Digital Commons Network^™

The Effectiveness Of Mastery Learning On Student Achievement Across Stem Disciplines: A Meta-Analysis, Francis Siangco Estabillo

Doctoral Dissertations

Mastery learning has been one of the most extensively researched instructional strategies in education, studied continuously since the 1960s. Prior meta-analyses have consistently found positive effects of mastery learning on student learning outcomes, however, none have examined its effectiveness on student achievement explicitly within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

This comprehensive meta-analysis investigated the effectiveness of the mastery-learning instructional strategy on student achievement across STEM disciplines in K-12 and higher-education contexts. A systematic literature search yielded 85 studies with combined sample sizes of 10,244 participants that met the inclusion criteria. Heterogeneity was assessed using Q,I^{2 …}

Employability Skills Development In Career And Technical Education: Administrators’ Perspectives, Emily Manuel, Bradley M. Coleman, Jon W. Ramsey, J. Shane Robinson, Mary Jo Self

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in the United States have provided a combination of academic, technical, and employability skills to prepare students for college and careers. Employability skills, also known as soft skills, life skills, or behavioral skills, are developed through multiple CTE program components. This mixed-methods study explored administrators’ perceptions of Oklahoma CTE’s capacity to develop employability skills in students to meet the needs of the local community. A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used to collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative findings suggest problem-solving, logical reasoning, and critical thinking were the highest-rated skills developed. …

A Phenomenological Study Of Principals Leading Learning Recovery, Charlene Catherine Burroughs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of principals who worked to support the recovery of the learning lost by the school's fourth graders from a large, urban school district in Texas. Three centralized research questions guided this study. How did principals describe the lived experience of working to support the normalization of the educational experience so that the learning lost by the school’s fourth graders was recovered? How did principals describe their work as leaders who supported the educational process by developing resilience in the face of crisis? How did principals describe the impact …

Success By Design? A Combined Outcome And Process Program Evaluation Of California’S Early And Middle College High Schools, Brooke N. Martin-Gill

Education Dissertations

Early and Middle College High Schools (EMCHS) expand college access for

underrepresented students by integrating high school and college coursework within

community college settings. Despite strong reported outcomes, some EMCHS face

substantial student attrition. Limited research examines how EMCHS organizational

structures influence student persistence. This mixed methods outcome and process

evaluation seeks to address this research gap. Quantitative analysis (paired samples-t-

tests) examined statewide enrollment data (2017-2025) to determine whether significant

differences exist between Year 1 and Year 4 cohort enrollment. Qualitative analysis was

conducted through a deductive discourse analysis of Western Association of Schools and

Colleges (WASC) Self-Study reports …

Write To Lead: A Document Analysis Of Leadership Communication, Rosenda B. Minella

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

This qualitative study examined how executive leaders at an urban community college in the Southwestern United States used motivating language in written communication. Community colleges face increasing complexity, including enrollment declines, limited resources, and heightened expectations for student success. In this context, written leadership communication helps align organizational goals, build trust, and reinforce institutional values. Motivating Language Theory served as the primary coding framework, with findings interpreted through the lens of Authentic Leadership and informed by AACC Leadership Competencies. Using qualitative document analysis and an AI-assisted workflow to support coding consistency, the study analyzed publicly available executive communications produced over …

A Colonial Past Revisited: An Authethnography Of Outsider And Insider Identities In Indigenous Education Communities, Tara L. Deyoung

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

In the late 90s, at Rehoboth Christian school, a small private boarding school in northwest New Mexico, I had four different English teachers in my four years of high school. All but two of my teachers at that time would be considered outsiders to the community in which they taught. Teacher outsiders leave schools and districts at higher rates than insiders to a community; this is especially true for rural and remote areas (Hudson et al., 2020). The purpose of this autoethnographic study is to analyze my history as a cultural outsider and insider in relation to my core beliefs …

Leadership Regarding The Support And Implementation Of Collaborative Teacher Teams To Advance District Equity Goals, Deborah Holman

Educational Studies Dissertations

Educational leaders increasingly prioritize equity reform processes; however, many struggle to enact sustainable change that addresses persistent disparities in student outcomes. Existing research on district effectiveness identifies key improvement practices but offers less insight into how leaders operationalize these practices effectively. The growing body of research on professional learning communities (PLCs) offers emerging evidence that job-embedded, focused PLCs are a mechanism that can positively impact student outcomes. This study addressed the connection between the improvement practices and PLCs by exploring how school and district leaders leverage collaborative teacher teams as a mechanism for equity-minded reform. Using a constructivist grounded theory …

Student-Athlete Flourishing In Intercollegiate Athletics: A Mixed Methods Study, James Hines

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Comprehending the complexities associated with student-athlete well-being while competing on campus is important for both institutions of higher education and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Studies relating to student-athlete well-being have researched many different areas such as suicide prevention (Gross et al., 2020), mental health treatments (Ryan et al.,2018), and injury recovery (Martin et al., 2021). Few studies have examined student-athlete flourishing which focuses on helping individuals thrive and reach their greatest potential. This study employs an explanatory sequential mixed method design to examine student-athlete flourishing along with factors associated with student-athlete flourishing. Survey data (N=89) provided insight on …

Portraits Of Resiliency And Possibility: Women Superintendents As Trailblazers For Future Leaders, Lisa Michelle Martin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Women remain underrepresented in the superintendency despite comprising the majority of the educational workforce. This qualitative study examined how women superintendents access and sustain the role. Grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) and using portraiture, the study explored how self-efficacy and contextual conditions shape leadership trajectories. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed by adopting narrative coding and cross-case portraits. The cultivation of self-efficacy, the accessibility of opportunities through connections, and the management of systemic obstacles influence trajectories. Sustainable leadership was strengthened by adaptive capacity and extensive professional networks. This study promotes an asset-based perspective and emphasizes the necessity …

Who Am I As An Elementary Cs Teacher? The Identity Development And Struggles Of Elementary Teachers As Computer Science Teachers, Burak Sahin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study investigates how elementary teachers develop and negotiate their identities as computer science (CS) teachers within the expanding presence of CS in early K–12 education. As CS is increasingly integrated into early grades, many teachers are expected to teach it without formal preparation. It positions them to simultaneously learn, teach, and construct a professional identity in an unfamiliar domain. Using an interpretive phenomenological approach, this study examines teachers’ lived experiences of identity development by drawing on identity theory (Gee, 2000) and the performance, recognition, and competence framework (Carlone & Johnson,2007) to understand how identity is shaped through practice, institutional …

Implications Of Role Ambiguity: Task Assignments For Secondary Assistant Principals, Melonie Poster

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Despite increasing calls for equity and instructional leadership development, the role of the assistant principal (AP) remains inconsistently structured across schools. Research suggests that APs are frequently assigned managerial responsibilities, while access to instructional leadership experiences associated with principal preparation may vary (Goldring et al., 2021; Gonzales et al., 2022; Pollock et al., 2017). Grounded in the Learning-Centered Leadership (LCL) framework, this study examined how leadership responsibilities are prioritized and distributed among secondary APs in Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD) and whether assignment patterns vary by AP and school characteristics.

Survey data from principals and APs were analyzed to …

An Ex Post Facto Study: The Social Validity Of Two Evidence-Based Instructional Practices, K. Ryan Wennerlind

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

For over 15 years, the opportunity for individuals with intellectual disabilities to continue education in inclusive postsecondary education programs has steadily risen (Baker et. al, 2018). Poor employment trends for these individuals has motivated institutions to provide more educational opportunities by increasing the number of such programs. Education is consistently linked to greater employment opportunities and the potential for greater earnings as more education is achieved (BLS, 2023). Research attests this connection by studying individuals’ experiences in education after high school. In addition to greater employment opportunities, those individuals receiving postsecondary education services are also earning wages at a higher …

Principal Perceptions Of Autonomy And Its Relationship To Job Satisfaction, Kay H. Barlow

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study examined the relationship between principal perceived job autonomy and principal job satisfaction through the lens of Self-Determination Theory. Specifically, it addresses the research question: What is the relationship between principal autonomy and principal job satisfaction? Using bivariate correlations and Ordinary Least Squares regression analyses, the study investigated overall and domain-specific autonomy, including human resources, instructional leadership, facilities, and finance, and their association with overall and subscale measures of job satisfaction including salary, promotion, supervision, benefits, contingent rewards, working conditions, coworkers, the work itself, and communication. Findings indicate a positive and statistically significant correlation between perceived job autonomy and …

Does Match Matter? Examining The Role Of Student–College Match And First-Year Stem Retention, Christopher J. Shemanski

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This quantitative study examines how student–college match relates to first-year STEM retention in a nationally representative cohort of four-year, STEM-intending students from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09) linked with institutional data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Building on probabilistic approaches to college match, the study first estimates each student’s predicted probability of admission to institutions in five selectivity tiers using high school GPA, standardized test scores, highest mathematics course completed, AP mathematics credits, gender, and socioeconomic status. It then compares the predicted tier with the selectivity of the institution actually attended to classify students …

Defying The Catholic Secondary School Enrollment Decline: A Case Study Exploring Strategic Enrollment Management Practices In An All-Boys Catholic High School, Traci A. Koval

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Catholic secondary schools in the United States continue to face persistent enrollment decline, closures, and consolidations, creating an urgent need for sustainable and mission-centered strategies. This qualitative case study examined Hillcrest Catholic High School, an all-boys Catholic secondary school in the Mideast region, as a best-practice model for enrollment resilience. Guided by Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Theory, the study explored how SEM principles were operationalized across eight pillars: mission and branding, institutional strategy, culture and belonging, programs and outcomes, family engagement and retention, tuition and financial strategy, marketing and recruitment, and selection and onboarding. Data were collected through interviews, focus …

Exploring Catholic School Teachers' Perceptions Of Factors That Support Longevity: A Qualitative Study, Kelly A. Koval

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

John Staud, the executive director of Alliance for Catholic Education (2022) stated, “The greatest crisis facing Catholic education, and education in general, is the recruitment and retention of talented and committed teachers and leaders for our schools.” Thus, the purpose of this qualitative study is to illuminate and explore the practical experiences of teachers who have longevity in Catholic schools with respect to their perceived needs, challenges and support in the mid-to-later years of their career path. Through the lens of self-determination theory, this study aims to describe the internal and external factors that teachers describe as “playing a role” …

The Impact Of Trump Administration Immigration Policies On Connecticut Educators And Families, Elena C. Bielesz

Honors Scholar Theses

Anti-immigrant rhetoric, policies, and practices, which have grown increasingly prevalent due to the current national political climate, have adverse effects on the mental health of immigrant families and the teachers that support them in Connecticut. This study seeks to represent the opinions of Connecticut K-12 MLL (Multilingual Learners) Education Teachers and Administrators whose daily lives are impacted by the anti-immigrant and anti-refugee policies and procedures. The study employed a human subjects-based approach supported by a review of related literature. MLL Educators from around the state of Connecticut were interviewed. These interviews found that while immigration-based trauma and stressors are common …

Beyond Cough Drops And Band-Aids: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study Of Certified School Nurses’ Professional Scope And Enacted Roles In Pk–12 Settings, Brandy Gershon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative dissertation explored the underutilization of certified school nurses (CSNs) in PK–12 educational settings across urban, suburban, and rural school districts in western Pennsylvania. Despite their advanced preparation and wide-ranging scope of practice, school nurses are often limited to providing episodic care, including first aid, medication administration, and treatment of minor injuries. This limited use reflects a significant misalignment with their professional scope of practice, which encompasses chronic disease management, health education, mental health support, care coordination, and leadership in public health. Guided by role theory (Biddle, 1986), this study examined how school nurses perceived and interpreted their professional …

From Farewell To Fáilte: The Voices Of Iowa’S Irish Daughters, Katie Hermanson

History Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Irish women’s immigration to Iowa brought rich culture and lasting impacts, despite their contributions being silenced by history. Women left Ireland for economic opportunity and education abroad to support their impoverished families. Millions emigrated between 1830 and 1915, spreading across the world. The Irish women who came to the United States encountered discrimination and cultural stereotyping as they worked in domestic service, developed religious orders, taught school, owned businesses and raised families. Women bore the burden of supporting their families in Ireland by sending remittances home and communicating between countries. Their cultural identity as exiles dwelled in guilt for leaving …

A Critical Analysis Of The Influence Of Ideology On Education Governance In An Urban, Midwestern School District, Carl Bryan

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This study examines how ideology operates within local education governance through a critical theoretical lens. As state and national education policies, accountability mandates, and partisan political discourse increasingly shape local school governance, this research investigates how power relations, ideological influences, and equity concerns are embedded in school board decision-making processes and public discourse. Addressing a gap in existing scholarship on ideology in education governance, the study employs a qualitative case study of an urban public school district in the Midwestern United States. Data sources include individual interviews with school board members, critical discourse analysis of school board meetings, and analysis …

A Study On Community And Technical College Students' Identification Of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Cynthia J. Carow Schiebe

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether students could identify culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) and, to what extent, in a community or technical college classroom where a set of goals and strategies had been established to guide methodology. Previous research on CRP traditionally focused on the educators’ or administrators’ interpretation of what students had learned when CRP was used as a methodology to reduce the opportunity gap. Students in classrooms where CRP was used were able to identify content that was aligned with their needs and wants, bring their own lives into the class without fear, balance their …

Learning In The Third Place: Community-Based Educational Programs At A Bookstore Cafe, Tiana Henry

Capstone Collection

This capstone proposes an alternative learning program, where learning in the third space of a bookstore café is developed in St. Ann, Jamaica. The program responds to gaps in culturally relevant, community-centered educational spaces that reflect Jamaican heritage, support diverse learning styles, and extend beyond traditional classroom structures. A needs assessment consisting of a stakeholder survey and follow-up interviews demonstrated interest in experiential, arts-based, and place-rooted learning opportunities among educators and community members, despite a limited sample size and minimal youth participation. Findings also highlighted the need for stronger community engagement strategies, intergenerational knowledge exchange, and accessible spaces that integrate …

2025-2026 Annual Report - Undergraduate Curriculum Council, Undergraduate Curriculum Council, East Tennessee State University

Undergraduate Curriculum Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

Artificial Intelligence Adoption Among Community College Faculty: A Comparative Analysis Of Rural And Urban Institutions, Morgan A. Saunders

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The rapid emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has created new opportunities and challenges for higher education institutions. Community colleges, which serve diverse student populations and play a significant role in workforce development, must determine. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate differences in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, usage patterns, and perceptions of importance among faculty at two rural community colleges and two urban community colleges in the United States. Specifically, the study investigated whether statistically significant differences existed in the perceived importance of AI and in the number of AI tools used by faculty across institutional contexts. In …

Grace Under Pressure: An Analysis Of School Administrator Personal And Professional Stress And Self-Efficacy, Andrew Mcdaniel

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Indiana public school administrators are one of the most important factors for a school’s academic success. If those administrators are effective, they can help maintain an excellent school’s academic success or perhaps even turnaround a failing school. Without a doubt, their performance is critical for a school’s success. If they have confidence in their ability to help create positive outcomes, their school can achieve great things. Unfortunately, assistant principals and principals are facing significant challenges, not only from schools, but also at home. How do these personal and professional stressors affect their sense of self-efficacy? The purpose of this study …

Examining Educational Legislation In Indiana, Jason Cary

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the world of educational legislation and how it is crafted, molded, and signed into law in the state of Indiana. The study examined the key legislative players, the machinations of the Statehouse, the educational organizations and their lobbyists, the national landscape, and other factors at play. To find the answers to the research questions in this study, the researcher interviewed multiple Indiana legislators. An effort was made to sit down with elected officials from both chambers who serve on the educational committees. According to the research, state and federal legislatures are …

We Are Still Here: A Narrative Inquiry Examining The Experiences Of Black Women Chief Diversity Officers At Historically White Institutions, Jasmin M. Robinson

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of Black women serving as CDOs in higher education institutions to understand their unique challenges, opportunities, and contributions as diversity leaders. The study uses a narrative inquiry approach, comprising of in-depth, semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis to understand how six Black women CDOs lead DEI efforts at historically White institutions, what their identities mean to them, and the lessons learned along the way. Eight core themes emerged from the findings addressing institutional commitment to DEI, institutional perceptions of CDOs, chief diversity officer responsibilities, how Black women understand their race and gender, how …

Careers That Feel Like Plinko And A Labor Of Love: A Phenomenology Of Full-Time Contingent Faculty’S Development As Instructors At A University In Transition, Anne Ogburn

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Instructors in higher education often do not study or practice teaching before entering the classroom (Flaherty, 2019; McMurtie, 2021). Instead, instructors may develop their teaching knowledge and skills in a variety of ways (Hora & Smolarek, 2018; Kennedy, 2016; McCrickerd, 2012; Oleson & Hora, 2014). Despite this haphazard approach, instructor development is particularly important in higher education given that effective teaching practices improve success outcomes for students (Kilgo et al., 2015; Loes et al., 2019; Umbach & Wawrzynski, 2005). Researchers have focused on the impact of introductory courses on students’ long-term success in a given subject or major (Xu, 2019). …

A Phenomenological Study Of Educators' Perceptions Of The Impact Of The Building Assets, Reducing Risks Program On Foster Youth, Kelly S. Daly

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored educators’’ perceptions of how the Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) program supports foster youth during the transition into ninth grade.  Ninth grade is an important year for later school success, but foster youth often experience school changes, disrupted relationships, and other challenges that can make this transition more difficult. Although BARR has shown positive results for ninth-grade students generally, limited research as examined its role in supporting foster youth.

This study focused on educators with experience working with both BARR and foster youth.  Data were collected through interviews and analyzed for shared meaning and themes.  The …

Culture, Context, And Change: How California Community Colleges Counseling Units Interpret And Enact Transformation, James A. Grabow

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study examines how practitioners experience and implement transfer-related reforms within the California Community College (CCC) system. Guided by sensemaking theory (Eddy, 21013) and organizational change frameworks (Kezar, 2014), this qualitative intrinsic case study explores how administrators, counselors, and student services professionals interpret and enact statewide transfer policies within a single institutional context. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seven participants and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings reveal that policy implementation is a complex, non-linear process shaped by three primary factors: sensemaking and communication, organizational structures, and human and relational dynamics. Participants described navigating information overload, inconsistent messaging, and …