Language: English

ISSN: 1054-0040

Language: English

ISSN: 1054-0040

Language: English

ISSN: 1054-0040

Abstract/Notes: After the physical growth that occurs in utero is complete, so begins the psychic development of the infant and toddler in the first 3 years of life. According to the American Sociological Association, culture is defined as "the languages, customs, beliefs, rules, arts, knowledge, and collective identities and memories developed by members of all social groups that make their social environments meaningful" (http://www.asanet.org). Some concrete examples of culture just happen to be a few things that infants and toddlers absolutely love: language, food, art, music, dance, and stories. In my years as an Infant & Toddler teacher, my task had been to create an appropriate environment for children living in a progressive university town in central New York.

Language: English

ISSN: 1054-0040

Abstract/Notes: This action research project investigated my teacher efficacy in a multicultural classroom with children ages 3 to 6. This was a self-study that I started during my first year of teaching in a private school in downtown Chicago. As a first generation American, I was the only participant. Throughout the four-week study, I responded to journal prompts where I reflected on daily readings of anti-bias literature and my past schooling experiences. I measured my teacher efficacy and confidence levels through weekly attitude scales and pre and post self-assessments. My emotions were tracked with tally sheets. The data showed an increase in positive emotions vs. negative emotions, higher confidence levels in teaching, and growth in confronting bias and engaging in discussions about anti-bias education. This study recommends further engagement in anti-bias media and taking the time to reflect before making decisions in my work as a teacher.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2020

Language: English

ISSN: 1054-0040

Language: English

ISSN: 0519-0959

Language: English

ISSN: 1054-0040

Abstract/Notes: a "The underlying motives of school choice emerged as major courses of action to offer parents opportunities for education in the free market enterprise and to limit the racial desegregation of public schools. This policy became known as "freedom of choice." Historically, parental choice of schools was the option of parents who could afford the tuition of private or parochial schools. The first options for public school choice appeared during the 1960's. Today, magnet schools are the most popular form of school choice. Montessori schools have become a well-liked preference of magnet school options. Fifteen years ago, there were approximately 50 public Montessori schools in the United States. Today, there are between 250 and 300 public Montessori schools. While research has been accumulating on why parents choose a particular type of school (parochial, private, magnet, charter, or local public school) far less is known about why parents choose a particular curriculum. The purpose of this dissertation is to explore how parents navigate school choice decisions and why they choose Montessori schools over other available options. This dissertation further examines if parents' educational choices correspond to their reasons for selecting Montessori schooling and the impact family income and ethnicity have on their preference for Montessori. The methodology of this study utilized a mixed methods research medium. The mixed methods approach blended two different research strategies, qualitative and quantitative. Recognizing the overlap between qualitative and quantitative research methods, the data from self-report surveys were supplemented with semi-structured interviews. Three hundred surveys were distributed to the parents of the Montessori school and interviews were held with ten parents of the same school. Of the original 300 surveys, 132 were returned and comprised my final sample. The quantitative findings indicate that parents who choose the Montessori school use... OCLC Record: 866942318

Language: English

Published: Greensboro, North Carolina, 2007

Language: English

Published: Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, 1969