Education Commons^™

Secondary Educators’ Writing Practices For Students With Disabilities: Examining Distance Learning And In-Person Instruction, Amber B. Ray, Apryl L. Poch, Shawn M. Datchuk

Special Education and Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

We report results of a national survey of secondary teachers who teach special education and/or English language arts in the United States. A total of 50 teachers from 27 different states completed the survey. In the survey, we asked teachers about their experience delivering distance and in-person instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. We specifically focused on three broad areas: writing assignments, writing instructional practices, and adaptations used to support students with disabilities. We also collected information about teacher characteristics, technology use, and teacher attitudes and self-efficacy about writing. On average, teachers reported receiving minimal preparation to teach writing via distance …

Identifying And Understanding Factors Which Affect Persistence In Academically At-Risk Minority Prelicensure Nursing Students: An Action Research Study, Christina L.K. Eaton

Theses and Dissertations

Increased representation of minority groups is imperative for professions like nursing and education. With the growing rate of minority racial and ethnic groups within the United States, there should be corresponding changes within these professions, however there is not. This action research study seeks to explore the factors that affect persistence in academically at-risk minority nursing students at a small Midwestern Christian University. The main research question for this study asks, “What factors do at-risk minority nursing students identify as affecting their ability to persist in our nursing program?” The use of Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Social Ecological Model and Critical Theory …

Sorority And Fraternity Life Professionals’ Perspectives On Challenges Faced By Culturally Based Sororities And Fraternities, Antonio Duran, Crystal E. Garcia, Hannah L. Reyes

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

Featuring the perspectives of 15 sorority and fraternity life (SFL) professionals, this qualitative study highlights the challenges culturally based sororities and fraternities face on college campuses. Guided by a framework grounded in concepts of organizational culture, findings revealed three issues that culturally based SFL organizations encounter: a predominant emphasis on historically white sororities and fraternities in SFL communities, a lack of human and financial capital, as well as inadequate advisor support and training. Implications for research and practice are offered.

Conversations About Food Insecurity: Examining College Campus Climates, Crystal Eufemia Garcia

Department of Educational Administration: Faculty Publications

This qualitative critical narrative inquiry study explored the experiences of 19 students within four universities in a single Southern state that used campus food aid resources such as a food pantry. Using Hurtado et al.’s Multicontextual Model for Diverse Learning Environments (MMDLE), this paper sheds light on how participants discussed the campus climate for students experiencing food insecurity within their respective campuses. Findings unpack students’ reflections on a lack of awareness and discussion about food insecurity and food aid resources within the campus community, the role that stigmas played in participants’ perceptions and use of campus food aid resources, and …

Disrupting Inequitable Practices In Special Education: Privileging Student And Family Voices, Armineh E. Hallaran

Theses and Dissertations

Black, Latinx, and other minoritized students have long been overrepresented in the high-incidence, subjective, disability classifications including Learning Disability, Speech and Language Impairment, Emotional Disturbance, and Intellectual Impairment. Special education places these students on trajectories that deny them access to quality education and the same postschool outcomes and opportunities as their nondisabled peers. Using Disability Critical Race Theory (DisCrit), and grounded theory analysis this study foregrounds the voices of minoritized middle school students receiving special education under high-incidence classifications. DisCrit allowed for an investigation of how student’s intersecting marginalized identities impacted their experiences as special education students. Further, Education Journey …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Undergraduate University Students With Part-Time Jobs, Miguel F. Bernard Bravo

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study explored how the pandemic and the shift to online learning impacted university students’ experiences of learning and working, and how students’ capital and other resources impacted their university experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eighteen undergraduate students who had paid employment in the last 12 months were recruited. In interviews participants were asked about their experiences with work, schooling and balancing the two with the pressures of the pandemic. Students cited financial concerns, as well as challenges with difficulties with online learning, motivation, and isolation. Importantly, this study found that students experiences differed in accordance with their capital and …

Recruitment And Retention Of Male High School Peer Mentors: A Phenomenological Study, Elaine Ann King

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was to develop an understanding of the experiences of high school male mentors who participate in mentor activities for peers with disabilities. The study of high school male mentors was viewed from the theoretical viewpoint of George C. Humans’s (1958) social exchange theory, as it addressed the relationships of high school male mentors in terms of establishing, prolonging, and dissolving relationships as mentors for peers with disabilities. The study answered the following central research question: How do male high school mentors of students with disabilities describe their experiences? Criterion sampling was used …

Piloting A Qualitative Interview For Malaysia Primary School Active Learning Needs Analysis Regarding Learner Control Experiences, Leow Min Hui, Siti Hajar Binti Halili, Rafiza Binti Abdul Razak

The Qualitative Report

This paper describes a holistic process of a pilot test to determine the trustworthiness of semi-structured interview questions to be used in the qualitative investigation of Malaysia primary school active learning needs analysis, by focusing on the learner control peculiarity in the context. The researchers carried out the pilot test based on a sequential cycle of determining, assessment, adjustment, revisiting, and reflection. The researchers generated semi-structured interview questions mainly based on Hutchinson and Waters’s (1987) framework for analysis of learning needs. The researchers tested the semi-structured interview questions on two teacher and two pupil participants mirroring the intended subjects in …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of The Motivational Experiences Of United States Service Members Attending College While On Active Duty, Sean L. Mulvaney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the motivation of attending college through the experiences of active-duty Navy service members stationed at Naval Air Station East (NAS East). Specifically, the study sought to better understand how intrinsic and extrinsic motivators impact the behavior or actions that compel that small percentage of Navy service members to pursue a college education while balancing their military service requirements. With self-determination theory as the theoretical framework, the central research question asked, “What are the determining motivators that influence United States Navy service members to attend college while on active duty?” Data …

A Case Study Of College Administrators' Experiences Related To Opioid Use And Misuse On A College Campus In South Carolina, Buck L. Wilson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the qualitative intrinsic case study was to investigate experiences of college administrators related to opioid use and misuse by students on a college campus in South Carolina. Opioid misuse on campus was generally defined as currently enrolled students who use prescription opioids without a prescription or for recreation. Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory guided this study. This conceptual model focused on the individual or the student situated in the center of microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem level influences, enhancing the understanding of how interpersonal, community, and systems issues can influence behavior. The central research question for this study was: …

Class, Family Involvement, And Asian American Four And Two-Year College Students’ Experiences Of Advantage And Disadvantage, Blair Harrington

Doctoral Dissertations

While the significance of familial support in college receives substantial and growing attention, Asian American college students’ experiences of such support remain unclear. In a series of three articles that draw on a total of 140 intensive semi-structured interviews, this dissertation explores the effect class has on students’ experiences of three different types of familial support: 1) students’ receipt of parental support, 2) students’ provision of parental support, and 3) students’ receipt of sibling support. The first article “The Power of Class and Not Institution Type: Asian American Four and Two-Year College Students’ Receipt of Parental Support” employs a …

Examining The Cross-Cultural Competence Of United States Christian Missionaries Engaged In Developing Indigenous Leaders: A Mixed Methods Study, Craig W. Goodman

Dissertations

For the past two millennia, missionaries have crossed from one culture to another to bring the Christian message to all cultures of the world. Questions about the effectiveness of these mission efforts have been asked and researched by many; however, one key question remains unanswered: what personal attributes help a person to be more competent at crossing cultures as they interact with people from other cultures? Although cross-cultural competence has been studied in a variety of fields over the past 50 years, the models and assessments used have never been applied to Christian missionaries.

To address this deficiency, this parallel …

Anti-Oppressive Pedagogy In Dance/Movement Therapy Education: Embodied Experiences Of Black, Indigenous, And Students Of Color, Chevon Stewart

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This study explored the embodied graduate educational experiences of dance/movement therapy students who were Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). Eight research participants who were between the ages of 22 to 45 years old were recruited from American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) approved programs. Participants self-identified as Black/African American and Jamaican, Black/African American, Latinx/Brazilian, Asian/Chinese, Asian/Filipino, Asian/Chinese and Taiwanese American, and Asian/Chinese and White American. A qualitative research design based in phenomenology and arts-based methods grounded in anti-oppressive research were used. Two semistructured interviews and 1 week of embodied observation and journaling were part of data collection. Themes …

Factors That Drive The Choice Of Schools For Children In Middle-Class Muslim Families In Indonesia: A Qualitative Study, Enung Hasanah, M Ikhwan Al Badar, M Ikhsan Al Ghazi

The Qualitative Report

Every different community has different family educational goals. The educational goals can encourage forming a lifestyle that becomes the identity of a particular community, as is the case in the middle-class Muslim family community in Indonesia. While there is no caste system in Indonesia, middle-class Muslim communities have found ways to merge Islamic values and privilege into a new subgroup. This phenomenon mainly appears in urban areas with more advanced socio-economic development than other areas, such as Yogyakarta. This study explores factors that drive the choice of schools for children of middle-class Muslim families in Indonesia. We used qualitative research …

Beyond The Hijab: Lived Experiences Of Female Hijabi Muslim International Students At A Southern California University, Suzy Abdelrahman Sharweed

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This study explored the lived experiences of female Hijabi Muslim international students at a local Southern California university. A qualitative phenomenological design was implemented to explore from the students' perspective and in their voices; a reporting of what they encountered as they navigated the campus communities they must also learn to negotiate. Considering both the historical and current push for internationalization in higher education settings, coupled with the national climate of fear concerning Muslims within the United States, a Postcolonial framework was used to examine students' daily interactions, engagement, sense of belonging and inclusion, and campus "intellectual practices" with …

Factors For Success Of International Female Doctoral Students In Science In The United States, Maria Patricia Cantu

Theses & Dissertations

Factors for Success of International Female Doctoral Students in Science in the United States

Many international doctoral female students in the sciences in the United States do not obtain a degree despite their large investment in time, effort, and financial resources. The loss of highly prepared and credentialed international female doctoral students, who have a genuine interest in science but who choose not to pursue their studies to graduation or switch careers due to real or perceived barriers, signifies such a loss not just for the women themselves and their families but for their countries of origin, their hosts universities, …

“I Just Learn Differently”: The Experiences Of Dis/Abled Students Of Color Interpreting And Resisting Normalizing Forces In The Mathematics Classroom, Dina Mahmood

Education (PhD) Dissertations

This critical phenomenological study employs a disabilities studies in education and critical race theory (DisCrit) lens to unpack the learning experiences of seven dis/abled students of color in the secondary mathematics classroom. Based on data collected from individual and group interviews, the counter-stories presented in this study highlight the implicit and explicit ways that the normative forces of ableism and racism circulate in the secondary mathematics classroom. Through their education journey maps, the participants described forms of hyper-labeling, experiences of implicit and explicit biases from teachers and peers, and rigid conceptions of mathematics that constrained their success. The counter-stories are, …

Wellness Promotion Through Leisure Activity Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Gabriela Morrell-Zucker

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone project is to analyze the outcomes of an occupation-based wellness program which aims to address the problem of a lack of wellness promotion programs for community-dwelling older adults. Through structured programming older-adults demonstrated increased participation in leisure activities contributing to positive health and wellness. As the older adult population continues to grow, there is a need to engage community-dwelling older adult populations in wellness promotion through leisure activities. For this purpose, a quantitative approach examines the outcomes of program development from older adults' perspectives through a the CHAMPS Older Adult Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Views Of Division Iii Athletes On Mental Health In Athletics, Megan Bishop

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Mental health is a growing topic of interest in the media, especially as it relates to high

profile athletes. Research thus far has primarily looked at a combination of elite, Division I and Division II athletes as it relates to their experience with mental health. The previous research that has focused on Division I and II athletes in similar areas has shown a need for better education and support systems for athletes, as well as a high level of stigma still present in these populations. The current study is looking at a population of NCAA Division III athletes and their …

Using The Community Of Practice Framework To Examine Informal Science Educators' Epistemological And Pedagogical Beliefs In Informal Science, Monique Andrea Lester

Theses and Dissertations

When ranked and compared to students in other countries, students in the United States of America consistently rank below their peers in science knowledge. Among the many recommendations for increasing the science knowledge of students is a merge of informal science education (ISE) and public and private science classrooms.

There is limited research focused on (1) the historical trends of research conducted in informal science education including the methodologies employed and pedagogical practices revealed and (2) the epistemological and pedagogical beliefs of formal science educators, who hold dual positions in the classroom and in an informal science setting. This dissertation …

The Need For Introspective Analysis During Teaching, Kimberly A. Salter

All NMU Master's Theses

This qualitative, phenomenological research study was designed to study the impact reflection has on student teachers. This study examines how and if reflection changes teaching practice. Specifically, how do student teachers use reflection to change practices during student teaching experiences? "Critical reflection is the process by which adults identify the assumptions governing their actions, locate the historical and cultural origins of the assumptions, question the meaning of assumptions, and develop alternative ways of acting" (Cranton 1996, p. 211). After conducting thorough interviews, the following themes emerged:

1. Time
2. Perspective
3. Reflective Process

With the findings of this study, teacher education programs …

Nphc And Mgc Sororities And Fraternities As Spaces Of Activism Within Predominantly White Institutions, Crystal E. Garcia, William R. Walker, Ciera A. Dorsey, Zachary W. Werninck, Jessie H. Johns

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

This study explored how Students of Color within National Pan-Hellenic Council and Multicultural Greek Council sororities and fraternities engaged in activism and in what ways this involvement connected to their membership. Using a qualitative critical narrative approach, we examined the journeys of ten participants. Findings unpack ways participants engaged in activism and resistance aimed at educating individuals and increasing awareness of societal injustices, addressing inequities through service, and inciting disruption and cultivating institutional and societal level change.

Asking The Big Questions That Guide Small Decisions: Developing Academic Library Infrastructure In Support Of Graduate Students’ Qualitative Research, Jessica Hagman

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

A primary task of graduate education is developing students who are able to ask valuable questions and use systematic research methods to develop new knowledge. By the end of most graduate programs, students are expected to be able to plan, implement, and share the results of an independent research process and make new knowledge claims. As such, they learn to make - and justify - the many decisions embedded in the research process. Academic libraries support graduate students’ development into independent researchers by providing both collections materials and library services related to the research process.

In this presentation, we turn …

Mending Art Classrooms: An Exploration Of The Benefits Of Collaborative Artmaking For Underinvested Black Youth In Richmond, Virginia, Jazmine M. Beatty

Theses and Dissertations

This arts-informed research study explored the experiences of local community artists and educators working to radically transform and heal the experiences of underinvested Black students in Richmond through collaborative arts engagement. Through a series of seven one-on-one interviews with Black teaching artists in the Richmond community, I was able to uncover how collaboration has and can continue to improve the well-being and livelihoods of Black students in Richmond. Also, by tapping into the local Mending Walls mural project, I was able to make a tangible connection between the Richmond community, art, and collaboration. An analysis of the interviews led to …

Career Longevity In Student Affairs: Implications For New Professionals From A Qualitative Study, Diane R. D'Arcangelo

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Over the past several decades, the retention of new professionals in student affairs has been a concern. Many newcomers leave the profession before completing five years in the field. This qualitative study explored factors contributing to career longevity in student affairs professionals through semi-structured interviews. I interviewed eight participants working at Mid-Atlantic University for more than five years. The semi-structured interviews were set up with a dual focus. The first half of the interview focused on the participants' experience as new professionals, followed by questions that explored their perspectives on supervising new professionals. Seasoned professionals who remained in the field …

Choosing Not To Participate: Cyber Truancy And Special Education, Elizabeth A. Popielarcheck

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This qualitative study investigated facilitators and barriers to participation in online instruction for students in grades 9-12 with a high incidence disability from the perspective of the student and adult in the home (AIH). Three AIH-student dyads participated in questionnaires and an online interview. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then analyzed using the six phases described by Braun and Clarke (2006). Eight categories that aligned with barriers and facilitators to participation were identified: communication, instruction in the home, role of the AIH, attendance, grading, teacher provided student support, overall quality of online learning experience, and suggestions. Categories were …

Where Are All The African-American Women Superintendents In California, Oregon, And Washington State?, Toniesha D. Webb

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

There are many African American women in leadership positions such as Assistant Superintendents, Network Superintendents, Directors, Principals, Assistant Principals, and Coaches. There is a disconnect for African American women in leadership and the highest position of authority in a school district. This leads to the question, what are the barriers, if any, that are limiting the amount of African American Women in the far western states to transition into Superintendent positions? In the reverse, what supports did the women who are superintendents have in their leadership ascension? Finally, what structures need to be developed and formalized in order to facilitate …

Career And Technical Education High School Internships: A Program Evaluation Of The Effect Internships Have On The Education And Career Choices Of Students, Randal Hylemon

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The study evaluated the effectiveness of career and technical education internships during high school and gave the administration some insights that can guide the program forward. A key component of the program’s effectiveness is the impact the program has on the overall education and career choices of students involved in career and technical education (CTE). This formative program evaluation collected qualitative data by surveying students who had participated in internships while attending each of the high schools located in a school district in the western part of North Carolina to gain information regarding how their internships affected their educational path …

Principals’ Transformational Leadership Practices In Increasing Reading Achievement For Ells, Michelle Jeffrey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Principals in public schools are being challenged to improve English language learning (ELL) student achievement through transformational leadership practices. This qualitative study aimed to explore the aspects of transformational leadership that principals use to reduce the disproportionate level in state summative reading assessments between ELL students and their non-ELL peers. The conceptual framework that supported this study was Burns’ theory of transformational leadership. The research question focused on how principals in public school settings employed transformational leadership practices to support a reduction in ELL students’ disproportionate achievement in reading. Semi structured interviews were used to collect data from 10 principals …

Strategies That Financial Managers Use To Effectively Conduct Corporate-Responsible Financial Reporting, Wendelin Parker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The primary role of financial managers is to produce accurate financial reporting that shows financial health. Financial managers may experience negative effects on the financial stability of their business organizations if they do not conduct corporate-responsible financial reporting effectively. Grounded in the international accounting standards board’s framework, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies financial managers use to conduct corporate-responsible financial reporting to achieve financial stability. The participants comprised three financial managers in Georgia, US, with strategies to conduct corporate-responsible financial reporting to achieve financial stability. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, organizational documents, and …