The goal of this quantitative study is to determine if there is a significant difference in the reading proficiency rates for students with disabilities in districts utilizing the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) as evident by the scores from the English Language Arts portion of the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP). This study…

This study examines perseverance, the ability to achieve goals, and grit, the long-term completion of goals and tasks. Educators have seen a decline in students' ability to persist through daily challenges. Instilling this quality in students early on can help them set and achieve short-and long-term goals, close academic gaps, sustain…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between personality traits and effective written expression. The study participants (N = 76) were developing third and fourth-grade students. They produced three short narrative writing samples and responded to questions on a personality inventory. Written expression was measured using…

Using integrated threat theory as a theoretical framework, this multiple case study analyzed the effects of threat and the perception of threat from immigrants on the attitudes of teachers toward their elementary school students. The study was conducted with teachers at five northern California schools. All of the teachers were experienced and…

In 2 experiments, I studied the effects of the establishment of Incidental Bidirectional Naming (Inc. BiN) for unfamiliar stimuli on reading comprehension for first-grade students. In Experiment 1, I measured the associations, differences, and predictive value between multiple measures of reading comprehension and Inc. BiN stimulus control in 22…

The following is a dissertation looking to address the impact of STEM-focused education on fifth-grade standardized test scores in mathematics and science. STEM education has become such an integral part of American education in recent years, and its importance continues to extend beyond the research available. The purpose of this quantitative…

Historically, Black students have been positioned using a deficit perspective (Valencia, 1997; 2010), resulting in students' classroom and schooling experiences being less than favorable. For example, Black students have experienced a disproportionate number of suspensions and unequal discipline measures (Howard & Rodriguez-Minkoff, 2017; U.S.…

Physical exercises (PEs) are one of the most used approaches by researchers to treat restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) and enhance on-task behaviors in students with high-functioning Autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Although PEs is recognized as Evidence-based Practices (EBPs) for students with ASD in the United States of America (USA)…

Past studies have found that in the elementary grades, females perform better in literacy achievement than their male counterparts when instruction is provided in an in-person learning environment. With the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, schools in the United States switched to a virtual instructional model. This study sought to determine if a…

Moving can be a stressful and disruptive event for children, but the associations among the type of move, accompanying neighborhood characteristics, and children's development are less well understood, particularly for elementary school children. In the current dissertation, I developed and tested components of a conceptual model that uses…

Teachers have positive attitudes toward the use of gamification in the classroom yet research shows that it is implemented inconsistently. Furthermore, specific elements of what makes gamification successful with students has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to explore teacher perceptions of gamification and its use in the K-8…

Educators play an important role in ensuring that students attain the necessary strategic actions to become skilled writers. Studies have indicated that teachers need to consistently embed a larger range of evidence-based writing practices in their instruction to help their students improve the overall quantity and quality of their writing. The…

Daily Behavior Report Cards (DBRCs) have proven effective across a vast array of behaviors and students by provide a rating system for school staff to report students' behavior progress. The current meta-analysis included eleven studies between 2007-2022, wherein participants ranged from preschool to sixth grade. The current study further…

As student achievement remains a critical discussion among federal policymakers, states, and local school districts, one response involves providing additional classroom support staff. To address deficits in mathematics education, the National Mathematics Advisory Panel (2008) urged the use of mathematics specialists (MS) to support teachers and…

Gaps exist in research on the effectiveness of preventive programs and strategies to address anxiety among children, placing the burden on educational leaders and teachers. The problem is anxiety poses a threat to the academic performance of first through fifth grade students. Cognitive learning theory and attentional control theory provided a…