National standardized test scores indicate West Virginia students perform below the national average in writing achievement, yet little research has been conducted to investigate how writing is being taught. Gaining understanding of the instructional strategies West Virginia teachers use to teach writing may provide insight for educational leaders…

Fraction proficiency is a critical milestone for students to reach, as fraction knowledge strongly predicts later math achievement. However, fractions are notoriously difficult for students to learn. The first study in this dissertation reviewed commonly used math curricula to determine if their fraction lessons used evidence-based instructional…

Many students struggle to read multisyllable words (Burns et al., 2017). These students may benefit from additional support to move from the full-alphabetic phase to the consolidated-alphabetic phase of reading acquisition to proficiently read multisyllable words (Bhattacharya & Ehri, 2004). There is limited research on advanced phonics…

The focus of this study was to explore my leadership practices to improve teachers' acumen and use of research-based Tier 1 strategies to propel student engagement, thereby increasing student achievement. More specifically, the problem addressed was the decline of student performance for students with disabilities in English Language Arts and the…

The purpose for this study was to examine student reading data at one high-poverty, low-performing Title I school in the State of Tennessee over 2 consecutive years when reading instruction, teacher expectations, and administration changed. This study examined student growth in third and fourth grade on the county benchmark assessment (Study…

Schools and educators are expected to meet the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students while they provide instruction on academic subjects. An emphasis on social-emotional instruction is especially critical for students affected by poverty (Trella, 2020). The increase in mental health problems in youth and adults points to the need for…

Reading fluency involves a complex interaction of different cognitive skills and abilities that develop with instruction and practice and relies on the automaticity of many distinct reading skills (e.g., pacing, word recognition, expression, phonological awareness). Fluent reading frees cognitive resources, such as working memory, for more…

Over half of 4th grade students did not meet proficiency standards in mathematics on the National Assessment of Educational Performance in 2019 and this problem has persisted over time. This underachievement coupled with the numerous barriers to implementing evidence-based practices in schools reveals a need to provide a menu of effective…

Despite the need to possess adequate problem-solving skills (Grady, Watkins, & Montalvo, 2014), mathematics performance among students--especially in urban communities, remains stagnant (NCES, 2003; TIMMS, 2015; NAEP, 2019). Langlie (2008) held problem-solving skills introduced in elementary schools would prepare students for tremendous…

Despite the need to possess adequate problem-solving skills (Grady, Watkins, & Montalvo, 2014), mathematics performance among students -- especially in urban communities, remains stagnant (NCES, 2003; TIMMS, 2015; NAEP, 2019). Langlie (2008) held problem-solving skills introduced in elementary schools would prepare students for tremendous…

Despite the need to possess adequate problem-solving skills (Grady, Watkins, & Montalvo, 2014), mathematics performance among students--especially in urban communities, remains stagnant (NCES, 2003; TIMMS, 2015; NAEP, 2019). Langlie (2008) held problem-solving skills introduced in elementary schools would prepare students for tremendous…