2021 Doctoral Capstone Projects

Deichler, Kristin M.

The purpose of this mixed methods study is to provide data points that address the accuracy of the screening process for students to be accelerated in mathematics courses prior to entering middle school in the South Fayette Township School District. This screening process is a decision that happens prior to sixth grade but has long-lasting impli...

The Accuracy of the Advanced Mathematics Placement Criteria in Identifying Students for Mathematics Course Acceleration: a Doctoral Capstone Project.

Waller, Lynette R.

The purpose of this research study was to gain insight into the perceptions and the degree to which preservice teachers implement relationship-building strategies to foster positive teacher-student relationships within a distance learning environment. The research focused on creating a supportive classroom environment to facilitate student succe...

Developing Positive Teacher-Student Relationships in a Distance Learning Classroom Environment: a Doctoral Capstone Project.

Solomon, Jeffrey Elias

As our society moves toward enriching every individual, educators need to drive each student to excel in the college/career ready world. Schools are forced to mimic today's business model that strives to be the most efficient and effective as possible, while staying budget friendly. Schools have to comply with this model as prices are soaring fo...

Effective Preparedness for the West Mifflin Area Life Skills Program to Optimize Post-Secondary Success: a Doctoral Capstone Project.

Edwards, Stephen Paul.

The onset of the Covid-19 global pandemic took the world by surprise in the spring of 2020. As the world rapidly changed and adapted to new health and safety measures, school districts were left to decide how they would pivot instructionally, but also plan for an uncertainty that the pandemic would bring from a financial standpoint. The potent...

The Effectiveness of a District Created Pre-Kindergarten Program on Student Growth: a Doctoral Capstone Project.

George, Brandon Lee.

This study focuses on an evaluation on teacher perception of the effectiveness of Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) implementation in a K-8 urban setting. Research also examines student academic progress and behavior, teacher perceptions on the effectiveness of PBIS implementation and school climate. This study utilized teacher p...

An Evaluation of Implementation and Teacher Preparation on the Effectiveness of Positive Behavior Intervention and Support in: an Urban K-8 setting : a Doctoral Capstone Project

Tomasko, Tracie S.

As academic diversity and individual student needs in the classroom continue to increase, instructors must value or utilize local benchmark testing results to drive, alter, and facilitate successful instruction, student learning, and student growth in real time with immediate and constructive results. The purpose of this study was to explore bui...

Fostering Instructor Buy In to Local Benchmark Testing and Utilization of Benchmark Data to Drive Instruction: a Doctoral Capstone Project.

Kalinoski, Thomas H.

This capstone project is focused on what impact the use of technology-based formative assessment has on student achievement in an alternative education school. This study analyzed student assessment scores prior to providing teachers with instruction on how to use technology to effectively give student formative assessments. After the teachers w...

How Technology Based Formative Assessment Impacts Student Achievement in an Alternative Education Program: a Doctoral Capstone Project.

Weitzel, Christi Lynn

This mixed method action research study explored the benefits peer coaching could provide to further establish a cost-effective professional development opportunity that promotes a collaborative culture among early childhood educators. Serving as a pilot, the study was completed to understand educators' interest in an alternate, interactive prof...

The Impact of Peer Coaching on Early Childhood Programs: a Doctoral Capstone Project.

Henry, Jason A.

The purpose of this action research study was to analyze the teachers’ perspective of 10 characteristics of inquiry-based learning. The review of literature framed inquiry based learning aligned to the past professional development sessions in Parkland School District. The literature indicated that inquiry-based learning varied on level of inqui...

Inquiry for Student Voice, Choice, and Equity: Exploring Teacher Perspectives of the Ten Characteristics of Inquiry-Based: Learning : a Doctoral Capstone Project

Iacavone, Daniel Louis

This study explored the causes of teacher stress, teachers' perceived stress, and the selfcare teachers and staff at the elementary level are taking to minimize their stress levels. In addition, the study looked at the impact of an 8-week mindfulness intervention to assist in alleviating stress. This study looked at the impact of distance learn...

An Investigation into Factors that Influence Teacher Stress Levels Within an Elementary School Where Mindfulness Strategies and: a Distance Learning Model are Implemented: a Doctoral Capstone Project

Mariani, Sue Ann

Duquesne City School District has been identified as a seriously financially struggling school district by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Duquesne City had the 9- l 2th graders transition to other local school districts to receive their education with the district paying the tuition bill to the receiving school districts for tho...

Moving a District from a K-6 to a K-8 Building: Action Research About Bringing Back Students to Their Home District

Pavlik, Lori A.

With the goal of increasing both student accountability for learning and college readiness skills, many high schools have adopted the collegiate practice of the using final exams. Peters Township High School is one such school whose practice of using final exams has come under scrutiny. Very little research exists on the efficacy of this practic...

The Perception of the Final Exam as Preparation for College-Level Assessments and Its Reliability as a Measurement of Student: Understanding of Course Content: a Doctoral Capstone Project

Garman, Sommer Brook

Professional learning is a term used to describe the learning opportunities and experiences that are offered to the faculty and staff of a school district. Professional learning is different from professional development. In previous years, the school district offered professional development to the staff. These experiences did not typically inv...

Professional Learning : Administration, Faculty, and Staff Perception of the Professional Learning Model and the Impacts: on Growth and Learning : a Doctoral Capstone Project

Redcay, Matthew J.

With the growing need to address a more holistic approach to child development, social and emotional learning has emerged as a leading support to improve students' overall success. Still, schools and districts are challenged with finding ways to integrate social and emotional learning, and teachers are left to implement these supports and strate...

Teachers' Perception of Social-Emotional Learning and the Impact on the Middle School Student Within the Teaming Model: a Doctoral Capstone Project.

Szarmach, Adam

This study explored the secondary principals’ and secondary teachers’ perception of the Walkthrough Observation Tool. A mixed method approach was utilized to collect data. A quantitative data approach was conducted through the use of pre-and post-intervention surveys. The quantitative data allowed for a complete understanding of the participants...

The Walkthrough Observation: Secondary Principals' and Secondary Teachers' Perceptions of the Walkthrough Observation Tool: a Doctoral Capstone Project.