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Rowan University

Changing school culture: a primary literacy initiative, all hands on deck

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The purpose of this study was to implement the balanced literacy approach to reading instruction for two-hundred sixteen kindergarten through third graders, as a means of increasing student achievement, focusing instruction school wide, and creating a collaborative instructional culture. Data to evaluate the study took the forms of teacher surveys and reflective essays, screening and progress monitoring assessments and standardized test results. Teacher surveys and reflections were collected and analyzed for consistent patterns, professional development needs, and/or areas of growth. The teacher responses were used to direct professional development workshops, and as a diagnostic tool to ascertain the need for large group or grade level meetings. Data was collected and interpreted for each assessment. The teachers and literacy coach analyzed the data for patterns, growth, knowledge gaps, and resource needs amongst the student population. Student data was analyzed for each student, for each classroom and for each grade level. Teaching strategies, student activities and flexible grouping were modified regularly to meet academic needs. Based on the current data, 32% of the students are reading below grade level.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
M.A. in Supervision and Curriculum Development
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Educational Services and Leadership
Year dc:date.available
2004

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Boone-Gbesi, Veronica
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Johnson, Ted

Subjects

dc:subject × 2

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/1115
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:rdw.rowan.edu:etd-2115

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Rowan University
Base URL
rdw.rowan.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Boone-Gbesi, Veronica. Changing school culture: a primary literacy initiative, all hands on deck. Thesis thesis, 2004. https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/1115