Back Matter - Jaepl - Volume 30, Wendy Ryden

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Back Matter - JAEPL - Volume 30

Mindful Administration: Toward A Theory Of Academic Leadership We Can Live With, Sue Doe, Janelle Adsit

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

This article names barriers to faculty leadership and identifies specific ways that faculty can harness tools and resources needed to lead well. Through mindful and relational leadership practices, faculty can ensure that the values that academic communities espouse are made manifest.

Perceptions Of Mississippi Parents Of Youth And Young Adults With Autism Regarding Relationship Training And Sex Education, Peter Mccormick

Honors Theses

This study used analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine if there was a significant difference between the age of a parent with a youth or young adult with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and the age of their child when they plan to discuss the three sex education and relationship training topics of sexual intercourse, sexually transmitted diseases, and contraception. The results of the ANOVA were not significant for the sex education and relationship topics of sexual intercourse F (2, 22) = 1.485, p = 0.248 and contraception F (2,22) = 3.059, p = 0.0667. However, the results of the ANOVA …

Review: Poetter, Thomas S. Curriculum Fragments: A Currere Journey Through Life Processes., Joseph Wiederhold

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Poetter’s book Curriculum Fragments—and the stories shared within— have changed the way I think about education. Redefined it. Recentered it on what matters most—the human experience, the life processes at the center of Poetter’s book: losing, knowing, forgiving, relating, hoping, growing, loving. Each of Poetter’s fragments—reflective narratives written following the Currere methodology (Pinar)—caused me to reevaluate my practice.

Supporting The Efficacy Of Admission Counselors When Working With Neurodivergent Students: A Study For An Equitable Review Process, Rose Llanos

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The focus of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of utilizing a universal design learning training module for college admission professionals to help assess student fit during the application review process. The conceptual framework in the research design followed that of the Universal Design of Learning (UDL) framework, which upholds the United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals (UN-SDG), specifically goal four of quality education and goal 10 of reduced inequalities. The hypothesis for using an equitable training module is that an improved understanding of working with diverse students will lead to more confident admission professionals holistically recommending an admission decision …

Empowerment Through Creating An Adaptive Sports And Recreation Program For Persons With Disabilities, Sarah Kadri, Angela Labrie Blackwell

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Adaptive sports and recreation (ASR) refers to recreational and competitive physical activities modified to be inclusive and accessible for persons with disabilities (PWD), adjusting equipment, rules, instruction, and environmental setup to support participation across a wide range of physical, cognitive, and sensory abilities. PWD often report feeling disempowered due to social stigma, inaccessible environments, and limited opportunities to make meaningful choices about leisure and community life. A lack of diverse and consistent ASR opportunities within communities collectively hinders participation and negatively impacts overall well-being. Utilizing the Person Environment Occupation Performance (PEOP) theoretical framework, this capstone project developed a 10-week swimming …

Action Research: Improving Literacy With Tracker Systems For Students With An Iep, Annamaria Weigel

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This action research study examined the effectiveness of the Prescribed Tracker System and structured literacy instruction on improving reading proficiency among elementary students with individualized education programs. The purpose of the study was to determine whether systematic phonics instruction, combined with data-driven progress monitoring, could increase decoding accuracy and oral reading fluency for students performing below grade level. The research was grounded in the science of reading framework and zone of proximal development, emphasizing explicit instruction, guided practice, and scaffolded learning within a supportive environment.

Five students in Grades 3 through 5 participated in a 6-week intervention, conducted twice a …

Content And Consequences: Impact Of Representation In Stem Higher Education Instructional Content On Marginalized Students, Nichole Ventura

Doctorate in Education

This qualitative study examined representation of historically marginalized students in STEM instructional content at the higher education level and its impact on their learning experiences. Despite growing diversity initiatives in STEM enrollment, curricular materials often fail to reflect the identities of underrepresented students. Using critical theory and interpretivist approaches, this research investigated how representation—or its absence—shapes students' sense of belonging, academic identity formation, and persistence. Through semi-structured interviews with undergraduate students from historically marginalized backgrounds, and purposeful sampling, this study captured the lived experiences of students engaging with STEM instructional materials. Interview protocols explored how students perceive their representation in …

Assessing The Language And Reading Abilities Of Students With Mosaic Down Syndrome, Emma G. Conradi

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Language and reading are important skills for academic and social success, yet individuals with Down syndrome often face significant challenges developing these skills (Abbeduto et al., 2007; Martin et al., 2009). However, almost all the available research on the language and reading abilities of individuals with Down syndrome comes from research focused on individuals with Full Trisomy 21. To date, there has been virtually no research specifically examining the language and reading skills of individuals with mosaic Down syndrome (Buckley & Bird, 2002), a rare karyotype of Down syndrome. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe the language …

College Ready Or Not? Exploring Undergraduate Perceptions Of Their High School College Preparation, Charles M. Morgan Iii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine undergraduate students’ perceptions of their high school preparation for college. Rather than relying on institutional measures like test scores or course completion, the study focused on how students themselves described their readiness and the supports they received in high school. By highlighting student voice, the research aimed to reveal strengths and gaps in current approaches to preparing students for higher education.

The study was grounded in Educational Equity Theory (Darling-Hammond, 1997), which emphasizes that fairness in education requires supports tailored to students’ individual needs. A qualitative, phenomenological design was used. Undergraduate participants …

Bridging The Digital Divide: Enhancing Digital Literacy In Florida's Ged® Education Program, Nicole Howard-Rice

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This dissertation addressed the critical need for mandated digital literacy courses in Florida's General Educational Development (GED®) programs. As digital skills become increasingly essential for success in education, employment, and daily life, GED® recipients often face significant disadvantages due to a lack of digital proficiency. The findings revealed positive results between digital literacy and employability, emphasizing the transformative potential of integrating digital skills training into GED® curricula. The research highlighted the barriers to acquiring digital skills faced by adult learners, including limited access to technology, varying skill levels, and insufficient instructional support. This study advocated for curriculum updates that align …

Experiences Of Young Adults With An Intellectual Disability And Their Families As They Transition From High School To A Post-Secondary Education Program, Erica Walters

All Dissertations

PLAIN LANGUAGE ABSTRACT

Young adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) often face challenges when transitioning from high school to adult life. Postsecondary education (PSE) programs have been shown to help these individuals build skills, gain independence, and improve long-term outcomes, such as employment and independent living. However, not all students with ID are aware of or able to access these opportunities. Families, schools, and communities play an important role in helping young adults with ID prepare for and succeed in PSE programs.

This study explored what helps or makes it harder for students with ID and their families to pursue postsecondary …

Teacher Leadership And Specially Designed Instruction: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Teacher Leaders And Special Education Teachers In Elementary Settings, Tangie M. Rahming

Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of teacher leaders and special education teachers as they implemented Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) in elementary school settings. Despite SDI being a federally mandated component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), research consistently shows wide variation in how teachers interpret, deliver, and sustain SDI in real classrooms. Limited professional development, inconsistent coaching structures, and varying understandings of SDI across schools contribute to persistent gaps in implementation fidelity. To address these challenges, this study explored how teacher leaders support SDI implementation and how special education teachers make meaning of their instructional …

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy In Teaching And Learning In High School Social Studies Curricula In Georgia: A Case Study, Sharon Ann Mcmeans-Lukiri

Dissertations

Despite increasing diversity within Georgia’s high school student population, it remains unclear to what extent social studies teachers incorporate Culturally Relevant Pedagogy (CRP) in the planning and implementation of their instruction. Recent research indicates that many educators continue to struggle with developing effective instructional practices that meet the learning needs of students from vulnerable communities (Liasidou & Symeou, 2018). Students from these communities often experience lower academic achievement (Ladson-Billings, 2009), and when the curriculum fails to reflect or respond to their cultural backgrounds, they are more likely to disengage from school (Ladson-Billings, 2009). This gap between students’ cultural needs and …

Breaking Barriers For Student Success: Leading In Challenging Times, Lisa Marie Dewey

Dissertations

This study explores how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) directors in one Midwestern state understand and lead equity initiatives in K–12 public education. The purpose of the study was to examine how DEI leaders make sense of their roles and the challenges of sustaining equity work within complex and often politicized systems. Using a basic qualitative methodology, the research examined how personal identity, sociopolitical context, and organizational structures shape DEI leadership. Critical Race Theory (CRT) framed the study, centering race, power, and systemic inequity in participants’ experiences.

Seven DEI directors participated in semi-structured interviews. Three key themes emerged. First, participants’ …

Five Key Points About Title Ii Ada Regulations For Web And Mobile Accessibility, Danae Harris

TxDLA Journal of Digital Learning

The latest revision to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was published by the Department of Justice on April 24, 2024. This update focuses on web and mobile application accessibility requirements for state and local government entities, including public higher education institutions. This is a summary of the additional requirements that the Americans with Disabilities Act imposes on public entities. These key points provide a foundational knowledge of the recent changes.

Exploring The Recognition Of Internalizing Problems Among Black Students: Delving Into The Youth Mental Health Help-Seeking Pathway, Marketta A. Adams

LSU Master's Theses

The mental health of Black adolescents is a growing concern, with high prevalence rates of internalizing disorders such as anxiety and depression. National studies report that nearly 47% of Black adolescents experience a mental health disorder by age 18, with over 60% reporting moderate to severe depressive symptomology. Despite these alarming rates, Black youth underutilize mental health services, often due to cultural stigma, limited access to culturally competent care, and under-recognition of their mental health needs. This study aimed to explore problem recognition as a key component in the mental health help-seeking pathway for Black adolescents in school settings. Grounded …

Introducing Neuro Social Work: A Brief Reflection On Neuroscience And The Profession, Priscila Llamosa

Social Work Faculty Publications

Neuroscience offers language and evidence that can strengthen interdisciplinary communication, support advocacy in biomedically dominated settings, and validate relational practices long recognized in social work, including the impacts of early adversity, attachment, and healing through connection. At the same time, an epistemological tension underlies the profession’s unease with neuroscience when brain-based narratives are used to individualize structural harm or justify surveillance of marginalized families and communities. This teaching note introduces Neuro Social Work as a justice-oriented specialization that integrates contemporary neuroscience with social work’s person-in-environment commitments, relational practice traditions, and anti-oppressive ethics.The author argues that the key question is no …

Tensions And Transformations: Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion In A Diverse Urban School Division, Lesley Eblie Trudel, Kishi Anderson Leachman, Wayne Davies

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This study examines how equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are understood and implemented within a large, diverse, urban school division in Canada. Using a mixed-methods approach and grounded in theoretical perspectives, including critical race theory, intersectionality, the ecology of inclusive education, and collective efficacy theory, we gathered insights from surveys and focus groups with educators, administrators, clinicians, educational assistants, caregivers, and students. Findings suggest that, while support for EDI is broad, the implementation is inconsistent and shaped by systemic barriers, resource constraints, and unclear leadership. We highlight the need for shared language, coordinated supports, and ongoing professional learning and instructional …

Universal Design For Learning: Practical Implications For Christian Educators, Hannah S. Kennedy, Kate Scarborough, Bryan Gill, Lisa L. Beckham

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

The Universal Design for Learning framework, designed by David Rose and Anne Meyer (2002) is an evidence-based approach to teaching that proactively targets learner variability and meets the unique needs of all students in the classroom. This framework aligns with our faith-based mission as we are called to the Christ centered belief that all people were made in the image of God. The three guiding principles of Universal Design for Learning are: multiple means of representation, multiple means of engagement, and multiple means of action/expression. By adopting the principles of universal design for learning, educators can proactively plan, implement, and …