This research explored early literacy teachers' perceptions regarding their professional development experiences and their level of self-efficacy in teaching reading. Teacher perceptions were measured using an adapted professional development perception survey created by Lowden (2003) based on Guskey's (2000) previous research on professional…

During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, a high turnover rate of PreK-12 special education teachers continues to persist. To ensure all students with disabilities receive equitable access to a special education teacher, turnover intentions among private school teachers require further insight due to a long-standing gap in research. Using the…

The purpose of this study was to understand faculty perspectives of institutional change. The context for the institutional change was a shift from a largely traditional student population with a focus on the liberal arts to a range of adult and non-traditional students seeking professional degrees. The three research questions which guided the…

This Mixed Method Case Research Study (MMCSR) investigated the application of andragogical principles by adult fitness instructors at the Greater Louisville YMCA's. Utilizing the Modified Instructional Perspectives Inventory (MIPI) and a focus group, the study explored the instructional views of fitness instructors from an andragogical…

Using an exploratory sequential mixed methods research design, this study sought to understand teachers' leader identity and emotional resilience development. Phenomenological data collection and analysis from six participant interviews were coded for themes and used to create a 47-item questionnaire with four subscales: leader identity, emotional…

Generative AI has been expanding at an exponential rate since its widespread emergence in late 2022, yet limited research has explored its adoption or use among higher education faculty. Guided by the Diffusion of Innovations theory, this quantitative survey research study investigated higher education faculty's perceptions, adoption, and use of…

Unlike the ineffective generic approach often used for teacher professional development, NASA STEM Educator Professional Development Collaborative (EPDC) Digital Badging offers access to a highly organized system of knowledge and personalized, online professional development (PD) through digital badging. This qualitative case study provided an…

Mathematical proficiency during the early years is directly linked to later success in life, both regarding academics and economics. First grade educators must have the knowledge and skills to integrate the West Virginia Mathematical Habits of Mind (WV MHM) into their existing classroom instructional practices to help establish strong foundations…

The purpose of this grounded theory study is to identify teacher factors that affect student performance on computerized exams such as teacher beliefs, professional development, and school resources. Additionally, the researcher seeks to identify student factors that can have an impact on student performance such as student demographics and the…

The purpose of this research was to determine if the Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System Average Growth Index (PVAAS AGI) scores, derived from standardized tests and calculated for Pennsylvania schools, provide a valid and reliable assessment of teacher effectiveness, as these scores are currently used to derive 15% of the annual…

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) require a major shift in instructional practices among teachers. Such changes cause much uncertainty as teachers' roles and identities begin to change. Major school reform creates difficulty for school leaders who must develop teacher support and dedication to 'top-down' reform initiatives in their…

Online higher education courses continue to attract students across the U.S. However, online student persistence, particularly in community colleges, continues to lag traditional delivery. It is well known that student engagement may lead to improved academic performance and persistence. Previous research has identified how faculty communication…

This study described the subjective opinions of teachers about their experiences at Edcamp, an unconference-style form of teacher professional development (PD). Traditional PD has been maligned for being overly expensive and ineffectual in affecting changes in teacher practice. In order to defend teachers' decisions to partake in Edcamp-style PD,…

The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore the cultural manifestation of grit in two freshman academy environments and describe factors of grit that support student success. This study used purposeful sampling to select sites and participants. Data were collected through: administration of Douglas' (1982) grid and group 24-question…

States are implementing performance programs to help reform compensation systems for teachers; however, little is known on teachers' perception on alternative pay plans. Accordingly, this research study examined the types of pay-for-performance programs Georgia teachers prefer by exploring their perceptions of pay for individual performance, pay…