Digital Commons Network^™

Examining The Experiences Of Retained Non-Rural Teachers Serving In High-Turnover Rural School Districts, Whitney Leigh Prowell

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe factors and conditions necessary to retain non-rural public school teachers in high-turnover rural districts in South Carolina. Research on retaining non-rural teachers in rural districts is scarce. This phenomenological interview study describes rural teaching experiences from the perspective of non-rural teachers and provides insight into factors that influence the decision-making of non-rural teachers regarding continued employment in their district.

Data was gathered from interviews with 11 participants. South Carolina was selected because it is a highly rural state with a severe teacher shortage. A phenomenological design helped to answer the study‘s overarching …

Getting To Graduation: The Journey Of Low-Income Black Females In The Community College, Rosline M. Sumpter

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand the journey to college completion for low-income Black females enrolled at the community college. Specifically, this phenomenological interview study sought to understand how low-income Black females define academic success and how the intersectionality of their racial/ethnic, gender, and social class identities promote or hinder their journey to college completion.

Data were gathered from interviews with 13 participants from three community colleges in South Carolina. A phenomenological design helped to answer three research questions: 1) How do low-income Black females in the community college describe and make sense of their journey to college …

Secondary School Administrators' Preparation As An Lea Representative In South Carolina, Chastity B. Evans

Theses and Dissertations

Prior research has suggested that many principals are underprepared and that some lack any background from coursework and field experience which may be required to exert strong leadership in special education (DiPaola & Tschannen-Moran, 2003; DiPaola, Tschannen-Moran, & Walther-Thomas, 2004), but the number of students receiving special services is on the rise. The purpose of this research study is to determine how secondary school administrators are prepared to make legally and ethically defensible decisions as the authorized LEA representative.

If school administrators are expected to be effective in their role as the authorized LEA representative, it is vital that they …

Effects Of Federal And State Bullying Laws On Religiously Affiliated Schools, Dawn W. Hiller

Theses and Dissertations

This is a qualitative multiple case study of two religious-affiliated, independent schools in Trippler, South Carolina. The topic of this study is Effects of Federal and State Bullying Laws on Religiously Affiliated Schools. The research was comprised of open-ended questions posed to individuals involved in the disciplinary actions of the students at the two schools.

This study shows that the religious-affiliated, independent schools consult many different entities to develop and formulate their policies. As both schools stated, their handbook of policies is a living document that can and will change as society changes, necessitating the evolution of their policies. They …

Soldier To Student: Understanding The Transition Experiences Of Veterans From The Military To Community College, Alexander T. Jordan

Theses and Dissertations

The relationship between the U.S. military and higher education is one that is unlike any other. As the United States’ economy continues to transition more towards a knowledge-based economy every year, students, especially veterans, are continually faced with the realization that a degree of higher education of some sort is arguably a necessity in order to survive. Data shows that community colleges attract the largest number of veterans compared to other types of institutions including four-year and for-profit colleges and universities (Wheeler, 2012). At 43%, community colleges are the preferred option for veterans across the United States (Wheeler, 2012).

As …

How Exemplary Elementary School Principals Sustain High Achievement In High-Poverty Contexts Of The Rural South, Sharon Jefferies

Theses and Dissertations

One of the greatest challenges in America’s public education is overcoming the economic and demographic disparities facing high-poverty schools, particularly in rural areas. Despite the obstacles, some high-performing, high-poverty schools are beating the odds. Research on successful leadership practices in high-poverty, high-performing elementary schools has been focused primarily in urban settings. There is limited research on the leadership practices of principals in high-performing, high-poverty elementary schools in rural contexts, particularly in the South. This study examines the lived experiences, beliefs and daily practices of two elementary exemplary principals who lead rural, high-performing, high-poverty schools in South Carolina. Particularly, the researcher …

A Litigation Analysis Of The Extraterritoriality Of U.S. Federal Laws In International Education, Sara M. Easler

Theses and Dissertations

U.S. higher education institutions and international educators have sought to improve the level of engagement and participation in education abroad among undergraduate college students as well as to diversify the types of available experiences and the students that benefit from them. Yet, this programmatic investment in international education and study abroad has occurred without fully understanding the discrimination and litigation risks of such endeavors. This study examines the relevant federal statutes and their interpretation as defined by trial outcomes and Office of Civil Rights (OCR) opinions in an effort to inform the field of international education and its practitioners of …