School learning environments play important roles in students' lives. But when do these relationships form? Previous research on middle school students has identified a strong association between student socio-demographics, school characteristics, and achievement. Yet, few studies have investigated the origins of these associations. This study…

School districts are employing instructional technology coaches more frequently to support teachers in adopting technology in their classroom instruction. However, many school districts still face challenges with technology adoption, raising concerns about the influence of instructional technology coaches on technology adoption. This case study…

Technology's rapid development is changing how educators plan lessons and incorporate these digital resources into classrooms with the expectation of impacting student academic performance. The problem is that teachers need professional development related to blended learning implementation to improve student achievement in elementary (An, 2021;…

Underachievement in education and the exploration of its factors have been in constant interest in educational research for years. According to McFarland et al., 2017) previously conducted research has found a relationship between family risk factors and negative educational outcomes which include low academic achievement, student retention, and…

Many schools are diverse with culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) learners. The problem is that it is unknown if Grade 3-5 teachers in a specific New Jersey school district (SNJSD) perceive their instruction as manifesting characteristics of effective culturally responsive teaching (CRT) and learning practices intended to promote CLD…

The problem addressed through this study was the inconsistent implementation of RTI2 in the mathematics classes for special education (SPED) upper elementary (i.e., Grades 3-5) students at a Southwestern, urban Tennessee school district (SUTSD). Students in SPED have low mathematics proficiency. Researchers have demonstrated that RTI2 is a process…

The purpose of this quantitative, ex post facto study was to determine the difference in students' LEAP ELA achievement scores in grades 3-5 based on the teacher's level of dyslexia knowledge. This study used the Phonological Deficit Theory (PDT) and the Criterion Referenced Assessment Theory (CRT) as its foundation. PDT describes the levels of…

As teachers gain experience, their assessment knowledge base, personal beliefs, and the educational context come together to shape their identity as an assessor. This study sought to add to the body of research by highlighting and describing, through the lens of the teacher, how beliefs and context influence teachers' assessment literacy in…

An increasing number of U.S. teachers of English Language Learners (ELL) across the nation are not receiving adequate in-service training to provide instruction within students' zone of proximal development (ZPD). Vygotsky's ZPD is the difference between what a person can achieve when acting alone and what the same person can achieve when acting…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of faithful use of Imagine Math, a computer adaptive math intervention for elementary students in grades three through five. To achieve this objective, the researcher compared the math achievement growth as measured by the NWEA MAP math assessments from fall 2021 to spring 2022 between the treatment group and…

This qualitative research study was conducted to gain insight into the perceptions of a small rural school district's dyslexia program. Dyslexia is a neurological reading disability affecting millions of students in public education. Students with dyslexia have a deficit in the phonological component of language causing their struggle with reading…

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate the perceptions held by elementary level instruction coaches regarding the circumstances and occurrences perceived as being supports or barriers to instructional coaching implementation at the elementary level. The theoretical foundations of this study included the adult learning theory…

Previous research provides evidence that developing a growth mindset--believing that one's capabilities can improve--promotes academic achievement. Although this phenomenon has undergone prior study in a representative sample of ninth graders in the United States, it has not been studied in representative samples of other grade levels or with…

The current study aimed to explore the COVID-19 impact on reading achievement growth by Grade 3-5 students in a large urban school district in the U.S. and whether the impact differed by students' demographic characteristics and instructional modality. Specifically, using administrative data from the school district, we investigated to what extent…

There has been extensive research done on varying leadership styles as well as how school leaders employ these styles in order to improve students' academic achievement. However, little literature exists that discusses how leadership style affects a principal or assistant principal's approach to managing student discipline. The purpose of this…