| This dissertation is an analysis of reports from selected K-8 teachers, who received their Multiple Subject teaching credentials from 1997 to 2009, regarding their classroom implementation of the California Teaching Standard for Engaging and Supporting all Students in Learning. This study also examined selected teachers' personal strategies and obstacles encountered when implementing this standard. Student engagement research at the elementary and high school levels has increased since the 1980s in an effort to reform student achievement and negate trends towards student mediocrity and dropout rates, yet research suggests student engagement continues to decline. Using survey methodology, this exploratory study sought to analyze selected teachers' reports in order to gain understanding of student engagement methods from their perspective. Using quantitative analysis, respondents reported that 28 of the 31 areas in the standard were implemented in the classroom with a 73.8% or higher response rate. Using qualitative thematic coding, 42 strategies and obstacles were identified in the respondents' reports. Results also indicated over 75% had received some type of training in student engagement. These findings can provide teachers, teacher preparation programs, district administrators, site administrators, educational leaders, policy makers, institutions, and researchers with information from K-8 teachers' reports regarding strategies used, obstacles faced, and classroom implementation of the California Teaching Standard for Engaging and Supporting all Students in Learning. These findings may be useful for researchers seeking to understand teachers' reported methods in increasing student engagement levels and possibly fostering greater student achievement. |
