Contours of Inclusion: Inclusive Arts Teaching and Learning

The purpose of this publication is to share models and case examples of the process of inclusive arts curriculum design and evaluation. The first section explains the conceptual and curriculum frameworks that were used in the analysis and generation of the featured case studies (i.e. Understanding by Design, Differentiated Instruction, and Universal Design for Learning). Data for the cases studies was collected from three urban sites (i.e. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston) and included participant observations, student and teacher interviews, curriculum documentation, digital documentation of student learning, and transcripts from discussion forum and teleconference discussions from a professional learning community.The initial case studies by Glass and Barnum use the curricular frameworks to analyze and understand what inclusive practices look like in two case studies of arts-in-education programs that included students with disabilities. The second set of precedent case studies by Kronenberg and Blair, and Jenkins and Agois Hurel uses the frameworks to explain their process of including students by providing flexible arts learning options to support student learning of content standards. Both sets of case studies illuminate curricular design decisions and instructional strategies that supported the active engagement and learning of students with disabilities in educational settings shared with their peers. The second set of cases also illustrate the reflective process of using frameworks like Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to guide curricular design, responsive instructional differentiation, and the use of the arts as a rich, meaningful, and engaging option to support learning. Appended are curriculum design and evaluation tools. (Individual chapters contain references.

Exploring the influence of flipped learning strategy on tenth graders writing process at two public schools in Bogota : a route towards differentiation

140 p. Francia Catalina Torres Velandia (Tesis).pdfFrancia Catalina Torres Velandia (R.A.I.).xlsxEsta investigación acción examinó el impacto de la enseñanza invertida y diferenciada en el proceso de escritura en inglés. El estudio se realizó con alumnos de nivel de inglés A1 en grado décimo de dos colegios públicos de Bogotá, quienes demostraron dificultades con el vocabulario y la organización de ideas al producir textos escritos. Muy pocos estudios se han realizado en el contexto colombiano sobre el efecto de las estrategias de aprendizaje invertido en la escritura, en diferenciación y en el proceso de escritura, pero se han aplicado principalmente a nivel universitario. Por esta razón, no fue posible encontrar ningún estudio anterior en el que todos estos factores estuvieran integrados en el desarrollo de la escritura a nivel escolar. Los datos fueron recogidos mediante una prueba de escritura de entrada y una de salida, cuestionarios (encuestas de análisis de necesidades y encuesta final), artefactos de los alumnos (dos productos escritos resultantes de talleres de proceso de escritura) y registros escritos de las docentes investigadoras los cuales fueron analizados a través del método de la teoría fundamentada. Después de analizar los datos, se evidenció que la enseñanza diferenciada e invertida ayudó a mejorar la escritura de los estudiantes ya que hubo una mejora notable en la calidad, complejidad y claridad de sus textos escritos. La implementación de esta estrategia contribuyó en el desempeño de profesores y alumnos, el interés de los estudiantes por el aprendizaje del inglés y el fomento de la autonomía en los alumnosThis action research examined the impact of differentiated flipped instruction on English process writing. The study was conducted with A1 English level tenth graders from two public schools in Bogota, who demonstrated difficulties with vocabulary and ideas organization when producing written texts. Very few studies have been carried out in the Colombian context on the effect of flipped learning strategies on writing, and on differentiation and the writing process, but they have been applied mainly at university level. For this reason, it was not possible to find any previous study in which all these factors were integrated towards writing development at the school level. Data were collected by means of an entry and exit writing test, questionnaires (needs analysis surveys and final survey), learners’ artifacts (two writing products resulting from the writing process workshops) and teachers-researchers memoirs, which were analyzed through the grounded theory method. After analyzing the data, it was evidenced that flipperentiated instruction helped enhance students’ writing as learners had a remarkable improvement in the quality, complexity and clarity of their written texts. The implementation of this strategy contributed to teacher and learners’ performance, students’ interest towards English learning, and fostering learners’ autonomous behaviorsMagister en didáctica del inglés para el aprendizaje autodirigidoMaestríaBásica secundariaMedia (10 y 11)Humanidades, lengua castellana e idiomas extranjerosEstudiantesMixtoDidácticaEvaluaciónRecursos educativos físicos o virtualesTecnologías de la Información y la ComunicaciónAulaEste trabajo se puede extender a la mayoria de las áreas del conocimiento, y se puede trabajar en todos los niveles de educación ya que ofrece grandes posibilidades de acceder de forma autónoma al conocimiento

Teaching: An Exploration of Best Practices

The purpose of this Action Research Project as part of the fulfillment of my Master of Arts in Teaching degree is to become aware of my teaching practices and to explore options and avenues to better improve my teaching practices. To build a foundation of understanding of teaching practices I first began researching three major themes: effective teaching, evidence-based practices, and developing stronger readers in an ELA classroom; I also sought examples of how I could implement them into my practice . The research begins with an examination of what differentiation is and how it can be modeled. Three sub-themes emerged: designing differentiation, supporting English Language Learners, and how to create inclusive classrooms. Second, my research focuses on identifying the major theme of evidence-based practices by focusing on three sub-themes: high leverage practices, effective instruction in the ELA classroom, and how to create student-centered classrooms. Lastly, because I know that reading is usually a strong indicator for student ability in an ELA classroom, I sought out ways to help develop students into stronger readers. The three sub-themes that arose from this research were using literature circles, technology, and reading identity. I gathered data from my year of student teaching including my teaching journals, lesson plans, lesson materials such as slides or assignments and directions, and teaching observation summaries. Using this data, I analyzed my teaching practices, noting where I had room for growth or had met some of my goals

Differentiation for Content Area Literacy: Middle School Teachers\u27 Perceptions and Practices

Recent studies support the use of differentiated instruction (DI) to improve literacy in content area classrooms. At the same time, research has found that few teachers implement DI purposefully or consistently. Accordingly, a case study design was used to explore middle school content area teachers\u27 understanding and implementation of DI for content literacy at a site where it is an integral component of the response to intervention (RTI) process. The conceptual framework for this study was principles of differentiation, as defined and discussed by Tomlinson. Research questions were framed to examine how middle school content area teachers defined and implemented DI for content literacy by asking what they know, do, and need to effectively implement or sustain DI. Data were collected from a purposeful sample of 7 middle school content area teachers through semistructured interviews, a focus group, and unobtrusive data in the form of lesson plans. Descriptive and pattern coding were used to analyze the interview and focus group data for overarching themes. Emergent themes were validated through member checking, triangulated with themes identified in the lesson plans, and interpreted against principles of differentiation. Results indicated all participants were implementing DI for content literacy to some extent. The data also revealed participants wanted to improve their instruction but believed they needed additional supports: time to plan and gather resources, opportunities to collaborate with colleagues, and professional development to learn strategies to better differentiate for content literacy. The findings helped inform a project that provides identified supports for teachers as they differentiate instruction to improve content literacy, resulting in positive social change

High School Science Teachers\u27 Perceptions of Teaching Content-Related Reading Comprehension Instruction

In order to achieve academic success, students must be able to comprehend written material in content-area textbooks. However, a large number of high school students struggle to comprehend science content. Research findings have demonstrated that students make measurable gains in comprehending content-area textbooks when provided quality reading comprehension instruction. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of how high school science teachers perceived their responsibility to provide content-related comprehension instruction and 10 high school science teachers were interviewed for this study. Data analysis consisted of open, axial, and selective coding. The findings revealed that 8 out of the 10 participants believed that it is their responsibility to provide reading comprehension. However, the findings also revealed that the participants provided varying levels of reading comprehension instruction as an integral part of their science instruction. The potential for positive social change could be achieved by teachers and administrators. Teachers may use the findings to reflect upon their own personal feelings and beliefs about providing explicit reading comprehension. In addition to teachers\u27 commitment to reading comprehension instruction, administrators could deliberate about professional development opportunities that might improve necessary skills, eventually leading to better comprehension skills for students and success in their education

Social Studies Teachers\u27 Use of Differentiated Instruction to Help Struggling Learners

Students in a local rural northeastern high school have demonstrated decreasing academic performance in social studies courses for the past 5 years. The purpose of this bounded qualitative case study of the local social studies department was to investigate how social studies teachers and administrators for grades 7-12 describe differentiated instruction (DI) and professional development in DI. This study was grounded in the zone of proximal development, which stressed the importance of providing instruction at students\u27 instructional levels, and DI, which emphasized tailoring instruction to address students\u27 needs. Three research questions focused on how social studies teachers and administrators viewed teachers\u27 use of DI and described the professional development training for DI. Open ended interviews of 3 administrators and 9 secondary social studies teachers in the local school who volunteered to participate , observations of the teacher interviewees\u27 classroom lessons, and reviews of documents related to instructional materials or professional development provided the data for the bounded case. The data were analyzed in an explanation building technique which flowed from the research questions. The findings indicated that the participants had positive perceptions of DI, the social studies teachers used DI strategies with struggling students and wanted effective professional development training and resources for using DI, and instructors wanted more administrative support. The results of this study may impact social change in the local school by providing effective DI techniques to use with struggling students. Professional development training in effective DI techniques may promote collaboration among the faculty and improve student performance in social studies

Elementary English for Speakers of Other Language Teachers\u27 Perceptions of the Push-In Program to Support Mathematics Skills

Walden University College of Education This is to certify that the doctoral study by Joye Elfreda Henry has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Gloria Jacobs, Committee Chairperson, Education Faculty Dr. Jerita Whaley, Committee Member, Education Faculty Dr. Mark Earley, University Reviewer, Education Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 201

Changing school culture: a primary literacy initiative, all hands on deck

The purpose of this study was to implement the balanced literacy approach to reading instruction for two-hundred sixteen kindergarten through third graders, as a means of increasing student achievement, focusing instruction school wide, and creating a collaborative instructional culture. Data to evaluate the study took the forms of teacher surveys and reflective essays, screening and progress monitoring assessments and standardized test results. Teacher surveys and reflections were collected and analyzed for consistent patterns, professional development needs, and/or areas of growth. The teacher responses were used to direct professional development workshops, and as a diagnostic tool to ascertain the need for large group or grade level meetings. Data was collected and interpreted for each assessment. The teachers and literacy coach analyzed the data for patterns, growth, knowledge gaps, and resource needs amongst the student population. Student data was analyzed for each student, for each classroom and for each grade level. Teaching strategies, student activities and flexible grouping were modified regularly to meet academic needs. Based on the current data, 32% of the students are reading below grade level

(Dis)ability Workshop: The Effect of Growth Mindset and Universal Design for Learning on Teacher Understanding of Disability and Intelligence

abstract: According to national data, there continues to be an ongoing achievement gap between students with disabilities and their non-disabled peers (USDE, n.d.b). This data is representative of a continued disparity in academic performance for students in local Arizona school districts. To address this gap, many districts have implemented inclusion models in which students with disabilities spend increasing amounts of time in general education classrooms, in some cases for the majority of or all of their school day. However, the persistence of the achievement gap suggests that general education teachers working in inclusion models may be lacking systematic instructional methods for ensuring access to the curriculum for those with disabilities and other diverse learning needs. The purpose of this action research study was to examine the impact that a series of professional development workshops had on teacher beliefs and understanding of disability, intelligence, and accessible pedagogy. The study was conducted over the course of a school semester at a kindergarten through 8th grade school in a large, semi-rural school district in southeastern Arizona. Ten teachers from a variety of grade levels and subject areas participated in the study along with a school psychologist and two school administrators. Theoretical frameworks guiding this project included critical disability theory, growth mindset, universal design for learning, and transformative learning theory. A mixed-methods action research approach was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data in the form of surveys, interviews, and written reflections. The workshop series included five modules that began with activities fostering critical reflection of assumptions regarding disability and intelligence and ended with pedagogical strategies in the form of universal design for learning. The results indicate that the innovation was successful in reshaping participant views of disability, intelligence, and pedagogy; however, changes in classroom instruction were small. Implications for future research and practice include more extended sessions on universal design for learning and a more diverse sample of participants. Workshop sessions utilized a variety of active learning activities that were well received by participants and will be included in future professional learning plans across the district.Dissertation/ThesisDoctoral Dissertation Leadership and Innovation 201

A Comprehensive Literacy Approach: Integrating the Science and Art of Reading for Adolescents

This paper explores the effectiveness of a comprehensive approach to literacy instruction that integrates both the science and art of reading for adolescents. Drawing on a range of research and educational practices, this paper emphasizes the importance of merging explicit, structured instruction in the foundations of reading with student choice, engagement, and collaborative learning opportunities. Scaffolding comprehension and vocabulary development, integrating technology and multimodal literacy, and prioritizing professional development and teacher preparation programs are also discussed. A case study of a middle school language arts teacher and her student illustrates the practical implications of a comprehensive approach to literacy instruction. The findings suggest that a comprehensive approach to literacy instruction can enhance students’ reading skills and overall engagement, leading to improved academic outcomes. By empowering educators to address the complexities of reading, the comprehensive approach to literacy instruction fosters a new generation of skilled, passionate readers