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Liberty University

2022

Articles 1 - 30 of 319

Full-Text Articles in Education

Let Them Be Little: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Kindergarten Teachers During An Era Of Educational Reform, Rachel Denise Whites Dec 2022

Let Them Be Little: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Kindergarten Teachers During An Era Of Educational Reform, Rachel Denise Whites

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences and perceptions of kindergarten teachers who taught through an era of federally mandated, standards-based educational reforms. This study was guided by two theories as each contributes to an explanation as to how educational reform has strayed far from the central purpose for kindergartens. Piaget’s theory of cognitive development sought to explain how a child constructs a mental model of the world and postulated that there are four distinct stages of human development from birth to adulthood. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory stated that children learn through play and the …

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A Phenomenological Study Of African-American Students' Spiritual And Identity Development At Predominantly White Institutions, Jeffery Clayton Smith Ii Dec 2022

A Phenomenological Study Of African-American Students' Spiritual And Identity Development At Predominantly White Institutions, Jeffery Clayton Smith Ii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to document the lived experiences of African American (AA) students attending predominantly White institutions (PWI’s). The importance of capturing these experiences is to better understand how PWIs are properly equipped to serve the needs of their AA students. This study describe how AA students are experiencing spiritual and identity development while they are enrolled at a PWI. The two guiding theories of this study are Fowler’s Faith Development Theory and Erikson’s Identity Development Theory. These guiding theories have been paired together to address students’ spiritual development during their emerging adulthood years. The …

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Perspectives Of Middle School Band Members On High School Band, Frank J. Poolos Dec 2022

Perspectives Of Middle School Band Members On High School Band, Frank J. Poolos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Student retention is essential for band programs at any level to succeed and grow. This study includes results of student surveys of current high-school students who took band during their middle school years, seeking essential factors affecting student perceptions about continuation into high school band programs. Research into band student enrollment and retention exist, yet limited resources focus on transitioning from middle to high school. Studies indicate that participation in large music ensembles, such as bands, provides social, emotional, and academic benefits. Increasing student retention across this transition could yield improved student experiences and achievement in music and beyond. Existing …

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How Teachers Perceive Educational Programs In Juvenile Justice Facilities: Case Study, Connie Faye Mitchell Dec 2022

How Teachers Perceive Educational Programs In Juvenile Justice Facilities: Case Study, Connie Faye Mitchell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand teachers’ perspectives of educational programs in juvenile justice facilities. This information is valuable in assessing the needs of incarcerated juveniles and strengthening the educational programs provided to them. This case study utilized John Dewey’s social learning theory, which states that learning occurs through social interactions and hands-on approaches. This theory supports the case study of the interactions between the students and teachers while they are participating in academic and career and technology education (CATE) courses. The study sought to answer the following question: What are the teachers’ perceptions of online learning, …

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Competing With Small Town Football: The Challenges Of Teaching High School Band In Rural America, Christopher John Libby Dec 2022

Competing With Small Town Football: The Challenges Of Teaching High School Band In Rural America, Christopher John Libby

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project explored the many challenges band directors face while teaching in the rural United States. Despite the abundance of articles about recruiting for high school band programs, few have addressed high schools in the rural United States. The untold perspectives of novice and experienced band directors matter because it is a topic not addressed in undergraduate studies. This study highlights the perspectives of band directors and scholars who have firsthand experience building band programs in rural counties. Guided by scholarly journal articles, personal interviews, and other research, this qualitative research study identified perspectives that have not yet been explored …

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The Effect Of Language Used In The Home On Academic Achievement In English Language Learners With Special Needs, Rebecca Dawn Bramblett Dec 2022

The Effect Of Language Used In The Home On Academic Achievement In English Language Learners With Special Needs, Rebecca Dawn Bramblett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The number of students classified as English language learners enrolled in schools in the United States continues to multiply yearly. An increasing number of these students also qualify for special education services. Students in either group have underperformed compared with their general education peers for years, and the basic academic proficiency levels of these students are concerning when either language proficiency or disability is considered separately. However, when a lack of language of proficiency is compounded with a disability, academic proficiency levels become even more concerning. While student language proficiency and disability are well-researched in terms of academic performance, the …

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The Lived Experience Of Athletic Training Faculty Who Have Transitioned To A Master Of Athletic Training Program Including Interprofessional Education: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Shelby Nicole Martin Dec 2022

The Lived Experience Of Athletic Training Faculty Who Have Transitioned To A Master Of Athletic Training Program Including Interprofessional Education: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Shelby Nicole Martin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore current athletic training faculty perceptions regarding their transition from an undergraduate degree to a master’s level athletic training program that includes interprofessional education (IPE). IPE can be defined as a collaborative learning experience between two or more healthcare profession programs. The theory guiding this study was Schlossberg’s transition theory. The connection between Schlossberg’s transition theory and faculty perspectives on transition from an undergraduate to graduate curriculum was how the faculty cope before, during, and after the transition. Purposeful, snowball sampling was used to select 10 participants sharing the common experience …

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Understanding Student Experiences Of College Mental Health-Related Resources And Policies Since The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study, Donna Aron Sepulveda-Shelton Dec 2022

Understanding Student Experiences Of College Mental Health-Related Resources And Policies Since The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study, Donna Aron Sepulveda-Shelton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the experiences regarding mental health-related resources and policies since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic for undergraduate students at higher education institutions in northern Georgia. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s social cognitive theory, as it explores motivators and factors for human behavior and attitude. A phenomenological research design was used to determine common themes among college students enrolled in higher education institutions in northern Georgia before and throughout the entirety of the COVID-19 pandemic. The higher education institutions were within an 80-mile radius, as these colleges were required to …

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A Phenomenological Study In Conflict And Conflict Resolution Methods Of Rural African American Pastors, Darrell W. Rowe Dec 2022

A Phenomenological Study In Conflict And Conflict Resolution Methods Of Rural African American Pastors, Darrell W. Rowe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative, phenomenological by design research aimed to identify the conflict resolution methods utilized by African American pastors who serve in rural locations and shepherd a flock of one hundred or fewer congregants. The study also sought to understand the background, origin, and perceived effectiveness of resolving congregational conflict from the specified demographic. As the shepherd of the flock, the pastor has the inherent responsibility to resolve conflict within the church. The church experiences conflict from numerous external sources; however, this research sought to address conflict within the congregation. This study collected data through the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict MODE Instrument. 71.4% …

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Comparing Student Perceptions In Traditional And Online Anatomy & Physiology Courses At The Community College Level, Benjamin Curtis Wright Dec 2022

Comparing Student Perceptions In Traditional And Online Anatomy & Physiology Courses At The Community College Level, Benjamin Curtis Wright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This paper is intended to compare student perceptions of learning environments within anatomy & physiology I and II courses at the community college level. Literature suggests that student perceptions vary depending on the learning environment. The purpose of this study stems from very little research within science courses. Students participating in the research will be grouped into two categories based on the type, of course, they are completing: A traditional face-to-face course or a distance education course. All learning materials within the courses are identical. The Distance Education Learning Environments Survey (DELES) will be used to gather data on student …

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Using Popular Music To Engage The Multiculturally Diverse Secondary School Band, Todd Waldon Murphy Dec 2022

Using Popular Music To Engage The Multiculturally Diverse Secondary School Band, Todd Waldon Murphy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the increasing acceptance and enthusiasm for multicultural popular music in some high schools in the United States, traditional music teachers are often hesitant to embrace this trend. Even though the United States is responsible for creating many popular music styles, European music education philosophy is ahead with popular music education. Because of the United States' changing demographics, a new strategy must be developed to address this issue and implement it to the band director's advantage. Ethnic diversity and multiculturism have been creative factors in the United States, which explains why American culture has produced a wide variety of musical …

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Teaching In Alaska: A Phenomenological Study, Tabitha L. Hill Dec 2022

Teaching In Alaska: A Phenomenological Study, Tabitha L. Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to describe the lived experiences of teachers who relocated to urban fringe areas of Alaska from the lower 48 states. The theories guiding this study are situated learning theory and experiential learning theory. These theories provide the theoretical framework for this study to answer the central research question and sub-questions: (1) How do teachers who moved to Alaska describe their experiences compared to their teaching experience in the lower 48 states? (2) How do teachers describe the challenges they face during their first-year teaching in Alaska? (3) How do teachers describe information …

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A Case Study Of Transformational Leadership Practices Utilized To Increase National Rankings Of An Hbcu Through Strategic Planning, Titilayo B. Evans Dec 2022

A Case Study Of Transformational Leadership Practices Utilized To Increase National Rankings Of An Hbcu Through Strategic Planning, Titilayo B. Evans

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single instrument case study was to explore the transformational leadership practices utilized by university leaders in the implementation of a strategic plan first executed in 2011 at Pride University, a pseudonym used for the setting of the study, a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). The central research question of this study was, “How were transformational leadership strategies utilized in the execution of the strategic plan implemented at Pride University?” Over the years, transformational leadership has been commonly embraced by organizations and has worked well for leaders and followers alike. Although there has been much research …

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It’S The Trauma Talking: A Phenomenology Of Foster Parents’ Trauma Knowledge In Central Virginia, Stephanie Lynn Cheek Dec 2022

It’S The Trauma Talking: A Phenomenology Of Foster Parents’ Trauma Knowledge In Central Virginia, Stephanie Lynn Cheek

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe foster parents’ trauma knowledge in Central Virginia. The theories guiding this study include childhood complex trauma theory and experiential learning theory (ELT). As discussed by Herman (1992) and Terr (1991), childhood complex trauma theory explains the behaviors and actions of foster children who have suffered complex trauma. As discussed by Kolb (2014), ELT explains the processes that foster parents go through in gaining and applying trauma knowledge to their fostering. The central research question is, how do foster parents in Central Virginia describe their trauma knowledge? Further research questions include, how …

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Pistol Packing Educators: A Phenomenological Study On Educators Desire To Carry A Concealed Weapon In School, Jaycia H. Jacobs Dec 2022

Pistol Packing Educators: A Phenomenological Study On Educators Desire To Carry A Concealed Weapon In School, Jaycia H. Jacobs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand how educators described their desires and lived experiences of carrying a firearm in a K-12 school. A transcendental phenomenological design was used in this study to examine the essence of the participants’ experiences. The theory that guided this study was Crano’s (1995) vested interest theory which established an individual’s perceived significance and hedonic relevance of an attitude-implicated action’s outcome. Attitude-behavior consistency exists when there is a strong association between opinions and actions. The central research question guiding this case study asked: What were the lived experiences of educators who desired …

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A Phenomenological Study Of Black Women In Leadership: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Women In The Healthcare Field, Janice Tabatha Hill Dec 2022

A Phenomenological Study Of Black Women In Leadership: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Women In The Healthcare Field, Janice Tabatha Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Black women in leadership positions in the healthcare field. The study used an intersectional lens to illustrate how gender, race, class, and spirituality contributed to the systemic structures of oppression, bias, and discrimination, limiting ascension to positions of power and authority. The theoretical framework guiding this inquiry was the great man leadership theory, which analyzed how socio-cultural identities influenced Black women’s perceptions and experiences of leadership within the organizational context. Adopting a phenomenological study research design conceptualized the experiences of Black women executives working in a …

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A Causal-Comparative Study Of The Impact Of Meaningful Watershed Environmental Experiences On The Academic Achievement Of Middle School Students, Gina R. Mason Dec 2022

A Causal-Comparative Study Of The Impact Of Meaningful Watershed Environmental Experiences On The Academic Achievement Of Middle School Students, Gina R. Mason

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Meaningful watershed educational experiences (MWEE) are student-centered, problem solving-oriented environmental educational experiences in which students investigate local environmental issues leading to civic engagement and informed action. The four components of an MWEE include issue definition, outdoor field experience, synthesis and conclusion, and action projects. While multiple benefits have been shown to be gained through participation in environmental education, this study’s aim was to observe the impact MWEEs have on academic achievement in middle school students. This quantitative, ex post facto, causal-comparative study examined the impact MWEEs had on students’ achievement scores, as measured by Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) …

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Effectiveness Of Instructional Design And Technology In A Non-Traditional Parental Program: An Embedded Single Case Study, Sonja Loraine Howell Dec 2022

Effectiveness Of Instructional Design And Technology In A Non-Traditional Parental Program: An Embedded Single Case Study, Sonja Loraine Howell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study is to discover the effectiveness of the instructional design of an organization's current programs. The central research question was to determine how instructional design impacts the effectiveness of a nontraditional court-ordered parental instructional program. The theory guiding this study is Kearsley & Schneiderman’s engagement theory, as it structures interactions to facilitate collaboration in a project-based environment with a meaningful focus using instructional design. The methodology for analyzing this study includes Yin’s and Stake’s models to understand a profoundly complex social phenomenon and actual live program. This study gave intrinsic and extrinsic validity while researching …

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The Importance Of Art In Cross Discipline Education, Shaye E. Beeman Dec 2022

The Importance Of Art In Cross Discipline Education, Shaye E. Beeman

Masters Theses

For years, art has been pushed under the rug. Especially in education, art is seen as less advantageous than other courses such as math, English, and science. This thesis explores the advantages of utilizing art in cross-discipline classrooms to help students learn and develop skills that will improve their physical, mental, and spiritual health. This thesis will bring into account other sources of information and data including research, case studies, and visual analyses to show: How will art improve the physical health of students? How does art increase the mental health of students? How does art improve the spiritual health …

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Researching Technological Advancements Through Alternative Methods Of Music Education To Engage Students In The Digital Age, Olivia Thornton Thompson Dec 2022

Researching Technological Advancements Through Alternative Methods Of Music Education To Engage Students In The Digital Age, Olivia Thornton Thompson

Masters Theses

While the music industry has significantly incorporated technology into music composition and production, music education is slow to teach how to use these technical methods for students living in the digital age. Current music education methods have established successful results in past music compositions; however, those methods are becoming impractical. Although music education taught in schools has been primarily successful through traditional methods, students learning in the digital age have yet to learn how to strengthen their musical abilities through technology. This secondary analysis aims to look at the different studies on incorporating technology in a music education setting to …

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The Need And Value Of Adding A Gifted Music Curriculum To Education Using Music Technology, Haven K. Clippinger Dec 2022

The Need And Value Of Adding A Gifted Music Curriculum To Education Using Music Technology, Haven K. Clippinger

Masters Theses

Research in music education has increased drastically since its emergence in the 20th century. Philosophers developed detailed music education philosophies, and music education changed in American education. In addition, the 20th century also brought an increased awareness of gifted students in the school system. Musical talent has been considered a gifted quality, yet there appears to be minimal research on gifted students in music classes. Initial research was conducted to examine literature on gifted music. This research served to provide a greater link between music and gifted education by utilizing a music technology curriculum for gifted music students. This project …

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Teacher Retention Crisis After Natural Disaster Trauma And A Global Pandemic, Kimberly Marie Jarrard Dec 2022

Teacher Retention Crisis After Natural Disaster Trauma And A Global Pandemic, Kimberly Marie Jarrard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Natural disasters affect the communities of over one million students and educators in the United States every year; however, school-based preparedness and prevention programs are nearly non-existent across disaster-prone areas. School-based trauma intervention programs are somewhat present in schools; however, it is more expensive and at a cost, and most public school systems do not have funds readily available to spend. However, the price is more significant on the adolescents' and educators' mental health and communities affected when they are only treated reactively rather than proactively. There are many studies on the results and after-effects of trauma on the mental …

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Factors Which Facilitate The Successful Inclusion Of Students With Learning Disabilities And Emotional And Behavioral Disabilities, Mackenzie Gabrielle Nadeau Dec 2022

Factors Which Facilitate The Successful Inclusion Of Students With Learning Disabilities And Emotional And Behavioral Disabilities, Mackenzie Gabrielle Nadeau

Senior Honors Theses

This paper examines the different types of strategies, supports, and technologies available to students who are classified with a learning disability (LD) or emotional and behavioral disability (EBD) in an inclusive setting. As the number of students with LD and EBD in a general, inclusive classroom setting is rising, it is necessary to find ways to maximize their educational performance. In an inclusive setting, children with disabilities receive instruction with support and accommodations alongside their non-disabled peers in their neighborhood school. The practice of inclusion promotes social interaction and peer-acceptance among students with and without disabilities, therefore providing opportunities for …

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Educators’ Perspectives Of Student Outcomes, Rikki Jean Cook Dec 2022

Educators’ Perspectives Of Student Outcomes, Rikki Jean Cook

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Individual experiences inform psychological adjustment, academic achievement, and trait-specific behaviors during adolescence. The formation of their identity is further dependent upon social and emotional interactions such as those experienced in the social learning environment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, mandated social distancing resulted in the closure of public schools state-wide, forcing students and educators to utilize online educational environments with no preparatory or transitionary periods to allow for adequate adjustment. It is necessary to assess and work toward an understanding of the consequences of this environmental shift, and of the adolescents’ modified social interactions. This descriptive qualitative phenomenological study explores the …

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Nontraditional Student Persistence Amid The Transition To Corequisite Remediation: Examining The Relationship Of Developmental Education And Academic Support Courses, Priscilla Renee Burns Dec 2022

Nontraditional Student Persistence Amid The Transition To Corequisite Remediation: Examining The Relationship Of Developmental Education And Academic Support Courses, Priscilla Renee Burns

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, correlational study was conducted to examine how persistence of nontraditional college students is influenced by participation in developmental education and academic support courses. The persistence rate of students, especially nontraditional students, can have a profound impact on today’s workforce and the funding of the postsecondary institution. This predictive correlational study utilized logistic regression to examine the relationship between the predictor variables (developmental mathematics, developmental reading, and academic support courses) and the criterion variable (persistence to the next academic year). The sample for each research question was comprised 100 first-year college freshman who met at least one of the …

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A Phenomenological Study On Military Spouses Who Academically Persist To Graduation, Lasette Marie Doherty Dec 2022

A Phenomenological Study On Military Spouses Who Academically Persist To Graduation, Lasette Marie Doherty

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenology was to understand the supportive experiences of military spouse students who academically persist to graduation. The theory guiding this study was Bean and Metzner’s non-traditional undergraduate student attrition model. Drawing from House’s social support definition that defines different types of support, this study’s central research question asked what role support played in the academic persistence of undergraduate military spouses. Sub-questions asked how emotional and instrumental support affected academic persistence with military spouse students. How emotional and instrumental support affected academic persistence during military separations was also asked. Eleven current and past military spouse students …

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Middle School Teachers' Experiences Addressing Gifted Students' Basic Psychological Needs: A Phenomenological Study, Lorri Thibodeaux Caldwell Dec 2022

Middle School Teachers' Experiences Addressing Gifted Students' Basic Psychological Needs: A Phenomenological Study, Lorri Thibodeaux Caldwell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological study aimed to investigate teachers’ experiences addressing the psychological needs of gifted middle school students within a public school district in Louisiana. Psychological needs-supportive teaching was defined as the pedagogies teachers employ to build students’ perceptions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The study was grounded in Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory (SDT), which posits that human beings seek growth as part of human nature. The participants were a sample of 12 middle school teachers of identified gifted students in a Louisiana school district. Data collection included personal interviews, artifact submissions, and a focus group discussion. The …

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Understanding The School Counselor's Experience As They Transition To Meet The Demands Of Their Job: A Phenomenological Study, Crystal Michelle Smith Dec 2022

Understanding The School Counselor's Experience As They Transition To Meet The Demands Of Their Job: A Phenomenological Study, Crystal Michelle Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of school counselors as they transition to integrate technology to meet the demands of their job as transformed school counselors. Eleven participants were selected using a purposeful and criterion-based sample of school counselors from a school counselor’s Facebook group. The participants selected were employed in a public middle school, junior high school, or high school system found within the United States. The central question for this study was: how do school counselors describe their experiences of integrating technology so they may meet the demands of their job? The …

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Reactive And Proactive Practices: Educational Stakeholder Perceptions Of Grade Retention And Intervention, Melissa A. Carlton Dec 2022

Reactive And Proactive Practices: Educational Stakeholder Perceptions Of Grade Retention And Intervention, Melissa A. Carlton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As contemporary educational models progress at an increasing rate toward assessment-rich, data-based decision-making to support academic growth and achievement, the orientation and perception of educational stakeholders has remained a key interpretive factor in determining the cumulative trajectory for low-performing students in inclusive settings. The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to identify whether there was a difference in the perception of grade retention and Response to Intervention (RtI) practices among educational stakeholders in various professional roles working in states with and without policies regarding grade retention. A sample of teachers, leaders, and educational specialists from 27 US states completed …

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Deployment Separation Impact On Military Spouse Well-Being, Cinthia Joas Dec 2022

Deployment Separation Impact On Military Spouse Well-Being, Cinthia Joas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Military spouses are confronted with multiple responsibilities daily. These demands intensify when their spouses deploy. By extension, military families respond differently and adapt to these stressors differently than civilian families. This necessitates coping with dynamic changes described as adequate or maladaptive. The deployment of one's spouse is also affiliated with mixed feelings such as anger, fear, joy, loneliness, anticipation, and relief. While the active-duty spouse is deployed, communication with the family allows a more significant emotional balance for the military member, the spouse, and the children to obtain a more favorable performance in their functions. Without proper and consistent communication, …

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