Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding The Nexus Between Food Insecurity And School Readiness: A Comprehensive Analysis In Ghana, Michael Atuahene Djan, Emmanuel Yeboah, Isaac Sarfo, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, Abraham Okrah, Desmond Nii Ayitey Mettle-Nunoo, Ben Emunah Aikins, Asante Vincent Antwi, Clement Issaka Anaba, Clement Kwang

School of Global Integrative Studies: Faculty Publications

This study delves into the multifaceted challenges of food insecurity and its profound impact on school readiness among children in Ghana. Utilizing data from the Ghana Statistical Service and the Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis, and employing ArcGIS for spatial analysis, the research maps high food insecurity areas and overlays population density to prioritize interventions. Findings reveal a stark concentration of food insecurity in northern Ghana, worsened by adverse weather conditions, underscoring the urgency for targeted interventions. The study highlights how food insecurity extends beyond nutritional deficits, affecting socio-economic structures and family dynamics. Children in food-insecure households face significant …

An Ounce Of Prevention: Counselor And Health Teacher Perception On Substance-Abuse Prevention Curricular Effectiveness, Amanda Jill Knight

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study examined middle and high school health teachers’ and counselors’ perceptions of the effectiveness of skills-based substance use prevention curricula as a means of reducing the prevalence of student substance use/abuse. A mixed-methods, nonexperimental research design was incorporated to discern these teachers’ and counselors’ views on the extent to which students were able to acquire specific alcohol and other drug (AOD) refusal skills after their participation in a skills-based drug prevention education curriculum. These skills were identified and approved by the Ohio Association for Health and Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

Analysis of the collected data using SPSS v29 …

Exploring The Shared Lived Experiences Of Elementary Principal Leadership As A Result Of The Pandemic: A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Jeremy Garritano

Theses and Dissertations

In this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study, the researcher explored the shared lived experiences of elementary building principals as they navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. This research aimed to extrapolate themes and common threads of the impact on elementary building-level principal leadership in the areas of leadership challenges, leadership adaptations, and leadership changes. The timeframes for these shifts in these areas were before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The following research questions guided the study: 1. What were the perceived difficulties/challenges of leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of elementary principals? 2. How did elementary principals’ leadership change, adjust, …

A Case Study Of Italian Teachers’ Culturally Responsive Pedagogy When Teaching U.S. Undergraduate Students Studying Abroad In Rome, Italy, Massimiliano Tomassini

Theses and Dissertations

For over two decades Italy has been the second destination, first non-Anglo-Saxon, for U.S. undergraduate students studying abroad, with 36,945 students in academic year 2017/2018 corresponding to a 10.8% share and a 4.5% increase from 2016/2017 (IIE, 2019). With over 150 North American college and university programs present in the country (AACUPI, 2019), a specifically designed law (Art. 2 of Law N. 4 of 14 January 1999) created to support study abroad in Italy, and a 40-year-old nonprofit association (AACUPI) focused on promoting and supporting American universities and colleges with programs in Italy, Italy is, and will be for some …

Historical Literacy For Preservice Secondary Social Studies Teachers In The State Of Connecticut: A Phenomenological Study, Vincent J. Gaccione Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Despite a recent shift in focus from content area literacy to disciplinary literacy in preservice teacher (PST) preparation programs, historical literacies training for prospective secondary social studies teachers has remained limited in the State of Connecticut. Historical literacies are defined as the discipline-specific reading and writing skills of historians and other social scientists. In this phenomenological study, I describe the lived experiences of several recent PST program graduates who are currently teaching secondary social studies in the State of Connecticut and report on the essence of this phenomenon. Grounded in communities of practice (CoP) theory, I administered open-ended qualitative surveys …

Perceptions Of Fidelity, Urgency, And Challenges In Dei Implementation: Insights From Long Island Teacher Union Presidents, Shirley M. Pincay

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

This study examines the fidelity, urgency, and challenges of implementing the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education (CR-SE) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Framework as the NYSED DEI policy in Long Island public school districts. The New York State Board of Regents developed the CR-SE and DEI Framework to promote inclusivity and cultural awareness in educational settings, encouraging districts to adopt practices that affirm and support students from diverse backgrounds. Using a qualitative approach, incorporating a survey and a virtual semi-structured interview, data was collected from Teacher Union Presidents across various Long Island school districts. Key variables included levels of urgency and fidelity …

From Accountability To Algorithms: Interorganizational Learning And The Transformation Of Quantification In Education, Jose Eos R. Trinidad

Interdisciplinary Studies Faculty Publications

While studies often explore the intended and unintended consequences of technologies, few have theorized how and why they change. One crucial transformation in quantitative technologies is the shift from evaluative accountability to predictive algorithms, such as in schools that use dropout prediction systems. Using the case of ninth-grade early warning indicators, I argue that the transformation of quantification resulted from interorganizational learning, or the acquisition of new knowledge through the interaction of different organizations. In particular, I show how technology changes gradually from organization-level evaluation to individual-based prediction to systems-focused improvement. Pivotal to such changes were new forms of knowledge …

"You Write What You Want And What You Need": Incorporating Reflective Practice In The Ela Classroom Through Caring Pedagogy, Melanie Shoffner, Helen Bentley

Department of Middle, Secondary and Mathematics Education - Faculty Scholarship

Caring pedagogy is critical in today’s classrooms, and supporting students’ emotional needs as well as educational needs is an integral part of the teaching profession. This qualitative case study examines how one 9th grade ELA teacher uses reflective practices to enact care for her students. Creating a specially designed 50- minute freewrite class, the participant centers students by welcoming their voices into the classroom. Notes from observations and semi-structured interviews are used to show how the participant’s reflections about her students’ journals and discussions drive instruction. Findings show that care-based instruction-giving students space to write about any topic, removing the …

“Science Belongs Everywhere”: Outlooks On Post-Secondary Stem Education For Correctional Centers In Virginia, Shelita R. Augustus

Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success Publications

Virginia has an incarceration rate of 679 per 100,000 residents, the highest among independent democratic nations. This scoping review examines perspectives on post-secondary STEM education to promote STEM education within Virginia's correctional facilities, assesses programs to improve rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and address systemic inequalities by developing the scientific potential of incarcerated individuals. The review finds that while STEM education in correctional facilities faces limitations, its potential benefits are being realized nationwide. Virginia has made strides through initiatives like House Bill 2158, which aims to expand higher education access for incarcerated individuals. Examples such as the programs at J. Sargeant Reynolds …

Southern Adventist University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025, Southern Adventist University

Catalog, Undergraduate

Southern Adventist University's undergraduate catalog for the academic year 2024-2025.

The Impact Of Gender On Literacy Engagement, Perception, And Academic Practice In Grades 3–12, Dennis John Wickes Jr.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Gender disparities in literacy persist across the globe, shaping academic and career opportunities in profound ways. Despite advances in educational research and interventions, boys continue to trail their female counterparts in literacy from an early age, and this gap persists. The purpose of this study was to examine gender differences in students’ self-perception, academic practice in literacy-based tasks, and enjoyment of these activities. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed. Participants included students in Grades 3–12 from international sites in the United States, the Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, recruited through convenience and purposive sampling based on site access and …

Winter 2025, Augustana College, Rock Island Illinois

Augustana Magazine

No abstract provided.

Secondary Educators’ Perspectives About The Influence Of Artificial Intelligence As An Instructional Tool In Secondary Education, Frank Nuara

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms various sectors of society, its implications for secondary education have become increasingly influential. This qualitative dissertation explores how educators in secondary education institutions on Long Island, New York, perceive the influence of Artificial Intelligence as an instructional tool. While Artificial Intelligence offers promise in enhancing lesson planning, differentiation, and teacher efficiency, as an instructional tool into the classroom. The influence of artificial intelligence as an instructional tool also raises significant questions related to student engagement, cognitive development, educational equity, and teacher preparedness. The purpose of this study was to examine these perceptions in order …

An Edifying Honors Collaboration, Rebecca C. Bott-Knutson, Jonathan D. Kotinek, Hedi M. Appel, Joy L. Hart, Paul Knox, Andrea Radasanu, Daniel M. Roberts, Timothy J. Nichols, Leigh E. Fine, William L. Ziegler, Mary Bryk, Susan Sumner, Rachael Budowle, Kaetlyn Cordingly, Graham E. Bastian, Noah Roerig, Adam Stroud, Keith Garbutt

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

In this chapter, we describe how one honors collaborative was formed, how it functions, and how it continues to evolve. For members of this collaborative, it has been an extraordinary professional journey with edifying impacts as we have been instructed, improved, and enlightened by our involvement.

Our collaborative emerged as a space to engage with colleagues across the nation with the common goal of better preparing honors students to tackle the grand challenges we face as a society (Appel et al., 2023). It comprises a network of honors leaders from 14 universities representing a variety of land-grant, Historically Black Colleges …

Where Honors Education And Faculty Development Meet: Front And Back Matter, John Zubizarreta, Victoria M. Bryan

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

Front and back matter

Where Honors Education and Faculty Development Meet [NCHC Monograph Series], John Zubizarreta and Victoria M. Bryan, editors

Lincoln, Nebraska, United States: National Collegiate Honors Council, 2025

Includes:

Front and back covers

Table of contents

Acknowledgments

Foreword, Victoria Mundy Bhavsar and Suketu P. Bhavsar

Introduction, John Zubizarreta and Victoria M. Bryan

About the authorsAbout the NCHC Monograph Series

List of NCHC monographs and journals

NCHC publications order form

From the back cover:

This volume contains an assorted collection of theoretical and practical essays that demonstrate the value of collaborations between honors programs or colleges and faculty development, …

Intertwining Wisdom: The Fusion Of Indigenous Knowledge And Liberal Arts And Sciences Education Discourses At The Autonomous Intercultural Indigenous University In The Colombian Cauca, Paula Milena Suárez Sandoval

GHEA21 Publications

This research shows how the Autonomous Intercultural Indigenous University (UAIIN), the most important community-based indigenous higher education institution in Colombia, has developed an educational model that harmonizes indigenous traditional knowledge with contemporary Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) discourses of higher education. Through qualitative analysis, the study compares how these two approaches are reflected in discourses around the purpose of education, pedagogical methods, and the university’s curriculum. The findings highlight an educational model that reconciles the inclusion of indigenous epistemologies with the contemporary dynamics of higher education.

Building A New World In The Shell Of The Old: Co-Designing Post-Capitalist Visions, Alix Gerber

Design Thinking Initiative Staff Publications

Designers working towards social change have often focused on designing discrete solutions to social problems, rather than working within the long-term world-making practices of movements. This paper examines the potential of a more embedded design practice within prefigurative movements, where mutual aid networks, worker cooperatives, and other solidarity economy initiatives are already developing alternative systems in the present. What if we could design everyday tools with these collectives to embody their transformative visions? Yet it can be difficult to design for transformation collaboratively. Collectives include members with diverse visions that can conflict, as well as different ideas about how to …

Singapore Management University Report To Stakeholders 2024/25, Singapore Management University

Report to Stakeholders

Titled “SMU at 25: Celebrating Innovation and Impact”, this year’s report marks the University’s 25th anniversary alongside Singapore’s 60th year of independence. It showcases SMU’s progress in education, research, innovation and societal engagement, and how the University continues to shape meaningful impact in Singapore and across Asia.

Benefits Of A Hybrid Learning Environment On Work-Life Balance, Thomas Robert Anez

Dissertations and Theses

This study explores the impact of hybrid learning on the work-life balance of graduate-level students, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges associated with this evolving educational model. Hybrid learning offers flexibility, enabling students to balance academic responsibilities with professional and personal commitments. Many students benefit from reduced commuting time, asynchronous learning options, and the ability to tailor their schedules to fit their needs. However, the study also reveals challenges, including difficulties in maintaining clear boundaries between work, school, and personal life, and the potential for increased workload perception and burnout. Through a qualitative, phenomenological approach, this research captures the lived …

Comparisons Of The Effects Of White Noise And Classical Background Music On Student On-Task Engagement During Work Cycles In A Lower-Elementary Montessori Class, Lee Ellis

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This study compares the effects of classical and white noise background music, played during in-class work cycles for lower elementary students (grades 1-3) at a Montessori school in Pennsylvania. I aim to measure academic on-task engagement and overall classroom behavior. I will observe and record notes on their progress when there is no background sound, white noise, or classical music playing. Research has shown that introducing different sounds to the background of a classroom can positively affect student focus and retention of information (Levitin, 2006; Williams, 1961). Manipulation of sound or music played in the background can have a sizable …

Social Class, Cultural Capital, And Public School Art Education, Yiwen Wei

Journal of Social Theory in Art Education

This article delves into the often-overlooked issue of social class in visual art education. While art education is crucial for sustaining artistic traditions and cultural practices, the validation of certain art forms within educational systems significantly influences students’ perceived values of art and culture. This article explores the intricate interplay between social class, cultural capital, and art education in U.S. public schools. The goal is to enhance class consciousness among art educators, advocating for educational equity and cultural sustainability. The article presents a theoretical framework through a comprehensive review of existing scholarship on social class in U.S. art education. A …

¡Adelante Mujer!: Testimonios Of Chicana And Latina High School Principals, Blanca Rocio Esquivel

CGU Theses & Dissertations

As the Latinx student population in U.S. public schools grows incrementally, equitable representation in school leadership remains disproportionately limited. Despite accounting for over 25% of high school enrollments nationwide, Latinas hold only around 4-6% of public high school principal positions (NCES 2022). This lack of proportional leadership representation restricts a school system’s capacity to provide optimized culturally responsive environments, benefiting Latinx youth. Furthermore, it limits advancement opportunities for aspiring Chicana and Latina leaders despite research confirming their effectiveness in spearheading academic improvements. While past scholarship has broadly explored facilitators and barriers for women educational leaders, few studies specifically document the …

Community Impact Of School Closure: Implications For Access To Socially Valued Resources And Services In An Urban Community, Gary Pierson

CGU Theses & Dissertations

This phenomenological single case study explores the lived experiences of community members in Central Bay, California, as Central Bay High School faces the prospect of consolidation or closure. Drawing on in-depth, semi-structured interviews and document analysis, the study examines how the potential loss of a longstanding educational institution affects community access to socially valued resources and services, such as extracurricular programs, health services, safe gathering spaces, and pathways to postsecondary education. The research investigates the multifaceted impact of school closures on the well-being and resilience of residents, highlighting the emotional, social, and economic challenges encountered during the decision–making process. Special …

Helping Students Help Themselves: An Intervention To Facilitate Campus Food Pantry Use At A Public University, Kianna D.G. Valoa

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Estimates of student food insecurity at California’s public universities range from 42–47%. This study conducted at a public university in California investigated the impacts of an intervention on increasing campus food pantry use by increasing students’ knowledge of the pantry and reducing cognitive barriers. A sample of enrolled students (N=11,400) were randomly assigned to be in either the partial intervention (n=3,800), full intervention (n=3,800), or control (n=3,800) group. The partial intervention group received a postcard in the mail and an email invitation to complete the post-test survey online. The full intervention group received the pretest survey, a postcard, and the …

2024-2025 Annual Security And Fire Report – Weatherford Campus, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

ANNUAL SECURITY & FIRE REPORTS

This is the 2024-2025 Annual Security and Fire Report of the Weatherford Campus by Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

2024-2025 Annual Security And Fire Report – Sayre Campus, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

ANNUAL SECURITY & FIRE REPORTS

This is the 2024-2025 Annual Security and Fire Report of the Sayre Campus by Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Examining Geographic Access To Specialty Education In Richmond, Virginia, Nonso Akunwafor

UROP Posters

This study examines how the geographic distribution of selective admissions schools (SAS) in Richmond, Virginia, affects student enrollment patterns and access to specialized education. It aims to (1) identify whether spatial distribution and transportation availability create barriers to accessing SAS and (2) evaluate possible solutions for improving access to specialty education. SAS in Richmond are secondary schools with specialized and rigorous academic programs, requiring a selective process for admissions. Existing research has explored the equity implications of the admissions processes of these types of schools, but limited research addresses access from a geographic perspective, particularly for Richmond Public Schools (RPS), …

Intersections Of Inattention: A Qualitative Inquiry Into The Experiences Of Multiply Marginalized Students In Community College Settings, Jana N. Knibb

Open Access Dissertations

Educational research has examined the impact of expanded access to higher education for historically marginalized groups. However, research on the experiences of students who are both racially minoritized and dis/abled is limited. Findings suggest that, due to their intersectional identities, multiply marginalized dis/abled students (MMDS) navigate policies and practices related to racist ableism, which further marginalize them and create additional barriers in their higher education experiences. Expanding this research requires theoretical frameworks that account for students' identities, experiences, and barriers in higher educational spaces and contexts. This qualitative study, grounded in Dis/ability Studies and Critical Race Theory in Education (DisCrit), …

Nature-Based Learning In Visual Arts Education, Ava D. Raisanen

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This literature review and application thesis examines the concerns related to nature-deficit, specifically screen usage, student disengagement, and mental health issues. This review examines how nature-based educational approaches can enhance mental health, improve academic performance, and connect to various topics, including Indigenous culture and interdisciplinary art approaches that integrate multiple subjects. The lesson plans provided in the application are rooted in culturally relevant, nature-based approaches for students in grades K-12, including an Indigenous-inspired lesson for elementary, middle, and high school art.

The Commuter Student Experience: Challenges And Impacts On Student Success, Seth A. Ressl

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

Commuter students at large public universities often face barriers to engaging in campus co-curricular activities, primarily due to off-campus commitments, which can affect their academic success and retention. Drawing on student engagement theory, this qualitative narrative study explores commuter students’ experiences with co-curricular involvement and its perceived impact on their academic performance, skill development, social connections, and persistence at a large public four-year university. Data collected through in-depth interviews with commuter undergraduates were analyzed to identify common themes regarding students' perspectives, challenges, and impact related to co-curricular activities. The findings suggest that active involvement in student organizations and campus events …