This study described the attitudes of students who are limited English proficient (LEP) and their teachers toward the learning environment within their mathematics classes. Data collected via a student survey, student and teacher interviews, and classroom observations were analyzed in this mixed-method study to investigate these attitudes. Accuracy of the findings was confirmed via triangulation. A population of 79 students was chosen through purposive sampling methods that included LEP and non-LEP students in algebra and geometry classes. Students were administered a 30-item questionnaire using the What is Happening in This Class? survey. Scores provided from the survey's six scales were analyzed using an independent samples t-test to describe similarities and differences between the students. The Cooperation Scale was found statistically significant (p = .002) with a mean score of 3.72 for the LEP students compared to 3.74 for non-LEP students. Four scales were found statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) comparing the algebra and geometry students: Teacher Support (M = 3.61), Involvement (M = 3.38), Cooperation (M = 3.65), and Equity (M = 4.24). Qualitative data was collected via classroom observations and the student and teacher interviews. Classroom observations provided an additional descriptive account of the lived experiences of the participants in this study. Themes observed within LEP and non-LEP classes involved the physical setting, teaching methods, and instructional media used to present lessons. Four additional themes were found in the LEP classes that referred to the experience of teaching LEP students. They are language use, teaching methods specific to LEP students, classroom management, and teacher and student support. The interviews incorporated a phenomenological approach to examine the attitudes of participating students and teachers toward their classroom environments. The following five similar themes emerged from the examination of sheltered and nonsheltered teacher attitudes: (a) support systems, (b) teaching methods, (c) student mathematical skills, (d) instructional media, and (e) student attitudes toward mathematics. The additional theme of language emerged exclusively for sheltered teachers. Suggested further study on the attitudes of LEP students and their teachers in mathematics classes are discussed that includes the amount of support provided in LEP classes, LEP teacher practices in support of student educational needs related to language and mathematics. Additional findings were revealed throughout this study to suggest the effective use of instructional media in LEP mathematics classes and whether or not culture plays a role in their attitudes towards mathematics.

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Este trabalho consta de relato e reflexões de uma prática de mediação de leitura realizada em uma escola da rede municipal de ensino de Araguaína – TO, em uma turma de 4ª etapa da EJA. Propusemos, inseridos na perspectiva da pesquisa-ação, na abordagem qualitativa (BORTONI-RICARDO, 2008; PRADO E CUNHA, 2007), um trabalho de intervenção com o objetivo de realizar efetivamente a prática de mediação de leitura, contribuindo com o processo de formação leitora do aluno. Observamos, nas práticas escolares de leitura, o desinteresse dos alunos, traduzido na sua dificuldade em compreender textos escritos, sejam eles simples ou complexos. Diante dessa situação e constatação, buscamos uma metodologia que viabilizasse práticas escolares de leituras mais profícuas. Assim, a partir de estudo de referências bibliográficas sobre esse tema (GERALDI, 1997, 2006; KLEIMAN, 2007, 2013; FREIRE 1989; LEFFA 1999; KOCH E ELIAS, 2013), propusemos leituras e mediamos o processo de compreensão realizado pelos alunos, partindo das suas experiências de leitura e discutindo os diversos aspectos que envolvem os gêneros textuais, tendo em vista que nossa proposta de mediação se embasou no trabalho com a diversidade textual, além de discutirmos a importância da leitura proficiente em nossas práticas sociais de uso da escrita. A opção de assumir a postura de mediador de leituras em sala de aula é, antes de tudo, uma decisão que considera em primeiro plano a experiência leitora do aluno, ou, pelo menos, reconhece que esse aluno está inserido em práticas de letramento, e, portanto, já possui o mínimo de conhecimento no uso da escrita. Nesse sentido, a prática do professor mediador é concebida como uma forma de viabilizar o desenvolvimento da habilidade leitora do aluno, estimulando seu interesse, instigando no sujeito aprendiz o gosto pela leitura, e mediando o diálogo entre leitor – texto e leitor-autor. Diante das reflexões e relatos de nossa experiência pudemos observar o quanto aprendemos e compartilhamos com os alunos conhecimentos referentes às leituras realizadas em sala de aula. E ainda tivemos oportunidade de experienciar a prática de mediação de leitura embasada em referenciais teóricos, possibilitando-nos, assim, uma avaliação própria e uma melhor condução das atividades de leitura, o que só acrescentou para nossa prática enquanto profissional da área. A proposta foi pensada numa perspectiva contínua da prática de leitura, incorporada à rotina de sala de aula, pois entendemos que a questão da formação de leitores proficientes é resultado de um longo processo, alicerçado na persistência, regularidade, planejamento e mediação de atividades de leitura. / This work consists of reports and reflections of a practice of reading mediation held in a school of the municipal network of teaching in Araguaína - TO, in a class of 4th stage of EJA. We propose, inserted in the perspective of the action research, the qualitative approach (BORTONI-RICARDO, 2008; PRADO AND CUNHA, 2007), an intervention work in order to effectively carry out the practice of reading mediation, contributing with the process of reading formation of the student. We note, in school reading practices, the lack of interest of the students, translated in its difficulty to understand written texts, whether simple or complex. Before this situation and finding, we sought a methodology that would make possible more fruitful school practices of readings. Thus, from the study of bibliografical references on this subject (GERALDI, 1997, 2006; KLEIMAN, 2007, 2013; FREIRE 1989; LEFFA 1999; KOCH AND ELIAS, 2013), we propose readings and mediate the understanding process carried out by the students, starting from their reading experiences and discussing the various aspects involving the text genres, given that our proposal for mediation is based in the work with the textual diversity, and besides of discussing the importance of the proficient reading in our social practices of writing use. The option to take the readings mediator posture in the classroom is, first of all, a decision that considers foreground the reader experience of the student, or at least to recognize that this student is inserted in literacy practices, and therefore, already has the minimum knowledge in the use of writing. In this sense, the practice of the mediator teacher is conceived as a way to facilitate the development of the student's reading ability, stimulating its interest in instigating in the learner the like for reading, and mediating the dialogue between reader - text and reader-author. Before these reflections and stories from our experience we have seen how we learn and share with students knowledge concerning the readings taken in the classroom. And still we had opportunity to experience the practice of reading mediation based in theoretical frameworks, enabling us, thus, a proper evaluation and a better conduction of reading activities, which only added to our practice as a professional of the area. The proposal was thought in a continuous view of the reading practice, incorporated into the routine of the classroom, because we understand that the issue of the training of proficient readers is the result of a long process, based on persistence, regularity, planning and mediation reading activities.

O presente estudo buscou investigar os efeitos do VOT Positivo (com ou sem informação contextual) na inteligibilidade de sentenças curtas em Inglês, produzidas por brasileiros, por parte de falantes nativos de Inglês Americano (6) e aprendizes proficientes de Inglês (12). Esses 18 participantes transcreveram sentenças com e sem informação contextual, produzidas com plosivas-alvo sonoras, surdas sem aspiração e surdas com aspiração. Cada participante transcreveu 112 sentenças através do software E-Prime 2.0 (SCHNEIDER, ESCHMAN & ZUCCOLOTTO, 2012) com um tempo-limite para respostas de 20 segundos. Os dados obtidos através da tarefa foram analisados objetivamente, dividindo as transcrições em categorias binárias “correta” (alto grau de inteligibilidade/inteligibilidade plena) e “incorreta” (baixo grau de inteligibilidade/inteligibilidade praticamente inexistente). Em geral, os níveis de acuidade não variaram consideravelmente entre os 18 participantes, embora possamos dizer que falantes nativos de Inglês Americano tiveram desempenho relativamente melhor. A análise das transcrições sugere que, enquanto é possível que fatores externos às variáveis controladas por este estudo tenham tido papel fundamental no desempenho dos participantes, a informação contextual talvez tenha remediado a falta do VOT Positivo como uma pista para atingir inteligibilidade. / The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Positive VOT (with or without contextual information) on the intelligibility of short English sentences produced by Brazilians to native speakers of American English (6) and proficient Brazilian learners (12). These 18 participants transcribed sentences produced with voiceless unaspirated and voiceless aspirated stop segments, with and without contextual information. Each participant transcribed 112 sentences through software E-Prime 2.0 (SCHNEIDER, ESCHMAN & ZUCCOLOTTO, 2012) with a response-time limit of 20 seconds. The data obtained from the task was analyzed objectively, assigning transcriptions to binary accurate (high intelligibility) or inaccurate (low-to-no intelligibility) categories. Overall, accuracy levels did not vary considerably amongst the 18 participants, although it can be said that native speakers of American English performed slightly better. The analysis of the transcriptions suggests that, while factors external to the variables controlled by this study might have played fundamental roles in the overall performance of the task, contextual information may possibly have remedied the absence of Positive VOT as a cue for achieving sentence intelligibility.

O presente estudo buscou investigar os efeitos do VOT Positivo (com ou sem informação contextual) na inteligibilidade de sentenças curtas em Inglês, produzidas por brasileiros, por parte de falantes nativos de Inglês Americano (6) e aprendizes proficientes de Inglês (12). Esses 18 participantes transcreveram sentenças com e sem informação contextual, produzidas com plosivas-alvo sonoras, surdas sem aspiração e surdas com aspiração. Cada participante transcreveu 112 sentenças através do software E-Prime 2.0 (SCHNEIDER, ESCHMAN & ZUCCOLOTTO, 2012) com um tempo-limite para respostas de 20 segundos. Os dados obtidos através da tarefa foram analisados objetivamente, dividindo as transcrições em categorias binárias “correta” (alto grau de inteligibilidade/inteligibilidade plena) e “incorreta” (baixo grau de inteligibilidade/inteligibilidade praticamente inexistente). Em geral, os níveis de acuidade não variaram consideravelmente entre os 18 participantes, embora possamos dizer que falantes nativos de Inglês Americano tiveram desempenho relativamente melhor. A análise das transcrições sugere que, enquanto é possível que fatores externos às variáveis controladas por este estudo tenham tido papel fundamental no desempenho dos participantes, a informação contextual talvez tenha remediado a falta do VOT Positivo como uma pista para atingir inteligibilidade. / The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Positive VOT (with or without contextual information) on the intelligibility of short English sentences produced by Brazilians to native speakers of American English (6) and proficient Brazilian learners (12). These 18 participants transcribed sentences produced with voiceless unaspirated and voiceless aspirated stop segments, with and without contextual information. Each participant transcribed 112 sentences through software E-Prime 2.0 (SCHNEIDER, ESCHMAN & ZUCCOLOTTO, 2012) with a response-time limit of 20 seconds. The data obtained from the task was analyzed objectively, assigning transcriptions to binary accurate (high intelligibility) or inaccurate (low-to-no intelligibility) categories. Overall, accuracy levels did not vary considerably amongst the 18 participants, although it can be said that native speakers of American English performed slightly better. The analysis of the transcriptions suggests that, while factors external to the variables controlled by this study might have played fundamental roles in the overall performance of the task, contextual information may possibly have remedied the absence of Positive VOT as a cue for achieving sentence intelligibility.

O presente estudo buscou investigar os efeitos do VOT Positivo (com ou sem informação contextual) na inteligibilidade de sentenças curtas em Inglês, produzidas por brasileiros, por parte de falantes nativos de Inglês Americano (6) e aprendizes proficientes de Inglês (12). Esses 18 participantes transcreveram sentenças com e sem informação contextual, produzidas com plosivas-alvo sonoras, surdas sem aspiração e surdas com aspiração. Cada participante transcreveu 112 sentenças através do software E-Prime 2.0 (SCHNEIDER, ESCHMAN & ZUCCOLOTTO, 2012) com um tempo-limite para respostas de 20 segundos. Os dados obtidos através da tarefa foram analisados objetivamente, dividindo as transcrições em categorias binárias “correta” (alto grau de inteligibilidade/inteligibilidade plena) e “incorreta” (baixo grau de inteligibilidade/inteligibilidade praticamente inexistente). Em geral, os níveis de acuidade não variaram consideravelmente entre os 18 participantes, embora possamos dizer que falantes nativos de Inglês Americano tiveram desempenho relativamente melhor. A análise das transcrições sugere que, enquanto é possível que fatores externos às variáveis controladas por este estudo tenham tido papel fundamental no desempenho dos participantes, a informação contextual talvez tenha remediado a falta do VOT Positivo como uma pista para atingir inteligibilidade. / The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Positive VOT (with or without contextual information) on the intelligibility of short English sentences produced by Brazilians to native speakers of American English (6) and proficient Brazilian learners (12). These 18 participants transcribed sentences produced with voiceless unaspirated and voiceless aspirated stop segments, with and without contextual information. Each participant transcribed 112 sentences through software E-Prime 2.0 (SCHNEIDER, ESCHMAN & ZUCCOLOTTO, 2012) with a response-time limit of 20 seconds. The data obtained from the task was analyzed objectively, assigning transcriptions to binary accurate (high intelligibility) or inaccurate (low-to-no intelligibility) categories. Overall, accuracy levels did not vary considerably amongst the 18 participants, although it can be said that native speakers of American English performed slightly better. The analysis of the transcriptions suggests that, while factors external to the variables controlled by this study might have played fundamental roles in the overall performance of the task, contextual information may possibly have remedied the absence of Positive VOT as a cue for achieving sentence intelligibility.

Despite an intense focus and considerable financial commitment to remediate nonproficient readers in high school, the large suburban school district that was the target of this study had been unable to consistently improve student achievement in the lowest 25% of students as measured by outcomes on the FCAT Reading. Scholarly literature on high school reading had focused mostly on evaluation of curriculum rather than on teacher practices. A clear understanding of these differences in practice will inform future decisions related to staffing, scheduling, and professional learning. This study sought to identify the underlying professional and instructional differences between the most effective and least effective teachers of tenth grade intensive reading courses through teacher and principal/assistant principal surveys along with teacher evaluation data. This study revealed with regards to a teacher’s preparation to teach reading (research question one), that years of experience in the classroom and years of experience as a high school reading teacher were the only significant factors that influenced a teacher’s effectiveness. For research questions two and three; which had to do with the beliefs and professional practices of the teacher, the educationally relevant belief that the more effective teachers were more confident about their abilities than their less effective peers was noted. Research question four provided the data with regards to the general classroom teaching strategies and the adolescent reading strategies the effective teachers employed. This data revealed that the more effective teachers implemented posting and communicating daily and long term learning goals more frequently than their less effective peers. In addition, the general classroom teaching practices of efficient use of iii learning time, establishing and maintaining classroom routines, and checking for understanding proved to be educationally relevant. Additionally, the adolescent reading strategies of sustained silent reading, paired/partner readings, and students reading oneon-one with teacher, were educationally relevant as well. Finally, in regards to research question five, it was of statistical significance that administrators valued the use of the general classroom teaching strategy of posting and communicating daily and long term learning goals and were able to recognize the use of this strategy when observing and evaluating the teachers.

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