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Leadership Efficacy: A Study Of The Relationship Between Leadership Efficacy, Teacher Perception And Teacher Retention, Rachel Hazel Jan 2023

Leadership Efficacy: A Study Of The Relationship Between Leadership Efficacy, Teacher Perception And Teacher Retention, Rachel Hazel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

Leadership self-efficacy is an important quality for school principals. In his work, Hattie has stated, "How we think about the impact of what we do is more important than focusing on what we do (Hattie, 2020)." Leadership efficacy, theories of action, and how leaders ensure their actions are aligned with their goals is more important than ever as educators face challenges with teacher shortages and leading in a tumultuous time. Teacher recruitment and retention is a worldwide problem. Teachers are leaving the field. While teachers do not have to validate the beliefs of their leaders, they must carry out the …


Engagement In Online Math Courses: An Exploration Into Success Rates Of Professors Who Use Engagement Tools In Online Learning, Shauna Rogan Jan 2022

Engagement In Online Math Courses: An Exploration Into Success Rates Of Professors Who Use Engagement Tools In Online Learning, Shauna Rogan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

As more college courses transition to hybrid and fully online models due to Covid-19, the classroom environment for higher education has changed and will continue to do so (Bonk, 2020). As online learning continues to grow, a challenge of not connecting with the instructor can be a concern. Success in the online classroom is possible for students who may feel they are alone in online learning (Holbeck & Hartman, 2018). With the right combination of engagement tools, student interaction with the curriculum, class, and professor result in a meaningful learning experience (Holbeck & Hartman, 2018). The history of online education, …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Stem Identity Experiences Of Women Stem Faculty Who Obtain Federal Grants, Nicole Whetstine Jan 2022

A Phenomenological Study Of The Stem Identity Experiences Of Women Stem Faculty Who Obtain Federal Grants, Nicole Whetstine

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how STEM identity development influences the experiences of women STEM faculty who obtained federal grant funding. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews conducted with ten full-time women faculty in STEM employed at U.S. postsecondary institutions who were or were previously lead investigator on a federal grant. Herlihy and Campbell's (2018) socio-cultural-STEM identity theoretical framework informed the data analysis. Findings from the study revealed four primary ways in which participants were positively influenced in STEM including: (a) having supportive interactions with others; (b) being encouraged by others; (c) finding connections with …


An Investigation Of The Excess Credit Hour Surcharge Policy And Its Impact On First-Time-In-College Students At A Large Metropolitan University In The State Of Florida, Lynn Grabenhorst Jan 2022

An Investigation Of The Excess Credit Hour Surcharge Policy And Its Impact On First-Time-In-College Students At A Large Metropolitan University In The State Of Florida, Lynn Grabenhorst

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

An Excess Credit Hour policy "assesses a tuition surcharge for any credits taken beyond a predetermined threshold" (Smith, 2017, para. 1). In 2009, the State of Florida implemented legislation on excess credit hours at four-year public institutions, Fla. Stat. § 1009.286 (State of Florida, 2012). Legislation found under title forty-eight (XLVIII) of the K-20 Education Code, Fla. Stat. § 1009.286, relating to "Educational Scholarships, Fees, and Financial Assistance," discussed the "intent of the Legislature to encourage each undergraduate student who enrolls in a state university to complete the student's respective baccalaureate degree program in the most efficient way possible…" (State …


An Examination Of Florida's High Stakes Testing: A Post-Hoc Study Of The Academic Achievement Of Students With Borderline Intellectual Functioning, Rhonda Mcmahon Jan 2022

An Examination Of Florida's High Stakes Testing: A Post-Hoc Study Of The Academic Achievement Of Students With Borderline Intellectual Functioning, Rhonda Mcmahon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

This study compares achievement of students with borderline intellectual functioning by investigating differences in Florida Standards Assessment results for those who received special education services and those who did not receive services. A review of the literature finds research focused on this population is limited with few effective strategies identified to help these students keep pace with the increasing demand of today's classrooms. This post-hoc causal-comparative study uses an analysis of variance to determine if there are statistically significant achievement differences in Florida Standards Assessment results in English Language Arts and Mathematics for students when examining the effect of the …


Remote Learning During Covid-19 On Internal Medicine Residents' Education: Barriers And Enhancements Through Lived Experiences, Stephanie Rivera-Velazquez Jan 2022

Remote Learning During Covid-19 On Internal Medicine Residents' Education: Barriers And Enhancements Through Lived Experiences, Stephanie Rivera-Velazquez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The COVID-19 pandemic uncovered instructional changes within higher education. Accommodations for continued instruction included a transition to remote learning. However, little research exists regarding the experiences of medical residents during this transition in their education while combating the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study, phenomenological in nature, aimed to explore the lived experiences of internal medicine medical residents at one medical college in Central Florida regarding the transition from face-to-face instruction to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eleven participating medical residents underwent semi-structured interviews via Zoom. Garrison's Community of Inquiry conceptual model and Hall and Hord's Concerns-Based Adoption Model …


A Qualitative Examination Of The Lived Experiences Of Black Women In Student Affairs As Middle-Management Professionals, Tocarra Jordan Jan 2022

A Qualitative Examination Of The Lived Experiences Of Black Women In Student Affairs As Middle-Management Professionals, Tocarra Jordan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

This phenomenological study investigated the lived experiences of Black women in student affairs as middle-management professionals. The study consisted of interviewing 10 participants who have served as middle management professionals for at least six-years. This study focused on understanding the experiences of the population under study and "what" and "how" they have experienced higher education, and how race, gender, and their positionality in this arena has impacted their overall experience. The study also sought to give a voice to a population that has been overlooked in the literature, and to create dialogue surrounding the experiences of staff. Themes that emerged …


A Qualitative Inquiry Into Scholarly Publishing Between Librarians And Subject Faculty, Michael Furlong Jan 2022

A Qualitative Inquiry Into Scholarly Publishing Between Librarians And Subject Faculty, Michael Furlong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

This is a phenomenological exploration of academic librarians collaboratively publishing with subject faculty. The explorative study investigates academic librarians and subject faculty who conduct research outside of librarianship. The purpose of this qualitative inquiry is an exploration of barriers subject faculty members and academic librarians encounter when conducting collaborative research. The study was performed because of an identifiable research gap and a paucity of qualitative studies related to librarian and faculty research partnerships. Much of the existing scholarship focuses on quantitative data exploring librarians' publishing outcomes. Data collection was performed by interviewing five academic librarians and five subject faculty pairs. …


Exploring Quality Of Life Perception Among Pre-Clinical And Clinical Phases Of Medical School Students In One Medical School Program In The Southeastern United States, Carley Blades Myszkowski Jan 2022

Exploring Quality Of Life Perception Among Pre-Clinical And Clinical Phases Of Medical School Students In One Medical School Program In The Southeastern United States, Carley Blades Myszkowski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

Medical education is a complex, intense, and demanding process. Research showed that medical school students experienced significant changes and navigated intense and fluctuating stressors during their four years of medical school (Compton et al. ,2008; Hojat et al., 2004; McKerrow et al., 2020; Pagnin & De Querioz, 2015). Research has shown medical school students were impacted by substantially reduced physical, mental, and emotional health (Rajapuram, Langness, Marshall, & Sammann, 2020). Both internationally and nationally there was a growing interest in researching the health and wellness of medical school students, particularly focusing on quality of life (QOL) (Heidari et al., 2014; …


Student Experiences With University Accessibility Services: A Quantitative Inquiry, Charles Hilston Jan 2022

Student Experiences With University Accessibility Services: A Quantitative Inquiry, Charles Hilston

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of an accessibility services office on student achievement and cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA). This research was a quantitative exploratory study designed to investigate student experiences with using accessibility services and transitioning into a Major Southeastern University (MSU) in the United States. Participants in the study were actively enrolled undergraduate students with a learning exceptionality. The students that completed the questionnaire answered questions regarding their experiences with using the services provided by the office, along with their experiences with transitioning into the university. The results of this research are intended …


The Lived Experiences Of Faculty In The Covid-19 Pandemic Shift In Instruction, Alison Hammack Jan 2022

The Lived Experiences Of Faculty In The Covid-19 Pandemic Shift In Instruction, Alison Hammack

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

This study sought to understand the lived experiences of mathematics faculty teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic's rapid shift from on-campus instruction to online education. Faculty are the primary influencers at a college. Their perspectives on the challenges and changes to teaching practices may determine a college's response to improving teaching and learning during a crisis. At the time of the COVID-19 transition, many faculty had no experience creating and teaching an online course, and some had previously been resistant to teaching online. Using a phenomenological approach, nine participants at a large state college were interviewed using the Teacher-Centered Systemic Reform …


A Causal Comparative Study Of Principal Perceptions Of Instructional Leadership Practices In One Central Florida School District, Tracy Shenuski Jan 2022

A Causal Comparative Study Of Principal Perceptions Of Instructional Leadership Practices In One Central Florida School District, Tracy Shenuski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The purpose of this causal comparative quantitative study was to examine relationships between types of crises, perceptions of instructional leadership practices, and length of service as principal. Data from a purposive sampling using the Instructional Leadership, Job Satisfaction, and Retention Survey (ILJSRS) were collected from principals in one district and analyzed to assess the impact crises played on their perceptions of instructional leadership practices and their retention. Independent variables included demographics, type of crisis (weather, violence, health), and principal retention. The dependent variable was perception scores on the ILJSRS. Statistical analyses included the General Linear Model with Robust Standard Errors …


An Exploration Of The Impact Of Student Employment And Retention: A Correlational Analysis, Noreen Lewis Dec 2021

An Exploration Of The Impact Of Student Employment And Retention: A Correlational Analysis, Noreen Lewis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

"With so many students working, and such large numbers devoting a considerable amount of time to one or more jobs, work is – after going to class- the most common activity in which undergraduates engage" (Kuh, 2018, p. ix). An under-researched factor to investigate why students retain, is participation in an on-campus student employment program. The purpose of the study is to explore the relationship between a student's participation in student employment and if the student retains from their first to second year. Understanding this relationship can provide an opportunity to create positive impact for both the student and institution …


The Impact Of The Community Partnership School Model On Student Self-Efficacy And Civic Engagement, Brandon Lowe Dec 2021

The Impact Of The Community Partnership School Model On Student Self-Efficacy And Civic Engagement, Brandon Lowe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to identify the impact of the Community Partnership Schools™ (CPS) model of community schools in the areas of social self-efficacy, academic self-efficacy, emotional self-efficacy, and civic engagement beyond the point of enrollment in the school. To answer the research questions, the researcher compared the responses of 96 high school students that had previously been enrolled in a CPS with the responses of 402 students from racially and socioeconomically similar schools that were not CPS, using the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C) and the Civic Engagement Scale (CES). Results showed a significant positive correlation …


An Examination Of Precollegiate Education Programs In The K-12 Context: The Role Of Student Motivation And Perception And Recruitment And Retention Strategies For Successful Outcomes, Daniel Santos Dec 2021

An Examination Of Precollegiate Education Programs In The K-12 Context: The Role Of Student Motivation And Perception And Recruitment And Retention Strategies For Successful Outcomes, Daniel Santos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

State leaders have responded to recruiting and retaining teachers in the workforce with Grow Your Own (GYO) programs for recruiting secondary students or community members into education. An example of a GYO is the precollegiate Teacher Academy (TA) program offered in local high schools as a career and technical education pathway. The TA provides guidance for high school students thinking about the teaching profession. TA educators foster students' interest and recruit and retain them in education by exploring their motivations. This study was a triangulated mixed methods study with the quantitative/qualitative model of utilizing both data sets to determine student …


An Exploratory Investigation Of Grit And Its Relationship To Student Integration In Athletic Training Education Programs, Carlos Gual Dec 2021

An Exploratory Investigation Of Grit And Its Relationship To Student Integration In Athletic Training Education Programs, Carlos Gual

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

Students must enroll in rigorous accredited academic programs and pass the National Board of Certification (BOC) examination to become athletic trainers. Therefore, studies in athletic training and student achievement focus on student persistence/retention and BOC Examination pass rates. The majority of studies conclude that cognitive measures like grade point average (GPA) have a relationship with both retention and exam pass rates. However, research should also consider meta-cognitive factors (i.e., personality traits). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between athletic training students' grit (a metacognitive factor) and their academic, clinical, and social integration. The population for this …


An Exploration Of Enrollment And Graduation Rates As A Result Of Title V Funding At Hispanic-Serving Four-Year Universities, Kelly D'Agostino Dec 2021

An Exploration Of Enrollment And Graduation Rates As A Result Of Title V Funding At Hispanic-Serving Four-Year Universities, Kelly D'Agostino

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

While the Latinx population continues to grow faster than any other racial population in the United States, Latinx students are graduating from four-year institutions at a rate 12 percent lower than their White peers (Excelencia in Education, 2020b). As first defined in 1992 by the Higher Education Act reauthorization, Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) are accredited, degree-granting, non-profit institutions with undergraduate populations made up of at least 25 percent Latinx students. The role of HSIs is important because the majority (66 percent) of Latinx students enrolled in college attend an HSI (Excelencia in Education, 2019). The problem under investigation is that HSI …


An Analysis Of Performance-Based Funding Policies At An Open Access Institution, John Brady Dec 2021

An Analysis Of Performance-Based Funding Policies At An Open Access Institution, John Brady

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

Performance-based funding policies have become popular among state legislators seeking ways to hold public higher education institutions accountable. Approximately 30 states currently use performance-based funding policies to tie state appropriations to institutional outcomes according to a defined set of metrics. Despite the popularity of the policy approach, very little empirical evidence exists to suggest that performance-based funding is effective in producing the often-intended outcomes of increased student retention and degree attainment rates. Numerous studies have indicated that these policies may produce unintended outcomes including the restriction of access, the gaming of performance-based funding systems, and the widening of equity gaps. …


An Examination Of The Relationship Between Institutional Financial Aid Programs And Four-Year Graduation Rates, Dawn Herrod Dec 2021

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Institutional Financial Aid Programs And Four-Year Graduation Rates, Dawn Herrod

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

Institutions are increasingly searching for strategies for using institutional financial aid awards to improve graduation in four years. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between institutional award programs with graduation in four years. Furthermore, there was investigation into any interaction that existed between ethnicity, Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and the type of award on graduation in four years. Covariates were tested from a theoretical framework that included elements from sociological and economic theories, academic components, and the concept of liquidity constraints. Data was queried from the student information system at the selected site for students who …


An Exploration Of The Intersection Of Critical Disability Theory, Multiple Dimensions Of Identity, And Institutional Policy On Students' Persistence Towards Degree Attainment, Michael Gilmer Jan 2021

An Exploration Of The Intersection Of Critical Disability Theory, Multiple Dimensions Of Identity, And Institutional Policy On Students' Persistence Towards Degree Attainment, Michael Gilmer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain insight into the personal experiences of undergraduate students with learning disabilities and what they identify as impediments to their degree attainment. This study was guided by a conceptual framework connecting the Model of Multiple Dimensions of Identity, Critical Disability Theory, institutional policy/practices, and barriers to the persistence of students towards degree attainment. This qualitative study utilized ten in-depth interviews with undergraduate students who identify as having learning disabilities. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Moustakas's (1994) model of analysis. Through this analysis, an understanding was gained of how the participants …


An Exploration Of The Political Factors That Influence States' Appropriations For Higher Education, Wesley Lewis Jan 2021

An Exploration Of The Political Factors That Influence States' Appropriations For Higher Education, Wesley Lewis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The purpose of the current empirical study was to investigate the relationship between a United States governor's education agenda, the growth of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the state promise programs on allocations for higher education within the 50 states for the Fiscal Year 2018. Guided by Tandberg's (2010a, 2010b) fiscal policy framework, this quantitative inquiry seeks to investigate the association between a governor's education agenda, statewide promise programs, and Medicaid's share of state general fund expenditures on the states' higher education allocation per US $1,000 of personal income using an analysis of covariance fixed-term model and …


Student Government: A Phenomenological Study Of Student Government Leaders, K. Bonnieblue Rodríguez-Valentín Jan 2021

Student Government: A Phenomenological Study Of Student Government Leaders, K. Bonnieblue Rodríguez-Valentín

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

This phenomenological study investigated the transition process of student government leaders in a university setting. The study consisted of interviewing a total of 17 participants from Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches, as well as the Election Commission. This study focused on finding the types of transitions student leaders experience while serving in student government, the meaning obtained from such transitions, and the impact succession planning and university personnel had on those transitions. Themes that emerged from the study included stress, conflict, advocacy, resiliency, and boundaries. Recommendations and future applications of the research findings were made to help guide higher education …


Investigating How First-Year College Students Use Smartphones To Receive Parental Support, Jacob Bonne Jan 2020

Investigating How First-Year College Students Use Smartphones To Receive Parental Support, Jacob Bonne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The purpose of this study was to understand how first-year undergraduate college students use smartphones to receive parental support. A conceptual framework was implemented to frame the research and focused on first-year college student transitions and development within the context of parental support. A Phenomenological methodology with semi-structured interviews was implemented which explored the phenomenon from both immersive and holistic perspectives. Seven themes emerged from the analysis: decision-making, academic pathways, autonomy, emotional support, access, safety, and preparation. This study provided two recommendations for practice, including to educate students and parents about parental support and to educate parents about specific student …


Exploring The Intersection Of Spiritual And Sexual Orientation Identity Development In Lgbt Undergraduate Graduates Of Faith-Based Institutions, Lavina Seawright Jan 2020

Exploring The Intersection Of Spiritual And Sexual Orientation Identity Development In Lgbt Undergraduate Graduates Of Faith-Based Institutions, Lavina Seawright

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the intersection and experiences of spiritual and sexual orientation identity development in LGBT graduates of faith-based institutions. Guided by Crenshaw's (1984), framework on intersectionality, this qualitative study was conducted through six in-depth interviews with LGBT graduates of faith-based institutions from Protestant faiths. Collected data was transcribed and analyzed using Colaizzi's (1978) process for phenomenological data. Four themes emerged from the data analysis: commitment to religious affiliation; positive campus environment; negative campus environment; and identity congruence and dissonance. Additionally, participants were asked to identify their institutions as liberal, conservative, or neither liberal …


Online Education Implementation Processes And The Preparedness Of Mid-Level Enrollment Management Practitioners To Develop Quality Services For Fully Online Students, Chiquita Lane Jan 2020

Online Education Implementation Processes And The Preparedness Of Mid-Level Enrollment Management Practitioners To Develop Quality Services For Fully Online Students, Chiquita Lane

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

According to Zawacki-Richter, Backer, and Vogt (2009), literature focusing on student services falls into three general categories: learning theories and attrition research, student needs and satisfaction, and models for best practices. Research addressing the specific training needs of student affairs practitioners responsible for implementing and managing student support services for online students is not a major area of focus (Moore & Kearsley, 2012). Therefore, unlike the faculty and technology subsystems, the student affairs subsystem has not become securely anchored in delivering services to fully online students (Crawley & Howe, 2016; Moore, 2013; Moore & Kearsley, 2012). The lack of research …


Active Assailant Crisis Prevention And Response: An Analysis Of Teacher Perceptions, John Courson Jan 2020

Active Assailant Crisis Prevention And Response: An Analysis Of Teacher Perceptions, John Courson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

A limited amount of research was found regarding teacher perceptions of their ability to respond to an active shooter incident. This study was intended to provide relevant information for school leaders to use in their efforts to improve school safety measures. Data was collected in a mixed-methods, explanatory model research study using a survey, the Active Assailant Prevention and Response Survey (AAPRS), and semi-structured interviews. Teachers enrolled in graduate-level education courses at a large university in the southeastern United States made up the study's population. A majority of the sample population agreed that they were confident in the planning protocol …


The Impact Of The Community Partnership Schools Model Community School On Graduation And Attendance Rates In One Florida High School., Amy Ellis May 2019

The Impact Of The Community Partnership Schools Model Community School On Graduation And Attendance Rates In One Florida High School., Amy Ellis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to identify and describe the nature and extent of the relationships, if any, that existed between a Community Partnership Schools™ (CPS) model community school and the outcomes of graduation and attendance rates at one public high school in Florida. An evaluation study utilizing an interrupted time series (ITS) design addressed this problem by identifying and describing the relationship between the CPS model and the key outcome measures using visual analysis and descriptive statistics. Graduation and attendance rates for seven years before the CPS model was introduced (2003-2010) and seven years after the CPS …


A Comparative Analysis Of Public School Collective Bargaining Agreements In Florida, Aliza Berk May 2019

A Comparative Analysis Of Public School Collective Bargaining Agreements In Florida, Aliza Berk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the terms and conditions found in the 67 Florida public school collective bargaining agreements. Such collective bargaining agreements are negotiated between two parties, the teacher unions and their employers, under Florida Statute 447. The purpose of this mixed-methods study, conducted using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, is as follows: 1) to determine the extent to which CBA provisions exist within the master contracts of Florida teachers (2016-2017) and; 2) to determine the extent to which, if any, collective bargaining provisions vary among school districts (i.e. district size, district performance, district locale). The study finds that none …


Suspensions And Referrals To Law Enforcement Of African American Students Pre And Post Restorative Justice, Adrienne Brown May 2019

Suspensions And Referrals To Law Enforcement Of African American Students Pre And Post Restorative Justice, Adrienne Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the number of suspensions and referrals to law enforcement from traditional consequences administered to students in a large urban school district in southeastern United States for the school year 2013 to 2014 to the number of suspensions and referrals to law enforcement from consequences rendered after the implementation of restorative justice practices in the 2015 to 2016 school year, as reported to the Civil Rights Office of Data Collection (CRDC, 2016). There was statistical evidence that schools had policies and/or practices in place that had a discriminatory bias towards racial groups when …


Electing Or Appointing School District Superintendents In The State Of Florida: A Comparison Of Characteristics And Performance Of Districts Led By Elected Superintendents Versus Districts Led By Appointed Superintendents, Timothy Smith Jan 2019

Electing Or Appointing School District Superintendents In The State Of Florida: A Comparison Of Characteristics And Performance Of Districts Led By Elected Superintendents Versus Districts Led By Appointed Superintendents, Timothy Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Florida and Alabama are the only two states in the United States of America with school districts led by either elected superintendents or appointed superintendents. The other 48 states only have appointed superintendent-led school districts. The current study was conducted to examine the impact of the superintendent governance structure on student learning by analyzing differences in student achievement between Florida school districts led by elected superintendents and Florida school districts led by appointed superintendents. The conceptual framework of the study was the tension between democratic localism and professionalism. Dynamics associated with the conceptual framework are relevant to the current debate. …