Nontraditional Prospective Teachers: Motivations, Goals and Mathematical Knowledge Differences among Identified Typologies

This mixed-methods study employed a typological approach and an Expectancy-Value framework to understand nontraditional prospective teachers’ motivational beliefs, teaching motivations, and goals for choosing a teaching career. All participants (N=88) were nontraditional prospective teachers, graduate students enrolled in a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program in the United States. Data were collected in three phases, including quantitative (survey, pre-and posttest assessments), and qualitative (interviews). Analyses revealed three distinct typologies of teachers based on their motivational beliefs, and further differences among the identified groups based on other variables. The qualitative data showed general themes across participants about their teaching efficacy, motivation for teaching and quality of teacher preparation. Implications for teacher education programs are discussed.

Comparing Teaching Methods in an Environmental Education Field Trip Program

This study investigates the impact of instructional methods based on a one-day informal science field experience comparing a teacher-centered methodology versus a student-centered (inquiry-based) methodology. The 5E learning cycle was selected as the framework for implementing the inquiry-based learning for the treatment groups as it provides the structure of the constructivist learning cycle (Duran & Duran, 2004). The research design followed a quasi-experimental design with a total of three control and three treatment groups representing two individual schools. Each school included at least one treatment and one control group. The study included 117 third grade students. Both groups were given a pre and post assessment measuring the impact of the instructional method of inquiry presented in the 5E format. An independent-measures t-test was used to analyze the results of the means for the post-test assessments (treatment and control) and the means of the retention assessments. Pre-tests indicated variations of prior knowledge between the control and treatment groups. Post-tests indicated similar results of knowledge gains. However, the retention tests for the treatment groups revealed students increased their knowledge from the time of their post-test. The control groups’ retention results were similar to their post-test results indicating knowledge was maintained.

Fostering Interest in and Motivation for STEM: An Illustrative Case Study of Middle Grade Students’ Experiences in Out of School (OST) STEM Activities

To not only build a knowledgeable, but also a persistent STEM pipeline, it is important to understand how Outside of (regular) School Time (OST) STEM opportunities spur middle school students’ learning, yet also their interests in and motivations for STEM. The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences of a small group of independent (private) middle school students’ interest in and motivation for STEM while participating in one or two OST STEM activities (i.e., SeaPerch/robotics, Science Olympiad, Girls Who Code, and/or eCYBERMISSION). Using an illustrative experimental single case study design, data was sourced from observations, a questionnaire, and interviews from 15 independent (private) middle school students participating in one (or two) 13- to 16-week OST STEM activities. Results suggest that sources of student interest and motivation related to OST STEM activities were mostly (representing 30% of data coded) sourced from students’ self-motivation and intrinsic interests in STEM, followed by teachers (20%), the enjoyment of (OST) STEM activities content (20%), family (10%), friends (10%), and other supportive persons and entities (outside of school, family, and friends) (1%). Recommendations for strengthening OST STEM activity participation and outcomes as well as avenues for further research are discussed.

Elementary Science Teachers Adapt Their Practice During a Pandemic

The COVID-19 global pandemic created new challenges for teachers and school systems as teachers were forced to rapidly transition to remote learning using new digital tools and resources. Teaching elementary science in “normal times” is challenging due to issues involving teacher preparation, limited access to materials and lack of administrative support due to emphasis on tested subjects, among others. Using reform-based, inquiry practices is challenging when teaching science face-to-face and even more so in an online environment. Compounded with issues of access and equity, teachers faced many problems with moving elementary science instruction online due to COVID-19. This study reports on the experiences of 10 early career teachers who were graduates of a specialized elementary science concentration. Teachers reflect on the challenges faced, how they adapted, and how they designed new learning contexts to teach science. Teachers report on resources they found beneficial, assess needs for the future, and explain how they worked to maintain a sense of community for their students during this unprecedented critical time.

Indian education: Opening a space for digital storytelling

Using an interpretive analysis of digital storytelling, we advance the conversation on ways Indian communities can rethink educational design. From an ethnohistorical context, we interrupt traditional pedagogy to grant voice and perspective to the Indigenous community. In this paper, we blend constructivism and personal digital stories to bring forth critical consciousness concerning mainstream educational practices. As an alternate, yet, innovative approach, we employ Unlocking Silent Histories, an educational design that aims to couple culture and learning. It does so by opening a space for teaching and learning that illuminates the Indigenous way. Our analysis reveals emerging themes of the Lumber River, community, and resilience.

New Research on Teacher Leadership in Schools: Efficacy of a survey method for analyzing multiple dimensions of leadership

In the past decade, teacher leadership has emerged as a key strategy for improving the quality of education in U.S. schools. Major foundations, federal education programs, and professional organizations are providing significant support for teacher leadership as a key strategy for improving the quality of education in U.S. schools. Teachers in U.S. schools have a variety of roles and responsibilities in addition to their primary responsibility of teaching in classrooms. While teacher classroom effectiveness has been the focus of extensive research, the roles of teachers as leaders in their schools, districts, and professional associations have been the subject of less research and analysis. The research design for this study of teacher leadership takes a broad view of the roles of teachers in their school and their profession. The study design follows from research-based constructs of the relationship of teacher leadership to education quality in K-12 education.

Engineering After-School Program with Elementary Preservice Teachers and K-8 Students

This study explores the influence of an after-school program involving high needs elementary-aged students at community-based sites and elementary preservice teachers (EPSTs) enrolled in a final sequence of methods courses at a local university. Data collection involved surveys, interviews, and reflections with EPSTs and interviews with elementary-aged children. Results indicated a significant positive correlation between EPTSs’ science perceptions and science teaching self efficacy. A series of Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests indicate significant growth from pre to post in participating EPSTs’ self-efficacy with the NGSS and the Engineering Standards within the NGSS. Interviews and reflections provided evidence that EPSTs benefited from the program by teaching in an unfamiliar setting that changed their beliefs and helped strengthen their teaching skills. Interview results for elementary-aged children revealed a hands-on, although somewhat limited, perspective of science, technology, and engineering. Perceptions of mathematics were primarily focused on computation.

Translating Research to Practice on Individual and Collective Mathematics and Science Identity Formation: Pedagogical Recommendations for Teachers

Recruiting students to science and mathematics fields continues to be a nationwide issue, resulting in a dearth of individuals to fill present and future science and math careers. Novel interventions, especially in the K-12 space, call for a move from content acquisition to formation of individuals’ identity to foster involve science and math interest and persistence. Identity research has evidenced results, yet greater communication is needed between the research and practitioner communities to realize the potential of cultivating collective STEM identifies in the classroom. In this paper, we bridge these spaces by describing the potential affordances beyond individual identity formation to that of collective (classroom level) identity formation for K-12 teachers to consider for their math and science students, respectively. Specifically exploring how traditional K-12 classroom structures may reinforce stereotypes hindering collective mathematics and science identity formation, whereas reform-oriented classroom structures (that employ legitimate peripheral participation within a community of practice) enable them. Last, to aid practitioners who wish to engage in reform efforts, we recommend pedagogical interventions to promote opportunities for students to collectively co-construct skills specific to mathematics and science communities as a strategy to foster collective mathematics and science identities. Collective identity formation can provide K-12 classroom teachers pedagogical strategies for additional opportunities or enhanced and experiences for students to co-construct and reinforce individual identities in math and science.

Factors Influencing Student Academic Performance in Online Credit Recovery

Recent estimates show nearly 90% of school districts nationwide offer some form of online credit recovery. Despite its widespread adoption, there is a dearth of research surrounding the suitability of online credit recovery for students. This study examined potential success factors of students enrolled in virtual recovery courses in a school district in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, and binary logistic regression modeling was used for data analysis to account for the influence of student characteristics on credit recovery outcome. Findings revealed that grade-level, IEP status, and middle school End-of-Grade Test results could be linked to achievement in online credit recovery courses. Implications of these findings for educators are discussed.

Learning-focused Teacher Leadership: The Professional Development School (PDS) Advantage

Professional development schools (PDS), a specific type of school-university partnership, offer distinctive learning environments for teachers by encouraging innovation and modeling best instructional practices. In PDS partnerships, opportunities abound for teachers to assume learning-focused leadership roles such as team lead, instructional coach, and professional developer. Drawing from the book Teacher Leadership in Professional Development Schools, this article recounts stories of learning-focused teacher leadership in two different PDS partnerships that resulted in positive outcomes for kindergarten through fifth grade English Learners (EL) and for ninth grade algebra students. Supported by research, the stories illustrate how providing embedded support and opportunities for teacher leadership through the PDS core practices of teacher preparation, professional development, inquiry and research, and student learning is advantageous for both teachers and students.