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Eighth-Grade Students with Low Academic Performance in Middle School Science Tennille Heath Fowler Walden University

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Eighth-Grade Students with Low Academic Performance in Middle School Science Tennille Heath Fowler Walden University Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Eighth-Grade Students with Low Academic Performance in Middle School Science Tennille Heath Fowler Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Science and Mathematics Education Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Education This is to certify that the doctoral study by Tennille Heath has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Judy Shoemaker, Committee Chairperson, Education Faculty Dr. Christopher Cale, Committee Member, Education Faculty Dr. Karen Hunt, University Reviewer, Education Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 Abstract Eighth-Grade Students with Low Academic Performance in Middle School Science by Tennille Heath MA, Central Michigan University, 2012 BS, Clayton State University, 2010 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University August 2018 Abstract The problem of low achievement and failure of 8th-grade students to attain state proficiency level in science in a local school district was addressed in this case study. Data from 2012–2016 revealed that 93% of 8th-grade students in 2 suburban middle schools in the targeted state failed to meet science proficiency standards on the science Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests and the state’s Milestone Assessments. The purpose of conducting this qualitative case study was to develop an understanding of teachers’ perceptions regarding high failure rate of 8th-grade students to meet state mandated standards in science. Piaget’s constructs of developmental and operational learning were used as the conceptual framework. Guiding questions were used to explore teacher perceptions of the challenges middle school students experience in learning science, as well as developmental and operational learning characteristics affecting science achievement. Data were collected from interviews with 12 middle school science teachers at the two schools. Data were analyzed using open coding and thematic analysis and were checked for accuracy through member checking. Common themes were behavioral issues, lack of concept application, lack of intellectual development, the need for relatable instructional strategies, and the need for teachers’ professional development. A professional development program for teachers was constructed as a project to address each of these themes. The study may affect positive social change by providing teachers and stakeholders with a deeper understanding of student needs in science learning and improved instructional strategies for teachers to enhance students’ science achievement. Eighth-Grade Students with Low Academic Performance in Middle School Science by Tennille Heath MA, Central Michigan University, 2012 BS, Clayton State University, 2010 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University August 2018 Dedication I would like to dedicate this study to my loving family for their support and continuous encouragement. Also, I would like to thank Dr. Shoemaker, Dr. Cale, Dr. Stoudt, and Dr. Hunt for helping me to accomplish my goal. Most importantly, I give God all the praise for helping me persevere through this journey. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi Section 1: The Problem ........................................................................................................1 The Local Problem .........................................................................................................1 Rationale ........................................................................................................................2 Evidence of the Problem at the Local Level ........................................................... 2 Evidence of the Problem from the Professional Literature ..................................... 9 Definition of the Problem ............................................................................................13 Definitions....................................................................................................................14 Significance..................................................................................................................15 Guiding/Research Questions ........................................................................................17 Guiding Question 1 ............................................................................................... 17 Guiding Question 2 ............................................................................................... 17 Review of Literature ....................................................................................................18 Literature Search Strategy..................................................................................... 20 Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................... 21 Students’ Performance in Science ........................................................................ 25 Benefits of Science Education .............................................................................. 26 Science Students: Critical Thinking and Cognitive Skills .................................... 28 Science Teachers: Issues and Challenges ............................................................. 35 Science Education: Globalization ......................................................................... 53 Implications..................................................................................................................55 i Summary ......................................................................................................................55 Section 2: The Methodology ............................................................................................567 Qualitative Research Design and Approach ................................................................57 Research Design...........................................................................................................58 Participants ...................................................................................................................60 Eligibility Criteria ................................................................................................. 60 Justification for the Number of Participants ......................................................... 61 Procedures for Gaining Access to the Participants ............................................... 63 Methods of Establishing a Researcher-Participant Working Relationship ........... 64 Measures for Ethical Protection ............................................................................ 64 Data Collection ............................................................................................................65 Instrumentation ..................................................................................................... 66 Data Collection Procedure .................................................................................... 68 Role of the Researcher .......................................................................................... 69 Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................70 Data Analysis Results ..................................................................................................73 Results of the Study .............................................................................................. 74 Discussion ............................................................................................................. 83 Project Deliverable................................................................................................ 90 Transition and Summary ....................................................................................... 91 Section 3: The Project ........................................................................................................92 Introduction ..................................................................................................................92 Description and Goals ..................................................................................................93 ii Rationale ......................................................................................................................96 Review of the Literature ..............................................................................................99 Pedagogical Strategies .........................................................................................
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