The purpose of this study was to determine the impact, if any, the implementation of Personalized Learning (PL) would have on fourth-grade students in a rural public elementary school in the area of reading achievement, mastery, and progress. The study compared two cohorts of students. The control group received traditional learning reading…

This ethnographic case study offers a description of an alternative teacher certification program within an HBCU-based teacher preparation program within Xavier University of Louisiana. The program is named the Norman C. Francis Teacher Residency Program (NCFTR). Data from the study offers insights from six in-service, alternative teaching…

In an era of heightened accountability and expanding educational technology choices, mathematics educators must critically assess the effectiveness of the tools available to them. While deciding on technological tools, it is essential that we not only promote rigor in mathematics but also ensure closing learning gaps and improve students' beliefs…

This study investigates primary teachers' and elementary principals' perspectives on alternatives to the traditional model of student progression in school and whether these options may improve the acquisition of skills needed for advancing into upper grades. Primary mastery of basic skills is essential to learning; however, with rigorous federal…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how early childhood educators perceive the use of Modern Classrooms Project (MCP) in their classrooms. MCP is an instructional model that promotes blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning with ties to constructivist teaching ideals. Data were collected using a teacher interview,…

Our methods to reach all students are no longer effective for the student body before us. Many students are struggling with stress, inattention in class, and absences from school. A significant number of our students are struggling to get to and stay in school. In addition to these issues, students are struggling to find relevance in their…

In "School Rethink 2.0," editors Frederick M. Hess, Michael B. Horn, and Juliet Squire gather leaders immersed in the nuts-and-bolts work of educational reinvention to present ten promising education improvements and ways to implement them. Contributors, including acclaimed education pioneers Sal Khan, Beth Rabbitt, and Larry Berger,…

This study investigates the relationship between mastery goal performance and achievement on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test. With policies like the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) placing increased importance on standardized-state assessments, schools are making efforts to improve scores, often by focusing…

Mastery learning -- the process by which students must demonstrate proficiency with a single topic before moving on -- is well recognized as one of the best ways to learn, yet many teachers struggle or remain unsure about how to implement it into a classroom setting. This study leverages two field experiments to test the efficacy of a program…

Purpose: There is an increase globally of students using technology to support their learning. The purpose of this paper is to outline the technical aspects of adaptive learning and contribute to the development of pedagogy that incorporates this method in teaching and learning. Design/methodology/approach: This is a technical review article that…

Math anxiety levels directly and negatively impact student performance in the math classroom. Educators must work to implement instructional strategies that effectively reduce math anxiety and improve student math performance. This study evaluated mastery learning interventions as an effective tool for reducing math anxiety among middle school…