Date of Submission
2012
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Department
Psychology
Department Chair
Robert A DiTomasso, PhD, ABPP, Chair, Department of Psychology
First Advisor
George McCloskey, PhD, Chairperson
Second Advisor
Shannon Sweitzer, PhD
Third Advisor
William F Young, PhD
Abstract
The current study surveyed middle school teachers on their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and expectations regarding executive functions in relation to students’ academic success. The results of this study indicated that teachers perceived themselves as knowledgeable of executive functions. A disconnect was found between teacher responses to an open-ended question regarding abilities and skills required for academic success and their endorsements of specific questions regarding executive functions. Motivation, problem-solving, and basic academic skills were indicated as being most important for success, but two of these are considered capacities students possess intrinsically. When asked about specific executive functions however, they rated them as being important to success, indicated that they could be taught and indicated that that they were actually teaching them to students despite not having received training and not being familiar with executive function resources.
Recommended Citation
Morgan-Borkowsky, Larissa, "Executive Functions in the Schools: What Do Teachers Know About Executive Functions and How They Impact Student Progress?" (2012). PCOM Psychology Dissertations. 230.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/psychology_dissertations/230