Polarization in the United States and controversy over the teaching of content some deem "divisive" has resulted in the enactment of restrictive legislation in many states. Such constraints contribute to a fraught environment in schools today and significantly impact the work of teaching. Utilizing frameworks of "ambitious…

The purpose of this dissertation in practice was to explore the experiences of Gulf Coast State College faculty in the wake of Hurricane Michael, in an effort to better understand how both the storm and the institution's response shaped instruction and student success. The intent of this study was to determine if the policies and practices…

In the context of best practices consultation with high needs teachers, we examined (a) relations between teachers' appropriate response to student rule violations and rates of rule violations, and (b) rates of student misbehavior among teachers who do and do not achieve various benchmarks of integrity and/or growth in skills. Participants were 48…

In the context of best practices consultation with high needs teachers, we examined (1) relations between teachers' appropriate response to student rule violations and rates of rule violations, and (2) rates of student misbehavior among teachers who do and do not achieve various benchmarks of integrity and/or growth in skills. Participants were 48…

The goals were to (a) replicate the findings of previous research with regard to the Consultee/Teacher Version of the Interpersonal Power Inventory (IPI), and (b) advance the literature by examining IPI scores about a current consultation relationship. Sample 1 included 99 elementary school teachers (44.4% Hispanic) who completed the IPI. Results…

The goals were to (a) replicate the findings of Erchul, Raven, and Whichard (2001) with regard to the Consultee/Teacher Version of the Interpersonal Power Inventory (IPI; Raven, Schwarzwald, & Koslowsky, 1998), and (b) advance the literature by examining IPI scores about a current consultation relationship. Sample 1 included 99 elementary…

Explores Florida teachers' failure to accept state-legislated learning models imposed on them. Although 86.7 percent of teachers surveyed identified "reaching" students as the major intrinsic reward in teaching, 74 percent claimed that legislated learning questioned their competency and limited the scope of their work and/or political…

One fifth-grade teacher feels it is unfair if some students learn one thing, while others learn something else. Teachers must agree on some core of specific content and resolve to teach it at appropriate levels. Core Knowledge Sequence for grades 1-6 provides model of grade-by-grade content including literature, U.S. and world civilization,…

Since the publication of "A Nation at Risk" (National Commission for Excellence in Education, 1983), school reform has not been far from the center of dialogue about public education in the United States. This report certainly provided a reference point for much of the reform that immediately followed it and much of the reform that…

Investigated compensatory education teachers' opinions/attitudes toward the Florida minimum competency program. Compensatory education, math, and English teachers from semi-rural (N=67) and urban (N=200) areas were surveyed by questionnaires mailed to their homes. Results focus on value of the approach, program implementation, and unanticipated…

Reports results on status of elementary science instruction in central Florida, focusing on teacher preparation (science content, science methods, inservice); time spent; and attitudes toward teaching science (confidence in ability to and preference for teaching science). Indicates inadequate preparation, lack of self-confidence in, and little…

This practicum implemented a quality circle approach with the English faculty of a large public high school to devise and synthesize practical methods of evaluating student writing into a collection or handbook. The target group, 14 English instructors who indicated on a pre-practicum survey various degrees of frustration with their school's…

A practicum project developed the core curriculum and core curriculum guide for an American literature survey course. Students enrolled in the course came from low socioeconomic backgrounds, exhibited problematic behavior, and evidenced poor study habits, as well as low reading comprehension skills and substandard language usage. Under these…

This study was conducted in order to determine how beginning teachers evaluated preservice teacher education and performance. A survey was conducted of University of North Florida graduates who had been hired by school systems within the state of Florida. The graduates were asked to rate themselves on 27 generic teaching competencies and to write…

The need for vocational and personal attitude training for prisoners has been recognized for many years. In keeping with the commitment to individual prisoner's development, the Florida Department of Corrections developed a program of life skills training for inmates, the Life Skills Overview Module, in cooperation with local community colleges.…