Digital Commons Network^™

Using Data To Make Evidence Informed Decisions In School Social Work, Robert Lucio, Michael Campbell, Tiffany Nelson, Courtney Wiest

International Journal of School Social Work

Effectively supporting school social workers (SSW) in using data to make evidence informed decisions can be challenging for many reasons. This study examines how SSW utilize data across each step of the data engagement framework and, explores the confidence level of SSW in identifying data as well as specific types of data being utilized in the school setting. Data were collected though mixed-methods survey items with social workers in one district in central Florida asking about the different ways in which SSW were engaged with data usage. Results from the study indicate that SSW felt more comfortable in identifying interventions …

Examining School Social Work Certifications Across The Midwest States, Robert Lucio, Emilie Souhrada, Julie Inciti, Brandon Mitchell

International Journal of School Social Work

School social workers are increasingly being recognized and employed in schools across the country to promote critical avenues of system-wide school-based support. However, limited research has explored state certification standards of school social workers to understand the implications on practice efficacy and roles to improve the overall capacity of practitioners. In this study, we examine licensing standards and practice across 13 Midwest states, leveraging key partners in each state of interest. Findings reveal a large variation in SSW preparation, certification, and licensing standards. Aspects discussed in the results include, degree requirements, preparation programs, state endorsement, pathways to licensure, evaluation components, …

Under Their Wing: A Case Study Of Caring Adults Who Support Homeless Youth, Christina L. Helfrick

International Journal of School Social Work

Despite many risk factors, few interventions exist to support youth who are homeless. Theories of resilience and social capital offer support for the development of a school-appointed, homeless, student advocate program. However, these theories do not offer a process or description of activities or qualities of an advocate. This case study is used as an initial step in intervention development. A one-time, focus-group was utilized as a purposeful sample of individuals experienced with supporting homeless youth will be used to create a framework for practice. This study asked the following questions: What is a programmatic framework for a school-appointed homeless …

Culturally Liberative Mentorship: Developing Agents For Change In Stem Doctoral Education, Dilara Yaya-Bryson, Lisa Merriweather, Marah Lambert, Cathy D. Howell, Edith Gnanadass

Adult Education Research Conference

This research explored faculty perceptions and experiences regarding mentoring racially minoritized doctoral students in STEM. Cultivation of Culturally liberative mindset is recommended to guide faculty development in mentoring.

Artificial Intelligence And Graduate Research – The Possibilities, Limitations, And Guardrails, Yugant Patra

Adult Education Research Conference

Artificial Intelligence tools are evolving as important instruments in graduate-level research. This round table will discuss the use of such tools and the need to maintain the authenticity and rigor of the qualitative graduate research process.

Enhancing Community Engagement For Sustainable Educational Outreach In Urban Environments: An Action Research Study, Rebecca Hardeman, Alexandra Cox

Adult Education Research Conference

Cooperative Extension currently faces engagement challenges in urban areas. This roundtable will explore research on boosting outreach and engagement in urban areas for Extension professionals.

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948). An Inquiry Into Adult Education, Teacher Training, Vocational Education, And Women's Education, Kariman Mahmoud

Adult Education Research Conference

Despite Gandhi’s contributions to education, little research has explored his accomplishments in adult education. This paper sheds light on Gandhi's reflections on adult education, teachers' training, vocational, and women's education.

The Invisible Veterans From The Iraq Wars And What Educational Theories May Benefit The Sisterhood Population, Jessica Dunn

Adult Education Research Conference

Women are now a critical resource for military recruitment after their involvement in combat in the Iraq Wars, yet little research has been done on this growing Sisterhood population.

Unveiling Strategies: Empowering Autistic Adult Learners In Higher Education Through Inclusive Research Practices, Kevin J. Mallary, Adam L. Mcclain

Adult Education Research Conference

This qualitative research investigates strategies of autistic adult learners in higher education through participatory methods. Findings reveal nuanced experiences, emphasizing the need for inclusive research to support diverse learners effectively.

Mentoring Assistant Professors: Supporting And Nurturing Talent Needed To Grow A Program, Jeffrey Zacharakis

Adult Education Research Conference

This paper provides an overview of a land grant university's college of education assistant professor mentoring program, and how mentoring is needed to develop successful junior faculty and grow an academic program in a neoliberal environment.

Are You Following A Man?: Lived Experiences Of Women In The Workplace, Cheryl Kennedy, Katherine Chapman

Adult Education Research Conference

This study provides human resource professionals insight into how women experience the workplace. The authors applied relational ethnography to explore the effect of patriarchy on women in higher education.

The Digital Transformation Of Organizational Learning: A Case Study Of China Telecom, Wenhao Yu, Xiaoyan Shu, Bo Chang, Jiaqi He

Adult Education Research Conference

Digital transformation of organizational learning becomes a key strategy for the development of organizations. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to take China Telecom as a case to explore the digital transformation of organizational learning and to find out the actions that China Telecom has taken to achieve the digital transformation of organizational learning.

Defying Straightforward Solutions: Emergence Studios As Ideal Incubators In Graduate Education And Beyond, Kari Eller, Gregory C.F. Dolezal, Brittani Hawk, Erin Williams Benson, Younghyun Kim, Comfort Ninson

Adult Education Research Conference

Reimagining a classroom as an emergence studio, three groups of doctoral students used pragmatic imagination to tackle wicked problems and unbind graduate education.

Safe Spaces: Exploration Of The Transformative Power Of Online Graduate Programs For Adult Learners, Patricia J. Higgins

Adult Education Research Conference

The purpose of this exploratory case study was to consider how instructors can facilitate a safe and inclusive environment for adult learners in an online graduate program and to explore the potential benefits of such a learning space. Through a thematic analysis of the case study materials, three prominent themes emerged. The three themes were: a) seeking to engage through sharing life experiences, b) mindfulness-based reflective practice, and c) facilitating safe and inclusive spaces as a path to transformation. This study adds to current literature by validating the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment for adult learners in …

“I’M A Human Being, I Deserve Better:” Understanding Black Women’S Experiences With Selective Dignity Violations As Tenured Faculty At Predominantly White Academic Workplaces, Josie Andrews

Adult Education Research Conference

A larger narrative inquiry study regarding professional identity development revealed that Black women experienced selective dignity violations as tenured faculty at predominantly White academic workplaces.

Enhancing Community Policing: Exploring Formal Learning Experiences Among Urban Police Officers, Kyle Znamenak

Adult Education Research Conference

This ground theory study investigated the formal learning experiences that enable police officers to acquire knowledge and skills related to community relations in an urban environment.

Evaluating The Organizational Advancement Of Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In Extension Education, John M. Diaz, Lendel K. Narine, Cody Gusto

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

In response to global trends and calls for greater inclusivity, the field of extension education has made significant strides towards embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles. This study explores the progress of DEI initiatives in the Cooperative Extension System (CES), which has aligned with industry groups, non-profit organizations, academia, and scientific societies worldwide. Through a multifaceted approach, CES has pursued strategies such as intercultural competence (ICC) training for professionals, diversity action plans, and culturally responsive teaching techniques. This study assessed the advancement of DEI in extension education using a survey of DEI specialists across extension organizations in the U.S. …

Assessing Connectedness To Water As A Catalyst For Change: A Multidimensional Approach To Extension Education On Water Conservation, John M. Diaz, Laura Warner

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

As issues of water security remain pervasive, extension educators continue to search for strategies to promote water conservation. Social marketing represents such a strategy that can be leveraged as a tool to better understand target audiences and develop strategic communication campaigns to promote practice adoption and behavior change. Research demonstrates that social marketing efforts that focus on understanding and developing personal norms and values hold promise for increasing the implementation of residential conservation behaviors. The construct of Connectedness to Nature is one strategy for developing environmentally aligned personal norms. This study leverages a similar concept, connectedness to water, to understand …

A Content Analysis Of Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles Over The Last 20 Years: To What Extent Does Contemporary Research Focus On The Effects Of Frequent Relocation On The Academic Performance Of Military-Connected Students?, Tyler Fowler

Educational Considerations

This article is a content analysis of peer-reviewed research publications from the years 2001 to 2022 to find the extent to which frequent relocation may affect the academic performance of military-connected students. There are many articles with a focus on civilian students that experience frequent residential and school mobility. However, to what extent has the extant literature focused on the military-connected student that also experiences frequent residential and school mobility? This article pays special attention to the current literature surrounding elementary-aged military-connected students. This article also examines areas of future research surrounding this group of students.

Impact Of The Reggio Emilia Approach Through Short Term Study Abroad And The Lenses Of Lundy's Model: Space, Voice, Audience, And Influence, Sandra H. Seipel, Victoria Seeger

Educational Considerations

This study examines undergraduate short-term study abroad to Reggio Emilia, a construct that values what children know and can create as capable learners, and its impact on novice teachers’ practices to learn what skills and abilities each had for allowing children to make decisions, have control in the classroom, and reduce compliance expectations. Data indicated a lack of confidence, support, and guidance for incorporating the philosophy within an American school setting. American schools’ focus on standards-based instruction, assessment aimed at increasing test scores, and lack of teacher-driven curriculum played significant roles in the participants’ inability to employ Reggio Emilia processes …

Assessing The Dimensional Validity And Reliability Of The Critical Thinking Inventory (Cti) In The Kenyan Higher Education System: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Millicent A. Oyugi, Kristin Gibson, Alexa J. Lamm

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

The global importance of critical thinking in enhancing academic success, employability, civic engagement, and mental health is universally acknowledged. Yet, its cultivation in educational systems, particularly in Kenya, requires further attention. This gap is pronounced in Kenya's higher education, where more research is needed to develop and validate effective critical thinking assessment tools given the paradigm shift in its educational curricular. This study contributes to this need by evaluating the applicability of the Critical Thinking Inventory (CTI) model in Kenyan higher education. Using a convenience sample of 387 undergraduates from Egerton University, the study assessed the alignment between the CTI …

Perceptions Of Professionals, Faculty, And Students Regarding The Implementation Of An Agricultural Communications Degree Program In The United Kingdom, Jefferson D. Miller, Abby Davis, Kobina D. Fanyinkah, Alex Mcleod, Casandra Cox, K. Jill Rucker

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of professionals, faculty, and students regarding the implementation of an agricultural communications degree program in the United Kingdom (U.K). It aimed to gather detailed opinions to aid in the planning of future agricultural communications curricula in the U.K., where no formal academic programs in this discipline exist in higher education. This study used a qualitative approach in the form of interviews to gain in-depth opinions on four different research objectives. Participants were pooled from three different demographic groups in the U.K: industry professionals, faculty, and students. These stakeholder expressed that …

Providing Long-Term Sustainability To Capital Outlay Funding In Kansas, Kellen James Adams

Educational Considerations

The purpose of this study was to provide insight into the challenges and limitations of the capital outlay fund across the range of the 286 school districts in the state of Kansas. The data and conclusions gleaned from the study conducted here are of importance for local governing bodies and state policymakers alike, as they look to provide for the long-term sustainability of the pupils of Kansas.

The stark reality facing Kansas school districts and their respective school buildings is that, for many, the proverbial clock is ticking on their life expectancy. In some cases, buildings are simply living on …

From Student To Teacher: Renegotiating Professional Identities, Zachary Milford, Anne Corey Reed

Educational Considerations

This case-study examines how first-year educators renegotiated their teacher identities as they transitioned from pre-service teachers (PSTs) to professionals. Both participants graduated from the same Teacher Education Program (TEP) and conducted their student internship in the same school as their first year of teaching. The results of this study have unique implications on first-year teachers working in the location of their student internships, as they reported isolation, internalized infantilization, and inconsistent identities. The author argues for TEPs to intentionally prepare PSTs for navigating this transition, and challenge preconceived notions of the benefits of student teaching and working in the same …

The Impact Of Mentoring And Scholarships On Teacher Candidates, Linda Gray Smith, Victoria N. Seeger, Michael Mcbride, Timothy J. Wall

Educational Considerations

The study examines data from surveys and interviews with teacher candidates and local education mentors at a Midwestern university who were involved in a Grow Your Own program; this article focuses on results for the teacher candidates. Using data based on demographics, financial need, and academic performance, the researchers identified eight educator preparation candidates from under-represented backgrounds. Each teacher candidate was invited to receive an academic scholarship of $1,500 per semester for two terms, fall 2022 and spring 2023, with the understanding each scholarship recipient would be paired with a university mentor and an in-district mentor from one of two …

Mentoring: The Factors That Contribute To Persistence To Graduation For African American Male K-12 Educators In Predominantly White Institutions (Pwi) In Missouri, Paula Miller

Adult Education Research Conference

This study investigated how mentoring enabled African American male K-12 educators to persist and obtain master’s degrees in predominately White institutions (PWIs) in Missouri.

Creative Problem Solving As A Catalyst For Transformative Learning, Kevin Dixon Gecowets, Weixin He, Sumi Lee

Adult Education Research Conference

Creative Problem Solving (CPS) and Transformative Learning (TL) consider how dilemmas prompt new ways of thinking. This study will examine Transformative Learning outcomes of CPS-centered creative education.

Feminist Pedagogy In Adult Learning Settings: A Literature Review Of Articles In Adult Learning 1989-2022, Lihua Shang, Lisa Baumgartner

Adult Education Research Conference

Adopting an integrated literature review approach, this study analyzes how feminist pedagogy is manifested in articles in Adult Learning between 1989 and 2022.

Culturally Competent Healthcare And Its Impact On Education And Policy Reformation, Marissa Molina, Lisa R. Brown, Elijah Miranda, Erika Montoya, Elisabeth Villarreal, Lisa Caldwell-Serges

Adult Education Research Conference

cultural competency, healthcare , diversity, migrants, policy formation, communication, microaggressions, discrimination ,qualitative, quantitative data decision making, program improvement, Higher education, artificial intelligence, incivility, training, community, race, improvement, social justice, educators, inclusivity, administration.

A Literature Review Of Geographic Representation In Adult Education Research, Angela Kissel

Adult Education Research Conference

The purpose of this literature review is to determine how adult education research is geographically represented by topic and population in three adult education journals from 1998 through 2023.