ERIC Number: ED668384
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 110
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-5346-7953-3
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Early Grade Teacher Perspectives of Struggling Learners and Later Mathematics Achievement
Crystal Cuyler
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Walden University
Students who were not identified with a learning disability or significant developmental delay (SDD) in prekindergarten, but may have undiscovered learning issues are often among the lowest performing students in mathematics when they reach upper grades. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand kindergarten, first, and second grade teacher perspectives of early indicators of later difficulties in mathematics among children not identified as having learning disabilities or SDD in prekindergarten. A retrospective study was conducted in which the remembrances of early grade teachers were used to explore the difficulties children who were struggling with mathematics as fourth and fifth graders had in their early years. The conceptual framework for this study was Kahneman and Tversky's theory of prediction and decision-making, which suggests that intuitive predictions often follow a judgmental heuristic. Three research questions guided inquiry into early grade teachers' perspectives of current and past students who struggled with mathematics. Data from 10 interviews, with teachers identified through purposeful sampling, were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results suggested teachers have the same information about students as they had previously, and difficulty in mathematics is not uncommon. Teachers believed they were able to predict in early learners their poor mathematics scoring in later grades, but felt they lacked agency to resolve early mathematics struggles to avoid later struggles. The results of this study bring attention to this perceived lack of agency and may lead to positive social change if early grade teachers are inspired to develop and successfully implement practices dedicated to increasing student success. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: At Risk Students, Learning Problems, Low Achievement, Mathematics Achievement, Mathematics Skills, Early Childhood Teachers, Teacher Attitudes, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Early Childhood Education, Grade 4, Grade 5, Predictor Variables, Self Efficacy
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Grade 4; Intermediate Grades; Grade 5; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
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