Educators' Perspectives Regarding Challenges Implementing The
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2021 Educators’ Perspectives Regarding Challenges Implementing the HighScope Curriculum and Support Needed Charmaine Christopher Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Curriculum and Instruction Commons, and the Pre-Elementary, Early Childhood, Kindergarten Teacher 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 Charmaine Christopher 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. Rebecca Curtis, Committee Chairperson, Education Faculty Dr. Donna Brackin, Committee Member, Education Faculty Dr. Barbara Schirmer, University Reviewer, Education Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2021 Abstract Educators’ Perspectives Regarding Challenges Implementing the HighScope Curriculum and Support Needed by Charmaine Christopher MEd, University of the West Indies, 2006 BEd, University of the West Indies, 2012 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University May 2021 Abstract Since 2008, the Ministry of Education in Grenada, where this study took place, started curriculum reform with the implementation of the HighScope curriculum in preschools. The problem is that many teachers faced challenges implementing the HighScope curriculum. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of early childhood educators about challenges when implementing the HighScope curriculum, which involves balancing child-initiated and teacher-directed activities, and the support they need for executing the curriculum effectively. The conceptual frameworks that guided the study were Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory and Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. Both theories reinforce the need for children to be social and active in the learning process. A total of 14 participants were recruited for this study: 12 preschool teachers, including three preschool teachers from four different preschools, and two early childhood education officers. Open coding and thematic analysis were used during data analysis. The key findings related to challenges included: lack of resources, educators’ resistance to curriculum change, and insufficient support provided for teachers. Teacher participants also revealed a need for increased professional development and training to support teachers, provision of teaching and learning materials, frequent supervision and monitoring by early childhood education officers, and parental involvement and Education. Results have implications for positive social change that could lead to policy changes to improve training for teachers, additional resources allocated to the classroom, and methods to improve the implementation of the HighScope curriculum that could lead to better outcomes for children. Educators’ Perspectives Regarding Challenges Implementing the HighScope Curriculum and Support Needed by Charmaine Christopher MEd, University of the West Indies, 2006 BEd, University of the West Indies, 2012 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University May 2020 Acknowledgments I would like to give thanks first and foremost to Almighty God for the ability to complete my study. God is indeed my source of strength. I want to thank my committee chair, Dr. Rebecca Curtis, for your knowledge, expertise, your willingness to always be available and your clear feedback and guidance. Thank you for seeing my potential and your encouragement to achieve my goals. I would like to express sincere appreciation to Dr. Donna Brackin, my second committee member, for taking the time to thoroughly review my work and provide clear feedback. To my daughter Trisha: This is for you! As a mother, I kept reaching for my goals to show you that you can achieve anything with hard work and determination. Thanks for the encouragement and support. Thank you dad, you supported me throughout this journey. To my friends, Susan Parke, Cynthia Isaac and Dr. Astra McKenzie, thank you for your encouragement as you helped keep my spirit positive through the years. You cheered me on! I have been blessed by God to have each one of you with me on this journey. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... iv Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Background ....................................................................................................................2 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................4 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................6 Research Questions ........................................................................................................6 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................7 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................9 Definitions....................................................................................................................10 Assumptions .................................................................................................................12 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................12 Limitations ...................................................................................................................14 Significance..................................................................................................................15 Summary ......................................................................................................................16 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................18 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................18 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................19 Literature Review Related to Key Concepts and Variable ..........................................26 Summary and Conclusions ..........................................................................................53 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................50 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................50 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................53 i Methodology ................................................................................................................55 Participant Selection ............................................................................................. 53 Instrumentation ..................................................................................................... 57 Procedures for Recruitment, Participation, and Data Collection .......................... 58 Data Analysis Plan ................................................................................................ 60 Trustworthiness ............................................................................................................61 Ethical Procedures .......................................................................................................64 Summary ......................................................................................................................65 Chapter 4: Results ..............................................................................................................67 Setting .........................................................................................................................67 Data Collection ............................................................................................................68 Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................71 Results ..........................................................................................................................73 Evidence of Trustworthiness .......................................................................................90 Summary ......................................................................................................................94 Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations ............................................95 Interpretation