Current Search:   Matanzo, Jane Brady (x)

View All Items

  • CSV Spreadsheet
(1 - 2 of 2)
Quality children's literature that supports fifth-grade state standards in United States history: A content analysis of historical fiction, biography, and informational tradebooks
Title
Quality children's literature that supports fifth-grade state standards in United States history: A content analysis of historical fiction, biography, and informational tradebooks.
Creator
Baxley, Traci P., Florida Atlantic University, Matanzo, Jane Brady
Abstract/Description
This study sought to investigate the benefits of using children's literature in fifth grade classrooms in order to promote greater student interest, engagement, and understanding of key grade level history standards. Instruments were created by the researcher to examine the criteria expected for both standards and literary quality in history-related historical fiction, biography, and informational tradebooks. Children's literature was selected based on expert's recommendations and award...
Show moreThis study sought to investigate the benefits of using children's literature in fifth grade classrooms in order to promote greater student interest, engagement, and understanding of key grade level history standards. Instruments were created by the researcher to examine the criteria expected for both standards and literary quality in history-related historical fiction, biography, and informational tradebooks. Children's literature was selected based on expert's recommendations and award winning and honor books from 1970 to present. Four sets of content-analyzed Historical Literary Triads, one historical fiction, one biography, and one informational tradebook, for three United States Historical Eras most frequently addressed by 48 states and the District of Columbia's fifth grade standards were analyzed. Using a content analysis approach, data concerning the representation of fifth grade United States history state standards in select children's books were compiled. The literature was analyzed for the frequency with which the United States history standards were met and for its ability to support and/or reinforce the standards. Data concerning the presence of criteria designated for quality in children's literature were compiled. The degree of the presence of both quality and standards criteria was calculated both within an Era and among the three Historical Eras. The researcher then compared the comments and examples of individual genres with degrees of standards presented in the completed Historical Literary Triads used within a Historical Era. A discussion of content comparisons, reinforcements, and extensions presented or not presented by the Historical Literary Triads was discussed. These analyses assisted the researcher in determining the degree of quality and supportive content that was contained in the recommended and/or award winning books and the degree to which the Historical Literacy Triads created complemented United States history state standards. The content analysis concluded that while each children's literature book had some merit in terms of literary quality and/or addressing United States history standards, the Historical Literary Triads was overwhelmingly more inclusive, assuring breadth and depth of the materials needed for fostering historical learning and historical inquiry.
Show less
Date Issued
2005
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12140
Format
Document (PDF)
Literacy instruction, personnel, and governance in state-designated highest and lowest performing schools
Title
Literacy instruction, personnel, and governance in state-designated highest and lowest performing schools.
Creator
Earley, Deborah L., Florida Atlantic University, Matanzo, Jane Brady
Abstract/Description
The A+ Plan for Education (A+ Plan), the basis of Florida's school accountability system, was instituted in 1999. Public schools are graded from highest (A) to lowest (F) based on student performance on the statewide assessment, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). This study investigated the impact of the school grading policy of the A+ Plan on literacy instructional practices, personnel, and governance procedures between Florida public schools graded A and F. Twenty-six...
Show moreThe A+ Plan for Education (A+ Plan), the basis of Florida's school accountability system, was instituted in 1999. Public schools are graded from highest (A) to lowest (F) based on student performance on the statewide assessment, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). This study investigated the impact of the school grading policy of the A+ Plan on literacy instructional practices, personnel, and governance procedures between Florida public schools graded A and F. Twenty-six randomly selected schools from 15 school districts agreed to participate. Three groups of participants (N = 136) were associated with the participating schools: (1) Grades 3--10 classroom teachers who taught reading, writing, and/or language arts during the 2001--02 school year; (2) the principal for each school; and (3) the District Director of Curriculum or equivalent position. Teacher participants (n = 107) responded to the Literacy Instructional Practices Survey. This survey collected data concerning the frequency of use of instructional practices related to literacy in six composites: Instructional Groupings, Materials, Decoding Teaching Practices, Comprehension Teaching Practices, Writing Teaching Practices, and Classroom Activities. T-tests were employed to compare the Composite mean scores for the A and F school teacher participants (a = .05). Results revealed no significant differences in the types and frequency of literacy instructional practices between A and F schools. Responses to open-ended questions reported narrowing of curriculum to skills tested by the FCAT and principal expectations to teach to the test. Principal participants (n = 17) and district-level participants (n = 12) completed surveys concerning personnel and school governance practices. Descriptive analyses revealed that 50% of F schools employed Title I literacy teachers compared to 8% of A schools. All principals used informal classroom observation and student achievement on FCAT to evaluate literacy personnel performance. Collaboration among district staff, principals, and teachers concerning school governance decisions was reported. Findings of this study imply that factors other than the types and frequency of literacy instructional practices are affecting a school's grade. Also, high-stakes assessment is impacting curriculum and instruction at A and F schools. Recommendations are made for future research.
Show less
Date Issued
2002
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FADT12016
Subject Headings
Educational accountability, Public schools--Florida, Language arts
Format
Document (PDF)