Education Commons^™

Classroom Technology Policies, Technology Usage, And Mind-Wandering, Halley Stecht

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Technology usage has been rapidly increasing in college classrooms since 2019. This has shown to be a challenge for educators in higher education due to the increase in off-task usage. Many educators try to combat technology usage in their classrooms through technology policies in their syllabus, in hopes of reducing off-task behaviors such as mind-wandering. The purpose of this study was twofold: first we determined whether classroom technology policies impacted students’ technology usage. Then, we investigated whether access to technology in the classroom was associated with more mind-wandering during class. Two hundred sixty-eight college students completed an online survey that …

Exploring The Role Of Gender, Race, First-Year College Gpa And Passing Stem Advanced Placement Exams And The Likelihood Of Graduating With A Stem Degree: A Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis, Amar Patel

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers are projected to grow beyond the normal pace of job growth (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021). Many of these careers will require degrees in STEM fields, but, currently, there is a significant underrepresentation of Blacks and females in both STEM degree programs and careers. The purpose of the current quantitative study was to explore the strength of the association between AP Exams, first-year GPA, race, and gender in science achievement. Research Question 1 investigated the relationship between taking AP Exams and the time taken to graduate. For students who took an AP Exam, …

Student Mental Health During And After The Coronavirus Pandemic, Olivia Harner

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The educational setting serves as an influential force when considering the impacts that school can have on student mental health. Following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, research revealed negative effects on mental health for a variety of populations across the globe; however, comprehensive reviews about the effect that the pandemic had on the mental health of American K-12 students are limited. Consequently, the purpose of this specialist project is to evaluate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the mental health of American students in grades K-12 through a review of literature. Utilizing PRISMA procedures, 19 articles were selected …

Conditions Affecting Adjunct Teaching Performance: A Descriptive Study, Terry Baggett

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Colleges and universities have been undergoing long-term structural changes and among these is the ever-increasing reliance on adjunct faculty. The most important goal of higher education is student success and faculty are one of the biggest influencers of student learning success. As a result, factors affecting faculty can also have secondary effects on students. The purpose of the study is to describe various conditions within selected institutions that are affecting adjunct faculty instructional performance as perceived by adjunct faculty themselves.

This study used a survey methodology with a descriptive design. Results from four community colleges and one university were collected …

Preassessment Data And Differentiation In Middle School Math Classrooms, Brittany Mitchell

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This research study investigates the use of preassessment data to guide differentiated instructional strategies in educational settings. Since there has been an increased awareness of diverse learning requirements among students, differentiated instruction has become a highly researched topic and proved to be an effective strategy used to address different learning modalities, interests, and levels of readiness. However, there has been little research aimed at differentiating for a middle school math classroom. In this study, qualitative methods are employed, and interview transcripts are the primary sources of data. Findings revealed that math teachers understand the benefits of preassessments and differentiation strategies, …

Improving Parental Engagement For Kindergarten Readiness: An Improvement Science Study, Sarah Johnson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Every child deserves the opportunity to come to school ready to learn with the skills needed to take on the content in kindergarten. Students, who are not ready for kindergarten, have a higher chance of needing additional support services with academics and behavior (Fitzpatrick et al., 2020). In Kentucky, less than 50% of the kindergarten students were considered kindergarten ready based on the 2022 Kindergarten Readiness data (Kentucky Department of Education, 2023). In the district where this study took place, 43% of students were determined to be kindergarten ready (Kentucky Department of Education, 2023). Knowing the implications and long term …

A Review Of Terms Related To Race In School Psychology Journals, Malyra Bendson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The Black Lives Matter movement has been an increasing movement since the death of Trayvon Martin in 2012. Over the next decade there has been an increase in the movement due to Black lives continuing to be lost at the hands of police. School psychologists play a key role in supporting the mental health of students within schools. It is essential that research discuss how to best support students who have been affected by this movement as children have witnessed, so much on television and social media over the years. The current review explores whether these sociopolitical issues have also …

Teacher Background And Underrepresented Students In Gifted Education, Kayla Berg

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic students in gifted education programs is a longstanding concern involving equity and access in educational systems. This qualitative research explores the complex factors influencing this disparity, focusing on the role of teacher perceptions in the identification process. Elementary and middle school teacher participants (N = 14) from a single school district provided interview data. Data collection focused on interviews with classroom and gifted teachers related to the three research questions. The research design was a multiple embedded case study.

First, the study investigated how teachers' perceptions of gifted characteristics vary based on personal experiences, …

Parent Experiences In Advocating For Their Advanced Children In Elementary Schools, Kathryn Adams

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The amalgamation of underachievement, underidentification, lack of state and national mandates and definitions, and the unique social, emotional, and academic needs of gifted and advanced students has resulted in a system fraught with issues that leave parents with the role of advocating for their child’s best interests at school. According to the National Association for Gifted Children, schools may not be completely effective in providing services for gifted children, leaving many parents feeling that their children’s needs simply are not being met (Harris, 2017). Parents of gifted or advanced children have noted several areas in which they feel unsatisfied with …

Teacher Perceptions Of Gifted Middle School Students, Tom Wimsatt

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Middle school students who fall under the gifted and talented category are often perceived as being “self-sustaining, easy to handle” students. Research into the nature of gifted and talented students over the last 40+ years has proven otherwise, demonstrating a wide range of social and emotional issues as well as the need for advanced academic challenges. However, middle school teachers have shown mixed opinions about the specific needs of gifted and talented students, oftentimes seeing GT students at the middle school level to be less student and more “student helper”. This study was conducted to determine the current trends and …

Refining The Goals Of Public Education In The United States: An Exploratory Single-Case Embedded Study Of A Student-Centered Path-Goals Setting, Tuan Pham

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The public higher education system in the United States has inherited a multitude of aims and missions in order to fulfill its social and educational objectives. As a result, many higher education institutions suffer from unclear goals. Nevertheless, the researcher identified the student's goal-oriented process as the fundamental aspect of this educational system from its inception until the present. The exploratory single-case embedded study conducted at a regional comprehensive institution highlighted the differences, difficulties, and issues faced by students, administrators, and the institution itself in its pursuit of specific goals in higher education. Indepth interviews were employed to investigate the …

Building Bridges: An Improvement Science Approach To Fostering Cross-Group Connections And Friendships Among Elementary School Students, Cody Russelburg

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The persistent issue of limited cross-group connections and friendships among diverse elementary school students is addressed, specifically in a district with five elementary schools that converge into a single middle and high school. The tendency for students to maintain selfsegregated social circles from their zoned elementary schools into middle and high school highlights the need for an intervention designed to foster cross-group connections. Utilizing the Improvement Science framework, this research incorporates two intervention cycles to refine and enhance outcomes related to cross-group connections. Fifth-grade students from two distinct elementary schools had intentional and direct intergroup contact utilizing an adapted version …

A Systematic Review Of Practices Utilized By Administrators To Support Teachers With Classroom Management, Ciara Waggoner

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

An administrator’s role in supporting teachers has been a topic often discussed in literature. A less mentioned administrative function is their role in supporting teachers in classroom management strategies related to teaching and setting expectations. Problem behaviors in the classroom have a negative impact on student outcomes. Administrators can help address problem behaviors through the use of four effective administrator practices areas identified by Grissom et. al. (2021): (a) instructionally focused interactions (b) building a productive school climate (b) facilitating collaboration, and (c) managing personnel and resources. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify: (1) Which of the …

Change In Academic Self-Efficacy Across Gender And Year In School For Undergraduate Sport Management Students, Jarid Morton

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Academic self-efficacy (ASE) is a construct derived from social cognitive theory developed to assess an individuals perceived competence in academia. It has been found to significantly relate to academic achievement. Students scoring higher in ASE are more likely to obtain higher cumulative grade point averages and higher test scores. Studies assessing ASE have examined degree programs such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (i.e., STEM), business, and the humanities. Despite the wide scope of fields studied, sport management programs have yet to be assessed. This study aims to fill this gap. Part of the study aimed to construct a valid …

Ua94/6/18 Stephen Flora Student / Alumni Papers, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by and about Stephen Flora during his years as a student at Western Kentucky University.

Ua60/4 Applied Arts & Health Nursing, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by the department of Nursing.

Using Improvement Science To Address Early Elementary Teacher Efficacy And Competency When Addressing Trauma-Induced Behavior, Laura Hayes

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

As more research sheds light on the effects of trauma on school-age children, educators must learn to apply the research and make adaptations in the classroom and school settings. While the body of literature has grown, limitations still exist in research focused on specific strategies and applications for classroom teachers. Many teachers feel ill-equipped and exhibit low self-efficacy when working with students affected by trauma. As a result, many students receive disciplinary action rather than constructive practices that promote healing. Some teachers feel that more targeted and specific training and resources would improve efficacy, confidence, and effectiveness. In this study, …

Internationalization Of Higher Education: Leadership Roles And Challenges Senior International Officers Face In Their Efforts To Internationalize Regional Comprehensive Universities In The United States, Ibrahima Yaro

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study investigated the leadership roles and challenges senior international officers (SIOs) face in the internationalization of regional comprehensive universities in the United States. The study also explored senior international officers’ understanding of internationalization in the context of regional comprehensive universities, and the strategies they utilize to address the challenges they face. A qualitative approach, specifically an interpretive phenomenological analysis, was employed to conduct this research. Twelve in-depth interviews were conducted with SIOs from five U.S. regions: West, Midwest, South, Southeast, and Northwest. Findings show that senior international officers at regional comprehensive universities perceive internationalization as a tool to train …

The Role Of Leaders In Implementing Effective Leadership Strategies Towards The Educational Barriers Of Us-Based Refugee Students: A Qualitative Case Study Of Congolese Refugee Students, Faustin Busane

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This qualitative research study explored the experiences of three families of refugee school students, two school officials (a Superintendent and a Principal), three teachers, and one humanitarian agent all living in a Southeastern U.S. city. The results of the study revealed that the language barrier is the main academic challenge that refugee students encounter when they enroll in U.S. schools. The study also found that educators conceptualize their responsibilities toward refugee children by emphasizing the importance of high-quality teaching, and establishing through establishing strong relationships between parents, school officials, and exercising patience in the process. This study poses important implications …

The Challenge: Magazine For The Center For Gifted Studies (No. 55, Fall 2023), Elizabeth Joyce Editor

Gifted Studies Publications

Magazine created by and about the WKU Center for Gifted Studies.

Ua45/1 Registrar Updates, Wku Registrar

WKU Archives Records

Newsletter created by and about the WKU Registrar's Office. Articles:

• FERPA Reminders (Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act)
• Most Common FERPA Violations
• Drop for Non-Attendance
• Attendance Policy
• Application for Graduation
• Events
• Fall 2023 Important Dates
• Finals Week Fall 2023
• Meet Our Team

Ua19/16/2 Basketball Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Archives Records

Press releases and game statistics for WKU men's basketball team from August to December 2023.

(In Memoriam) John H. Bracey, Jr. Teacher, Mentor, Scholar-Activist, Andrew Rosa

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Tribute to John H. Bracey, Jr. published in the Journal of African American History, Vol. 108, No. 4.

Ua19/16/2 Women's Basketball Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Archives Records

Press releases and game statistics for WKU women's basketball team from August to December 2023.

Ua12/2/2 Talisman: Dimension, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Archives Records

Fall 2023 Talisman:

• Johnson, Katelyn . Flora & Fauna - Biology
• Pollard, Evynn. Inked Imagination
• Booth, Pandora. Sowing Grace - Mothers
• Murray, Debra. Shapes of Beauty
• Bivens, Emily. The Life Lesson
• Figures of Fall
• Meyers, Jeffrey. Level Up - eGames
• Walsh, Aidan. Unsung Heroes
• Sandlin, Ellie. Place to Be - Habitat for Humanity, Hotel, Inc.
• Youngers, Joel. An Endless Starry Sky
• Muscutt, Carson. True Colors - Queen Venus Knight
• Drury, Faith. Innovative Mind - Concrete Canoe, Steel Bridge
• Ousley, Rachael. One Man's Treasure - Matt Tullis
• Haines, Lily. Chuck Close
• Thompson, Sarah. En Pointe
• Hunt, Janie. Open Your Eyes
• Halstead, …

Ua3/10/3 Convocation, Timothy Caboni

WKU Archives Records

Convocation speech given by WKU president Timothy Caboni regarding student retention, enrollment, living learning communities, Colonnade, early college programs, research, global study, philanthropy, innovation campus, knowledge towns and Indudeep Chhachhi.

Giftedness In Dance: Equitable Audition Procedures & Program Development, Lauren Case

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study explored the perspectives of dance specialists and gifted and talented resource teachers in a large school district in the southeastern region of the United States. Six educators who teach dance, work in auditioning and identification of gifted and talented dancers, and provide service options for gifted and talented identified dance students were interviewed in this qualitative study which focused on best practices in gifted and talented dance identification. Dance specialists’ perspectives of audition structures and characteristics of dance giftedness were examined. Three themes emerged from interviewees in this field of education: audition structures, opportunities and access of dance …

Teacher Perceptions Of Advanced Ability English Language Learners (Ell), Dena Redmond

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study explored teacher perceptions of English language learners and giftedness. High school content teachers participated in an interview identifying behaviors that indicate advanced abilities from a series of three vignettes about English language learners. A total of four participants were interviewed. The four emergent themes were (1) critical thinking (2) rate of language acquisition, (3) motivation, and (4) use of language. The themes were behaviors that teachers perceived as demonstrating potential or demonstrating limited potential for advanced learning in English language learners.

Understanding Administrators' Perceptions Of Gifted Ell Students, Abigail Eaton

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Students with gifts and talents are identified in school districts across the nation. However, there is severe underrepresentation of minority groups in gifted education programs, specifically students with ELL backgrounds. This issue is important because students from diverse backgrounds are the fastest growing group of the K-12 population. If the issue is not addressed, many talents will be overlooked and underdeveloped (Peters & Engerrand, 2016). The purpose of this study was to analyze administrators’ perceptions of gifted ELL students.

Participants in this study include six administrators from a small, rural district in Southcentral Kentucky. All of the administrators participated in …

Educator Beliefs On Procedures For Identifying Gifted And Talented Students In General Intellect And Specific Academic Areas, Katherine Perraut

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study explored teacher beliefs regarding procedures used to identify students as gifted and talented in the areas of general intellect and specific academic areas. Measures were identified that educators indicated most effective for identifying gifted and talented students as well as the measures that educators felt were less effective in identification. Educators across one school district were given the opportunity to complete a survey and/or an interview in this mixed method study. Representatives from all grade and school levels have been represented in the data. This research study revealed themes related to bias in nomination, understanding gifted characteristics, choosing …