Education Commons^™

Emotional Intelligence, Self-Efficacy, And The Perceived Employability Of Traditional Undergraduate Business Students In A Private Midwest Educational Institution, Michele Ryan

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Emotional intelligence has gained increasing popularity since its definition and subsequent research 30 years ago. Numerous studies have focused on emotional intelligence and undergraduate students, and studies have demonstrated a positive relationship between a student with higher emotional intelligence and their academic and mental abilities. Undergraduate students have also been the focus of research related to self-efficacy and perceived employability, but those two facets have not been tied together with emotional intelligence. Additionally, managers have noted a skills gap for graduating students entering the workforce as students seem to be lacking emotional intelligence while thinking they have a sufficient amount. …

An Analysis Of The Suitability Of Philosophy As A Core K-12 Public School Subject, Mark Christopher Blythe

Doctor of Education (EdD)

In 2005 Michael Katz invited philosophers of education to reinvigorate the inquiry into what is required to provide a proper education for everyone to lead a productive life. In the literature review, I analyze the suitability of philosophy in teaching K-12 students how to think and reason logically—essential abilities for a productive life. I also examine the educational landscape through the philosophy of Nicholas Rescher’s Cognitive-Values Theory and address the value of learning philosophy. I present a Philosophical Dialectic that shows how epistemic diversity (aporetic clusters) justifies making philosophy a K-12 core subject while analyzing philosophers’ reasons for including philosophy …

The Barriers To Active And Experiential Learning In Accounting Education, Elizabeth Holbrook

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the barriers accounting faculty face to incorporating more active and experiential learning into accounting education. Twelve accounting faculty from a variety of universities throughout the United States were interviewed, including those who are part of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and whose business schools are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) or the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). These interviews revealed six significant barriers and 23 sub-barriers that prevent accounting faculty from incorporating more active and experiential learning into their classes. The significant barriers …

Alternative Settings For Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disabilities, Jamie Logan

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This study examined the positive and negative impacts of an alternative placement for students with emotional and behavioral disabilities within the public school sector. The research examined special education law, rights, responsibilities, and current and past litigation, focused on one school district’s current practices. The study explored the feelings and thoughts of parents and students involved in the alternative placement practice currently being used nationwide.

The Formation Of A Guide For Licensed Educators Supervising And Supporting Paraeducators In Special Education, Catherine Parry

Doctor of Education (EdD)

According to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Oregon Administrative Rules, the work of paraprofessionals is required to be directed and supervised by a licensed teacher. While the typical licensed special educator is often unprepared for these duties, there are also very few accessible and applicable resources to support growth in this area. Through bracketing and memoing of literature on the topic, this content development dissertation examines what aspects of supervision and support of paraprofessionals should be included in a guide. It then proceeds to offer a succinct guide for licensed special educators on how to supervise and support …

Using Online Video Observations And Real Time, Peer Reflective Analysis Of Culturally Responsive Teaching Pedagogy In A University Teacher Preparatory Program For Preservice Teachers, Adrian E. Cortes

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This research aimed to understand the impacts of using online video observations and real-time peer reflection to teach and address culturally responsive teaching in a Pacific Northwest university’s teacher preparatory program. Six active university students enrolled in a university’s new teacher preparatory program (i.e., preservice, new teacher candidates) actively participated in all areas of this study (i.e., nonrandom sampling) and provided both quantitative and qualitative data. Study participants completed self-evaluative pre- and post-surveys in a research group session. Surveys were built using the ready 4 rigor framework (Hammond & Jackson, 2015) and the four areas of culturally responsive teaching as …

An Evaluation Of Social Emotional Learning Curricula And Their Effect On 4th Grade Students' Emotional Regulation, Jared Larson

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This study evaluated the effectiveness of Sanford Harmony and Adventure Based Counseling (ABC) interventions on the emotional regulation of 4th-grade students. Students were not randomly selected in this study, and pre and postassessments were measured using an Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Results indicated both interventions had a positive effect on participants’ emotional regulation. Further, the Sanford Harmony and ABC intervention were found to be successful in improving emotional regulation. These improvements helped with regulating oneself, dealing with trauma, helping with relationships, and solving problems. Implications for counselors and educators include recommending both interventions as a means to improve students’ emotional regulation. …

An Implementation Evaluation Of Social And Emotional Skills Curricula In A Cohort Model, Lancelot Falcon

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) evaluates the implementation of social and emotional learning (SEL) lessons to address SEL challenges for 9th grade students attending WC High School (pseudonym). WC High School is one of four comprehensive high schools in Eugene, Oregon. A networked improvement community (NIC) composed of district leadership, school administrators, and teachers used the “collaborative for academic, social, and emotional learning” (CASEL) framework to develop and provide lessons supporting SEL throughout the academic year. The NIC created these lessons to give students opportunities to improve self-management, growth mindset, self-efficacy, and social awareness by implementing periodic tasks …

General Education Teachers And Students With Disabilities: Using Targeted Information And Delivery Methods To Improve Perceptions Of Preparedness In Inclusion Models, Kaitlyn Lemos

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) was designed to gain insight into what areas 21 teachers at one elementary school felt they lacked to effectively work with students with disabilities. The study was also designed to discover which delivery methods teachers felt were most effective in providing useful information that respected their busy schedules and limited time. This study provided school districts with valuable information to pursue similar information across many schools to aid in the development of targeted and worthwhile professional development opportunities for educators.

When provided with targeted information via video and infographic, participants reported a preference …

Enabling Conditions For Safety System Implementation By Leaders In A Southern California School District: An Improvement Science Study, Shelah Feldstein

Doctor of Education (EdD)

The purpose of the study was to learn the enabling conditions for implementation of a safety system in a Southern California school district. One high school piloted this safety system while focusing their attention to document, investigate, and reduce the number of fight and prefight incidents involving students. Although the intended outcome was to reduce these safety incidents, the intended learning of this study was to understand how the district could adapt the safety system model.

Pilot participants were interviewed and asked to share successes and challenges with regards to each of the four main model components: (a) reporting safety …

A Phenomenological Study Of Educator Perceptions Of Social-Emotional Learning Following The Covid-19 Pandemic, Allison Haulton

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This qualitative phenomenological study serves the purpose of identifying teacher perceptions of social-emotional learning (SEL) through a global pandemic, including implementation, professional learning, student outcomes, and additional challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to add to the body of existing literature, specifically, in veteran teachers (those with ten or more years of experience in an elementary education setting) and their experiences teaching SEL following the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Handbook For Community College Deans: Foundations, Frameworks, And Day-To-Day Resources For Leaders Of Two-Year Institutions Of Higher Education, Thomas James Wilkins-Luton

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This study explores the evolving equity-focused purpose and structure of community colleges in the United States in the early 2020’s and examines how the leaders of these culturally critical higher education institutions make sense of their place within complex social and educational contexts. This study describes the function of these equity-essential institutions and identifies key structural barriers and student success interventions; explores how community colleges have worked to realign their missions and visions in light of changing student demographics and emerging student-success research; and reflects on the professional foundations, conceptual frameworks, and resources necessary for community college leaders, particularly deans …

An Exploration Of Teacher Attrition Factors In Oregon Christian Schools, Zachary Davidson

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This study sought to determine factors for attrition rates among Christian school teachers in Oregon by using an adaptation of the 2021-2022 Private School Survey created and distributed by the Department of Education. The quantitative study was distributed to 31 Christian schools in Oregon. Relationships and trends were examined among teachers who expressed a high desire to remain teachers and those who expressed a desire to quit the teaching profession. Results from this study identified three strategies to improve teacher retention. First, an increase in compensation was the primary factor in improving teacher retention. Second, mentorship was significant in decreasing …

Examining Motivation And Self-Efficacy In Reading And Writing In Seventh Grade English: An Improvement Science Dissertation In Practice, Jennifer Tuttle

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This Improvement Science study sought to understand and support the motivation and self-efficacy of middle school students for literacy-based tasks using the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ), Burke Reading Inventory (BRI), and Burke Writing Inventory (BWI) in a pre-and post-format. This study was designed in response to observed course failings and lack of motivation for seventh-grade students in a post-COVID educational situation. The teacher researcher implemented a Plan, Do, Study, Act cycle alongside interested stakeholders to try and support students’ motivation to complete literacy tasks. She also conducted class discussions to clarify and support students’ understandings of motivation and …

The Impact Of Social-Emotional Team Huddles On Educational Leaders' Wellbeing: An Improvement Science Study, Jennifer Lambie Patterson

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Teachers and administrators have been leaving the education industry with nearly half of educators hired living within their first five years in the classroom. Burnout and stress contribute most significantly to the high attrition rates. One research-based strategy that has been deemed impactful is creating a culture of wellness and establishing trusting relationships in the workplace. These relationships may be achieved through engagement structures, inclusive environments, and strong leadership attributes that foster one-to-one connections. The method researched in this improvement science in practice methodology is the implementation of bi- monthly team huddles with a department of education administrators. Included in …

Demystifying Preservice Teacher Reflective Thinking: A Systematic Literature Review, Joan Flora

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This systematic literature review responds to the need for research on clarity of what reflective thinking practice is and in determining the value of that practice for preservice teachers. While much has been written about preservice teacher reflective thinking, few studies have explored empirical research on the processes that inform and shape preservice teachers’ reflective practice. This study examines the existing literature to discern common themes in the diverse definitions of reflective thinking. This study also examines diverse frameworks that help teacher educators guide, analyze, assess, and measure the quality of preservice teacher reflective thinking. This study helps inform education …

A Conceptual Analysis And Variable Identification Study Of First-Language Attrition, Neil Edward Cantrall

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Children who grow up hearing and speaking one language and then begin learning another often experience first-language (L1) attrition. Existing research presents different theories regarding the process and the contributing factors of L1 attrition. However, the theories and factors are often dispersed throughout the literature with little coherent presentation. This makes it difficult for researchers and some practitioners to model L1 attrition with other variables properly. This study merged conceptual and content analysis through literature reviews to identify the relevant and essential variables that play a role in L1 attrition. I reviewed 54 textual sources which presented information or studies …

Literary Types: How Literature Helped Inspire Healing And Joy In My Classroom And Beyond, A Narrative, Donald R. Anderson

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This manuscript examines the role of bibliotherapy, specifically the utilization of literature in the form of books, to address and treat emotional and psychological distress. The document offers a concise historical overview of bibliotherapy, in addition to 29 chapters presenting contemporary accounts illustrating the successful application of bibliotherapy in the lives of both adolescents and adults. Extensive research supports the notion that bibliotherapy constitutes a rational and practical approach to assisting individuals of all ages, with a particular emphasis on adolescents, in overcoming emotional trauma and initiating the healing process. Specifically, a seminal study conducted in the Netherlands by Tijms, …

Economic Peacemaking A New Master's Degree In Community Economic Development, Brian Humphreys

Doctor of Ministry

This two-part project is in response to the NPO that Christian leaders struggle to understand how to address complex, ever changing-socioeconomic needs and, if solved, the church would thrive and better address needs in the community. The research for this project confirmed that Christians and church communities increasingly encounter socioeconomic challenges in their efforts to serve their neighbors. Undergraduate students at a Christian university were found to be passionate about addressing these challenges which they also witness in their respective communities. These students also reported low levels of awareness of best practices in economic development and advocacy and policy. The …

Improving Fidelity Of Implementation Of A Tier I Phonics Program: An Improvement Science Study, David B. Mack

Doctor of Education (EdD)

The purpose of this research was to enhance the fidelity of the Tier 1 phonics program at an elementary school in Southwest Bakersfield, California. I used an explanatory mixed methods approach and the Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice as the research design. To improve the implementation fidelity of the Tier 1 phonics program, I employed the plan-do- study-act framework. During the cycle, the network improvement community convened to proactively identify problems and develop change ideas to enhance the overall fidelity of implementation of the Tier 1 phonics program. The study also involved a root cause analysis to determine the underlying …

Practice Habits Of Instrumental Music Students In Elementary School Vapa Programs: An Empirical Mixed-Methods Survey, Timothy Johnson

Doctor of Education (EdD)

The purpose of this empirical research study was to gain knowledge about the practice habits of elementary school students in Grades 5 and 6. Sixty-five instrumental music students served as research subjects. They were enrolled in the newly established string orchestra supported by the Fairfax Elementary School District. Drawing upon my empirical experiences and instrumental music training, I identified and examined practice habits affecting motivation to learn music. Data generated from five open-ended and ten closed-ended questions were analyzed and contributed to the findings from the survey. An examination of published literature also contributed to the collection of resource data. …

An Improvement Science Approach To Reducing Dual Language Immersion Student Attrition Through Ongoing Parent Learning Activities, Shannon Zavala

Doctor of Education (EdD)

In this improvement science dissertation in practice (ISDiP), I used a continuous improvement cycle to attempt to reduce student attrition in a dual language immersion (DLI) program. The intervention involved DLI parent engagement in the form of monthly parent meetings for one DLI kindergarten class. I also formed a networked improvement community (NIC) with various stakeholders to collaborate in a 90-day strategize, implement, analyze, and reflect (SIAR) cycle. I collected both qualitative and quantitative data throughout the process, and together with my fellow NIC members, we designed the content and structure of four monthly parent meetings. The DLI kindergarten parents …

Project-Based Internationalization: Providing Accessible And Equitable High-Impact Education, Kayli Hillebrand

Doctor of Leadership

Inequitable access to global education has long excluded populations of students that are unable to participate in models that require travel away from their home institution. This is especially felt at institutions with a Hispanic Serving Institute (HSI) designation. Factors that contribute towards this end are varying familial and economic systems, financial models, lack of accessible educational accommodations when not at the home institution, mobility restrictions at the host institution, student ability to travel or obtain proper documentation to travel at the state, federal, or international government levels. Considering inequitable access to global education for university students, embedding Project-Based Internationalization …

The Wise Professor: The Skillful Art Of Living In God's Mission, Aaron Badenhop

Doctor of Ministry

Today’s Christian professor in the secular university setting is likely an expert in their academic field. Likewise, many Christian faculty are sincere in their faith and devout in their practice. The Christian professor’s expert knowledge is impressive and their heart for God is admirable. Yet, today’s Christian professor is simultaneously likely to be ill-equipped and disconnected from having a missional impact in their secular university context. In my work with Cru at The Ohio State University, this challenge is complex; there are no easy answers. Christian faculty are typically educated and trained in environments that assume the irrelevance of God …