This dissertation presents a mixed-data investigation aiming to comprehensively understand math anxiety in teachers. Math anxiety is defined as "feelings of tension and anxiety that interfere with the manipulation of numbers and solving of mathematics problems in a variety of ordinary life and academic situations" (Richardson &…

All in-service teachers in PK-12 public school systems must participate in professional development sessions. Professional development can negatively affect many teachers but serves an essential purpose in improving education. Social learning theories can help shape practical professional development sessions. This quantitative study focused on…

Few researchers have examined the identification practices and services provided to gifted and talented students in rural settings. In this case study, we explored these processes from different perspectives, that of the gifted student, the parent(s) of the gifted student, a teacher of the gifted student, and the administrator(s) of the gifted…

Utilizing effective data collection methods to track student progress on Individual Education Program (IEP) goals is essential to quality programming and meeting each student's specific needs. This study surveyed special education teachers in four midwestern states to understand IEP data collection methods and assessment training. Results…

This paper describes a survey of teachers of students with visual impairments (TVIs) in Nebraska. Questions addressed their preparation to teach writing, writing practices, and beliefs about writing instruction. Twenty-four of 60 TVIs in Nebraska responded to the survey, and 19 answered all questions. Teachers were split on their preparation to…

Much research has noted the misalignment between kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) academic standards and curriculum materials used in classrooms. Many states and education organizations have been pushing for greater use of standards-aligned curriculum, especially during the past several years. In this report, the authors share results…

This technical appendix provides additional information about the sample, data, and estimation strategy used for a series of American Educator Panels (AEP) Data Notes published by the RAND Corporation in 2019. The Data Note series is intended to provide brief but incisive analyses of teacher and school leader survey results that may be of…

This study utilized a semi-structured interview approach to identify how college methods professors in Nebraska are engaging pre-service K-12 teachers with the Next Generation Science Standards and to determine if this information is being carried over to Nebraska K-12 classrooms. The study attempted to address these items by answering the…

This technical report provides information about the sample, survey instrument, and resultant data for the American Instructional Resources Surveys (AIRS) that were administered to principals and teachers in spring 2019 via RAND's American Educator Panels. The AIRS focused on instructional resources used and supported in English language arts,…

In this comparison of 135 Nebraska vocational agriculture instructors and 126 of their secondary school superintendents on perceptions of professionalism, a high level of agreement was found between the two groups; but agriculture teachers were perceived to be less professional than the classic professions included in previous research. (SK)

A 1989-90 survey received 381 responses from Nebraska agriculture teachers, principals, and superintendents in which they rated agricultural economics, marketing, and computers as important current topics; leadership, personal development, agribusiness management, and natural resources were important future topics. Most had a cautious, low-risk…

The Stages of Concern Questionnaire was completed by 45 Nebraska and 35 Idaho industrial technology teachers. Most Nebraska teachers failed to accept technology education. Although Idaho teachers had a higher acceptance rate, nearly 69% had not adopted it. (SK)

Discusses results of a survey of Nebraska high school journalism teachers, their use of technology and their attitudes towards it. Discusses concerns about balancing technology and its uses and demands with the teaching of good writing and good journalism practices. Discusses negative scanners, buying a digital camera, and new image-editing…

A ten-question survey instrument was used to measure teacher acceptance of vocational agriculture core curriculum materials in Nebraska. On a scale of one (poor) to ten (excellent), all 103 teachers who responded rated the core curriculum concept as 5 or higher, with 68 teachers scoring the core concept as 8 or higher. (LRA)

A survey of 983 special education teachers in Nebraska found that almost one third taught health education to students with disabilities, however, many of these teachers did not perceive themselves as being adequately prepared or confident in their ability to address health education issues related to students with disabilities. (Author/CR)