Education Commons^™

Politics, Policies, And Procedures: The Iron Triangle Of Implementing Education Reform, Clint Reardon Jr

Honors College Theses

Education is often seen as a living thing, something that should grow and change with time. However, for far too many people who experience education from both within the school structure and for those who experience education from outside the school structure it can often seem like the educational system is stagnate, dying, and in some cases dead. One shared reason for this perception is perceived barriers in education that stifle creativity and allow educational systems to grow, adapt, and change to meet the needs of the students they serve. This study set out to identify what those barriers are …

Portraits Of Hispanic And/Or Latino Leadership Development In The Military, Michael Lugo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The study presented denotes a continuous transition among the Hispanic and/or Latino demographics in the military and the cadet accounts of military inequality incidents while in the military (Cabrera et al., 2017; Eckel & King, 2004). To assist Hispanic and/or Latino needs based on demographics and environment (National Center for Education Statistics, 2019). Military leaders contribute to growing a diverse, inclusive, and equitable military force for all ethnic groups. The Department of Defense (DoD) is the most racially and ethnically diverse workplace in the United States (Daniel et al., 2022). Nevertheless, racial/ethnic harassment and discrimination in the military continue …

Barriers That Exemplary Principals Have Overcome To Increase Parent Participation At The School Site, Sandra Quintanilla

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the barriers exemplary principals have overcome to increase parent involvement at their school sites. This study explored how principals develop strategies to overcome barriers impeding parent involvement. Using those strategies, principals enhance parent involvement at their school sites.

Methodology: A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted, consisting of interviews to collect data from elementary school principals who have successful parent involvement at their school sites. First, the principals were interviewed in 60 min sessions. The data collected were analyzed to understand individuals’ beliefs and motivation.

Findings: Data analysis revealed that …

Using A Decision-Making Process To Determine Where To Relocate A Newer Dual Language Program, Laura C. Weiss

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This qualitative research study used culturally responsive protocols to provide stakeholders in a small rural community access to a district’s decision-making process. Community stakeholders were tasked with making a recommendation for relocating its dual language program (DLP). The committee identified three themes to guide their decision making: (a) keep the school in one location, (b) maintain the culture, and (c) provide access to resources. Despite intentional protocols used, barriers remained that impacted committee members’ level of engagement and participation. Key factors contributing to a lack of engagement included insufficient time and lack of trust. Additionally, native Spanish speakers (NSS) and …

A Family Perspective On Family Involvement Strategies In A Local Urban Elementary School, Barbara Ann Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe active engagement of parents in the educational experiences of their children has been suggested to support high academic achievement for the children. In the project setting, an urban elementary school, educators were struggling to find effective strategies to promote family involvement in their children’s education. The purpose of this qualitative project study was to investigate family perspectives on family involvement strategies and potential barriers at the project setting and to determine new effective strategies to help them become more involved in their children’s education. The conceptual framework for the project is Epstein’s (2009) framework for parental involvement which explains …

Factors Affecting Technology Integration For Teachers At K-12, Adult Education, And Higher Education Institutions Since Virtual Learning Due To Covid-19, Christina Thompson, Stephanie Collins, Lisa Hollins

Dissertations

This quantitative study investigates instructors' perceptions of the factors influencing technology integration in their instruction, spanning the years 2019-2023, encompassing the transition from virtual to in-person learning after COVID-19. It examines technology integration barriers and supports experienced by instructors in the Midwestern United States, namely Missouri, during this period. Additionally, it explores how the virtual learning experience during the pandemic has influenced instructors' self-perceptions of their digital competence. The study encompasses three education sectors: K-12, adult education, and higher education, providing a unique multi-sector perspective. By delving into the post-COVID-19 educational environment, this research aims to offer valuable insights. The …

Barriers And Facilitating Factors Of Sleep Assessment/Screening Among School Psychology Practitioners, Tyler Jjay Landon Storey

Theses and Dissertations

Sleep is an important and necessary part of life. While the biological need for sleep among school-aged individuals has not changed over the years, the quality and quantity of their sleep has. School-aged children reporting sleep deficits in the United States is on the rise and a significant body of research establishes associations between a lack of sleep and lower cognition as well as psychological and behavioral problems. These associations can heavily influence the academic progress and success of students. School psychologists are in a unique position to identify and provide support to individuals with sleep issues. Unfortunately, there is …

On-Campus Mental Health Service Use Among College Students With Autism: A Case Study Applying The Andersen Behavioral Model Of Health Services Use, Estella C. Lilyquist

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The unique set of impairments and limitations presented by students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) make the accessing of campus-based nonacademic resources more difficult and complicated than their typically developed peers. Each year, the rate of students entering college with disabilities continues to grow, but their mental well-being is relatively poor. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to apply the conceptual framework of the Andersen behavioral model of health services use (ABMHSU) to the experiences of college students with ASD to understand and predict their utilization of campus-provided mental health resources. The participants were seven college students with …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Service Access For Children And Adolescents With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities Across Florida, Alyssa N. Hanley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Businesses worldwide closed to lessen the spread of the virus. Due to an increased need for specialized services compared to the general population, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) may have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 shutdowns. Without access to schools and centers where services are provided, therapeutic progress was halted. Services, such as special education, occupational therapy, and physical therapy, were paused, impacting access and maintenance for individuals with I/DD. In addition, services that continued did so using modified delivery methods such as telehealth. To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 …

Narratives Of Perseverance By Latina Women Paving Their Way To Success In Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, And Math (Steam) Higher Education, Toni Carmichael

Dissertations

The purpose of this narrative study was to understand the experiences of successful Latina women attaining higher education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) and the challenges they have overcome along the way. Additionally, I sought to examine ways in which these students challenged the stigma of invisibility often attached to Latino communities. Representatives from Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Mexico, the participants of this study were seven women employed in various areas of STEAM with higher education degrees.

Cultural Capital and Feminist Cultural Studies provided the theoretical framework for this study. The three-dimensional narrative design was applied …

The Barriers Teachers Face When Implementing The Universal Design For Learning Framework, Dana Dacus-Hare

Education | Master's Theses

There are multiple barriers to learning that students face. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for teaching and learning that gives all students an equal opportunity to succeed. While many studies address the hurdles teachers face when implementing the UDL framework, there is a gap in the research about the support systems that can minimize those barriers for teachers. There is also a lack of existing studies about the additional frameworks that can work in connection with UDL to meet the needs of diverse learners. Using UDL and Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) together provides a framework that traditional …

The College Search Process Of Rural, First-Generation Students, Tia Miles

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

First-generation college students (FGCS) continue to be one of the largest growing groups of students across higher education. Being a FGCS comes with a unique set of challenges when facing the choice of a college or university. This research aims to identify barriers that FGCS face in the college search process to provide student support professionals with information and recommendations on how to effectively support FGCS in the college search process. Previous research has often focused on the matriculation, retention, and graduation of FGCS. It is important to understand how FGCS select an institution of higher education to improve retention …

Barriers That Impact International/Foreign-Born Practical Nursing Students’ Completion Rate In A Diploma Program Located In A Community College In The Midwestern United States, Joy Seymour

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Thousands of international students leave their countries of origin each year to pursue higher education in the United States. These students left their homelands to pursue higher education, which helped change the trajectory of their lives and the lives of their families. Although some of these students have high hopes and aspirations of completing their programs of studies, the literature review showed that they experienced barriers, such as English language, financial, culture shock, and unfamiliar teaching and learning pedagogies. This qualitative phenomenological research study aimed to identify self-reported barriers that impacted the completion rate of international/foreign-born students pursuing the Practical …

Family Engagement In Schools: Family Engagement Guide, Sara Anderson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Family engagement in schools has been looked at and researched for many years. It has been shown that increased family engagement in schools leads to higher student achievement (Epstein and Voorhis, 2010). Family engagement literature explains engagement can be increased, the benefits, common barriers, and implications for schools (Dikkers, 2013). It continues to be researched to look at multiple ways engagement can be effective for students, families, and communities. Increased family engagement in education positively affects student performance and overall experience (Epstein, 1987). As such, it is important for schools to have a program in place to encourage and enable …

Hispanic Human Capital And Financial Aid Application In The West Census Region, Benjamin Lundy-Paine

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

As of 2021, very few Hispanic residents in the United States held a college degree in comparison to non-Hispanic residents. Research has shown that, particularly for Hispanic students, financial aid increases college persistence. Hispanic Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submission rates rank among the lowest, preventing many Hispanic students from receiving financial assistance. This issue is most prevalent West Census Region (WCR), where there is the highest concentration of Hispanic residents. To understand what barriers may be preventing Hispanic submission in the WCR this Capstone used logistic regression models to analyze student-level data from the National Center for …

How Can Increased Parental Involvement Facilitate Greater Student Engagement And Academic Success Within One Rgv Middle School, Jaime H. Serna

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore how can increased parental involvement be encouraged in the K-12 school in the Rio Grande Valley in order to facilitate greater student engagement and academic success. An action research project will be done to explore middle school teachers’ perspectives on parental involvement and the effect it has on student academics. Research will take place in Sunview Middle School were interviews, observations will be conducted to teachers, parental involvement assistant and administrator. Data will assist to improve and promote the parental involvement program to assist all stakeholders and better assist our students.

Food For Thought: A Food Initiative For Selective Institutions, Johanna Hossink

Culminating Experience Projects

Food insecurity is a problem facing many college students across the United States. While many colleges and universities have begun to address food insecurity on their campuses by providing resources such as food pantries and meal swipe programs, selective institutions have largely been left out of the conversation. Food insecurity in college creates a plethora of barriers that often prevent students from experiencing college in the same capacity as their food secure counterparts. Unfortunately, low-income students facing food insecurity at selective institutions must face the additional barrier of a culture of wealth that often renders their food insecurity invisible while …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Black Women Athletic Directors At Ncaa Institutions, Niya N. Blair Hackworth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Historically, college athletics have advanced men over women in top leadership roles, sustaining gender hierarchy. Senior leadership positions within intercollegiate athletics, such as the athletic director or associate athletic director, are mainly held by White men. Women and racial minorities are considerably unrepresented in athletic director roles. In 2021, the National Collegiate Athletic Association reported that Black men held 13% of athletic director positions, whereas the role was held by 3% of Black women. Research indicated there are unique barriers that women of color experience as they strive to obtain the athletic director title. The barriers women of color experience …

Educator Preparedness In The Use Of Simulation In Nursing Education, Marcelene E. Hart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractNurse educators lack preparation when using simulation as a teaching modality in educating nurses and nursing students within their clinical environment. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand nurse educators’ perceptions of the challenges in preparing for simulation-based training experiences for nurses and nursing students. Vygotsky’s constructivist theory was used as the conceptual framework for the study to emphasize students’ innate ability to learn using active and hands-on processes through simulation experiences. Questions were developed to explore the challenges nurse educators encounter when preparing for simulation activities. Survey questionnaire invitations were sent through email to hundreds of …

Educator Preparedness In The Use Of Simulation In Nursing Education, Marcelene E. Hart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractNurse educators lack preparation when using simulation as a teaching modality in educating nurses and nursing students within their clinical environment. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand nurse educators’ perceptions of the challenges in preparing for simulation-based training experiences for nurses and nursing students. Vygotsky’s constructivist theory was used as the conceptual framework for the study to emphasize students’ innate ability to learn using active and hands-on processes through simulation experiences. Questions were developed to explore the challenges nurse educators encounter when preparing for simulation activities. Survey questionnaire invitations were sent through email to hundreds of …

Marginalized Community College Students' Perspectives Of Their First Time In Honors And Experiences With Tracking, Trina Sotirakopulos

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Many of the variables that determine college admission are beyond a student’s control, including the academic track they were assigned as early as primary school—often referred to as “ability-grouping” or skills-homogeneous classes. Even in higher education, students feel the effects of unequal sorting and sifting from tracking. The purpose of this study was to learn from marginalized community college students who were in low and middle track courses in high school. The study located how socially marginalized students taking honors courses for the first time perceived their past experiences with tracking, current opportunities in community college honors, and ways tracking …

Assessing The Knowledge On Sustainability And Barriers To Daily Sustainable Practices Among Faculty And Students In Higher Education: The Case Of Eastern Illinois University, Joel Edem Holison

Masters Theses

The concept of sustainable development gained prominence with the publication of the Brundtland Report, which emphasized economic progress without jeopardizing future generations' well-being. Following that, the Education for Sustainability (EfS) program was created by the United Nations to raise sustainability awareness. However, the transition to sustainable living is fraught with difficulties, including a lack of knowledge, financial constraints, infrastructure gaps, and political ideologies. This study focuses on sustainable practices among Eastern Illinois University (EIU) students and faculty, as well as the barriers to daily sustainable behaviors. As independent variables influencing sustainable practices, the study evaluates sustainability knowledge/awareness, personal financial situation, …

Forest County’S Historically Underrepresented Rural Students And Barriers To College, Tracy Ash

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This study used newly collected survey data from the Perceptions of Educational Barrier Scale – Revised (PEB-R; Gibbons, 2005) to examine the reported educational barriers of students who are currently enrolled at the University of Midwest and who graduated from one of the five designated rural high schools in Forest County, Illinois. The research sample consisted of 29 students. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between the PEB-R mean scores of reported educational barriers to post-secondary opportunities of historically underrepresented students who graduated from any of the five rural high schools in Forest County and …

The College Admissions Process For Returning Citizens And Ex-Offenders At A Small, Private Midwestern College, Donna Bradley

Dissertations

It is well-known that higher education faces the challenge of declining enrollment, particularly post-COVID. However, there is a population of students that higher education institutions may overlook, returning citizens and ex-offenders. Reintegration is a challenging endeavor for returning citizens and ex-offenders, without regard to the length of incarceration or the circumstances surrounding system-involvement. They face barriers and stigmatization while attempting to achieve some sense of normalization post-incarceration, including the pursuit of higher education. Using mixed methodology, specifically a qualitative case study and descriptive statistics, the extant research examined the college admission process for returning citizens and ex-offenders through the lens …

Barriers When Implementing A Multi-Tiered System Of Supports, Chelsea R. Norton

All NMU Master's Theses

This mixed-methods study investigated the perceptions educators have during the initial stages of implementing the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) model. A survey and semi-structured interviews were collected to identify if the perceived barriers found in a rural context were consistent with prior research. Quantitative survey data indicated that participants felt confident about their practicing foundational skills of MTSS, and felt MTSS will benefit both staff and students. However, quantitative survey results also indicated a discrete difference in the data between the answers regarding participant confidence, knowledge, and the answers regarding attitude regarding time, resources, and leadership. Qualitative analysis from …

Removing Barriers That Prevent Parents From Low Socioeconomic Backgrounds From Being Involved In Their Children’S High School Education, Jason E. Shepherd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe the barriers that prevent parents from low socioeconomic backgrounds from being involved in their children’s high school education at District X in rural East Texas. Fifteen high school teacher participants were interviewed and provided their experiences and perceptions to support the interviews and focus groups. The primary findings identified teachers’ perceptions of the barriers that prevent parental involvement, parents’ commitment to their children’s high school education, and the teacher’s role in removing barriers that prevent parents from low socioeconomic backgrounds from being involved in their children’s high school education. …

Surmounting Perceived Barriers For Missouri Female Superintendents: A Phenomenological Study, Leslee Kristina Smith

Dissertations

Female superintendents throughout the United States disproportionately represent superintendents of public school districts (Cassidy et al., 2021; Gullo & Sperandio, 2020). This research study utilized the theoretical frameworks of feminism and the structured organization of institutions (Acker, 1990). In addition, the qualitative study used the phenomenological design. An open-ended survey was utilized, as well as a follow-up interview with open-ended questions to solicit deeper, lived experiences of self-imposed barriers and the strategies lead female superintendents in a Midwest state employed to surmount those barriers. Forty-four female lead superintendents in a Midwest state shared stories of their journeys to a lead …

Exploring The Motivations Of College Students With Adhd To Disclose Their Disability And Use Accommodations, Carol M. Haynes-Buchanan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

College enrollment numbers reflect that the admission rates of students with disabilities are increasing as time progresses (Newman et al., 2020). Despite this spike in college attendance, degree completion rates of students with disabilities (SWD) are significantly lower than their nondisabled peers (DuPaul et al., 2018). This disparity was addressed via laws and regulations geared towards higher education institutions to level the playing field for SWD through providing services and support. This study aimed to explore what motivates SWD to disclose their disability and to accept or decline accommodations in the university setting. Students and faculty at a Texas private …

Which Factors Influence African American Male Students' Persistence In And Graduation From College?, Jeremiah Rotich

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

ABSTRACT

Black male students (also known as African American male students) graduate from college at a lower rate than their Latino, White, and Asian counterparts for various reasons, including a lack of engagement, a lack of personal goals, institutional factors, and dispositions. Other reasons that impede students from achieving their academic goals include limited academic and personal support, a lack of flexible policies, and a lack of diversity engagement. These challenges are faced by both the 2-year colleges and the 4-year institutions. This study employed a narrative inquiry approach in exploring factors that influence African American male students’ persistence in …

A Descriptive Study On The Perceived Barriers To Academic Progression From Lpn To Rn, Rebekah B. Snyder

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

The significance of seamless academic progression has been emphasized in the nursing profession for more than a decade. A significant amount of research has been conducted on the transition from registered nurse (RN) to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepared nurse in order to identify potential barriers to progression: yet a significant literature gap exists for the transition from licensed practical nurse (LPN) to RN. The purpose of this quantitative descriptive study was to identify what perceived barriers practical nursing students and recent practical nursing graduates identify as potentially hindering academic progression to a registered nursing program. Data …