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.

The challenge of transitioning into high school is associated with social anxiety, decreased grades, increased absences, and overall motivation to learn. Based on anecdotal evidence from 9th grade teachers in the Ohio School District, teachers had poor rapport with some of their students, and 9th graders were being retained more often than were students in any other grade. Grounded in Noddings's care theory, the purpose of this mixed methods sequential case study was to explore perceptions of rapport between 9th graders and their teachers. Guiding research questions were used to discover student and teacher perceptions about their relationship as it relates to care, respect, and communication. Archived data from Gallop Poll surveys given to 9th grade students at 3 schools (n = 163) demonstrated student perceptions of their relationships with teachers. Additionally, 15 teachers were randomly selected for a focus group interview about rapport with students. The interview transcripts were coded for emergent themes related to the guiding questions. The analysis of the Gallup Poll data included calculation of the mean, standard deviation, median, item score range, mode, and raw-data frequencies/percent for responses to answer the respective research questions. Responses on the survey showed that students perceived a moderate level of bonding with teachers, while the interview data showed that there were issues related to communication with students, administrative support of teachers, and sincerity of teacher care for students. The project outcome is a professional development about communication amongst teacher and students, teachers and teachers, and teachers and administration to improve rapport and reduce the prevalence and impact of adverse events such as dropout and other forms of disengagement.

In the changing field of education, there is awareness of the benefits of parental involvement on student achievement and the impact teachers have on the success of parental involvement programs. However, teachers may rely significantly on their personal experiences as a source of reference for parental involvement and subsequently impact student achievement. There is a gap in the research about the lived experiences of teachers regarding their perspectives and support of parental involvement in the classroom. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore teachers' lived experiences and attitudes concerning parental involvement and student achievement. The conceptual framework for the study was supported by Bandura's social cognitive theory and Bandura's self-efficacy theory. A phenomenological research design and purposeful sampling was used to conduct face-to-face, semistructured interviews with 10 participants who were currently employed teachers with at least 5 years of experience and who had an awareness of parental involvement. Data collected from interviews were analyzed using the modified van Kaam method of analysis described by Moustakas. The 3 main themes that emerged from the data were a history of high parental involvement, the fostering of open and positive communication, and teacher-parent relationship building. Understanding how teachers' experiences influence parental involvement could result in a positive social change for education by creating awareness among educators and caregivers and by improving support for students.

National and international organizations emphasize the importance of teaching global competence in American higher education as a way of preparing students for the rigors of a globalized workforce. Lack of nation-wide educational initiatives aimed at providing institutional guidelines for assessing international relations (IR) courses for this skill acquisition requires colleges to rely on their own resources and ingenuity. Presently, no course assessment methods for gauging global competency attainment exist at Florida College. The purpose of this study was to investigate faculty perceptions of instruction and learning of global competence. Mezirow's transformative learning theory was the conceptual framework that guided this study. The research questions for this study focused on teachers' perceptions of global competence instruction and student skill acquisition, their perceptions of the effectiveness of the INR 2002 Introduction to International Relations course in student global competence learning, and course advantages and disadvantages. An explorative case study design was used to capture the insights of 5 INR 2002 instructors, who have taught the course within the last three years, through individual 45-60-minute interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the gathered data. INR 2002 teachers expressed moderate to high course effectiveness articulating a need for course improvement. The recommendations included the following: (a) create a departmental definition of global competence, (b) employ more classroom discussions into teaching IR, and (c) publish an international IR textbook communally working with non-American universities. This study may impact positive social change by supporting teachers' and administrators' efforts to advance the course curriculum to better equip students with knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for their professional futures.

The implementation of professional learning communities (PLCs) in schools has been shown to serve as a catalyst in transforming school culture and increasing the academic performance of students. Our school district mandated that PLCs were established at the research site, an urban Louisiana school, for the primary purpose of closing the achievement gap. Yet, recent data from the local district indicate that these PLCs have not resulted in capacity building for sustainable improvement. Ineffective implementation of the current PLCs may have contributed to the poor outcomes. One purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine teachers' perceptions of the implementation of PLCs. Another was to gauge teachers' views on PLCs as a means of promoting a positive school culture and increasing academic achievement among students. A social constructivist framework was used for this qualitative case study. Research questions centered on teachers' perceptions regarding refinement of the currently implemented PLCs. Purposeful sampling was used to select 13 seventh through ninth grade teachers as participants. Qualitative data were collected through questionnaires and telephone interviews and then analyzed for emergent themes. Findings revealed that the current PLCs were beneficial but needed refinement related to relevance, intent, and planning. The following four themes emerged: time, collaboration, shared responsibility, and a focus on learning for all students. Study findings provide insight about PLCs from the perspectives of the teachers who work within them. The implications for social change include enhanced knowledge and understanding that may help educators in better implementing PLCs with intent and transparency and by positively contributing to school improvement and student achievement.

No description available.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to assess teacher perception of how economically disadvantaged students at White Pine School were being served. The results of this study may help educators at White Pine School determine how to support and improve learning conditions for economically disadvantaged students. Data collection techniques included individual interviews, focus group interviews, and document review. The following conditions were discovered in relation to economically disadvantaged students: positive home-school relationships; desire to become a full-service school; limited parent-training opportunities with limited participation; limited professional development opportunities; limited poverty discussion in professional learning communities; underuse of college partnerships; need for a mentoring program; need for programming to combat absenteeism; demand for additional early intervention programs; positive student-teacher relationships; a variety of opportunities for students of poverty to build confidence; teachers high expectations from teachers; importance given to enrichment opportunities; teaching strategies focused on active learning; assignment of small, meaningful doses of homework; limited tutoring opportunities; and use of multiple data-collection methods. Recommendations for improving how students of poverty are served include continuing to expand efforts concerning positive home-school relationships, investigating the possibility of becoming a full-service school, designing a powerful parent-training program, offering additional professional development training for teachers, developing poverty-related topics for professional learning communities, finding ways to improve partnerships with local colleges and universities, designing a quality mentoring program, finding creative ways to address absenteeism, finding additional means of providing early intervention, continuing to develop positive student-teacher relationships, finding additional ways to build confidence, maintaining high expectations of students of poverty, creating additional meaningful enrichment opportunities, searching for the best teaching strategies to improve learning, continuing to assign meaningful homework with assistance as needed, creating a comprehensive tutoring program, and collecting meaningful and useful data to help teachers increase students' achievement.

This qualitative case study investigated the perceptions of parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), special education teachers, and general education teachers in a Northeast Tennessee public school system regarding educational interventions for children with ASD including what interventions they have found effective, the barriers and challenges they have faced, and how they view their relationships with one another. Data were collected through interviews with a purposeful sample of 7 parents of 6 children with autism spectrum disorders, 8 special education teachers, and 6 general education teachers and a review of documents. Parent and teacher participants represented children at all levels on the autism spectrum, a variety of grade levels (PreK-12), and a wide range of educational placements. Data were analyzed using the constant comparison analysis method. Nine themes emerged describing parent and teacher perceptions of educational interventions they found effective for children with ASD. These themes were intensive early intervention using multiple methods; a structured learning environment; adult-mediated and peer-mediated interventions for social and communication skills; inclusion with a balance of direct services; support staff to facilitate inclusion; a functional approach to problem behaviors; alternative and augmentative communication interventions; and sensory-motor interventions. Barriers faced by parents and teachers included lack of training and knowledge; lack of time; challenges caused by characteristics of ASD; problematic teacher attitudes; problematic parent attitudes; transition issues; and need for additional services. Parents and teachers described factors that facilitate positive parent-teacher relationships including collaboration, teamwork, and support; on-going communication; IEP Team processes; and positive teacher relationships with autistic children. The current study helps to fill a gap in the existing research literature by adding to knowledge about parent and teacher perceptions of educational interventions for children with ASD. Recommendations are made based on study findings to provide parents and teachers with insights from other points of view that can facilitate mutual collaboration in meeting the educational needs of children with ASD.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Education Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / This qualitative study explored teacher perceptions, knowledge and intervention of homosexual learners in high schools in the Gert Sibande District of Mpumalanga. Homophobic issues have proven to be rife in high schools in Mpumalanga. Therefore, it was commendable to understand how teachers perceive the homosexuality of these minority learners. That reason directed the purpose of this study, as teachers should teach, guide and protect all learners in the school. Hence, it was crucial to ascertain how they deal with homophobic attitudes or whether they are even aware of homophobic attitudes within schools. This study adopted Gibson’s Theory of Direct Perception, the top-down and constructivist theory, to understand teacher perceptions and knowledge of the homosexuality of high school learners. This study used a case study design and empirical studies were extensively reviewed to corroborate data gathered through individual interviews and document analysis. Data generated from the semi-structured individual interviews were analysed through Thematic Content Analysis. Numerous findings emerged from this research. Firstly, it became evident that teacher perceptions of learners’ homosexuality were hampered by their lack of knowledge about the phenomenon. It follows that there was no mention of homosexuality as a concept during their teacher education. Even in practice, the concept is not precisely included in the curriculum. Secondly, teachers appeared to have negative perceptions and a misunderstanding of the homosexuality of learners because they are obstructed by their own beliefs – namely, the Christian religion and their culture – in recognising homosexual learners in high schools. They still believe in stereotypes and myths which are encouraging homophobic behaviour. Thirdly, no homophobic incident was documented and as a result, no one was able to refer to previous or common incidents. The teachers confirmed that management resonated the same sentiments as everybody else at the expense of homosexual learners, who are rendered voiceless and vulnerable to discrimination, violence and isolation. This study recommends a speedy intervention from the Department of Basic Education to equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and accurate information on homosexuality as a concept for school communities. This study offered sufficient evidence for the claim that secondary school teachers’ perceptions, knowledge and intervention need to be challenged and homosexuality should be explicitly included in the curriculum to benefit the minority youth in high schools.

Enligt nuvarande läroplan ska eleverna ges möjlighet att utveckla sitt skrivande både för hand och med digitala verktyg. Enligt skrivforskning är undervisning i årskurs 4–6 ett område som har ägnats alltför lite uppmärksamhet åt, främst när det gäller digital skrivning eftersom merparten av forskningen fokuserar på elever i de yngre och äldre åldrarna. Syftet med denna studie är att bidra med kunskap om hur olika svensklärare i årskurs 4–6 beskriver att de arbetar med digitala verktyg i skrivundervisningen och deras uppfattningar av digitala skrivverktyg. Frågeställningar som besvarats är: Hur beskriver verksamma svensklärare användandet av digitala verktyg i svenskämnets skrivundervisning? Vilka uppfattningar har olika svensklärare av digitala verktyg i skrivundervisningen? Semistrukturerade intervjuer har genomförts med fyra svensklärare för att bevara studiens frågeställningar. Datamaterialet har analyserats med en fenomenografisk ansats. Resultaten visar att eleverna använder digitala skrivverktyg i hög grad jämfört med att skriva för hand. Dessutom visar utfallet av den fenomenografiska analysen på sju olika sätt att uppfatta digitala skrivverktyg. / According to the current curriculum, students should be given the opportunity to develop their writing both by hand and with digital tools. According to research on writing, teaching in grades 4-6 is an area that has received too little attention, especially when it comes to digital writing, as most of the research focuses on students in the younger and older ages. The purpose of this study is to contribute knowledge about how different Swedish teachers in grades 4-6 describe how they work with digital tools when they teach writing and their perceptions of digital writing tools. The research questions that have been answered are: “How do Swedish teachers describe the use of digital tools in writing instruction?” and “What perceptions do different Swedish teachers have of digital tools in writing instruction?” Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four Swedish teachers to preserve the study's issues. The data material has been analyzed with a phenomenographic approach. The results show that students use digital writing tools to a greater extent compared to writing by hand. In addition, the outcome of the phenomenographic analysis shows seven different ways of perceiving digital writing tools.