Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

The Impact Of Year-Long Teaching Symposium On Faculty Implementation Of Evidence-Based Education Approaches, Julie A. Honaker, Joan Besing, Radhika Aravamudhan, Loretta Nunez

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

On May 17-28, 2021, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) launched a two-week teaching symposium on Foundational Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) science courses and innovation in teaching and learning: speech, language, and hearing sciences. Participants also joined asynchronous threaded discussions and a series of synchronous peer-based online discussions. Ninety-four participants completed a teaching symposium pre-assessment and two post-assessment surveys, and quantitative and qualitative results were reviewed across all time points. All 94 participants indicated motivation to use evidence-based strategies to improve teaching and students’ learning after participation, reinforcing the need for continued review and faculty engagement in these topics.

Speech-Language Pathologists' Perceptions When Supporting Students With Dyslexia, Heather Tellier

Special Education Faculty Publications

This study explored the experiences of New Jersey speech-language pathologists (SLPs) as they support students with dyslexia in public schools. Given the state’s long-standing emphasis on dyslexia awareness and training, this research examined how contextual factors, collaboration, and professional preparation influence the roles of SLPs. Insights from interviews, journal reflections, and focus groups offer guidance for refining SLP practices, informing higher education curricula, and shaping policies to better support students with dyslexia.

Becoming Again: Dialogues On Identity Formation Among Second-Career Educators In Initial Certification Programs, Michelle White, Tracy Driehaus, Mark Wolfmeyer

Education Faculty Research

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The “What’S Up Down South” Economic Summit: Accelerating Growth And Expanding Impact, Paul A. Hill

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the 2025 What’s Up Down South economic summit, a platform for regional economic development. Data were collected through an online exit survey with a 30% response rate (n = 176), incorporating quantitative ratings and open-ended feedback to assess learning outcomes and program quality. The evaluation examined attendees’ perceptions of keynote and breakout sessions, overall satisfaction, and suggestions for improving the event. Findings indicate that the summit delivered valuable economic insights and programming while citing opportunities to improve speaker diversity, event logistics, and data collection. These insights will guide future planning to sustain the summit’s …

2025 Fall Nutshell, Morehead State University. Institutional Research & Analysis.

Office of Institutional Research & Analysis Publication Archive

Fall 2025 issue of the Nutshell.

Finding Black Girl Joy: The Lived Experiences Of Rural Black Girls, Tisha Scott-Addison

College of Education

This qualitative study examines the lived experiences of rural Black girls to gain a deeper understanding of how structural inequities manifest in their daily school lives. Grounded in intersectionality theory, the research examined how the convergence of race, gender, age, and geography influences the treatment and perceptions of Black girls within rural school settings. The central research questions guiding the study were: How do rural Black girls describe their experiences with school discipline, adultification, and a sense of belonging, and how do these experiences shape their educational journeys? Twenty Black female students in rural schools participated in semi-structured interviews. Data …

Exploring Student Thriving: A Comparative Analysis Of First-Generation And Continuing-Generation Undergraduate College Students At A Private, Faith-Based University, Melissa A. Maisenbacher

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This quantitative study explored the thriving of first-generation undergraduate students enrolled full-time at a mid-sized, private, faith-based, open-enrollment university in the southeastern United States. Using the validated Thriving Quotient™ instrument, this research measured thriving across five domains: engaged learning, academic determination, positive perspective, social connectedness, and diverse citizenship, along with three subscales: spirituality, sense of community, and institutional integrity. The study compared thriving perceptions of first-generation college students (FGCSs) and continuing-generation college students (CGCSs) to determine if generational status influenced students’ experiences of thriving. Despite documented challenges faced by FGCSs—including financial stress, limited familial guidance, and lower academic preparedness—this study …

How Students’ Geographical Area Influences Their Level Of Interest In Engineering After Participating In The Epic Program, Cristina Ruiz

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

The purpose of this study was to look at how a student’s location can shape their interest in engineering after taking part in the EPIC program. My research question asked: How do students’ geographical area influences their level of interest in engineering after participating in EPIC? To answer this, I compared students from different income groups: higher, middle, and lower, which was determined by using ZIP code data tied to average income and education levels. I also did a closer look at students from the Santa Maria region. Many of these students were connected to the Migrant Education Program, which …

Pathways To Higher Education: Expanding College And Career Access For Rural Youth, Kelsey Romney, Celina Wille, Maria Jose Velasco Burgos, Ryan Benally

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

In June 2025, Utah State University (USU) Extension hosted a two-day event, Pathways to Higher Education. The event introduced 31 rural youth from Grand County and San Juan County to USU educational opportunities and careers through immersive tours and workshops, visiting the Price, Moab, and Logan campuses. Participants reported increased college confidence, financial aid awareness, and career interest. Evaluation showed strong engagement, improved participants’ understanding of higher education pathways, and increased confidence in preparing for postsecondary education.

Building Financial Resilience In Utah: The Outcomes Of The Empowering Financial Wellness Program, Amanda H. Christensen, Melanie Jewkes, Andrea Schmutz, Lendel K. Narine

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

The Utah State University Extension Empowering Financial Wellness (EFW) program demonstrated improvement in Utahns’ financial behaviors and understanding while creating a positive impact on participants’ quality of life and financial confidence. Through research-based education and ongoing evaluation, EFW continues to deliver measurable, meaningful outcomes to improve the lives of Utahns.

Evaluating Online Naloxone Trainings Targeting Rural And Tribal Communities, Cara Murray, Lily Ward, Tim Keady, Cris Meier

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Drug overdose deaths have been a persistent problem within tribal and rural Utah communities. During the COVID-19 epidemic, the need to pivot to online programming was imperative to provide important lifesaving training on how to administer Naloxone. In response, Utah State University Extension created an online Naloxone training. Evaluation results found increases in knowledge and attitude at the end of the training. Results suggest that online Naloxone training can be an effective way to reach rural and tribal community members.

Understanding The Impact Of Transnational Education: Insights From Uk Tne Alumni, Sladana Krstic, Alexander Towne, Liz Worthen

Higher education research

This study explores the impact of UK transnational education (TNE). The research is based on analysis of survey data from 550 UK TNE alumni augmented with interviews of 27 UK TNE graduates. As transnational education (TNE) continues to expand – across borders, institutions, and delivery models—so too does the imperative to understand its impact. This extends not only to students and graduates, but also to the local communities in which TNE is embedded. This is a global study capturing views of individuals who have experienced UK TNE across over 70 countries. The study reveals the substantial impact of UK TNE …

Assessing Cognitive Abilities In Students With Hearing Loss And Specific Learning Disabilities, Pooja Gupta, Corinna V. Cole, William H. Blackwell

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

This literature review synthesizes approximately 30 years of research on students from kindergarten through 12th grade with hearing impairments who are suspected of having a specific learning disability (SLD). Assessing SLDs in these students presents significant challenges, particularly when evaluating cognitive abilities using the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory of intelligence. This theory encompasses seven broad cognitive domains that influence academic success in reading, mathematics, and writing, including crystallized intelligence, fluid and sequential reasoning, long-term and short-term memory, visual processing, auditory processing, and processing speed. Since auditory processing is inherently affected in students with hearing impairments, this review excludes it from discussion. …

What Students Really Think: Unpacking Ai Ethics In Educational Assessments Through A Triadic Framework, Lim Ming Soon Tristan, Gottipati Swapna, Michelle L. F. Cheong

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The rise of AI in educational assessments has significantly enhanced efficiency and accuracy. However, it also introduces critical ethical challenges, including bias in grading, data privacy risks, and accountability gaps. These issues can undermine trust in AI-driven assessments and compromise educational fairness, making a structured ethical framework essential. To address these challenges, this study empirically validates an existing triadic ethical framework for AI-assisted educational assessments, originally proposed by Lim, Gottipati and Cheong (In: Keengwe (ed) Creative AI tools and ethical implications in teaching and learning, IGI Global, 2023), grounded in student perceptions. The framework encompasses three ethical domains—physical, cognitive, and …

Tutoring Online During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Use Of Critical Incidents To Improve Practice, A.E. Dreyfuss, Jose Armando Sanchez Diaz, Barakat Adigun, Helen Baraki, Thalyia Thompson

Publications and Research

Developing expertise in the practice of online tutoring is presented by peer tutors who provided support to students with synchronous sessions with the onset of COVID-19. The experiences and learning of peer tutors were probed through the use of critical incidents (Flanagan, 1954), and how weekly training meetings provided support to them, creating a collaboration among the tutors and the training manager.

Active Learning: Eight Models That Shape Instructional Practice, A.E. Dreyfuss, Ana Fraiman, Karmen T. Yu

Publications and Research

Developed since the mid-20^th century, several instructional models have provided practical means to shift the emphasis in learning from lecture to engagement by students. The snapshots of models presented in this paper include Cooperative Learning, Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Supplemental Instruction (SI) (also PALS, PASS), Team-Based Learning (TBL), Emerging Scholars Program (Mathematics Workshop, MathExcel), Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL), Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL), and Learning Assistants (LA). These models have been well-disseminated, widely adopted, and incorporated in disciplines beyond their origins. For purposes of exploration and consideration of implementation, these “snapshots” provide an overview. Features of each model are …

Building Career Pathways: Investigating The Potential For A Cooperative Education Program For Graduate Itm Students At Central Washington University, Liam J. E Holland

Journal of the Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression

Project Mentor(s): Susan Rivera, PhD

This research examines the feasibility of introducing a cooperative education (co-op) program at the master’s level in the Central Washington University (CWU) ITM Department. Methods included a review of existing co-op programs, analysis of interviews with past co-op students, and an examination of survey data on student interest in graduate-level cooperative education. The study aims to identify key elements of effective co-op programs and assess demand for such programs. The analysis of current co-op models offers insights into program structure, industry engagement, and student success. The 2019 NACE Internship & Co-op Survey found that 50.2% …

Public K-12 School Start Times In The Mountain West, 2020-2021, Olivia K. Cheche, William E. Brown Jr.

K-12 Education

This fact sheet presents data on public K-12 school start times in the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah as of the 2020-2021 school year. The data are derived from the “School start time: Average public K–12 school start time and percentage distribution of public school start time, by state: 2020–21” report originally published by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). This fact sheet highlights the average public K-12 school start times and distribution of public K-12 school start times for each Mountain West state.

"Incredibly Powerful And Well-Crafted" - A Review Of Pandemic Death Discourse: Denial, Disparity And The Promise Of Communication, Elda Kanzki-Veloso Ph.D.

The Qualitative Report

This book analysis, focused on Pandemic Death Discourse: Denial, Disparity and the Promise of Communication (Alvarez et al., 2025), expressed a deeply human expectation from readers. The reviewer wanted more than just straightforward facts; there was a deep yearning for real emotion, personal stories, and meaningful connections that helped people cope with fear and uncertainty. They emphasized the importance of immersing readers in the rich experiences of grief, resilience, and hope. There was a need to feel the heavy impact of overlooked lives. The desire for a sense of outrage regarding the disposable nature of certain lives emerged, as well …

Better Together: Including Students In High School English Language Arts Course And Curriculum Design, Katelin E. Held

Doctorate in Education

This qualitative action research study examined how having students cocreate secondary English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum alongside teachers influenced student engagement and ownership of learning and staff attitudes toward cocreation. Conducted in a Midwestern U.S. public high school ELA department, the study involved four student and four educator participants, all of whom engaged in restorative-style focus groups with a larger number of students and teachers to collaboratively generate ideas for new course offerings. The study students and adults then participated in small-group semi structured interviews. Data were collected through audio-recorded group discussions, individual interviews, and researcher memos and were analyzed …