Date of Award

Spring 6-19-2013

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

EdD Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Department

Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Advisor

Daniel Gutmore, Ph. D.

Committee Member

Elaine Walker, Ph. D.

Committee Member

Eunyoung Kim, Ph. D.

Keywords

Theater Arts Integration, Literacy strategies, Teaching Artists, Effective Professional Development, Middle School

Abstract

Visual and performing arts can be taught in isolation or integrated with other core content subjects such as literacy, math, science, and social studies. Jersey City Public Schools (JCPS) implemented the Integrated Theater and Arts Strategies (ITAS) program beginning in the 2008-2009 school year and lasting through the 2010-2011 school year with eight targeted schools. Visual and performing arts standards exist in both the state’s core curriculum standards and national standards. Despite these existing standards, implementation is minimal in JCPS. JCPS plans to develop and implement the ITAS program for targeted schools with sixth and seventh grade students. Language Arts Literacy scores on standardized tests for some of the targeted schools are among the lowest in the district. One of the purposes of the study was to determine if the workshops, training and support given to targeted teachers through the ITAS program have an impact on successful lesson implementation and students’ literacy skills, integrated through the program, in targeted sixth and seventh grade classes in Jersey City Public Schools (JCPS). The goals and objectives of the program are aligned to the New Jersey and National Core Curriculum Content Standards. Teachers in the targeted schools will be provided with professional development that will include strategies to integrate arts within the language arts literacy curriculum. Results from the study and training materials will be shared with educators both within and outside of the district.

Additional Files
Cummins Dissertation 4-7-17.docx (620 kB)
Download

Share

COinS