Education Commons^™

How Much Is A Little Girl Worth? A Critical Qualitative Inquiry Of The Systemic Dehumanization Of Black Girls Through Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (Dmst) And How Schools Can Play A Pivotal Role In Prevention, Nermin Dia Walker

Theses and Dissertations

Black girls who have experienced childhood sexual abuse are disproportionately exploited through domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST)- as the intersection of their experiences of systemic marginalization exacerbates their trauma and increases their vulnerability to DMST. The purpose of this critical qualitative study, involving 10 Black girls and 13 women of color advocates, was to explore the self-identified and observed ways in which systems, especially schools, silence Black and Brown girls, as well as their recommendations for educators/schools and other systems to play a role in DMST prevention. This study builds on existing research on the adultification, criminalization, and sexualization of …

The Importance Of Academic Advising During Covid-19, Justice J. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

Academic Advisors are the connection between the students and the world of college. Having an academic advisor several students appreciate because they know they have their support and want them to succeed. The study will take place at Rowan University, and it will show just how important the role of an academic advisor is and especially during COVID-19.

Conflicting Cultures, Compromising Care: A Heuristic Inquiry Of Women Directors Of College Counseling Centers, Lindsay Noele Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

The role that women leaders of college counseling centers have is unique; they must contend with the inherent social norms that women face in gendered organizations, in addition to negotiating the dichotomous, and often conflicting, leadership expectations of a care work division and a care-less upper administration. The purpose of this qualitative, heuristic, phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of women directors of college counseling centers. Moreover, this study sought to understand the lived experiences, beliefs, and actions of these directors how these experiences influenced, and continue to influence, their leadership pathway in a care-oriented division within the …

Social-Emotional Beliefs And Competencies Of High School Teachers In A High Need District: Relationship With Teacher Self-Efficacy, Deborah Ann Goodman

Theses and Dissertations

Social-emotional learning (SEL) research has focused more on SEL programming and outcomes in students, and little is known about SEL in teachers especially among high school teachers. This cross-sectional quantitative research study was undertaken to gather baseline information about SEL among 240 high school teachers from a high need district with the following hypotheses: 1) teachers’ SEL beliefs and competencies significantly vary by years of teaching, educational attainment, and professional development, 2) teachers’ SEL beliefs and competencies of school significantly vary by classroom setting, school type, and grade level teaching. and school type, and 3) teachers’ SEL beliefs and competencies …

Supports Needed For College Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jaclyn Schneider

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study is to better understand how colleges can aid in the success of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder using a needs-based assessment. Many studies have been conducted regarding the needs of students with learning disabilities and special education needs, but not much research has been done for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The number of postsecondary students with Autism Spectrum Disorder continues to grow each year, yet little research has been conducted in this area. The objective was to hear from college students and alumni that identify as having Autism Spectrum Disorder to find …

Transracial Adoption: An Investigation Of How Schools Shape Racial Identity, Lindsey Michelle Sowers-Zabelski

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive case study was to investigate how schools, including educators and curriculum, shape transracial adoptees' racial identity development. International transracial adoptees and transracial adoptees who were adopted through foster care shared their school experiences through interviews. In addition, participants offered artifacts which they felt impacted their racial identity development, from their time in school, including photographs and past assignments, to further answer the research questions. Steward and Baden's (1995) Cultural-Racial Identity Model was used to frame which experiences affirmed or discounted participants' racial identity development. The data collected from this research suggested that school experiences and …

Are We Prepared?: A Quantitative Study Of Elementary School Counselors' Knowledge, Skills, And Dispositions To Working With Lgbtq Youth, Kristina D. Weiss

Theses and Dissertations

It is estimated that there are over three million lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth in the United States. Based on their perceived or real sexual orientation and gender identity, these youth face multiple accounts of bias and discrimination in schools. As a source of solace, many LGBTQ students seek out adult supports in school, namely the school counselor. While extensive research exists about the interactions and capabilities of secondary school counselors to work with LGBTQ youth, there is a limited research surrounding elementary school counselor's competencies with this population. The purpose of this quantitative research was to …

Career-Advising From The Primary Role Academic Advisor's Viewpoint: A Qualitative Case Study, Julia Elizabeth Rey

Theses and Dissertations

The role of today's primary role academic advisor is robust and multifaceted. Advisors must continually provide supportive outreach and engagement to address student interests, develop academic plans, and identify career paths from the time students first enroll, throughout their college experience, and oftentimes, well past graduation. Although meeting with students is at the forefront of expected duties, advisors must also balance working with various data sets and systems, faculty and chairs, and stay abreast of changes in procedures and processes. The purpose of this inquiry was to document and further understand the current career-advising practices of primary role academic advisors …

The Influence Of Career Motivation On College Major Choice, Candace R. Lehmann

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to investigate whether current Rowan University students feel they are motivated to reach their career goals. The study further explored the attitudes and understanding of the advising process of students and their use of career planning related services. Subjects included Rowan University students who had visited the University Advising Center or the Office of Career Advancement. Student responses were gathered using an Advising and Career survey measuring responses on a Likert scale. Data were analyzed to determine the mean score of student career motivation and understanding of their role in achieving their career goals. …

Impact Of A Leadership Development Intervention On Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Of Community College Students: A Quasi-Experimental Research Design, Sarah Jane Mcelroy

Theses and Dissertations

The overall purpose of this quasi-experimental research study was to determine if a formalized leadership development program had an effect on a community college student's level of career decision-making self-efficacy. This research study utilized the Career Exploration & Decision-Making Learning Experiences Scale (CEDLE) and the Career Exploration & Decisional Self-Efficacy Brief Decisional (CEDSE-BD) questionnaire to determine a student's level of career decision-making self-efficacy before and after participation in a leadership intervention (n = 411). Propensity Score Matching was utilized to account for a variety of confounding variables and self-selection bias. Results showed that community college students who participated in a …

Office Of Career Advancement Services: A Quantitative Study On Career Confidence As It Relates To Career Readiness, Tara Lynn Wiese

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the roles of self-efficacy, attitudes towards the services offered; strategies and guidance, and career planning play a part in how the student views their career knowledge base. The primary focus of the study is on the students who used the services of the Career Advancement Center located on the 2nd Floor in Savitz Hall. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of utilizing the career services, which are provided to the students on campus, and how it could help improve their career readiness. By studying students career confidence, the hope is to see if …

Active Parental Involvement And College And Career Readiness: A Qualitative Study, Tarah Pearson Santaniello

Theses and Dissertations

The development of emotional competencies occurs across many environments in a child's life. Research suggests that adequate development of a child's emotional intelligence leads to confident decision making and has a positive impact on student academic success (CASEL, 2013a, 2013b; Goleman, 2005; Landau & Meirovich, 2011 Larocque, Kleiman, & Darling, 2011). An active partnership between educators and parents/guardians promotes a continuum of positive supports for students developing healthy social-emotional learning behaviors transferable in college and careers.

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the partnerships between parents/guardians and school districts when promoting college/career readiness concerning social/emotional competencies …

What Career Development Practitioners Share With First-Generation College Students: A Grounded Theory Study Of Self-Disclosure In Career Counseling, Pamela Eve Cohen

Theses and Dissertations

Financial security is cited among reasons why first-generation college students pursue higher education (Bradbury & Mather, 2009; Brooks-Terry, 1988; Shelton, 2011; Walpole, 2003), but the emphasis on perceived value of a bachelor's degree fails to account for the importance of career planning (NACE, 2014; Parks-Yancy, 2012). The purpose of this qualitative, grounded theory study was to examine how career counselors use their personal experience to support first-generation college student. The study was inspired by Knox and Hill's (2003) therapist self-disclosure types and their use in the counselor/client discourse. The findings suggest that first-generation college students benefit from hearing their career …

Psychological Distress And Adjustment In College Students, Donovan A. Miles

Theses and Dissertations

The mental health needs of college students have risen dramatically. According to Kitzrow (2003), an estimated 84% of students who walked into a school counseling centers show significant causes for concern. These students were at high risks because of a variety of psychological distress. The current study sought to understand the multidimensional impact of mental health concerns on students' academic adjustment. Undergraduate students from a northeast public university completed an online survey that comprised of demographic information and two Likert type scales that measured psychological distress and academic adjustment. Results indicated that depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and eating concerns …

Utilization Of A School Specific Intervention Manual To Increase Teacher Perceptions Of The I&Rs Process And Reduce Special Education Referrals, Jacqueline Jade Kelly

Theses and Dissertations

One of the primary purposes of the Intervention and Referral Services (I & RS) process is to assist school staff in addressing students' learning, behavior, or health needs (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1 [a]). This study sought to improve I & RS process and student outcomes in a southern New Jersey elementary school that services students from grades Pre-Kindergarten through second grade. At the outset of the study, school administrators reported that an area of need was to formulate an intervention resource for the school's I & RS committee and teaching staff. It was determined that an online/interactive intervention manual would be created …

Using Information Sharing Between High School Counselors And Community College Personnel To Improve College Readiness For Incoming Students: An Exploratory Case Study, Dyron J. Corley

Theses and Dissertations

A significant number of incoming students who graduate from high school and attend the community college lack the information and guidance needed to understand what is expected as they make their transition to higher education (Karp & Bork, 2012; McDonough, 1997; Venezia, Bracco, & Nodine, 2010). This exploratory case study examines how an enrollment office at a community college shared information and resources about college readiness with local high school counselors to ensure that incoming students received the knowledge and tools necessary to make a successful transition. By investigating the insights and experiences of both the college enrollment staff and …

The Impact Of Peer Support On Homework Completion, Joshua Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

It is has been found that students of the elementary level can benefit from peer support in academics. The purpose of this case study was to further explore the effects that peers teaching peers may have on the quality of homework. The participant was at the 3rd grade level of education in a public elementary school. Using a goal setting tool, the participant and investigator were able to benchmark the correctness of work completed by the participant in relation to how many items the participant could have gotten correct. The quality of completed homework during the intervention was compared to …

Student Loan Debt Influence On Graduate Degree Attainment, Alicia Clendaniel

Theses and Dissertations

Student loan debt is an important topic up for discussion and has become a huge issue affecting multiple dimensions of today’s society. Undergraduate students are accruing more debt than ever to pay for college degrees, and recent trends in higher education report a raise in cost of tuition. Current statistics reveal over 1.2 trillion dollars in outstanding student loan debt from over 40 million borrowers, however, students are still being encouraged to further their education to gain an economic edge. An array of previous research has focused on various effects of student loans, however, there have been limited studies which …

Gender Differences In Bullying And Perceptions Of Bullying, Melanie S. Brzezinski

Theses and Dissertations

Bullying is a prevalent and ongoing problem in all schools from elementary school on through college. Previous research has shown that rates of bullying have been on the rise in recent years. High rates of bullying should not be ignored as involvement in bullying can lead to long-lasting, negative effects. To decrease or prevent bullying, anti-bullying methods should consider all potential factors. An important factor in bullying research is the influence of gender on one’s overall bullying experience. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether or not there is a difference in the bullying rates and styles …

Bullying Prevention And Intervention In Education Through The Visual Arts: An Instrumental Case Study, Eugene Neglia

Theses and Dissertations

According to the American Educational Research Association (AERA) (2013) bullying is one of the greatest health risks to children and young adults in the United States. It is harmful in its impact to the victim, the bystander, and the bully and is often less visible and less identifiable than other public health concerns. The effects on victims, offenders, and bystanders can be long lasting and can affect an individual’s development (AERA, 2013).

The impact of bullying on education is profound. As a result of bullying, a child’s academic achievement can be greatly affected (Petrosino, Guckenburg, & DeVoe, 2010). As mandated …

Interrupting The Silence: An Action Research Study To Transform A Juvenile Justice Culture For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, And Intersex (Lgbtqi) Youth, Dawn N. Mcrae

Theses and Dissertations

This action research (AR) study explored practitioners’ knowledge of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Intersex (LGBTQI) youth issues in a juvenile justice setting. A research and service approach was employed to develop a LGBTQI policy and training. This study was motivated by three research questions. Does sensitivity training increase practitioner knowledge concerning LGBTQI youth in juvenile justice? What are the attitudes of juvenile justice practitioners concerning the stigmatization of LGBTQI youth in a juvenile correctional setting? How can the findings of this study improve support networks for LGBTQI youth in a juvenile correctional setting? To examine these questions, pre-test …

How Does Social Comparison Affect Self-Esteem In The Classroom After Receiving An Exam Grade, Dana Oppenheimer

Theses and Dissertations

Social comparison is a theory developed by Leon Festinger which states that social comparison has many effects on everyday life, including body perception, learning in schools, self-esteem, exercise habits, and even balance. These different topics have been studied numerous times in the past. The hypothesis of this study is social comparison will have a significant change in self-esteem after receiving an exam grade back and being able to talk about it. The study consists of a participant filling out a self-esteem inventory pre-test, which was taken one day in the beginning of the semester before any exams were given and …

Childhood Feeding Practices And Parenting Styles In Hispanics, Kasi Spinelli

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to detect an ethnic difference in Hispanic and feeding practices in early childhood. It is further hypothesized that there will be a relationship between parenting styles and feeding practices. 24 Rowan graduate students completed a survey, the Toddler Feeding questionnaire by Chaidez & Kaiser (2011). The items on the survey were divided into questions that asked about parenting styles, feeding practices, environmental factors, and demographics. The ethnicity was analyzed by using a one-way ANOVA (within) to discover any associations between the parenting styles and feeding practices items on the survey. There was not a …

Academic Achievement In Student Athletes Versus Non-Student Athletes, Leslie Miles

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate academic achievement amongst student athletes and non-student athletes. Participants were undergraduates enrolled in a psychology course and were recruited via university subject pool. Students of both populations exhibited similar levels of academic achievement and academic motivation as well as study habits through online questionnaire. Grade point average (GPA) was used to assess academic achievement, while the Academic Motivation Scale-College Version (Vallerand et al., 1992) was utilized to assess academic motivation. Participants were also asked to report on how many hours they spend weekly on coursework. An independent samples t-test found significance in …

Assessment Variability Among States In Determining Part C Eligibility Criteria, April Siktar

Theses and Dissertations

Early intervention (EI), known as Part C, is an integral component of providing young children with individualized attention that enriches their development. The EI services are provided to children zero to two years old that are deemed eligible by specific diagnosis, clinical opinion, or based on assessment scores. States have flexibility on which assessments should be used and the qualifications of the examiner. The variations among states and districts can have implications on who is eligible to receive services throughout the country. The purpose of this study is to investigate the assessments and examiner's qualification in each state. The ongoing …

Childhood Feeding Practices In African Americans, Nicole Somogy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the feeding practices of minority children specifically looking at African Americans from birth to 11 years old to see if there are any red flags so that professionals can be alerted for a concern with obesity. Previous research conducted on feeding styles and patterns of adults have shown some clues as how a parent plays a key role in the etiology of childhood obesity (Chaidez & Kaiser, 2011). One strategy that is used when looking at obesity is to look at physical activity as well as parenting styles which includes authoritative, authoritarian, …

Examination Of Structured Physical Activity On Students With Special Needs, Arianna Sparano

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of a structured physical activity, Rowan Unified Sports Basketball organization, for children with special needs and the positive impact the physical activity will have on their social skills. Past studies have proven that exercise has many beneficial effects mentally, physically, and socially. The effects reflex on children and adults. Not only does physical fitness promote good health, it relieves stress and anxiety. Social skills will be analyzed using the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS) Rating Scale, the parent form version. A pretest was given at the beginning of the season …

Principals' Outlooks On Suspension Based On Socioeconomic Status, Gender, Years Of Experience, And School Type, Jennifer Ohara

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore socioeconomic status within a school district, the years of experience, school type, and gender of a principal, supervisor, or disciplinarian and the effect that these variables would have on their attitude toward suspension. According to previous research done by Dr. Russell Skiba of Indiana University, high rates of suspension have been due to racial identity. Even after controlling for poverty status, racial disparities do not disappear (Skiba, Michael, & Nardo, 2000). After wanting to understand more on suspension and its future in schools, this study explored the attitudes that principals, supervisors, and …

An Exploratory Investigation Of Daycare Teacher Stress And Locus Of Control, Veronica Schumann

Theses and Dissertations

This study's purpose was to examine stress and locus of control in daycare teachers. A literature review was conducted to explore the various aspects of daycare services in America. The factors of locus of control and stress were signified and investigated as separate entities. The interaction between the two factors was also explored. In order to explore these two factors, a survey was administered to 19 daycare teachers from two different facilities. The presentation of both internal and external locus of control was expressed in approximately 70 percent of the teachers who were surveyed. A mild level of stress was …

The Emphasis Of Physical Activity Across The Curriculum; A Positive Approach To Increased Academic Achievement, Alexandra Maldonado

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess whether physical activity has an effect on academic achievement in students. The presence of a physically active lifestylehas received much support due to its physiological and mental benefits. The establishment of such a lifestyle should begin at an early age; however, there has been a recent shift away from physically active programming within the school system that could perpetuate a healthier future. Pressure to increase academic achievement has led to the reduction and elimination of opportunities for physical activity, but these actions could have an adverse impact on students (Mahar, Murphy, Rowe, …