Career and technical education (CTE) educators are inconsistently supported with professional development (PD). The inconsistent support may limit advancing teaching and learning, serving the students, and retaining CTE educators in the field. How supported CTE teachers feel with PD to implement instructional practices that serve students and…

Based on national test data, students are performing at a basic achievement level (below grade-level) in both reading and math (NCES, 2022). Research indicates four causes for low academic performance: poor pre-service preparation; inconsistent presence of standards-based, grade-level curriculum; lack of ongoing, evidence-based professional…

Based on national test data, students are performing at a basic achievement level (below grade-level) in both reading and math (NCES, 2022). Research indicates four causes for low academic performance: poor pre-service preparation; inconsistent presence of standards-based, grade-level curriculum; lack of ongoing, evidence-based professional…

This dissertation examines the transformative potential of reflective practice in student assessment and feedback, while also developing tools to gain a nuanced understanding of teacher feedback dispositions and practices. It outlines the development and refinement of three novel tools: the Reflective Classroom Assessment Protocol (ReCAP), the…

As the study site district became more diverse, providing educational opportunities that met all learners' needs became more urgent in a large US school district. The local problem was that little is known about how teachers perceive their use of equity practices in diverse classrooms. The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers'…

This study identified the experiences of middle school teachers in the Southeastern Louisiana participating in professional learning communities, using the social constructivism theory. The study uncovers the various factors that are present that influence instructional practices and student learning outcomes. Ten middle school teachers engage in…

Effective classroom management (CM) is critical to promoting student success, as there is a clear connection between teacher CM practices and student academic, social, and behavioral outcomes. Research demonstrates that children spend more time academically engaged, progress more rapidly, and have higher levels of academic achievement when they…

This qualitative phenomenological study aims to explore teachers' perceptions of professional learning communities and how they feel it impacts their effectiveness as secondary mathematics teachers in two instructional domains--content knowledge and pedagogy. Teachers spend a substantial amount of their time engaged in Professional Learning…

Student engagement is an important component in the classroom to enhance student outcomes. Student engagement helps a teacher not only with classroom management, but with the understanding of content by the student. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore teachers' experiences of student-centered classrooms. Data were collected…

Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the culture of higher education has adjusted to meet growing enrollment numbers in online courses. To prepare faculty for successful implementation of online learning, faculty training and developments are more important now than ever. Despite opportunities for development and training to prepare…

This study investigated the comprehensive implementation of the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) within a school district, focusing on the engagement and collaboration of educators in refining and executing MTSS strategies. The problem investigated was the effectiveness of MTSS implementation and collaboration among educators. This action…

This dissertation critically examines grading practices within schools, tracing the evolution from traditional to modern approaches and highlighting the social dimensions and debates surrounding grading. Through a mixed-methods study spanning three empirical chapters, it explores students' and teachers' perceptions of grading practices, the impact…

This dissertation presents a qualitative study investigating the challenges encountered by Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) teachers during the dynamic landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants, comprising ECSE teachers, shared their experiences, highlighting key themes such as transparent decision-making, a yearning for…

Considering the significance of integrating students with disabilities into general education classes in Mississippi, it is critical to identify the methods by which co-teachers report working together, whether they have obtained the needed professional development, and which teaching model they employ in the inclusion classroom. This data can…

This quantitative research study investigates the relationship between teachers' evaluation rating and their classroom-based assessment practices using a survey approach. Four middle schools consisting of 39 (grades six through eight) teachers in the Southwestern U.S. participated in the study. Research has shown that when teachers regularly use a…