Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2008. / Additional advisors: Lois M. Christensen, Lynn D. Kirkland, Maryann Manning, Deborah Strevy. Description based on contents viewed May 29, 2008; title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references (p. 86-92).

Researchers report that implementation of scripted reading programs has been inconsistent. Although administrators need to understand teachers' experiences with scripted reading instruction to make decisions about best practices for implementation of those programs, little research on those experiences exists. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand and describe teachers' lived experiences and self-efficacy when using a scripted reading program. Bruner's constructivist theory, the concept of pedagogical content knowledge, and self-efficacy theory were used to frame the study. Eight elementary teachers in Grades K-3 from the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States each completed 4 individual interviews. Template-based iterative analysis using open and axial coding resulted in 5 major themes: self-efficacy changes, confidence and lack of confidence, experiences with guided reading instruction programs, strengths of scripted learning, and weakness of scripted learning. The scripted nature of the programs allowed teachers to focus their time and energies on teaching and content and less on planning, which helped build confidence in their abilities. Teachers did modify the scripts to meet the needs of their individual students, especially ELL students. Findings suggested that as teachers grew professionally, though, scripted programs had the potential to stifle creativity. Implications include having teachers and administrators explore hybrid and flexible program options with opportunities for teacher choice. This study contributes to positive social change by informing educators and others of how teachers perceive and use scripted reading instruction in their effort to reach all learners in a climate of increasing accountability.

The increased focus on the implementation of scientifically research-based instruction as an outcome of No Child Left Behind ("Understanding NCLB," 2007) has resulted in the widespread use of scripted reading curricula (Dewitz, Leahy, Jones, and Sullivan, 2010), which typically represents Eurocentric and middle class forms of discourse, knowledge, language, culture, and historical interpretations as academic knowledge (Howard, 2010; Delpit, 2012). In an era where the number of culturally and linguistically diverse students is increasing rapidly (Ginsberg, 2007), it is essential to consider that educational practices relying entirely on prefabricated content may require modification because, as recognized in the funds of knowledge theoretical framework (Veléz-Ibañez, 1988), all students bring a wealth of knowledge to the classroom that should be acknowledged, respected, valued and incorporated into instruction (Gonzalez, Moll, & Amanti, 2005). However, even if teachers are granted the time and permission to modify scripted content in order to build bridges between the prescribed lessons and students' lived experiences, doing so is not easily accomplished when the lives of educators are disconnected from their students (Baeder, 2010). This study investigated the behaviors and ideas teachers have developed as ways to connect with their culturally and linguistically diverse students and their families. Additionally, the study explored how teachers who implement scripted curricula describe the experience of creating culturally responsive lessons intended to specifically connect with their culturally and linguistically diverse students and to connect with students' funds of knowledge. This multiple case study describes how five teachers who implement scripted curricula reported their experiences of creating culturally responsive lessons for particular focal students. Findings are presented in individual case narratives followed by a cross-case synthesis. Findings suggest that teachers were able to carry out culturally responsive instructional practices while implementing scripted curricula; however, participants' CARE lessons did not represent Gay's (2010) ethnic and cultural diversity in curriculum content component of culturally responsive instruction. Additionally, findings indicate that building relationships with culturally and linguistically diverse students was key to adjusting instruction to suit their learning styles. The implications of these findings are discussed in recommendations for in-service teacher professional development and future research.

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