely to feel satisfied or intent on remaining in teaching, compared to the remainder of the teaching population. Logistic regressions showed that service load of students with LEP predicted teacher satisfaction and participation in professional development concerning students with disabilities associated with teacher intent to remain in STEM education, especially for science educators. These findings collectively suggested the necessity and demands of sufficient and useful professional development offerings regarding the two concerned groups of students in inclusive STEM education settings. / Ph. D.

Den Gemensamma Europeiska Referensramen för Språk (GERS) har haft en betydande inverkan påutvärderingen av språkkunskaper i Europa. Denna studie fokuserar på två nationellaspråkfärdighetstester med avgörande konsekvenser för testtagarna, vilkas utfärdade GERS-nivå kananvändas för antagning till utbildningsprogram, medborgarskap och certifiering i två olika europeiskaländer: CILS i Italien och Swedex i Sverige. Det som testerna avser testa och hur deras innehållåterspeglar detta analyseras i relation till GERS standardnivåer. I analysen fokuseras på inferensernaEvaluation och Explanation i Kanes (1992, 2002, 2013) och Chapelles m. fl. (2008, 2021)tolkningsargument (interpretative argument) som utgörs av sju olika inferenser som används för attanalysera de antaganden som görs om testtagarens språknivå vid tolkning av testresultat ochutvärdering av språktesters användbarhet (figur 1, s. 9, bilaga 2). Resultaten används som en del avett större validitetsargument för språktester kopplade till GERS för att underbygga antaganden omtesternas konstrukt och innehållsrelaterade validitet och konsekvenserna av testernas användning.Den genomgripande frågeställningen är hur den europeiska referensramen tillämpas mellan olikaspråkfärdighetstester och huruvida användningen av en gemensam referensram leder till en jämliktolkning och tillämpning av GERS standardnivåer och en rättvis europeisk språkbedömning. Genomanalysen utkristalliserar sig testernas starka och svaga punkter i relation till grunddokumentet GERS,och vilka sociala konsekvenser testernas användning kan medföra. Resultaten visar att testernauppvisar bristande innehållsvaliditet inom de undersökta områdena, samt att det förekommer faktorersom ligger utanför de konstrukt som testerna avser testa, vilka kan påverka testtagarens testprestation.

Yes / This paper systematically examines (i) how individual personality can influence on cultural acculturation which can impact on the higher level of perceived value in LGBTs, and (ii) how the higher level of perceived value towards social media can result in being more satisfied, (iii) consequently having a better working life at workplace and performance proficiency. The generated framework was validated through a survey from multinational corporations in multi-industries such as higher education (with more than two campuses around the world), global fashion, global retailing, tourism, hospitality, food, and electronics and information technology. Key results, implications for managers and researchers are highlighted.

Small fintech companies face significant cybersecurity challenges that require specialized leadership competencies. This study identifies the critical competencies needed by cybersecurity leaders in small Fintech companies, guided by the ISO 27021:2017 standard. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research includes semi-structured interviews and surveys with participants from eleven Fintech companies in Pakistan. Key findings highlight the importance of strategic leadership, particularly in aligning cybersecurity strategies with business objectives, ensuring regulatory compliance, and managing resources effectively. Incident response management is also crucial, emphasizing the need for developing and implementing response playbooks, leading teams effectively, and conducting thorough root cause analyses. Technological proficiency, including familiarity with emerging cybersecurity technologies and strong encryption standards, is essential for maintaining robust defenses. The study concludes with recommendations for training and development programs aimed at enhancing the competencies of cybersecurity leaders in the fintech sector, thereby improving the overall security posture and resilience of small fintech companies.

This study investigates the evolution of oral proficiency objectives in Swedish curricula,focusing on Lgy70, Lpf94, and Gy11, and aims to understand the driving factors behindthese changes, particularly in light of globalization's influence on the English language. Using manifest and latent content analyses, the study explores how these curriculareflect the changing roles and functions of English in a globalized context, drawing oncurriculum theory and prior research on Swedish curriculum development. The findingsdemonstrate a clear trajectory in oral proficiency objectives over time, with eachiteration of the curriculum placing increasing importance on communication skills andglobal perspectives. Specifically, the study reveals a shift towards enhanced oralproficiency goals and the cultivation of global awareness among students. Byemphasizing these findings, teachers can anticipate evolving educational priorities andadapt their teaching practices accordingly, ensuring alignment with the changing needsof students in a globalized world.

The focus of this research was to investigate the use of a district created formative benchmark assessment in reading to predict student achievement for 10th-grade students on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in one county in north central Florida. The purpose of the study was to provide information to high school principals and teachers to better understand how students were performing and learning and to maximize use of the formative district benchmark assessment in order to modify instruction and positively impact student achievement. This study expanded a prior limited study which correlated district benchmark assessment scores to FCAT scores for students in grades three through five in five elementary schools in the targeted county. The high correlations suggested further study. This research focused on secondary reading, specifically in 10th grade where both state and targeted county FCAT scores were low in years preceding this research. Investigated were (a) the district formative assessment in reading as a predictor of FCAT Reading scores, (b) differences in strength of correlation and prediction among student subgroups and between high schools, and (c) any relationships between reading formative assessment scores and Mathematics FCAT scores. An additional focus of this study was to determine best leadership practices in schools where there were the highest correlations between the formative assessment and FCAT Reading scores. Research on best practices was reviewed, and principals were interviewed to determine trends and themes in practice. Tenth grade students in the seven Florida targeted district high schools were included in the study. The findings of the study supported the effective use of formative assessments both in instruction and as predictors of students' performance on the FCAT. The results of the study also showed a significant correlation between performance on the reading formative assessment and performance on FCAT Mathematics. The data indicated no significant differences in the strength of correlation between student subgroups or between the high schools included in the study. Additionally, the practices of effective principals in using formative assessment data to inform instruction, gathered through personal interviews, were documented and described.

Research has shown that literacy acquisition and the ultimate realisation of literacy, comprehension of the written text requires more than the ability to decode individual words. This study brings together a synthesis of current research on early language acquisition, language structure, vocabulary development and its intrinsic underpinning of comprehension in monolinguals thereby providing a theoretical framework for a comparative study of limited English proficient learners (LEP’s)/English language learners (ELLs) acquiring first time literacy with the attendant vocabulary deficits and age appropriate decoding skills. A quantitative and qualitative study examines the statistical differences between reading, vocabulary, rapid automatic naming (RAN/decoding) and comprehension when a learner born of foreign parents acquires first time literacy in a language other than the language spoken at home. The study isolates and specifies an at risk educational minority through the identification of a hidden comprehension deficit (HCD). In summarising the main findings from the literature review and the empirical investigation, an “at risk educational minority” was identified and isolated through the identification of the HCD. The envisioned outcome was achieved and the hypothesis accepted. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)