Digital Commons Network^™

Embracing Mindfulness-Based Professional Development In Early Childhood Education, Drew Giles

Dissertations

There is a growing need for school districts to identify additional strategies to support the work-related stress and emotional labor ingrained in an early educator’s career. By orienting early childhood education (ECE) staff to mindfulness practices, education leaders may identify new approaches to assist early childhood educators’ well-being, building healthy work atmospheres, and activities to shift the culture in early childhood settings. This study employs a qualitative exploratory research design, specifically video documentary methodology to better understand how early childhood educators experience a mindfulness-based professional development (MBPD) program designed for ECE staff, explore what they say education leaders should know …

History Education: Learning History From Community College Students’ Perspectives, Mylinh V. Pham

Dissertations

Given the current political climate of division, the study of history is important now more than ever, but the value of the study of history has been marginalized. This study used student focus groups to understand ways in which history could be taught in such a way that its importance is emphasized through relevance and connection to current social and political issues and through student-centered learning. This study also determined how history could help students evaluate and think critically about historical content. This study drew on the experiences of community college students who have taken a higher education history course …

Measuring Critical Mentoring: Understanding How Differences In Staff Beliefs Affect Peer Mentoring Implementation In The Csu, Lauren E. Reagan

Dissertations

Self-reported positive effects of peer mentoring for mentors and mentees have included enhanced academic performance, greater sense of belonging, and retention, among other widely accepted benefits of the intervention. However, minimal quantitative or mixed methods research has focused on mentoring staff who design, implement, and therefore heavily influence these programs. This mixed-methods study sought to articulate which factors relate to staff beliefs on peer mentoring in California’s largest public higher education system, the California State University. The first purpose of this study was to articulate which facets relate to or contribute to beliefs on a spectrum of mentoring perspectives, from …

Con Respeto Y Dignidad: Transforming Educational Experiences For Students Of Color By Addressing Disproportionate Discipline Practices, Selene Munoz

Dissertations

Discipline practices wield significant influence over the social dynamics within educational settings and profoundly impact students’ ability to attain academic and social gains crucial for their success. The racialization of school discipline has been linked to negative effects on student’s academic trajectories and life outcomes. Consequently, school administrators can play a crucial role in effecting cultural change within their organizations to support disciplinary practices that uphold students’ educational dignity. This study looked at the strategies employed by secondary level administrators to shift their school cultures aimed at addressing disproportionate disciplinary practices. Using a mixed methods approach, this study draws upon …

Leading With An Intercultural Mindset: Leadership Development Programs For International Students, Keri A. Toma Loehrer

Dissertations

This mixed methods study explored co-curricular student leadership development programs that included intercultural learning and were designed for international students studying at higher education institutions in the United States. The study aimed to better understand: (a) common program characteristics; (b) program administrator perceptions; and (c) the international student experience. Data was collected in a two-phase explanatory sequential design, involving surveys and semi-structured interviews. Six main content areas across all programs were identified: (a) diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); (b) global engagement; (c) intercultural learning; (d) leadership development; (e) personal and professional development; and (f) supporting the international community. Administrators generally …

Exploring The Relationship Of The Noncognitive Variables Of Grit And Mindset In Baccalaureate Nursing Students And Their Impact On Academic Success, Alecia Hollis

Dissertations

The study aimed to evaluate how the noncognitive variables of grit and mindset could impact the academic success of baccalaureate nursing students. With the present and growing shortage of nurses, attrition within nursing programs is cause for concern. Attrition is a multifaceted problem; however, academic failure is one contributing factor. While cognitive factors, such as the standardized aptitude test (SAT), pre-nursing science GPA, pre-nursing GPA, and standardized entrance exams (Al-Alawi et al., 2020; Chisholm-Burns et al., 2021), have traditionally been used for admission criteria, increasing evidence suggests that noncognitive factors, like grit and mindset, play a crucial role in academic …

A Mixed Methods Comparative Analysis Of Missouri Public Charter Schools’ Performance Vs Traditional Public Schools Of Similar Demographics And The Correlation Between Their Performance And Funding, Dearon M. Mckinney

Dissertations

This dissertation presents a comprehensive investigation into the performance of public charter schools in Missouri compared to traditional public schools with similar demographic profiles. The study employs a mixed-methods research design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches to gather and analyze data. The primary objectives include assessing academic outcomes, examining demographic characteristics, and exploring the relationship between school performance and funding allocation.

The quantitative phase involves a large-scale statistical analysis of academic achievement data, such as standardized test scores and other relevant metrics obtained from both charter and traditional public schools. A careful matching process ensures that demographic factors such …

Understanding The Barriers And Contributions To Success Among African American Graduate Students Pursuing Doctorate Degrees In Clinical Or Counseling Psychology: A Comparative Analysis Of Predominantly White Institutions And Historically Black Colleges And Universities In The U.S., Chelle' Thomas

Dissertations

This study investigated the barriers encountered by African American students in earning doctorate degrees in clinical or counseling psychology at Predominately White Institutions (PWIs) compared to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This study aims to elucidate the challenges encountered by African American graduate students in their pursuit of doctoral degrees in clinical or counseling psychology. The study focused on analyzing the obstacles and positive impacts experienced by African American graduate students as they strive to obtain doctorates in clinical or counseling psychology. Multiple challenges and contributions have been identified in this a phenomenological qualitative study. The qualitative results indicate …

A Design Thinking Mixed Method Study On Social-Emotional Learning Lessons For Early Elementary Learners, Emily Woodall

Dissertations

Social emotional learning (SEL) had largely been absent from early elementary curriculum, despite research which indicated the need for specialized SEL curricula for unique groups, especially students identified as gifted and talented, exceptional students living in geographically isolated areas, and unidentified gifted students from historically disadvantaged minority groups, including African American, Latinx, and Native American. The researcher proposed an SEL pilot in early elementary grades, including pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, may create a scaffolded approach to SEL curricula throughout the students’ educational experiences with a focus on scaffolding to specific subgroups, such as gifted and talented students with unique SEL needs. …

Breaking Boundaries: A Qualitative Exploration Of Scientific Motivation And Persistance From The Perspectives Of Arab Women Undergradute Students In Stem In The Us, Fadwa Hamad

Dissertations

There is a lack of information regarding the motivational experiences of Arab women undergraduate students in STEM fields in the US and the factors that contribute to their engagement and persistence in this field. This is because of their categorization as white on census documents, which renders them invisible. Research has shown that motivational beliefs are effective predictors of students' persistence especially for women from minority groups. Thus, it is important to understand the motivational experiences of Arab women students as part of the minority women in STEM in the US. Using an intersectionality framework, and a multi-component motivational model, …

An Analysis Of Teachers’ Viewpoints From Public, Private, And Charter Schools On Effective Lesson Planning And Instruction, Samone Smith

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the perspectives of elementary school educators in St. Louis, Missouri, regarding impactful lesson planning and instruction across public, charter, and private school settings. Drawing on existing literature and empirical data, the study seeks to unveil the approaches and perceptions teachers hold towards lesson planning, shedding light on essential characteristics for effective teaching. The introductory chapter sets the stage by presenting the significance and purpose of the study, framing research questions, and outlining the methodology. The following chapters explore the theories, review the literature, and analyze collected data to help us understand lesson planning practices in modern education. …

Self-Harm In Female Youth With Undiagnosed Adhd: Implementing American Academy Of Pediatrics Screening Guidelines, Roselie M. Woodard

Dissertations

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. If undiagnosed or untreated, ADHD can lead to severe psychosocial issues such as academic failure, substance abuse, unplanned pregnancy, and incarceration. The financial burden in the U.S. from diagnostic errors creates an immense, rising fiscal impact. Early diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent these complications.

Females with ADHD, particularly those with the inattentive subtype, often face diagnostic challenges due to symptom masking and over-compensation. This results in poorer cognitive functioning and self-esteem compared to males with ADHD. ADHD is linked to autonomic nervous …

A Mixed-Methods Study On The Implementation And Perceptions Of Grading For Equity Practices In A Sixth Grade Science Midwest Middle School, Lisa Meacham Stein

Dissertations

Equitable grading practices were a focal point in present-day educational discussions and gained increasing attention in recent years due to concerns regarding fairness, inclusivity, and student success. This research study examined the principles and implementation of equitable grading practices within a sixth-grade science classroom. The researcher synthesized existing literature, examined case studies, and considered the perceptions of students, teachers, and the researcher study in order to contribute to the ongoing discussion on creating more equitable grading systems.

Key areas of focus included the history and development of the education system, the purpose and significance of grades, the examination of traditional …

Empowering Female Voices In The Ela Classroom, Jacqueline Gurliaccio Vance

Dissertations

This study aims to understand how women’s voices can be empowered in a high school English Language Arts (ELA) class. Through the use of female authors and female protagonists in the classroom texts, this study seeks to understand if implementing female-driven texts enhances female students’ literary experiences, empowers the personal identities of female students, and shapes female students’ perspectives of themselves and their peers. This case study includes female students in twelfth grade AP Literature class.

Depression Screening And Education For Immigrants To Increase Access To Care, Viktoriya Ivantsova

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: Immigrants are at risk for developing mental health disorders due to multiple factors including social, cultural, or economic factors. This can result in a lower quality of life and an increased chance of further disabilities. Although immigrants are at increased risk for the development of mental health disorders, studies show that utilization of available services and resources are low. Additionally, organizations that provide services to immigrants may not be implementing screening and psychoeducation.

Methods: This quality improvement (QI) project followed a descriptive, observational design along with an educational intervention. Using convenience sampling for recruitment, Russian and/or Ukrainian adults …

Student Perceptions Of Integrated Stem Education In A High School Geometry Class, Alyssa Noland

Dissertations

Integrated Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) education provides students with opportunities to solve integrated real-world problems. Integrated STEM instruction aims to develop 21^st-century skills in students and promote interest in STEM subjects through authentic real-world tasks. Student perceptions can help educators and administrators to understand the benefits and constraints of integrated STEM instruction. This qualitative case study was designed to understand student perceptions of integrated STEM instruction and student perceptions of the value or applications of mathematics. The situated STEM learning and social constructivism theoretical frameworks guided the design of the lessons and methods of the study. High …

An Exploration Of Literacy Instruction In Higher Education Programs In Missouri, Melinda Odom

Dissertations

Literacy supports all content areas and is crucial to the academic achievement of all students (Birdyshaw et al., 2017). The International Literacy Association (ILA, 2017) posits that teachers are the most crucial factor in content and pedagogical achievement. The ILA (2019) stresses that students have a right to a highly effective and knowledgeable educator who can provide evidence-based reading instruction. Research illustrates that students who do not learn to read by the third grade continue to struggle throughout school (Rickenbrode & Walsh, 2013). Rickenbrode and Walsh (2013) confirm that most of these students will remain poor readers and are more …

Satellite Campus Enrollment: A Qualitative Investigation Of Enrollment Preferences Of The Post-Traditional Student, Alexis K. Wood

Dissertations

For many, the “American Dream” involves earning a college degree. This degree promises a brighter professional and personal future and an improved overall quality of life. The steps taken to achieve this dream are graduating from high school, heading straight to college, graduating with that bachelor’s degree, and moving forward in the “perfect” career. While this step-by-step process seems natural to most, the reality is that in the fall of 2022, 69.2 percent of high school graduates entered the workforce, opting to pursue that degree much later in life ("College Enrollment," 2023). Researchers refer to this type of student as …

Exploring Student Veterans Barriers, Alexandra Brandriff

Dissertations

The student veteran population in higher education is a unique group of individuals with different skills and life experiences not typically found among traditional students. Through a comprehensive analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, this study explores the complex challenges that student veterans face in higher education. It aims to explore the challenges, barriers, and support programs experienced by student veterans throughout their higher education journey, as well as compare the graduation and retention rates of student veterans and traditional students.

The researcher first gathered and analyzed qualitative data from student veterans’ responses to a survey utilized to gain their …

The Choice Of Pre-K: An Examination Into Black Caregivers’ Early Childhood Care Decisions And How Early Childhood Care Predicts Black Children’S Educational Outcomes, Anna Grace Rollins

Dissertations

Despite the national push for increased Pre-K enrollment, findings on the effects of attending Pre-K are contradictory and inconsistent. Due to conflicting research and viewpoints on traditional education outcomes, many families are choosing not to send their children to Pre-K. This study focused on the often overlooked thoughts and experiences of Black parents and guardians when making decisions about early childhood education for their children, as well as the academic and behavioral effects of attending Pre-K for Black children in subsequent years. Through surveys and interviews, this study explored factors that influence Black parents’ decisions about enrolling their children in …

The Impact Of Trauma In Urban Communities On Educators And How They Prevail, Angelique Brown

Dissertations

This research was an exploration of the impact of community trauma in urban communities. The focal participants were educators who have worked 10 or more years in the profession and in a school building. The study surveyed 20 educators using open-ended questions to understand their experiences with trauma, strategies for coping, and the effects on their personal and professional lives. Community trauma, including gun violence, mass and school shootings, homelessness, educational neglect, was common among participants. Notably, traumatic events such as the deaths of Michael Brown, George Floyd, and Trayvon Martin, and the COVID-19 pandemic, had significant emotional personal and …

Shattering The Mask: Unveiling The Destructive Force Of Misogynoir, Ledominique Hubbard

Dissertations

As a Black woman, my professional journey has been consistently marred by encounters with racism and gender bias. In this research, I employed autoethnography to shed light on my experiences and meticulously examine the challenges of misogynoir I faced while holding pivotal positions, including that of a detested team leader, an ingenious instructional teacher, and an anti-racist assistant principal across three distinct school campuses in two states. My narrative unfolds in various contexts, notably as the sole Black female teacher and team leader within nine elementary schools in a predominantly white, female-staffed rural district. Furthermore, I underscore my role as …

The Undocu-Competence Of College And University Websites: A Lonestar State Analysis, Karina Castro-Pavon

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the websites of Texas public four-year, private four-year, and two-year institutions of higher education (IHEs) to determine the extent to which website content corresponds with the recommendations of undocumented scholars and supporters. The study aimed to investigate whether the website content differs based on various institutional-level characteristics and to identify any relationships between contextual-level factors that may affect the information presented on websites. The study answered the following research questions: (1) To what extent does the information presented on Texas IHEs' institutional websites align with the Institutional Undocu-Competence (IUC) framework? (2) Does …

Exploring External Engagement In Higher Education Through Defining Partnerships, Colleen Reaney

Dissertations

This research study has been designed to be an evergreen project to help higher education institutions define their external partnerships. The action research model has been used to create and test a model of external engagement, which was later redefined as the Reaney Model of External Engagement with the intent for continuous improvement. Further modification of this research study will need to be tested to strengthen the Reaney Model of External Engagement core while considering external factors that create challenges within the higher education space. Challenges that may arise to help higher education institutions clearly define external partnerships may include, …

Humanizing History: Empowering Educators To Navigate Difficult History Through Museum-Led Professional Development, Andrea Miskewicz

Dissertations

As museums increasingly serve as educational hubs, this research examines how teachers' participation in such programs contributes to their perceived efficacy for teaching topics of difficult history. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study utilizes a survey with quantitative and qualitative measures to evaluate changes in teacher self-efficacy before and after a museum-led intervention. With a pre and posttest design, this study provides deeper insights into participants' experiences and challenges. Preliminary findings suggest museum-led professional development has a significant positive impact on teachers’ perceived self-efficacy, highlighting the resources and opportunities museums have available and the importance of humanizing history in social …

Cooperative Pathways: Insights From Teacher Experiences On Improving Union And District Cooperation, Whitney Fink

Dissertations

This study involved an evaluation of teacher experiences within their districts, schools, and unions across the United States. The primary research question was: How are teachers currently experiencing the relationship between their unions, districts, and administrators and what opportunities exist to improve cooperation and shared ownership between those groups? The study used a mixed methods approach by gathering quantitative data in the form of a survey and qualitative data through open-ended responses on the survey as well as interviews with seven teachers. The results formed a general understanding of the current state of teacher experiences that was then applied to …

Persistence Of Female Faculty In Stem, Andrea Constantinou

Dissertations

The lack of women entering certain STEM fields impacts female representation in research faculty, teacher faculty, and leadership positions in higher education. Through a narrative inquiry methodology utilizing the theoretical paradigms of self-determination theory and relational autonomy, this study extended understanding of the factors that motivate persistence for women in certain STEM fields. While prior research focused on understanding the barriers to retention, this study sought to identify the factors motivating retention for women in certain STEM fields. The results of this study contribute to understanding the motivating factors that influence a woman’s persistence in STEM. The data gathered from …

Black Students Matter: A Phenomenological Approach To Exploring Sense Of Belonging Among Black Students Attending A Hispanic-Serving Institution, Alison K. Chandler

Dissertations

As the number of Black college students who have enrolled in federally designated Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) has risen, it has become necessary to examine how their sense of belonging has been fostered, particularly given the educational disparities and equity gaps in retention, persistence, and graduation rates. Furthermore, the focus on initiatives geared towards Latinx students may contribute to feelings of inadequacy among Black students, which is compounded by racialized experiences that have occurred in educational settings both prior to and during college. This phenomenological study explored the experiences of nine Black undergraduate students at a private four-year HSI in the …

Principals As Instructional Leaders: Supporting New Middle School Principals To Implement Systems Allowing For Instructional Leadership, Jason Kaiz

Dissertations

This study is a collection, interpretation, and, eventually, recommendations based on data collected through interviews with current middle school principals. The research questions examine how middle school principals can increase their effectiveness as an instructional leader within the building. The research begins by examining the factors contributing to the principal being an instructional leader and what systems can be implemented to support this goal. These systems should include the ability for principals to facilitate learning for staff, just as staff facilitate learning within their classroom. Policy implications and recommendations highlight the need to look at resources available for principals as …

Undergraduate Student Sense Of Belonging And Edtech Tool Engagement: A Mixed Methods Exploration Of The Virtual Campus Experience, Veronica Wilson

Dissertations

The contemporary postsecondary learning experience is heavily mediated by educational technology (EdTech) tools and yet little is known about the ways in which these tools impact student engagement and sense of belonging, two indicators which are important to student persistence and graduation. Using Strayhorn’s (2023) critical socioecological sense of belonging framework, this convergent mixed methods study offers insights into these relationships by examining student engagement with EdTech and student sense of belonging and the impact of student traits on the relationship between EdTech and sense of belonging. This study was conducted at a private, broad access Hispanic-Serving Institution in the …