This basic qualitative study aimed to understand how the results of the kindergarten readiness assessments are used within the classroom for planning curriculum, connecting to learning standards, and implementing individualized instruction, along with kindergarten teachers' perspectives on the usefulness of kindergarten readiness testing. The…

This study investigated how at-risk kindergarten students respond to the identification of letters and sounds using an embedded picture mnemonic intervention. The problem addressed was that kindergarten students face challenges in developing letter-name knowledge, letter-sound knowledge, and their reciprocal relationship (i.e., grapheme-phoneme…

Research Findings: Kindergarten is the gateway to education and a point of great variability in children's knowledge and skills. As a result, there is keen interest in kindergarten entry assessments (KEAs) to understand and address gaps in early skills. This study rigorously investigated the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Kindergarten Entry…

The purpose of this study was to explore Pennsylvania Title I school systems' methods of communication of expectations and standards for school readiness with prospective kindergarten students' parents prior to enrollment. Also explored within this study is the importance of local school systems communicating with parents regarding cognitive and…

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine if providing targeted professional development (AIM Pathways to Proficient Reading) in foundational literacy skills based on the science of reading and Structured Literacy can lead to a difference in teacher knowledge and to determine a relationship between teacher knowledge and student…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how teachers of kindergarten through second grade describe students' socialization opportunities during online learning and the supports needed for effective fostering of socialization during online learning in southeastern Pennsylvania. The theoretical foundation for this research…

Researchers have looked at the role the teacher plays for mediating emotional regulation (ER) in students, but it is understudied at the elementary level. Knowing that emotional regulation skills develop rapidly in a child's early years there was a need to explore teacher perceptions of ER skills in K-4 students. This qualitative case study…

In most states kindergarten entry assessments (KEA) are employed primarily to inform parents and teachers. KEAs can serve as a key indicator of child development at formal school entry to inform education, but also could serve as a baseline for assessing progress in the early grades. However, their usefulness for this purpose is limited because…

Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) is an autoimmune disorder associated with sudden onset of behavior changes. The prevalence of PANDAS is increasing in schools and interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge, and the use of referrals to the school nurse are important for supporting…

Handwriting is still critical to student success in the classroom; however, schools have been de-emphasizing formal handwriting instruction. This study evaluated the effect of the "Size Matters Handwriting Program" on handwriting legibility and visual-motor skills among kindergarten students in general education classrooms. A two-group…

This study examined the occurrence of impostor phenomenon and burnout among school principals and assistant principals. In addition, the study explored the relationship between impostor phenomenon and burnout among school leaders and the influence gender, role, grade level, and years of experience had on school principal and assistant principal…

In this article, I explore politics in children's art practices that divert from normalized accounts of children's art and lives, especially those that seek to compartmentalize the child, children, and children's artmaking, grounded on the ideas of French philosopher Jacques Rancière--namely, the distribution of the sensible, politics, and…

Research Findings: This study provides psychometric validation of the Classroom Engagement Scale (CES), a 14-item, teacher-report, formative assessment of behavioral engagement. It is currently used for all kindergarten children in a large, urban school district where it is embedded in the report card. Multi-level factor analysis revealed two…

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker announced the expansion of the northeastern reciprocity agreement to include certified educators throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and beyond. As of April 21, 2022, "educators in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New…

The importance of effective reading instruction in the primary grades cannot be overstated. Teachers are expected to be qualified and capable literacy teachers to produce proficient readers (Bornfreund, 2012; Walsh et al., 2006). The purpose of this study was to explore Pennsylvania kindergarten, first, and second grade teachers' perceptions,…