02/08/2024
By Zakkiyya Witherspoon
The School of Education invites you to attend a doctoral dissertation defense by Jennifer Goldstein Parson on “Designing Pathways For Success: The Intersection of Structured Literacy and Student Identity."
Candidate: Jennifer Goldstein Parson
Degree: Doctoral- Leadership in Schooling
Defense Date: Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Remote via Zoom
Thesis/Dissertation Title: Designing Pathways For Success: The Intersection of Structured Literacy and Student Identity
Dissertation Committee
- Dissertation Chair: Phitsamay Uy, Ed.D., Associate Professor, Leadership in Schooling, Graduate Coordinator for Ed.D Programs, & Co-director of Center for Asian American Studies
- Committee Member: James Nehring, Ed.D., Professor, Leadership in Schooling
- Committee Member: Christy Whittlesey, Adjunct Faculty, UML School of Education Ed.D. Program
Abstract
This three-manuscript dissertation is rooted in local and nationwide data that demonstrate concerning levels of reading proficiency among elementary school students, and in particular, those from low income households. Manuscript One describes the achievement challenges in the area of reading, citing a number of contributing factors and offering a comprehensive review of the supporting research. Manuscript Two is an exploratory, mixed-methods case study that investigates the impact of professional development on a team of fifth grade teachers as they introduce structured literacy pedagogy in their English language arts classrooms. Additionally, Manuscript Two describes the complementary idea of honoring and integrating students’ unique identities into the classroom community. This component of the study focuses on the ways in which teachers’ deeper understanding of their students impacts their engagement and interest in reading. Manuscript Three delineates a course of action that is recommended at the local level in order to promote growth and achievement for all students in the area of literacy.