Instructional coaching is steadily becoming a staple in schools everywhere. In elementary schools, coaches are often organized by content or grade level coaching programs. While research continues to show that instructional coaches positively support teachers, research does not address the structure behind coaching programs. This mixed-methods…

Social media apps are being increasingly used by primary school children and this has influenced how they connect and communicate with others. Child use of social media has raised societal concerns about its impact on early development. To gain a deeper understanding of children's experiences with social media, children in grade 5 (N = 28; girls:…

Advertising towards children confirms the importance of marketing communication, as they are important for companies that offer a range of products and services. We study the influence of advertising messages from traditional media on different children's age groups, via the observed branded products and the examined credibility of advertisements,…

This dissertation is a mixed-methods study designed to examine relationships among the following constructs: teacher self-efficacy, teacher-student relationships, trust, student engagement, and student social capital. A conceptual framework was created in reference to the literature relating to each primary construct. Furthermore, six research…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish a line of inquiry into student trust in school peers by--(1) developing a valid and reliable measure and (2) investigating the potential influence of student trust in school peers on optimal school functioning. Design/methodology/approach: A non-experimental, survey research design was used.…

Teachers can use literature written for the young adolescent as a powerful tool for establishing and enhancing the community in the classroom that is arguably a necessity for learning to occur. In order for the young adolescent to be successful in the school classroom, a shared sense of community must exist. The students must feel connected to,…

School ratings are important factors for school accountability, accreditation, state and federal funding and impacts the community view on a school. This qualitative case study was designed to address Professional Learning Community (PLC) for a Title I school in need of improvement. The problem was the lack of teacher retention, and ability to…

Background: Many girls do not want to engage in physical activity (PA) in places that do not provide feelings of safety, comfort, or protection. Nor will they engage in PA if it might compromise gender norms and place them at risk of being teased by peers. Media influences (e.g. social media, advertisements) target young girls and circulate gender…

We assessed 3rd-5th grade children's endorsement of 12 friendship expectations, in two mental age-matched (M = 10.15 years) groups; one with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n = 20) and one with typical development (TD; n = 21). Groups rated friendship expectations similarly for all but one expectation, expressing care, which received significantly…

Recent research has established the importance of children and adolescents developing a growth mindset for future success and motivation. This research tests believes about fairness, adult trust, and school climate that are theoretically foundational for establishing a cognitive connection between effort and outcome. Regressions and MANOVAS were…

Parental behavioral and relational engagement in school include components of trust, communication, and respect that are positively predictive of student academic success. Parents who report high levels of trust with their child's teacher are more likely to be involved in school and related programs and events. Direct teacher-parent communication…

This study investigates the collaboration between two teachers, a dance teaching artist, and a researcher within an educational design research project, that integrated creative dance into fifth-graders' reading and writing processes. To study this design team, we draw on the theoretical field of new materialism and the methodological field of…

While bullying is a serious concern for students and educators alike, empirically tested interventions are needed. This study examined the impact of a bullying intervention curriculum at a public middle school in the Midwest. This intervention, CORE"Matters", was designed to reduce bullying behaviors, foster a greater sense of community…

The researcher examined the perceptions of students, teachers, and the administrator at an urban elementary school in a district in the southwestern region of the United States that has made a long-term investment in social-emotional learning and restorative practices. The researcher used qualitative research which included semi-structured…

The purpose of this study was to explore sustainability of social conditions and achievement outcomes in six full-service community schools (FSCSs) in two districts (Tulsa and Union Public Schools) associated with the Tulsa Area Community Schools Initiative (TACSI). Three questions guided the inquiry: How has TACSI changed over the last 9 years?…