Degree Date
6-2020
Document Type
Dissertation - Public Access
Degree Name
Ed.D. Doctor of Education
Academic Discipline
Educational Leadership
First Advisor
Dr. Carla Sparks
Second Advisor
Dr. Stefanie Shames
Abstract
In 2017, reporters of national data in regard to reading ability among American, fourth grade students indicated low proficiency and achievement gaps. These results were also consistent within the state and district under study. There is a need to increase the focus on prekindergarten and primary grade education taking place prior to the grades in which federally mandated, accountability assessments for student learning take place. The purpose of this study is to determine the potential barriers to a paradigm shift at the state and district levels from a focus on state-assessed grade levels to prekindergarten and primary grade levels. The context of this study is a large public school district, the state in which it is located, and the federal education law under which both entities operate. My study demonstrates the gap in priorities between the state and local education leaders in regard to which grade levels should receive the majority of focus on an elementary school campus. I suggest the addition of quality measures for public prekindergarten and primary grade classrooms in order to improve professional development efforts and increase administrative focus.
Recommended Citation
Lukas, Sarah Turner and Lukas, Sarah Turner, "The Primary Dilemma: Determining And Overcoming Barriers To A Focus On Prekindergarten Through Grade 3" (2020). Dissertations. 442.
https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/442
Included in
Adult and Continuing Education Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Early Childhood Education Commons, Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Education Economics Commons, Elementary Education Commons