Campus Location
Abilene Campus
Date of Award
Spring 5-8-2026
Document Type
Manuscript
Department
Teacher Education
Degree Name
Master of Education in Teaching and Learning
First Advisor
Daniel Harbaugh
Second Advisor
Andrew Huddleston
Abstract
This study examined the implementation of a competition tracker in a middle school band program. It aimed to discover the potential increase in turn-in/participation rates in a Concert Band compared to a Symphonic Band, as well as student perceptions of the competition tracker. These classes were skill-based ensembles of seventh- and eighth-grade students, with Symphonic Band being the more advanced ensemble. Collected data included surveys, focus groups, field notes, and turn-in data. This study took place over a four-week time period. Data was coded using the constant comparative method, grouping together similar themes in the data to create 15 level 1 codes and 4 level 2 codes. The four level 2 codes that emerged were movement and progress, reactions and emotions, thoughts, and outcomes. Quantitative data consisted of the analysis of student turn-in rates as well as student answers on the Competition Tracker survey.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Graves, Lauren, "Tracking Toward Engagement: Examining the Influence of a Competitive Participation Tracker on Middle School Students" (2026). Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning. 92.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/metl/92