Sponsor
Portland State University. Department of Psychology
First Advisor
Andrew Mashburn
Term of Graduation
Spring 2024
Date of Publication
5-6-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology
Department
Psychology
Language
English
DOI
10.15760/etd.3756
Physical Description
1 online resource (v, 106 pages)
Abstract
Kindergarten's original purpose was to promote socialization skills for young children using play. However, recent research has shown an increased focus on teaching literacy and math skills, combined with pronounced increases in more advanced academic tasks and activities. Given this shift in kindergarten, as well as a lack of professional development for teachers to assist them in promoting developmentally appropriate practices, the Kindergarten Innovation Cohort was created in the Portland School District to address these needs for both students and teachers. Using findings from interviews and field notes, the current study addresses the question: What does the implementation of the Kindergarten Innovation Cohort look like and how do teachers view those changes? Results identified five themes about the program: (1) how Kindergarten Innovation Cohort changed classroom practices; (2) the benefits of KIC, which included a sense of community and a sense of "letting go" of certain expectations; the positive impacts of KIC on both (3) teachers and (4) students; and the (5) barriers and challenges that come with implementing this type of program. Given these results, this study highlights two implications, the first being the creation of a theory of change to describe the Kindergarten Innovation Program, and the second being recommendations for best practices when implementing this program.
Rights
© 2024 Cristin McDonough
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/42237
Recommended Citation
McDonough, Cristin, "Permission to Play: A District's Initiative to Innovate Kindergarten and Promote Developmentally Appropriate Practices" (2024). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 6624.
https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.3756