Digital Commons Network^™

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’ …

National Priorty Industry Linkage Fund (Npilf) Roundtable Report To Government, Faith Valencia-Forrester, Caroline Rueckert, Nicola Fish, Elizabeth J. Cook

Other Reports

The National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund (NPILF), introduced in 2021 and piloted from 2022 to 2024 with an extension year in 2025, significantly expanded and diversified Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) across Australian higher education. The fund aimed to increase WIL opportunities for students, grow the pipeline of STEM-skilled graduates and improve their employment outcomes, and support universities to develop and strengthen partnerships with industry. To reflect on NPILF’s impact and identify priorities for sustaining WIL quality, equity and industry engagement in the years ahead, WIL Australia convened a national roundtable in October 2025. The event brought together 126 participants from …

Colaboración, Discurso Y Técnicas: La Resistencia Simbólica En El Sueño De La Sultana (Isabel Herguera, 2023), Nerea Cuenca-Orellana

GDI. Revista de investigación de Género, Diseño e Innovación

La película El sueño de la sultana (Isabel Herguera, 2023) reinterpreta el cuento utópico homónimo de Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain (1905) realizando una exploración visual que combina animación, archivo y testimonio. El presente trabajo propone un análisis de la obra desde cuatro puntos clave e interrelacionados: la autoría colaborativa y femenina, los discursos visuales, los lenguajes y técnicas, y las formas de resistencia simbólica con el objetivo principal de establecerla como un caso práctico de diseño feminista contemporáneo.

En primer lugar, se examina el proceso de creación de la película como práctica colaborativa transnacional, donde la animación se convierte en un …

Abu Hayyan Al-Andalusi's (D.745ah) Methodological Rules In Grammar Lessons, The Term (Correct) In His Book Al-Tadheel Wa Al-Takmeel As A Model, An Analytical Study, Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mazzah

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

This research aims to identify the methodology adopted by Abu Hayyan al-Andalusi in his book "Al-Tadhiyal wa al-Takmil" for correction, through a descriptive and analytical study that traces the mechanisms of correction and weighting in his treatment of grammatical issues, and the extent of his adherence to the methodological controls he set for himself. The research begins with an introduction explaining the importance of the research, its problems and objectives, and previous studies, followed by a preface on the importance of judgmental terms in Arabic grammar. The first section focuses on defining the concepts of "correct" and 'weighting' in grammatical …

A Message Related To The Interpretation Of Verse 21 Of Surat Al-Jathiya, By The Linguistic Scholar And Commentator Shihab Al-Din Ahmad Ibn Umar Al-Khafaji (D. 1069 Ah) - Study And Investigation-, Nawaf Bin Ghadir Bin Nuwayran Al-Tumi Al-Shammari

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

In this research, I studied one of the letters of the scholar Shihab al-Din al-Khafaji (1069 AH), related to the interpretation of verse 21 of Surat al-Jathiya. In it, he - may God have mercy on him - took care to explain the readings and ways of parsing in the verse upon which the meaning depends, and he conveyed the statements of scholars on that, and he was concerned with highlighting the rhetorical aspect of the verse. In my study, I followed the scientific method followed in investigation, and I came out with a number of results, the most important …

Chatgpt In Teaching English As A Foreign Language: Teacher And Learner Perspectives, Sameiha Alhussain N Khawaji

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

This study investigates ChatGPT as a supplementary tool in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education through surveys of 150 teachers and 350 learners in Asia, Europe and Latin America. Results show that ChatGPT improves language proficiency by providing personalized feedback, conversational fluency (72% of users reported improvement), writing scores by 22% and vocabulary through contextualized practice. Teachers found it useful for lesson planning and administrative tasks. However, challenges such as plagiarism risks (15% of cases), occasional inaccuracies and cultural insensitivities especially in idiomatic and formal language use require ethical guidelines and human oversight. For example, Asian participants noted mismatches …

Tennessee K-3 Teachers’ Perceptions Of Structured Literacy Curriculum Based On The Science Of Reading: A Phenomenological Approach, Amy L. Reece Townsend

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this study was to explore the perceptions and knowledge of Tennessee kindergarten, first-grade, second-grade, and third-grade teachers regarding early literacy and science-based curricula that incorporate the science of reading. This study examined the experiences of kindergarten through third-grade teachers in a Tennessee school district as they transitioned to a structured literacy approach grounded in the science of reading. The goal was to understand how teachers adapted to the new methods, what helped them succeed, and what challenges they faced during the change.

Data collection included in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Analysis of data occurred in three phases: (a) categorization …

Bridging The Gap: Culturally Responsive Bereavement Support In Latino Families, Maria I. Hernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Hospice of the Central Coast (HCC), a division of Montage Health, delivers high-quality end-of-life care and bereavement support to adults and families in Monterey and select areas of San Benito County. This capstone project sought to address the disparities by developing and implementing an eight-week bereavement support group curriculum translated and adapted for Spanish-Speaking Latino families. Despite the organization’s longstanding commitment to compassionate and inclusive healthcare, internal data reveal substantial gaps in service for the latino population: of 628 patients served in 2023, only 47 patients were of Hispanic or Latino origin. This discrepancy stems from ingrained barriers such as: …

Grounded & Connected: Enhancing Mental Health Literacy And Resilience Among Transfer College Students, Alyson Morgan

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many college transfer students experience poor mental health, including anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and suicidal ideation. Recent findings show that transfer students face unique stressors related to adjusting to a new campus environment and often struggle to access support services (Center on Transition Innovations, 2023). Although many students recognize the signs of deteriorating mental health in themselves, they may not know how to seek help or use healthy coping strategies. To address this need, I created an 80-minute workshop for transfer students at Modesto Junior College to address the lack of awareness of mental health struggles, the different stressors of …

Scoring Accuracy And Differential Rater Functioning Of Large Language Models (Llms) In Evaluating Short Student Essays Under Different Conditions: A Simulation Study, Majed Mahmoud Ajoudeh

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and differential rater functioning (DRF) of LLMs in scoring short essays, based on synthetically generated data of 270 essays with varying quality. The LLMs scored the essays under three prompting conditions: without a rubric, with a brief rubric, and with a detailed rubric. Human benchmark ratings were also generated in comparison with the automated scores. The results showed that using detailed rubric improved accuracy and consistency with human raters. Regression analysis further revealed differential rater functioning: the LLMs were more likely to award higher scores to longer essays, favored indirect writing styles, and …

Students Insufficient Reading Proficiency, Carmen Bolanos Chavez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Students’ lack of foundational reading proficiency continues to be a significant barrier to academic success, particularly among bilingual and underserved communities. This capstone project was implemented at ProYouth, an expanded learning program serving students in grades K–12 in King City, California, where many families speak primarily Spanish and face limited time to support reading at home. The project aimed to strengthen students’ literacy skills through targeted small group reading interventions and to gather parent input through surveys to better understand student needs and family challenges. Intervention groups met daily during the six-week ProYouth Summer Program and utilized evidence-based strategies focused …

Advocacy At The Front Door, Tenisha S. Hill

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project examines how integrating social work practices into the jail intake process can strengthen support for clients represented by the Public Defender’s Office. The project focuses on understanding the challenges clients face at the earliest point of contact often marked by trauma, instability, and limited access to services and how a social-work-informed approach can improve outcomes. Through direct observation, interviews with staff, and review of intake procedures, the project identifies key gaps in assessment, communication, and referrals. Findings highlight the need for more holistic intake practices that address clients’ social, mental health, and resource needs alongside their legal …

From Stigma To Strength: Exploring Workplace Wellness At Nami Monterey County, Maria G. Zamudio

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Employees in Monterey County face persistent challenges related to poor mental health, driven by high costs of living, limited access to providers, workplace stress, and stigma surrounding help-seeking behaviors. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Monterey County, a grassroots organization committed to education and advocacy, primarily serves caregivers and families of individuals with mental illness but is expanding efforts to address systemic workplace mental health barriers. This capstone project involved designing and piloting workplace-focused interventions, including presentations for a Public Works Department, a customizable training binder, and pre/post-assessment tools. The initiative sought to reduce stigma, increase awareness of resources, …

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 …

Exploring Hiring Managers’ Strategies For Recruiting Diverse Educators In A Southeastern State, Keisa K. Davis Ma

Dissertations

This dissertation examined the strategies applied by hiring managers within one state in the southeastern United States to recruit diverse teachers. The purpose of the study was to explore hiring managers’ experiences and knowledge of minority teacher recruitment. The primary research question for this study was: What strategies do hiring managers in the school district under study find most effective in overcoming barriers to recruiting minority educators, and how do they measure their success? Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, and thematic coding was used to arrive at emerging themes, patterns, and perceptions. The findings revealed that while hiring managers …

Language Learner Literature: A Mixed Methods Study, Esmeralda Mora

Dissertations

This dissertation, Language Learner Literature: A Mixed Methods Study, by Esmeralda Mora, Ed.D., of National Louis University, specializing in Curriculum, Advocacy, and Policy, investigated the impact of shifting a Midwest high school world language department from a traditional, grammar-focused model to a proficiency-based approach centered on Language Learner Literature (LLL). Employing a Modified Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Design, the study first analyzed longitudinal AAPPL proficiency scores from 1,134 high school students (2020–2025) using T-tests and Multiple Linear Regressions to establish measurable outcomes (the "what"). This quantitative phase demonstrated significant and consistent gains in expressive skills (Writing and Speaking) post-LLL implementation, …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Fully Immersive Esol Elementary Program: A Mixed-Methods Study, Equitia D. Armour

Dissertations

With the enrollment of students who are English Language Learners (ELL) steadily rising across the United States, this research sought to understand how immersive models support both language acquisition and academic achievement. This study examined the effectiveness of a fully immersive English Speaker of Other Languages (ESOL) program in one elementary school. The purpose was to identify the qualities of successful ESOL programming, and the conditions needed for sustained growth. The primary research question for this study was: What are the qualities of a successful fully immersive ELL elementary program? Using a mixed-methods design, data were drawn from surveys, interviews, …

A Reformation Of The Status Quo: An Examination Of The Relationship Between Organizational Structure And Social Justice Reform In American Public Schools, Jaielle Manning

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

This study explores the correlation between organizational structure and social justice reform in American public schools. The study specifically aims to answer the following research questions: What are the lived experiences of school leaders as they navigate and enact social justice reform? How do school leaders experience the ways organizational structures shape their opportunities and challenges in implementing social justice reform? How do school leaders experience and make sense of the influence of local, state, and national policy on their efforts toward social justice reform in American public schools? The literature review examined organizational structure through the lens of Ecological …

From Feedback To Insight: Using Hierarchical Clustering Analysis To Identify And Analyze Feedback Dimensions In Online Courses, Reagan R. Siggard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The demand for online courses continues to increase, as do the critiques of their effectiveness. Studies have found that peer interactions positively impact the online course experience and that peers can offer feedback to each other at the instructor's level with proper guidance. To help understand this feedback, researchers have identified feedback dimensions. Most feedback dimensions have been created through inductive coding, not exploratory data analysis approaches. This study sought to identify those feedback dimensions that perhaps had been missed or were highly associated with those already existing in the literature, hoping to inform research and practice to improve the …

A Critical Policy Analysis Of Dual Language Education Policies On The Equity And Opportunity Of Participation And Access For Multilingual Learners, Justin A. Andersen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Dual Language Immersion programs help students become fluent in two languages while achieving academic success. Originally designed to support students who speak languages other than English at home, these programs have grown rapidly across Utah and the U.S. However, they increasingly serve white, English-speaking families seeking enrichment opportunities, while multilingual students who could benefit most remain underrepresented.

This study examined recruitment and admissions policies in two Utah school districts’ dual language programs. By comparing policy documents, analyzing enrollment data, and interviewing district staff, school leaders, and parents, the research revealed significant implementation differences despite identical statewide program requirements.

One district …

Exploring The Role Of Christian Religiosity In The Acceptance Or Rejection Of Ai Chatbot Use Among Faculty At Church Of Christ Universities, Amos Gutierrez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Higher education institutions are navigating the benefits and challenges of generative AI chatbot use and preparing faculty and students to engage with these tools ethically and responsibly. The problem is that there are many challenges and barriers to using these technologies in higher education, and Christian higher education institutions must also address context-specific considerations regarding mission and vision rooted in biblical faith and practice. The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental, cross-sectional study using confirmatory factor analysis and multiple regression through structural equation modeling was to examine faculty perceptions of AI chatbots and how Christian religiosity moderates acceptance. An online survey …

Response To Intervention Implementation With Culturally Diverse Students, Alysia R. Chatman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative descriptive study examined how elementary educators implement response to intervention (RTI) and multitiered systems of support with culturally and linguistically diverse students. Drawing on self-determination theory and culturally relevant pedagogy, the researcher conducted semistructured interviews with five participants, three classroom teachers, one interventionist, and one campus administrator from three Title I elementary schools in a large suburban Texas district. Transcripts were analyzed through thematic coding. Four themes emerged: (1) training and preparedness for RTI implementation, (2) administrator support and follow-through, (3) understanding and application of culturally responsive teaching, and (4) RTI meeting structure and process. Participants reported a …

The Effects Of Secondary Students Using Metacognitive Strategies On Reading Comprehension Scores, Georgia Miller

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This study focuses on researching the use of metacognitive strategies on secondary students reading comprehension scores. Metacognitive strategies are strategies that help students become more aware of their own thought process and learning. The metacognitive strategies used for this study were self-monitoring, self-regulation, self-questioning as well as the use of vocabulary knowledge. The study takes place in an intermountain west charter high school Reading for Pleasure course for students ninth through twelfth grade. All students within the Reading for Pleasure course received specialized reading instruction over a six-week term from the researcher. All students received approximately 360 minuets of specialized …

Digital Solutions For Bridging Language Barriers: Designing And Testing An App For Construction Spanish Safety Communication On Construction Jobsites, Adrian Cappella

All Theses

Language barriers between English-speaking supervisors and Spanish-speaking workers create safety risks on U.S. construction jobsites. Hispanic workers face higher injury and fatality rates, with miscommunication being a major contributing factor. Existing translation tools lack the accuracy, cultural context, and jobsite relevance needed for effective safety communication.

In this study a mobile application with construction-specific safety phrases in English and Spanish was designed and field tested. The research included a literature review, phrase collection and validation with industry experts, application development and design with a computer science collaborator, and usability testing with supervisors and workers. Surveys and field trials measured navigation, …

Review Of All In All (More Or Less): Rhetorical Considerations In Literature, Thought, And Experience By Walter Jost, Sean Meehan

Turning Toward Being: The Journal of Ontological Inquiry in Education

Review of All in All (More or Less): Rhetorical Considerations in Literature, Thought, and Experience by Walter Jost

Ontological Inquiry: A Foundation For Intercultural Communication Competence For Peace, Maria Stergiou

Turning Toward Being: The Journal of Ontological Inquiry in Education

Beyond what we have discovered through research and what we claim to know about learning and teaching intercultural global competencies, I advocate for the inclusion of a pedagogy of ontological inquiry. Informed by my work as the International Cooperation Advisor for Higher Education at the Swiss Agency for Exchange and Cooperation, as well as my lived experience with ontological inquiry for more than 25 years, here I illuminate the access an ontological pedagogy provides to the realization of interculturalcommunication competencies as a foundation for peace.

Translanguaging In Indonesian Efl Classrooms: Pedagogical Insights And Student Perspectives, Fauzi Miftakh, Elih Sutisna Yanto, Annisa Fitria Harjadi

The Qualitative Report

This study investigates translanguaging practices in Indonesian secondary English classrooms and analyzes how teachers and students use multiple languages to enrich the learning experience. Drawing on observations, interviews, and field notes from two teachers and four students in West Java, the study found that translanguaging fosters student comprehension, confidence, and identity affirmation. Teachers strategically used English, Indonesian, and Sundanese to scaffold instruction across various phases, creating an inclusive learning environment. Students responded positively, pointing to a reduction in anxiety and improved participation. These findings are consistent with sociocultural learning theories and challenge monolingual ideologies. The study concludes that translanguaging is …

Indonesian Efl Learners’ Views Of Fondi Application Toward Speaking Performance: A Qualitative Approach, Toni Indrayadi, Suhaimi Suhaimi, Usman Usman

The Qualitative Report

This study aims to explore English department students’ perceptions regarding the effectiveness of Fondi Application (FA) in enhancing speaking proficiency. FA is a Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) application that provides conversations in the form of voice calls packaged like games. This qualitative approach is based on semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. Five selected participants with FA technology intervention were interviewed about their perception after using the application as self-learning media for two months. Five main themes emerged from the findings; FA is a potential technological tool to enhance speaking proficiency including fluency, lexical resources, grammatical accuracy, and pronunciation. The participants …

Transdisciplinary Perspectives On Ai: The Fourth Annual Conference Of The European Culture And Technology Laboratory, Connell Vaughan, Ioana Madalina Moldovan, Silivan Moldovan, Noel Fitzpatrick

Books/Book Chapters

The fourth annual conference of the ECT Lab+ was hosted by Technical University of Cluj-Napoca over two days in October 2024 at the Cluj Innovation Park. The conference brought together experts from the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Technology, and other fields to discuss and reflect on the advent of Artificial Intelligence and how the associated technologies are transforming how we live, work and study. Under the title Transdisciplinary perspectives on AI: Alternative Histories, Current Practices and Possible Futures the conference moved beyond simplistic technophila and technophobia to consider whether we can co-evolve with these new technologies which combine machine learning …

Art Teams Year 4 Annual (Ad Hoc) Report 2024-2025, Guy Trainin, Kimberley D'Adamo, Hyeonjin Yoon, Azadeh Hassani, Zohreh Tamimdari, Jiabin Lyu, Michael Nti Ababio, Sarah Trainin

Research and Evaluation in Education, Technology, Art, and Design

This report documents the fourth year of the Art TEAMS project, a multi-year professional learning initiative focused on arts-integrated, transdisciplinary teaching practices across Nebraska K-12 schools. During the 2024-2025 academic year, the project advanced work with its second cohort of educators while maintaining engagement with the first cohort to assess the sustainability of implementation. The second cohort brought increased diversity in art forms, including ceramics, digital media, and career and technical education, demonstrating the versatility of arts integration across curricula.

Year Four activities included delivering refined professional development courses grounded in emergent curriculum design, with significant curriculum modifications based on …