Digital Commons Network^™

“No (My Parents Can’T Know I’M Trans)…For Now:" Resisting Anti-Transgender Backlash In Schools Through A Policy Experiment, Lee Airton, Mik Turje

Journal of Queer and Trans Studies in Education

This From the Field account describes an intervention we and our colleagues offered in the Canadian culture war surrounding transgender children and youth, as clinical and research experts on K-12 education policy and supports for transgender youth and their parents. In 2023, following comprehensive review by K-12 school administrators, lawyers and experts in child welfare, we released No For Now (NFN). NFN responded to the impending passage of laws which directly harm transgender youth by essentially forcing them to be outed to potentially unsupportive parents. We suggest that NFN enacts an experimental kind of policy-based resistance to these laws and …

2026 April 22 - Undergraduate Curriculum Council Minutes, Undergraduate Curriculum Council, East Tennessee State University

Undergraduate Curriculum Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

National E-Criteria In Finnish Higher Education: A Tpack-Informed Policy Analysis, Ejike Okonkwo

Essays in Education

Responding to calls for a deeper understanding of contextual factors shaping learning, this paper examines the Digivisio 2030 e-criteria, a recently introduced national higher education quality framework designed to enhance digital pedagogy. Document analysis was used to examine five key features of the e-criteria: research-based, modularity, diversity, accessibility, and availability. The findings reveal that the e-criteria function as structural enablers, offering non-prescriptive guidelines that support reliable and user-friendly digital environments, flexible course design, inclusive teaching practices, equitable access to learning resources, and ongoing reflection on pedagogical processes. These findings are interpreted through a deductive approach using the Technological, Pedagogical, and …

The Minutes Of The Marshall University Staff Council Meeting, April 2026, Marshall University Staff Council

Staff Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

Race Evasion In White Student Affairs Professionals In Minnesota Higher Education: A Phenomenology, Cindy Boe

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Language that includes race-evasive frames is used by White individuals to maintain a status quo wherein White individuals hold greater access to societal power and resources than people of color. Race-evasive frames include abstract liberalism, naturalization, cultural racism, and disconnected power-analysis. In higher education, use of race evasive frames has been primarily documented in White college students and White faculty members. This study addressed in a gap in the literature related to race evasion in White student affairs professionals. Student affairs professionals provide direct support to college students. Scholars have suggested that student affairs professionals carry responsibility for advancing equity …

A Comparative Analysis Of Professional Development Perceptions Among Baby Boomer, Generation X, Millennial And Generation Z Teachers, Lynsey R. Reynolds

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

ABSTRACT

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PERCEPTIONS AMONG BABY BOOMER, GENERATION X,

MILLENNIAL AND GENERATION Z TEACHERS

Lynsey Ratzlaff Reynolds

This quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional survey study examined differences in perceptions of professional development among Baby Boomer, Generation X, Millennial, and Generation Z secondary teachers employed in one northwest Arkansas school district. Using the researcher-developed Teacher Professional Development Perceptions Survey, data were collected from N = 145 certified secondary teachers in grades 6–12 during February 2026. Four research questions guided the study, each concerning a distinct construct: perceived relevance of professional development to instructional practice, perceived efficiency of professional development …

The Hypocrisy Of The Wizards—A Proposal To Correct Incentives In Higher Education Loan Financing, Caden Benedict

School of Public Policy Capstones

This paper explores the origins of the student loan debt crisis and proposes tying university incentives to graduates' repayment plans and disclosing median earnings for degrees before students apply. Specifically, while there are numerous factors explaining why the price of education has increased dramatically since the 1970s, this paper proposes solutions that will specifically target university moral hazards by requiring universities fund: (1) the current subsidies to federal student loan repayments under income-driven plans as the House of Representatives intended before the Senate removed "risk-sharing," and (2) bankruptcy law discharge amounts. Moreover, requiring universities to disclose the median earnings of …

2026 April 6 - Faculty Senate Agenda And Minutes, Faculty Senate, East Tennessee State University

Faculty Senate Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Unveiling The Intersection Of Institutional Racial Identity And Student Loan Debt: An Analysis Of The State University System Of Florida’S Higher Education Institutions, Valerie Marie Moore

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Federal student loan patterns in Florida’s State University System (SUS) from 2013/14 to 2022/23 reflect differences in institutional revenue capacity rather than individual borrowing behavior. Using data from all 12 SUS institutions, this study examined how institutional wealth and revenue composition shape student loan outcomes through both race neutral and race considerate analyses informed by Ray’s (2019) theory of racialized organizations. Overall, the SUS operates as a racialized organizational field in which inequities in funding flows, access to capital, and institutional logics sustain long term disparities in wealth and debt. Results show that borrowing levels closely track how institutions assemble …

Exploring The Impact Of Mental Health On Academic Performance And Engagement: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study Of Title I High School Upperclassmen In Northeast Alabama, Nataysia A. Holloway

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the intersection of student mental health and academic success within a Title I school context, particularly the lived experiences of students navigating mental health challenges while facing psychological, social, and educational barriers. Drawing on qualitative data, the study explores how mental health challenges influence student academic performance, engagement, and overall educational outcomes. Chapter one introduces mental health as a prevalent concern for adolescence, and chapter two examines existing research and details the methodological approach and supporting frameworks for this study. Subsequent chapters are devoted to the lived experiences of students and their perception of support and resources …

Strategic Leadership Decision-Making At Power Four Aau Schools, Arthur Kraft, John Kraft

Business Faculty Articles and Research

Exogenous events have disrupted higher education and impacted the decision-making skills of university presidents. While all university presidents are affected, the problem is most acute at the thirty-six AAU members of the power four conferences. The exogenous events were the precipitous cancellation of federal research grants, the on again and off again restrictions on both new and current foreign students studying at US universities, the proposed 15% limit on indirect costs, the tax on university endowments, the changes in student loan programs, the annual $20.5 million NIL revenue sharing settlement for Division I (DI) athletes, and their share of the …

Consent Absent Consensus: A Principles-Based Framework For Institutional Sexual Consent Policies, Tammi Walker

West Virginia Law Review

Title IX requires educational institutions to address sexual misconduct but provides no clear standard for defining consent. In the absence of federal guidance, colleges and universities operate in a regulatory vacuum, producing inconsistent definitions, legal uncertainty, and contested understandings of what consent requires. Without a structured framework, institutions struggle to balance survivor protection, due process, and practical implementation. This Article introduces a principles-based framework that supports clearer, more coherent consent policies. It identifies three interdependent elements of valid sexual consent: (1) Respect for Choices and Autonomy, which requires voluntary agreement free from coercion or pressure; (2) Informed Expectations and Transparency, …

An Exploration Of Spiritual Loneliness And Spiritual Well-Being And Friendship In Christian College Students, Rebecca Crowder, William Buhrow, Aundrea Paxton, Hannah Acquaye

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

Effective Support Services For Black-African International Students, Amy V. Rutledge

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Currently, 1.5 million F-1 and M-1 students are enrolled in U.S. institutions of higher education (IHEs; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 2025). Although support services for international students are improving, substantial gaps remain in helping these students transition to the next phase of life (Weiner & Ghazarian, 2024). This transcendental phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of six recently graduated Black African international students (BAISs) to identify effective support services for graduate programs, licensure, or legal employment. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling for interviews, which were analyzed using descriptive coding (yielding 61 codes) and thematic analysis (producing six themes). …

The Vital Role Of Communication In Elementary Education: Strategies For Bridging Language, Cultural, And Diversity Gaps To Strengthen Family-School Partnerships, Daniel H. Rack

Dissertations

This study examines how communication systems in elementary schools influence equitable family engagement within a linguistically and culturally diverse, Title I context. The purpose of this research is to evaluate how communication practices support or limit access, participation, and partnership between schools and families. The overarching research question guiding this study is: How do current communication systems support or constrain equitable family engagement? A convergent mixed-methods design was utilized to collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data. Data sources included educator surveys, family surveys, and focus group interviews, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of communication practices from multiple stakeholder …

Being Compassionate Helps Improve College Students’ Perceived Well-Being. The Mediating Role Of Cognitive Flexibility And Perceived Anxiety, Saurabh Singh, Sarath Nonis

AMTP Proceedings 2026

Perceived well-being of college students is crucial to the success of students and institutions of higher education alike. Through this study we assert that promoting compassion among college students can improve their perceived well-being. Furthermore, the effect is mediated by cognitive flexibility and anxiety felt by students. The study has theoretical and managerial implications. The results can guide educators and university personnel to better craft curriculum and university communication.

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Case Study On Principals’ Attitudes And Practices Toward The Inclusion Of Students With Disabilities, Charlene Marie Briggs

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Despite decades of federal legislation mandating inclusion, many schools still struggle to serve students with disabilities effectively, resulting in persistent achievement gaps and limited postsecondary success. Research consistently identifies principals’ attitudes and practices as the most influential factor in inclusive school success, yet existing studies have examined these elements in isolation rather than as interconnected parts of a school system. This hermeneutic phenomenological case study explored how ten Virginia elementary school principals understood and enacted their attitudes and leadership practices toward the inclusion of students with disabilities in their schools. The study used van Manen’s (2014) hermeneutic phenomenology to understand …

From Arrival To Opportunity: A Policy Analysis For Supporting Newly Arrived English Learners In California, Valeria Gabrielli, Stephanie Mendoza Hernandez

School of Public Policy Capstones

Newly arrived immigrant students, commonly referred to as “newcomers,” represent a notable portion of the English Learner (EL) population in California’s K–12 public schools. As of Fall 2023, the California Department of Education reported that newcomers comprised 3.27% of total student enrollment. Although enrollment is projected to decline in the near term, the potential for future increases highlights the need for sustainable, evidence-based support systems. This study examines how California K–12 public schools with large EL populations provide academic and trauma-informed support services to newcomer students, with a particular focus on early intervention in grades K–5. Using the Bardach policy …

Copyright Information

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Publication rights to works is granted to Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities, however, full copyright for works published in this journal is retained by the author(s). The author(s) may post their works online in an institutional repository, on their university departmental website, or on their own personal websites.

2026-03-27 Agenda Booklet, Morehead State University. Board Of Regents.

Morehead State Board of Regents Agenda Books and Meeting Minutes

Agenda booklet for the Board of Regents meeting of March 27, 2026, held in Prestonsburg, which includes the meeting minutes of the meeting held on February 13, 2026.

From The Editors..., Thomastine Sarchet-Maher

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

No abstract provided.

Call For Manuscripts, Thomastine Sarchet-Maher

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

The Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities is a peer-reviewed, open access, multi-disciplinary online journal with an international focus. We publish articles that reflect the best of research and practice related to inclusive science education, including works submitted by science and special education researchers, teacher educators, and teachers. Interesting topics have included innovative curricular ideas, instructional adaptations, research-based modifications, best practices, and management strategies in science education. JSESD adopts the philosophical perspective that all students can achieve in science, and that science benefits from the full participation of all students.

The Minutes Of The Marshall University Staff Council Meeting, March 2026, Marshall University Staff Council

Staff Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

Clinicians’ Perceived Preparedness To Support Clients Who Have Co-Occurring Disorders, Jessica A. Love Jordan, Joseph Day

Journal of Applied Disciplines

Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders are prevalent, yet many clinicians feel underprepared to provide integrated care for this population. This study explores the factors influencing clinicians' perceived preparedness and objective knowledge in treating clients with co-occurring disorders. Data were collected from 131 clinicians using the CODECAT EZ 2.0 and TIP ZIP assessments to evaluate their competence in co-occurring disorders treatment. Results indicate that while participants held positive attitudes toward integrated care, their practical knowledge and skills were often rated as average or below. Education, clinical experience, and continuing education were found to significantly influence both perceived preparedness and …

The Ai Litmus Test: Humanize, Deepen, And Delight K12 Learning, Scott H. Sorvaag

Essays in Education

This article introduces the AI Litmus Test, a practical framework designed to help educators evaluate when artificial intelligence meaningfully enhances K–12 learning. Grounded in a human-centered leadership stance, the framework asserts that effective AI use in schools must humanize learning, deepen student thinking, and reduce unnecessary burdens. Through conceptual framing, implementation guidance, and classroom snapshots, the article shows how AI can support connection, cognitive rigor, and joy when used with intentional pedagogical and ethical design. It also highlights risks such as dehumanization, cognitive offloading, and over‑automation, offering safeguards including verification routines, human‑authored feedback, and transparent ethics notes. The article concludes …

System-Level Drivers For The Adoption Of Evidence-Based Practices In Schools, Marijne Medhurst, Jen Jackson, Pru Mitchell, Romany Manuell

School and system improvement

This report outlines strategies that education system leaders can use to support the adoption of evidence-based teaching practices within schools, recognising the importance of teaching quality to lift student outcomes. It is based on an adapted systematic review of available evidence conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) for and in collaboration with the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO). The report begins by identifying considerations or approaches that system leaders can apply to selecting strategies to support schools, to ensure that they are culturally reflexive, aware of contextual enablers and barriers, and aligned with the approaches evident in …

Beyond Alumni Dollars: Developing Engagement With Graduate Alumni, Kyra J. Snyder

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Alumni engagement plays an increasingly important role in supporting graduate program mission, reputation, and long-term sustainability. Despite its recognized value, limited research examines alumni engagement within graduate level programs from a practitioner perspective. The purpose of this study was to examine perceptions of alumni engagement among alumni, faculty, and staff within the University of South Florida (USF) Physician Assistant Program and to identify any needs or gaps in current engagement opportunities. This study employed a survey-based research design to gather data from two stakeholder groups from the USF PA Program: alumni and faculty/staff. A review of program records provided data …

20260316: College Of Education, 1923-1990, College Of Education And Professional Development

Guides to University Archives

These items include materials from the College of Education and Professional Development at Marshall University from 1923-1990. Items were received in the 1990s and were processed in 2026 and include notable information from the College of Ed. Items include a Curriculum Analysis Report for various departments on campus; correspondence from various deans and faculty on campus; the Autism Center in 1984; National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education reports from the 1970s; and information on The Schools of Fayette County, WV. Please download the finding aid for more information.

The Suite Sixteen: A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Exploration Of Underfunded Student Services & Programs At 1890 Hbcu Land-Grant Institutions, Eloise Andrews-Lott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of college students at 1890 Historically Black College and University (HBCU) land-grant institutions, and how the lack of funding from the Second Morrill Act is impacting the student support services on these campuses. A novel theoretical framework by combining Jeffrey Pfeffer and Gerald R. Salancik’s theory of resource dependence coupled with Derrick Bell’s critical race theory was used in guiding the study to bring validity to the assumptions and ideas of the lived experiences of the participants. This research contributes to the field of education as it …

Utilizing School-Based Extracurricular Activities: An Embedded Single Case Study On How An Urban School District Combats Community Violence, Justin Errol Conyers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single-embedded case study was to understand how school-based extracurricular activities (SBEAs) were utilized to combat community violence among students in an urban school district. Social learning theory guided the study, providing a framework for examining how participation in extracurricular activities influenced students’ behaviors and attitudes through the modeling and reinforcement of positive social interactions. The central research question asked: How were school-based extracurricular activities utilized to model and reinforce behaviors that combat community violence among students? This qualitative study employed a single-embedded case study design. The sample consisted of teachers and administrators from one urban school …