This non-experimental, correlational, quantitative study sought to identify possible relationships between educators' beliefs in neuromyths - misconceptions or misunderstandings about how people learn - and the frequency in which instructional practices are used in the classroom. The prevalence and pervasiveness of neuromyth beliefs are well…

The purpose of this study was to identify key instructional strategies and behaviors that support student motivation and learning in a high school STAAR English remedial program. Research was conducted within one summer school semester during 10-days of instruction and focused on high school students who "Did Not Meet Grade Level"…

Students do their best work when they have a sense of agency around science and science learning. Scientific practices like argumentation and critique are areas in which students' agency is especially visible, as they require many points of decision-making and evaluation. While argumentation and critique are fundamental practices in both classroom…

This dissertation study was set within a collaborative, discussion-based classroom intervention called Collaborative Social Reasoning (CSR). In this study, I aim to examine teacher scaffolding moves, or strategies used to support students' learning, in relationship with student equity in CSR discussions. Equity indicators analyzed include uptake,…

This autobiographical study of teaching and learning Algebra 1 was developed to examine classroom experiences through the lens of the researcher and to explore the perceptions of teachers and students involved in the study. The goal was to identify the quality, meaningful educational experiences in the classroom which led to the development of…

Often in classrooms meaning-making skills are not acknowledged and therefore not fostered. In addition, there are many high school ELA classrooms that prioritize students' reaching one correct answer, or one best interpretation of literature. Yet, some ELA teachers do engage their students in rich meaning-making processes, and do not privilege one…

In this dissertation I explore characteristics which influence the implementation of evidence-based instructional practices of six post-secondary chemistry instructors in Colorado who report current use of these practices. The purpose of this study was to identify these characteristics to recognize areas of focus for future professional…

How do teachers and students create classroom environments in which mathematical errors are regarded as important opportunities for learning? What norms support students in learning from their errors, and how to these norms develop in a classroom community? This dissertation addresses these questions through a longitudinal case study investigating…

In the past few decades, public schools in the United States have witnessed a fast-growing student population of English language learners (ELLs), who come from homes where a language other than English is dominant. The dual task of content and the English language learning has brought ELLs huge academic challenges, such as one-size-fit-all…

In an era of new standards and emerging accountability systems, an understanding of the supports needed to aid teachers and students in making necessary transitions in mathematics teaching and learning is critical. Given the established research base demonstrating the importance of justification and reasoning in students' mathematics learning and…

Imagine an active happily engaged, communicative, curious group of four-year-old children investigating and discovering as they play together in an early childhood classroom. Imagine yet again, the teacher beckoning them to gather on the rug to listen to a story. What happens next? Are the children allowed to continue in this curiosity-seeking,…