The implementation of high-stakes testing has radically altered mathematics instruction in elementary classrooms. A curriculum that is heavily focused on developing successful test takers has fostered a weakness in our students' ability to solve complex problems. The purpose of this record of study was to examine the impact of a problem-solving…

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to determine how teachers use questioning techniques in their mathematics classrooms and if teacher questioning techniques correlate with student achievement in mathematics. As pacing and rigor increase and students learning styles vary, schools are challenged with finding new ways to make connections…

Behavior problems among third- and fourth-grade students have become an issue of concern among stakeholders in the education sector. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to explore teachers' perceptions of Second Step, a socioemotional curriculum with practices used to address behaviors with third and fourth graders. The…

Many households in America struggled to find healthy nutritious food options for their family within their local community. Families went hungry and needed access to food. The USDA reported in 2017 that nearly 41 million Americans faced hunger including 13 million children. This study identified solutions used by city and educational leaders in an…

Students lacking automaticity of multiplication facts puts them at a disadvantage when learning fifth grade mathematics standards. If students need to use a multiplication chart, or use tally marks, or repeated addition to solve multiplication problems, they struggle to move forward with standards, which involve exponents, fractions, area, and…

This dissertation in practice created a new form of educator development called the Virtual Educator Network (VEN) and examined its impact on educators' attitudes towards inclusion, feelings of support, and incorporation of new strategies to solve problems of practice they find important. The VEN is a form of professional development that pulls…

This Dissertation in Practice (DIP) was a group dissertation as required by the Doctorate in Educational Leadership program and created a new form of educator development called the Virtual Educator Network (VEN). This DIP examined the VENs' impact on educators' attitudes towards inclusion, feelings of support, and incorporation of new strategies…

Though the United States maintains a great presence in our global economy, our country is still lagging behind many others in terms of achievement in mathematics. Developing the ability to think creatively and communicate effectively is paramount to ensuring our students are prepared for the competitiveness of the 21st century world. Rich…

The instructional decisions made by classroom teachers impact the learning acquired by students. The Common Core Mathematics Standards and the history of mathematics education in the United States create a background for how geometry standards are taught in one Midwest middle school. A study of the pacing guides, lesson plans, and naturalistic…

The purpose of this basic qualitative study is to examine the perceptions of Language 2 (L2) learners about project-based learning (PBL) at a Midwestern high school to acquire their mathematical concepts in English. L2 learners' insights using a PBL environment to construct their skills for college readiness, higher order thinking, autonomy,…

The purpose of this mixed-methods action research study was to examine the impact of a collaborative problem-solving process on the inclusive practices, confidence, and beliefs of general education teachers at a private bilingual school in Bogota, Colombia. The problem of practice this research aims to address is the challenge teachers face in…

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between common classroom help-seeking determinants (achievement goals, self-efficacy, prior knowledge, gender, and help-seeking perceptions) and help-seeking behaviors online (hint use percentage, latency of help seeking, answer attempt percentage, feedback level percentage, and seeking help…

A foundation in computer science is integral to a student's understanding of the world today, yet, few K-12 schools are introducing students to what computer science can do to solve problems. Focusing on computational thinking as the process by which to prioritize computer science integration across subjects, and making as the activity used to…

There is a major gap in educational best-practices regarding how to scholastically foster diagnostic accuracy among Nurse Practitioner (NP) students. This research establishes foundational information that will lead to evidenced-based educational interventions and curricular changes leveraging the technique of self-explanation in order to increase…

Developing students' creative problem solving skills should be one of the top goals in general education. One teaching model that was developed to increase students' creative problem solving abilities is the Real Engagement in Active Problem Solving (REAPS) model. This model was used as an intervention in classrooms in many studies. However, the…