Research findings suggest that student-centered inquiry learning shows promise for lower-achieving students and that students who are struggling in school participate more fully and demonstrate competency to themselves and others. In this research, we present a multiple case study of three middle-level students who were struggling in school, both…

Experiencing the emotion of awe can facilitate a perspective shift called small self that reorients one's focus toward the wellbeing of the collective. In the present study, I followed 12 adolescents in two summer science programs to investigate how the instructional design informed students' relationships to the large, complex scientific…

We present in-depth cases of four low-income Chinese American adolescents' perceptions of their parents' educational messages using a discourse analytic approach. We asked how students construct and draw on discourses in order to produce interpretations of their schooling responsibilities, in light of parental messages. Our analysis uncovered how…

The present study explored the perceptions of high school teachers training regarding conflict and violence in school. Data collection and analysis included individual audio-recorded interviews with 12 teachers and two assistant administrators as well as a follow-up focus group. Results indicated that participants' pre-service teacher-education…

Prior research in the field of sport leadership has determined that effective athletic coaches exhibit leadership behaviors that are consistent in nature. Three types of leader knowledge provided the conceptual framework for this study: (1) professional knowledge, or the ability to teach specific sport skills; (2) interpersonal knowledge, or the…

The purpose of the present study was to better understand how college readiness initiatives prepare graduates of New Tech Network (NTN) high schools to succeed in their postsecondary experiences. Twelve graduates of NTN high schools participated in the present study. Each participant participated in a semi-structured interview designed to…

This present phenomenological case study explored collective class actuation as experienced by a seminary teacher in a Western State. Collective class actuation results when teachers or students perceive their class group as being in an optimal performing state of dynamic equilibrium. The participant of this present study sought dynamic…

Low reading comprehension skills at the secondary level are problematic, especially for students with learning disabilities. In order for students with learning disabilities to perform and achieve academically, effective methods of instruction need to be implemented. This present study utilized a qualitative research methodology (with a…

In the present study we provide insights regarding the perceptions of gifted students and their parents about the communication skills of these gifted children. We collected data through in-depth individual interviews, focus group interviews, field-notes, and other documentation with 10 gifted students and 10 of their parents. The findings…

We view the school principal as a school-wide community organizer who is central in actuating collective teacher efficacy. The purpose of the present study was to explore the attitudes, practices, and behaviors of principals who develop collective teacher efficacy. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews of 24 principals. The data…

We examined the effects of an alternative classroom structure on self-efficacy and engagement of ninth-grade students who placed substantially below grade level in mathematics. We considered whether targeting both academic and social needs of these students would increase their self-efficacy and engagement by way of four teaching effects:…

The purpose of the present research was to model a storied-identity approach (Drake, Spillane, & Hufferd-Ackles, 2001; Ibourk, 2015) to explore the career path of a mediocre teacher. Using qualitative data collected over a 10-year period, the research depicts how the teacher's identity was shaped and re-shaped by factors including teacher…

With the current tide of anti-immigrant and anti-refugee sentiment, it is vital that educators and counselors incorporate strategies to meet the social and emotional needs of English-language learners. This case study investigated the impact of teacher practice and collaboration with counselors around culturally and linguistically responsive…

The implementation of personalized learning (PL) models is growing rapidly; however, research on these models is limited. In particular, little is known about teachers' experiences as they implement technology-based PL models. Additionally, few studies have sought to understand how teachers make sense of PL. Examining teachers' experiences with…

Research indicates many children today spend little time outdoors exploring the natural world and a great deal of time inside viewing the television or playing video games (Jerald, 2009; Robinson, 2010) which can lead to poor social development, childhood obesity, and a lack of feeling connected to the environment. One instructional tool being…