Education Commons^™

What's Up Doc? An Examination Of The Lived Experiences Affecting Abd In The Ed.D. Student, Kimberly Carlo

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Doctorate students have unique challenges and needs. Many must complete their dissertations and become stuck in the all-but dissertation (ABD) phase. The design of a doctoral program can leave out the emotional aspect of these students. This study sought to understand the needs of doctorate students and focus on challenges that inhibit them from reaching their goals. It analyzed goal commitments, personal priorities, and their significance to dissertation completion. This study analyzed doctoral students' motivation, stressors, goals, and how goalsetting can work toward completing a dissertation. The results identified indicators of ABD in Ed.D. students while completing their dissertation. Several …

The Investigation Of First-Year Wellness Programming In College To Reduce Stress And Anxiety Levels, Charlotte Muriel

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The COVID-19 pandemic brought mental health to light, although college students have long been experiencing mental health struggles. First-year experience courses have been shown to relieve some of the stresses associated with the college transition (Holliday, 2014); however, the existing programming does not meet the needs of college students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the increased need for mental health services and counseling on college campuses, there is a need for additional support for students dealing with wellness concerns.

This action research study used a three-phase exploratory sequential mixed methods design. Phase One included two audio-recorded focus group …

The Value Of Promoting Social And Emotional Learning In Elementary School Students, Valerie Marie Hatcher

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This dissertation will explore how to effectively promote social and emotional learning (SEL) in the elementary school classroom using art as a tool to enhance instruction in other subjects. As noted by art educator Viktor Lowenfeld and others, art helps children become aware of their surroundings and visualize things outside of their everyday experiences. Using art to demonstrate academic concepts also helps engage students in learning and promotes social and emotional growth, but many teachers lack instruction on how to effectively accomplish this goal (Brouillette, 2010; Farrington & Shewfelt, 2020; McCoy, 2016). The need to promote SEL has become even …

Teachers’ Perception Of College And Career Education Exposure On Middle School Students, Francisco Jose Valverde, Joshua Davidow

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Properly preparing middle school students for their transition to high school and postsecondary endeavors requires early exposure to college and career information and resources. Across the United States, high school students have access to a scattered array of programs and resources aimed at career development and college preparation. Unfortunately, none of these college and career resources are integrated into the K-12 student experience in any systemic or holistic way. Furthermore, very few of these resources are even directed at K-12 students prior to their time in high school. This gap in college and career education is due to a lack …

Crowdsourcing Civics Instruction To Improve Student Civic Knowledge, Skills, And Citizen Engagement, Charles T. E. Jones

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Secondary students’ lack of civic knowledge, skills, and engagement is well documented in the literature. States continue to address the issue through an increase in mandated civics requirements, but a striking improvement has not been confirmed. Improving civics instructional delivery through crowdsourcing holds promise in addressing deficits in students’ acquisition of civic knowledge, skills, and engagement. Crowdsourcing is the act of using the internet to obtain information and input from multiple parties on specific topics and to find solutions to problems. The purpose of this study was to determine if crowdsourcing may be an effective instructional tool that civics teachers …

A Secondary Transition Planning Tool To Enhance The Needs Of Students With Disabilities Beyond High School: Case Study, Kamyka Glenn

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Youth with disabilities such autism, emotional disorder, intellectual disabilities, and learning disabilities are less likely to exit high school with a diploma, more likely to drop out of school and be unemployed, and less likely to enroll in postsecondary education and to live independently (Department of Education, 2011; Labor of Statistics, 2016). “The percentage of students with disabilities who spend at least 80% of each school day in general education has increased from 34% in 1990 to 63.5% in 2017, their levels of academic achievement, rates of school exit, and post school outcomes still fall well below those of their …

Increasing Retention In Higher Education Institutions Through Competency-Based Education, Jévaughn J. Lancaster

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Competency-based education allows students to advance based on their ability to become proficient within a topic at their own pace. Since students can work through various learning outcomes without time constraints, statistics show that competency-based education can provide students with higher results and a greater understanding of the subject matter without the additional stress of turning in assignments late or not understanding course materials in time to obtain a passing score on the assessment.

Higher educational institutions have been struggling with not only enrollment but also retention. Students opt for micro-learning opportunities and on-the-job training rather than obtaining credentials through …

Continuity And Sustainability In The Disability World, Jaimee Sabato

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Raising a healthy child has its joys and challenges; however, raising a child or caring for someone with special needs brings a new set of obstacles. Parents and caregivers of children and individuals with special needs do not have the same selection of available resources as typical parents of healthy children. These challenges are approached with an entirely different perspective with its own joys and challenges that can be demanding. The purpose of this study was to research the usefulness of an iBook, Navigating Life in the World of Disabilities, by providing accurate and helpful information from an empirical approach …

Let Them Be Little: Teacher Perspectives On Developmental Play In Kindergarten Classrooms, Amy Michelle Towne

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Kindergarten is a German term meaning children's garden. In 1837, Fredrich Froebel founded kindergarten and stated, "Children are like tiny flowers; they are varied and need care, but each is beautiful alone and glorious when seen in the community of peers." Froebel believed that children needed to be nurtured and tended to like flowers in a garden. Kindergarten classes, at this time, encouraged children to develop and blossom freely through play under the guidance, not direct instruction, of the teacher. Through the years, kindergarten has changed drastically. Recent legislation has transformed the kindergarten curriculum even more.

Currently, many kindergarten teachers …

Parental Strategies To Promote Mental Health In Digital Citizens Of Grades 6-8, Maria Cavallo Benkirane, Iris K. Thompson

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The research conducted in this study was done to discern the best parental strategies to promote mental health in digital citizens of grades 6-8. The world of technology is very dynamic, and often these days children are advancing much faster than their parents. The purpose of this research study was to keep parents informed and educated of the latest trends, tools, and dangers in the digital world today. To achieve this goal the researchers held four online workshops over the course of two months to provide parents the tools necessary to raise responsible digital citizens. The results of the study …

Preparing Elementary School Teachers For The Multifaceted Profession, Laquandra Golf

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Teaching in the 21st century classroom requires one to successfully manage many facets simultaneously. Temporary certified teachers are entering the classroom without the proper training needed to survive in the multifaceted profession of education. Research shows that teachers lack the field experience needed to sustain a successful career (Kronholz, 2013). Temporary certified teachers is better prepared for their career through clinical training. Through a review of literature, the researcher was able to determine that teachers lacked the necessary tools needed to fulfill their required duties. The implementation of customized clinical training proved to better prepare temporary certified teachers for the …

Narrowing The Achievement Gap Through Culturally Responsive Teaching, Natasha V. Forde

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The achievement gap currently persists between Black, White, and Hispanic students. The purpose of this action research study was to determine how a series of five professional development workshops on Culturally Responsive Teaching could ultimately narrow or close the achievement gap between Black, White, and Hispanic students through implementing Culturally Responsive Teaching strategies in classrooms to meet the needs of the diverse student population. In addition, this study also examined the teachers’ perceptions of the Culturally Responsive Teaching professional development workshops to positively impact student achievement with Black and Hispanic students.

The objectives of this study included:

• The identification of …

Teacher Self-Care: A Guide For Educators, Jacqueline Leahy, Jamie Wolfe

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The field of education is very demanding and stressful. Educators are leaving the field at high rates due to stress levels. Teachers lack self-care strategies to help them cope with an emotionally demanding career. Research shows that self-care builds resilience, which many teaching professionals tend to lack. Educators can greatly benefit from learning about and practicing better self-care. Through review of research, researchers were able to determine that implementing self-care strategies benefits both teachers and students. Self-care strategies increase effectiveness allowing educators to handle challenges that come up during their teaching career. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has created additional challenges …

Improving Equity Through Master Scheduling, Allison Degregory, Craig Sommer

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

A real and measurable gap exists in our country, and our educational system has served to increase this gap. Our system has failed to provide equitable access to advanced coursework for Black and Hispanic students. Implementing a deliberate and strategic system for scheduling high school students will provide historically underrepresented student groups equitable access to college credit and college-level courses. Quantitative research will determine how such an approach impacts high school students at an urban district in the southeastern United States when principals, and principal supervisors, create systems to schedule students equitably.

Clear and present gaps exist in the rate …

An Examination Of Continuous Improvement In An Educational Organization, Billy Jacques Gira, Jennifer Malanga Martinez

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Continuous improvement (CI) is used across organizations to solve problems. Since the 2010s, CI practices have gained popularity in education. When comparing business organizations’ applications of CI practices to those in education, a gap is evident. Educational organizations create strategic plans, set long-term goals, implement initiatives, and measure overall outcomes in terms of student achievement. However, when attempting to build a high-performing culture and improve customer service between district departments and school centers, frequent and routine monitoring of customer experiences must occur.

This study examines current CI practices in a large, urban school district as they relate to improving the …

Beginning Teachers Induction Emphasizing Proactive Classroom Management Strategies, Vicki Gaddy

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The purpose of this investigation is to investigate the effects of proactive classroom management techniques using an induction tool for new teachers. This study will also investigate new teacher retention by examining how this induction tool will increase beginning teachers’ level of efficacy. The positive classroom environment affirms the critical role of effective teacher behavior and its influence on student engagement, academic achievement, and overall success. It is important new teachers possess a viable skill set that will facilitate an effective classroom climate to be prepared to support children’s social development through the utilization of effective practices to prevent and …

An Innovative Approach To Teacher Retention, Marc Dixon, Ruthe Francis

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Among the many challenges educational leaders are facing, teacher attrition is most paramount. Not only are teachers with less than five years of experience leaving the field at alarming rates, but the number of teachers with twenty or more years of experience has also decreased by 10% since 2000. Teachers who leave the field often site a lack of support as their primary source of frustration. While school districts across the nation have made efforts to address teacher attrition, induction programs are often managed at the district level and completed solely out of compliance.

After reviewing the literature on teacher …

Multi-Touch Books In Higher Education: A Study Of Educational Leadership And Policy For Schools Of Education, Jason M. Cascio

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Technology points to gaps in higher education adoption of learning technologies where decisions are based on a digital tool’s efficacy and unique capabilities, rather than the role they play in effective teaching and learning (Grush, 2019). Higher Education institutions and their faculty postpone technical decision-making. This results in an educational system ill-equipped to meet the needs of students, faculty, and sufficient digital fluency of graduates and the workforce. By integrating current, interactive tools into teaching materials, such as multi-touch books, or iBooks, faculty can meet their students’ learning needs, thereby improving competencies and ability to track their assessment and engagement …

The Significance Of Employing A Comprehensive Transitional Program For Sixth Grade And Its Effects On Student Anxiety And Performance, Yolanda E. Gregory

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Students transitioning from elementary school to middle school can trigger emotions of enthusiasm or trepidation in students. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, transition means to move, pass, or change from one place, stage, or condition to another place, stage, or condition (Merriam-Webster Online, 2019). Typically, all students will experience multiple transitions throughout their lives and educational journeys. Students will transition from elementary school to middle school, middle school to high school, and from high school to college or careers. In this study middle school transition is the term used and defined as the process of changing from an elementary environment …

A National Crisis In Our Classrooms, Laura Ann Gomez-Green

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

There is a growing need for social-emotional learning that is evident everywhere in our world. The research explores the importance of a program that can have on our youth; however, there is little research on examines the support and professional development for teachers are lacking.

This study draws on teacher’s perceptions of their level of support provided for children when dealing with social-emotional learning in their elementary classrooms. Chapter one states the problem of lack of Social Emotional Learning and support for elementary school teachers when dealing with a crisis in the classroom. Chapter two consists of a literature review …

An Examination Of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy And Antibias-Antiracist Curriculm In A Montessori Setting, Lucy Canzoneri-Golden, Juliet King

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The research consisted of a qualitative case study of three urban public Montessori schools with a population of 51% or more of students of color and a commitment of 2 years or more of CRP-ABAR within a Montessori setting. The theoretical framework used for the study was the critical race theory, which is the conceptual foundation for examining inequities in public education.

This research dissertation had a focus on gaining an insight into the perceptions of administrators, teachers, and parents toward CRP-ABAR in Montessori schools by examining the practices in three public Montessori schools. The possible connections to student outcomes, …

Meant To Lead: Women, Equity, And Education, Elise R. Ecoff

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Women are underrepresented in K-12 educational leadership roles in public, independent, and international school settings. Numerous research studies have interviewed women who have attained leadership roles and documented the obstacles and enablers to success. Consistently, women indicate that gender bias, a lack of mentors, few role models, the challenge of work-life balance, and limited training programs and resources inhibited their progress. Conversely, when those barriers were removed, many were able to thrive as educational leaders.

This case study design explored the challenges and enablers perceived by current female educational leaders in attaining and thriving in an educational leadership role. Further, …

Student Teacher Perceptions Regarding Career Readiness And The Effectiveness Of A Teacher Preparation Program, Josue Dantas

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This study investigated student teachers perceptions regarding career readiness and the effectiveness of a teacher preparation program at Lynn University. In 201 1, research conducted by McCulloch, Burris, and Ulmer emphasized that there are more than 1,400 colleges and universities in the United States preparing students to enter the teaching profession. Teacher preparation programs in the United States continue to graduate many individuals who do not go into a teaching career long-term. This study was designed to provide insight into whether or not student teacher perceptions might be used as a different perspective in terms of teacher preparation program evaluation. …

Muslim Women: A Phenomenological Study Of The Effects Of Identity On Pursuing Higher Education, Rafael E. Harley

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The purpose of this study was to examine and explore the meanings, patterns, and essence of the lived experiences of Muslim women pursuing higher education, while developing a foundation for Muslim Women's Educational Identity Theory. The goal of the study was to develop a thorough and inclusive description of how identity formation affects the pursuit of higher education in order to increase awareness and develop programs that could improve the rate of pursuit of higher education for Muslim women. The importance of lessening gender bias amongst Muslims motivated this researcher to undertake this study. The research study involved a qualitative …

A Phenomenological Study On Principal Leadership In Islamic K-12 Schools, Allen Farina

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The Muslim population in America is increasing and to meet the demand for quality religious and academic instruction for Muslim youth, Islamic K-12 schools are being established throughout the U.S. As these institutions multiply, it becomes necessary to study school board influence and leadership by principals, although literary sources appear to be sparse. This phenomenological study can be a starting point for scholarly research on this topic, as follows:

1. How do Islamic school principals describe their leadership role as administrators of Muslim K-12 schools?
2. What impact does the school board have on the leadership role of principals in Islamic K-12 …

21st Century Workforce Readiness Skills: How Are Students Being Prepared, Peter B. Licata

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Throughout history, schools have strived to prepare students for future educational and workplace success. This is made evident through the many federal and state policies enacted. While the specific skills required for careers have changed, the goals of the educational system have not. The 21st Century international workplace requires a generation of skilled workers with specific attributes. To prepare students for gainful employment and to combat the high percentage of high school students who drop out of school unprepared for the workforce, school districts across the country have instituted Career and Technical Education and Industry Certification programs. These programs strive …

The Nature And The Degree Of The Relationship Between Chronic Absenteeism And Student Achievement In A Large Metropolitan School District And A Small School District In Florida, Nancy C. Kline

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The Bring It 180 study provides insight and awareness into the importance of student attendance and its influence on student achievement. This study examines the nature and degree of the relationship between chronic absenteeism and academic proficiencies. The research findings identify meaningful correlations between attendance and student achievement in two Florida school districts.

A Study Of The Leadership Styles Of Campus Based Women's Centers In Higher Education In The Southeast United States, Nikkia Deluz

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This study examined the organizational and institutional variables that influence the leadership styles of directors of campus-based women's centers at public and private four-year universities in the southeast United States. The researcher examined the leadership frame (or frames), as measured by Bolman and Deal's (1990) Leadership Orientations Instrument (Self), used by the organizational leaders of campus-based women's centers. This non-experimental descriptive study utilized both quantitative and descriptive methods of analysis. The quantitative component relied on the chi- square statistical test to measure the relationships between a director's leadership preferences and five institutional variables. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the …

Evaluation Of The Impact Of A Mentor-Based Program On Teacher Retention In A Large Urban School District, Denise S. Beattie

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Feelings of isolation and defeat experienced by many novice teachers during their initial years have caused them to leave the profession before they are able to impact students' academic performance. The School District of Palm Beach County, afflicted by the cyclic trend of having to recruit and retrain beginning teachers, partnered with the New Teacher Center in 2009 to implement a mentor-based induction program. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the support provided by the district's mentor-based program on teacher retention as it compared to the support provided by school-based mentoring. A quasi-experimental design was …

Appointed And Elected Superintendents In Florida's Governance, Candace L. Habersham

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

When a specific system is chosen, in reference to selecting a school superintendent, contention between constituents who oppose such system ensues. Such issues range from demographics and differences in management style to which superintendent is more credentialed. In Florida, each county is considered a school district and has its own school superintendent. Thus, since Florida has 67 counties there are 67 school districts and 67 superintendents. Florida allows its districts to use one of two systems to select its superintendent, an election by popular vote or an appointive system.

This study replicated methods used in one of the leading studies …