A Causal-Comparative Study of the Effect of Differing Levels and Years of Experience on Christian Teachers’ Instructional Differentiation Scores

Authors

  • Lin B. Carver School of Education, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, United States
  • Audra Callahan Locklear School of Education, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.1207.19171

Keywords:

Christian school, cognitive psychology, differentiated instruction, elementary school, secondary school

Abstract

This causal comparative study examines the differentiation practices Christian school teachers use in serving their students and whether these are impacted by their level of employment (elementary or secondary) and their length of employment. This study involved 123 U. S. Christian school teachers who were recruited through social media. Based on the results from the Classroom Practices Survey, statistical analysis was completed using a two-way ANOVA to examine the frequency of differentiation methods used by level of employment level and length of employment at Christian schools. Based on the results, the researcher accepted the two-way null hypothesis of no significant difference in the overall teacher differentiation score as measured by the Classroom Practices Survey, between levels of employment (elementary and secondary) and years of experience on the Classroom Practices Survey. However, there was a significant difference based on level of employment (elementary or secondary). Thus, the conclusion is made that the use of differentiated instructional strategies has a greater presence at the elementary level in Christian schools than at the secondary level.

References

Inclusive Schools Network. (2015). A glossary of terns for differentiated instruction. Inclusive Schools. https://inclusiveschools.org/resource/a-glossary-of-terms-for-differentiated-instruction/

Dzaldov, B., & Mandelker, J. (2023). Making a difference through differentiated instruction: Inclusive strategies for differentiated instruction in the math classroom. Gazette – Ontario Association for Mathematics, 61(4), 43-48.

Zoraloğlu, S., & Şahin, A. E. (2022). Teacher competencies for differentiated instruction approach *. [Farklilastirilmis Ögretim Yaklasimina Yönelik Ögretmen Yeterlikleri] Çukurova University. Faculty of Education Journal, 51(2), 1377-1416. https://doi.org/10.14812/cufej.1072058

Letina, A. (2021). Using differentiation strategies for gifted pupils in primary school science classes, Journal of Elementary Education, 14(3), 281-300. https://doaj.org/article/ca18059387064d709b81d88cb3154b0b

Tomlinson, C. A. (2000). Differentiation of instruction in the elementary grades. ERIC Digest. ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED443572.pdf

An, Y., & Mindrila, D. (2020). Strategies and tools used for learner-centered instruction. International Journal of Technology in Education and Science (IJTES), 4(2), 133–143.

Ma’youf, N., & Aburezeq, I. (2022). The effectiveness of differentiated teaching strategy in developing reading comprehension skills of fourth grade students in the United Arab Emirates, Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 12(1), 17-27. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1201.03

Darra, M., & Kanellopoulou, E. M. (2019). The implementation of the differentiated instruction in higher education: A research review. International Journal of Education, 11(3), 151–172. https://doi.org/10.5296/ije.v11i3.15307

Chen, J. H., & Chen, Y. C. (2018). Differentiated instruction in a calculus curriculum for college students in Taiwan. Journal of Education and Learning, 7(1), 88–95. https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v7n1p88

Sapan, M., & Mede, E. (2022). The effects of differentiated instruction (DI) on achievement, motivation, and autonomy among English learners. Iranian Journal of Language Teaching Research, 10(1), 127–144. https://doi.org/10.30466/ijltr.2022.121125

Ismail, S. A. A., & Allaq, K. A. (2019). The nature of cooperative learning and differentiated instruction practices in English classes. SAGEOpen, 9, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582 44019856450

Haelermans, C. (2021). The effect of group differentiation by students’ learning strategies. Instructional Science, 50, 223–250. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-021-09575-0

Van Vijfeijken, M., Van Schilt-Mol, T., Van den Bergh, L., Scholte, R. H. J., & Denessen, E. (2023). How teachers handle differentiation dilemmas in the context of a school’s vision: A case study, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/231186x.2023.2165006.

Ginja, T. G., & Chen, X. (2020). Teacher educators’ perspectives and experiences towards differentiated instruction. International Journal of Instruction, 13(4), 781-798. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2020.13448a

Montoro, V. (2013). Professional development for Christian teachers: A mixed-methods study. Journal of Applied Christian Leadership, 7(1), 54-67. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/jacl/vol7/iss1/5

Vieth, P. H. (1947). The church and Christian education. Bethany Press.

Braley, J., Layman, J., & White, R. (Eds.). (2003). Foundations of Christian school education. Purposeful Design Publications.

Hull, J. E. (2003). Aiming for Christian education, settling for Christians educating: The Christian school's replication of a public-school paradigm. Christian Scholar's Review, 32(2), 203-223.

Campbell, R. (2013). Ever learning, ever loving: Augustine on teaching as ministry. Eleutheria: A Graduate Student Journal, 2(2), 18-32. http://digitialcommons.liberty.edu/eleu/vol2/iss2/3 384

Drozdek, A. (2016). Augustine’s Socratic method. Studia Philosophiae Christianae, 52(1), 5-26. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2822802192?pqorigsite=summon&https://www.proquest.com/compscijour&sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals

Van Dyk, J. (2005). The craft of Christian teaching: A classroom journey. Dordt College Press

Beam, A., & Keith, D. (2011). Differentiation and faith: Improve the learning process by finding every student’s God-given talents. Scholars Crossing, 15(1), 5-8. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/educ_fac_pubs/211

Schultz, G. (2021). Applying Kingdom Education: Following God’s instructions for educating future generations. Wheaton Press.

Goddard, Y. L., Goddard, R. D., Bailes, L., & Nichols, R. (2019). From school leadership to differentiated instruction: A pathway to student learning in schools, The Elementary School Journal, 120(2), 197-219. https://doi.org/10.1086/705827

Frerejean, J., Van Geel, M., Keuning, T., Dolmans, D., Van Merrienboer, J. J. G., & Visscher, A. (2021). Ten steps to 4C/ID: Training differentiation skills in a professional development program for teachers, Instructional Science, 29, 395-418.

Raines, J. (2024). A progress report for Christian school: What can we do well and how we can improve. Journal for Christian Educators, 30(2), 5-9.

Smith, A., & Chestnutt, C. (2021). Differentiation for equity. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 21(6), 232-241. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2563846521?pqorigsite=summon&sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals

Archambault, Jr. F. X., Westberg, K. L., Brown, S. W., Hallmark, B. W., Emmons, C. L., & Zhang, W. (1993). Regular classroom practices with gifted students: Results of a national survey of classroom teachers. The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented, 2-160. https://doi.org/10.1177/016235329301600203

Pereira, N., Tay, J., Maeda, Y., & Gentry, M. (2019). Differentiation as measured by the classroom practices survey: A validity study updating the original instrument, Department of Educational Studies Faculty Publications. Paper 3. https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/edstpubs/3.

Gall, M. D., Gall, J. P., & Borg, W. R. (2007). Educational research: An introduction. (8th Ed.). Pearson.

Claxton, B. L., & Barthlow, M. J. (2024). A Step-by-step guide to conducting quantitative research. Kendall Hunt.

Laerd (2013). Two-Way ANOVA. https://statistics.laerd.com/premium/spss/twa/two-way-anova-in-spss-9.php

Vygotsky, L. (1962). Thought and language. MIT Press.

Hersi, A. A., & Bal, I. A. (2021). Planning for differentiation: Understanding Maryland teachers’ desired and actual use of differentiated instruction, Educational Planning, 28(1), 55-72. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1284804.pdf (ed.gov)

Melesse, T., & Belay, S. (2022). Differentiating instruction in primary and middle schools: Does variation in students’ learning attributes matter? Cogent Education, 9(2105552), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2022.2105552.

Bi, M., Struyven, K., & Zhu, C. (2023). Variables that influence teachers’ practice of differentiated instruction in Chinese classrooms: A study from teachers’ perspectives, 14, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1124259/full

Yuen, S. Y., Leung, C. C. Y., & Wan, S. W. Y. (2022). Teachers’ perceptions and practices of differentiated instruction: Cross-cultural validation of the differentiated instruction questionnaire in Hong Kong. International Journal of Educational Research, 115, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/jijer.2022.102044.

Graham, L. J., White, S. L. J., Cologon, K., & Pianta, R. C. (2020). Do teachers’ years of experience make a difference in the quality of teaching? Teaching and Teacher Education, 96, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0742051X20313810?via%3Dihub

Unal, A., Unal, Z., & Bodur, Y. (2022). Differentiated instruction and kindergarten through 5th grade teachers. Georgia Educational Researcher, 19(2), 1-21. http://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gerjounal/vol19/iss2/2

Dema, D., Klibthong, S., & Srisurakul, T. (2022). Exploring Bhutanese teachers’ perceptions of differentiated instruction in inclusive schools in Bhutan, Australasian Journal of Special and Inclusive Education, 46, 88-100. https://doi.org/10.1017/jsi.2022.4

Kanellopoulou, E. M., & Darra, M. (2022). Pedagogical differentiation in primary education: Conceptual determinants and definitions, International Education Studies, 15(2), 138-148. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v15n2p138

Rock, M. L., Gregg, M., Ellis, E., & Gable, R. A. (2008). Reach: A framework for differentiation classroom instruction, Preventing School Failure, 52(2), 31-51. https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/M_Rock_REACH_2008.pdf

VanTassel-Baska, J. (2017). Curriculum Issues: What makes differentiated curriculum work? Gifted Child Today, January, 62-63. http://doi:10.1177/1076217516675905.

Downloads

Published

2025-07-30

How to Cite

Carver, L. B., & Locklear, A. C. (2025). A Causal-Comparative Study of the Effect of Differing Levels and Years of Experience on Christian Teachers’ Instructional Differentiation Scores . Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 12(07), 374–386. https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.1207.19171