School models have been slow to evolve, however, expectations of students in terms of schoolwork and homework have increased year over year. These increased demands require a high level of Executive Functioning (EF). However, a disconnect between the demands of schools and children's developing EF system have led to increased incidences of…

Most people associate summer with activities that have nothing to do with school, or, if they do, summer school comes to mind -- the remediation variety. Historically, summer school is for struggling students who need to relearn and firm up skills from prior years or for those required to retake a class. But what if it could be reimagined how to…

This is a qualitative mixed-methods study of an urban school district in New Jersey. A survey of teachers explored their past and current practices with regard to the use of classroom technology, in particular one-to-one devices; and an interview with the district supervisor for educational technology provided detailed information about district…

X/Twitter appears to be the preferred social media platform among principals for delivering professional development and learning (PDL) to teachers to reduce the financial and time constraints most often associated with traditional types of PDL. The specific school contexts to create conditions for principals to use X/Twitter to deliver PDL…

Demands placed on novice teachers, who must perform at the level of experienced educators from day one, underscore the need for effective educational mentorship programs. Without proper mentorship, many novice teachers leave the profession within five years. Successful mentorship programs contribute to teacher retention, student achievement,…

This study aimed to examine the effect of participation in teacher mentoring programs and professional learning community (PLC) activities on a teacher's sense of professional self-efficacy. Participants in the study evaluated mentoring programs and PLC activities and the influence of each on their sense of professional self-efficacy. An…

Social Emotional Development is an essential topic of continued interest and concern in a preschool setting. Teachers' application of the New Jersey State Department of Education Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards in Social Emotional Development has a necessary place in practice in a preschool setting. As a result, social competence…

The purpose of this study was to investigate New Jersey educators' dyslexia knowledge and misconceptions, professional development perceptions and needs, and perceived preparedness regarding teaching students with dyslexia. A second purpose was to investigate what factors predicted New Jersey educators' knowledge about dyslexia. A total of 705…

Despite teachers being centrally implicated in teacher evaluation policy reform, we know little about the effects of its policies and procedures on teachers' work in their school district, and we see limited discussion about the possibility of teachers as policy actors to reflect upon and possibly improve or overcome teacher evaluation. Using data…

The purpose of this qualitative study is to determine whether Sheltered English Instruction Training (SEIT) has any impact on the perceptions and practices of content level secondary school teachers. SEIT is intended to counter preconceived notions about English Learners (ELs) by leveraging their cultural background to enhance personalized…

The pandemic hit the already vulnerable early childhood education (ECE) workforce especially hard, causing almost 40 percent of child care providers to shut their doors and many teachers to lose their jobs. In 2021, enrollment in state-funded preschool also dropped for the first time in 20 years--a nearly 20 percent decline that erased a decade of…

Literacy coaching provides job-embedded professional development intended to influence teacher instructional practices and increase student achievement. Coaches mediate their role between "Responsive" and "Directive" stances. "Responsive" stances are described as coaching behaviors where the coach responds to the…

Most American school-based occupational therapy (SBOT) practitioners do not report utilizing research-supported collaborative models of therapy (Gallagher & Richards, 2020). The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental study was to determine whether a 4-month-long training and coaching program could improve interprofessional…

This study explored teachers' understanding of utilizing mindfulness practices with students at New Jersey Township School District. Students today are faced with a significant amount of stress and anxiety within their lives, which can have a significant impact on their learning, memory, behavior, and both physical and mental health. The New…

Providing an accessible and equitable education for all students has been an ongoing process mandated by the Managing for Equality and Equity initiative to close the achievement and opportunity gaps among students. This qualitative study examined Black superintendents' perspectives about the effectiveness and impact of diversity, equity, and…