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Grey Areas: Songs Of Memory, Imagination, Intellect, And Death For Baritone Voice And Mixed Instrumental Octet, Scott Stephen Hansen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The central element of this thesis is Grey Areas, a newly-composed dramatic piece in four movements for baritone and chamber ensemble. The work is highly personal in both its subject matter and its musical execution; it also contains a unique movement order that changes depending on the age of the baritone. Along with the written portion of this document and full score, I completed a studio recording of the entire composition as part of the project. Composers (by necessity) are more frequently functioning as their own recording and mixing engineers for their own works. I have been able to …

“So, How Real Can I Get?": Opportunities And Obstacles For Teacher Learners Enacting Culturally Responsive Pedagogy., Jonathan P Baize

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examines the experiences of three alternative certification teachers (teachers who begin teaching as they worked to complete teacher education courses for initial certification) whom I call “teacher learners” (Jacobs & Low, 2017) as they try to enact culturally responsive practices while navigating their first-year of teaching. The teacher learners worked to develop their understanding and capacities to enact a culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) even as they were faced with the obstacles inherent to shifting teaching practices in K-12 schools. Through these challenges, they still furthered their conceptualization of CRP, as evidenced by, and in some ways guided …

“I Done Been Through Hell”: An Existential Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experience Of Fathers Who Have Lost A Child, Dynisha Wigginson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The rise in American pediatric death led to a shift in pediatric end-of-life care from focusing care only on the dying pediatric patient to include focus on the family. Most literature has focused only on mothers’ experiences or the combined experiences of mothers and fathers. Fathers’ experiences at their child’s end of life, as an individual phenomenon, is overlooked and ignored. Hence, significant knowledge gaps exist related to the repeated exclusion of fathers’ individual experiences. This study aimed to begin to fill this gap. Using the lens of Merleau-Ponty, this existential phenomenological study aimed to describe the lived experiences of …

Mother/God, Sarah Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

My collection, Mother/God, attempts to look at my own growing up and how it has affected my beliefs and self in the presence, while also looking at the choices my mother made in raising me. The central thread throughout the collection is my relationship with my mother and the love that's endured those hardships. It explores my mother's past up until the hardest parts of motherhood in section one, The Mother. Then, section two titled The Daughter focuses on my own rebellion of how I was raised and an exploration of existentialism that was, in a lot of ways, …

Hospice Families Shared Experiences With Time-Of-Death Visits, Katherine S. Katzenberger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The death of someone we love is a life-altering experience and may happen in a variety of settings. Hospice patients may die in their homes with their loved ones caring for them in their last moments of life. Families may receive a visit at the time of death from their hospice nurse. Few studies have been conducted looking at the lived experiences of home hospice families that have received a visit at the time of death from hospice. To better meet these families’ needs, the researcher conducted a study to explore and better understand their lived experiences. A qualitative phenomenological …

The Reciprocity Of Mentorship: Impacting Christian Higher Education, Alessandra Brohmer Hansen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological analysis was to explore the lived experiences of students and faculty engaged in mutually beneficial mentoring relationships at Christian universities. A dearth of current research focused on the experiences of emerging adults and on the benefits to mentors in a Christian context prompted this inquiry. Semi-structured interviews were completed virtually with two mentor-mentee dyads, while data analysis included use of qualitative research software as well as original phenomenological reduction and interpretation. Findings provided insights not only into the meaning student mentees ascribed to mentoring but also into the perceptions of faculty mentors. Despite different …

Attachment And Identity In Higher Education: Lived Experiences Of Korean Adoptees, Janeice A. Garrard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

South Korea has been the largest sending country of adoptees since the Korean War. Many of the adoptees were placed in predominantly White communities in the Midwest United States. In the existing literature, researchers revealed that Korean adoptees expressed feelings related to loss of ethnic identity, birth culture, and place of belonging. It has not been fully understood how attachment and identity influence Korean adoptees in their pursuit of a higher education. Therefore, this study sought to examine the impacts of attachment to birth culture, adoptive culture, and adoptive family combined with issues of ethnic identity in the lived …

Teachers' Perspectives Of Restorative Disciplinary Practices, Asma Anwar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this phenomenological qualitative study, the perceptions of middle school teachers regarding the implementation of restorative practices with their students with disabilities were examined. Exclusionary suspensions have been overwhelmingly employed to handle student discipline, and students with disabilities experience these harsh punishments at higher rates than their general education peers. However, an increasing number of school districts have started to utilize alternative therapeutic methods, such as restorative practices, to handle conflict and build relationships. The researcher’s goal was to understand better the lived experiences of teachers when implementing these practices and understand the challenges they faced while building connections with …

Case Study: Teacher Mindset And Its Impact On Instruction In An At-Risk Classroom, Michelle L. Rice

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The achievement gap between disadvantaged students and their advantaged peers is a problem that has been a concern since the Brown vs. the Board of Education Supreme Court case in 1954. The problem continues to exist, and little progress has been made in closing the gap. Research shows a teacher’s mindset can significantly impact the achievement gap. This mixed-methods case study aims to examine teacher mindsets in at-risk, suburban elementary campuses to determine its impact on instruction. A purposeful selection sample of nine teachers from various levels, experience, and specialties in grades PK-5 took part in the study. The quantitative …

Teacher Mentorship Program’S Influence On Novice Teachers’ Decision To Stay: A Case Study, Joan Evans Otten

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Public schools are faced with dealing with high teacher turnover and low job satisfaction indicators, particularly from novice teachers in their first 5 years of service. To combat the problem, schools have designed and developed a variety of mentorship programs aimed at providing support for the novice teachers and thereby increasing job satisfaction. The purpose of this qualitative case study program evaluation was to examine a specific school district’s current mentorship program in order to determine how participation in the program influences new teachers’ decision to leave the school district. Using the narratives from interviews and surveys, the researcher examined …

Leadership In Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs And The School To Prison Pipeline, April Michele Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Current research about the school to prison pipeline has focused on the impact of zero-tolerance policies in public education on historically marginalized student populations, especially school exclusionary practices of minority and learning-disabled students. This transcendental phenomenological study extended the understanding of disciplinary alternative education programs’ place in the school to prison pipeline trajectory. According to critical race and social justice leadership theories, the investigation and exposure of the public education components leading students into the school to prison pipeline are violations of student civil rights that require scrutiny and actionable public education reform focused on equity and inclusion.The purpose of …

The Effect Of Breastfeeding Education In African American Women On Initiation And Duration Of Breastfeeding, Shalawn F. Harris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This Doctor of Nursing Practice scholarly project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of breastfeeding education in African American women on the initiation and duration of breastfeeding. Studies demonstrated that breastfeeding education by providers and a breastfeeding support network positively influenced breastfeeding initiation and continuation in African American women. Breastfeeding education containing information on the decreased risk of breast cancer in African American women may be an even greater motivator for breastfeeding. Participants for this project were African American women, ages 18–50, in their last trimester of pregnancy. The project was approved to be implemented at an urban clinic in …

A Qualitative Case Study Of A Transitional Program For Students In Middle School As They Transition To High School, Patrick Tremayne Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Every school year, many U.S. students prepare to make the transition from being a middle school student to becoming a high school student. School transitions happen regularly and can be considered predictable. As students transition to high school, there are more challenges such as school work and peer influence. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perceptions of students who participate in a transition program as they transition from middle school to high school. Also, this study explored the perceptions of teachers who participated in the transition programs. The population of this study consisted of students …

The Relationship Between Career And Technical Education Enrollment And College And Career Readiness Outcomes, Daniel Soliz Jr.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

College and career readiness for K-12 students has become a priority of legislatures and educational leaders in the United States. In recent years, Texas public school leaders have emphasized the importance of maximizing the percentage of College, Career and Military Ready (CCMR) graduates. The specific problem studied was that a low percentage of students in Texas, in comparison to the state’s graduation rate, graduate with a CCMR distinction. Career and Technical Education (CTE), a component of K-12 education, can assist school leaders in maximizing college and career readiness for students. However, it was not clear how within schools, CTE enrollment …

Implementing Culturally Diverse Strategies In Higher Education Classrooms, Christina M. Corona

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

In this qualitative case study, the researcher determined how student cultural differences influenced Western Coastal University (WCU, pseudonym) faculty pedagogies within their courses. Additionally, the researcher clarified how WCU faculty described their understanding and awareness of culturally diverse teaching strategies. Further investigation also uncovered what successes and challenges professors faced when implementing culturally diverse strategies in the classroom and what differences they discovered in their teaching and student learning as a result. The researcher used in-depth interviews, artifact documents such as the WCU’s Diversity Rationale Statement and Strategic Plan, and course survey data. Three overarching themes emerged from the …

An Analysis Of The Child Find Provision Due Process Hearings In Texas: Implications From The Special Education Cap, Katherine Hall Crites

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This legal qualitative content analysis described how special education due process hearing officers applied the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) child find provision since the 2016 federal citations. The study found that districts often violated child find by not evaluating each disability condition, either known or previously suspected. The hearing officer decisions were most often focused on: (a) timely referral and evaluation, (b) comprehensive evaluation, and (c) having a reason to suspect that the student has a disability in need of special education. The decisions were represented as: (a) issues held for the prevailing party, (b) child find …

A Systematic Review Of Acuity-Based Staffing In Acute Healthcare Environments, Demitria Idella Stafford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nursing leadership is responsible for considering the equity of patient care assignments when providing nursing care. Nursing leadership is responsible for assuring the delivery of patient care assignments with the intent to offer nurses an unbiased, evenly distributed patient load. Effective distribution of patient care assignments ensures patients receive the safest, most efficient, and highest quality of care. The purpose of this project was to provide nursing leadership with an executive summary of a systematic review of evidence-based research on the structure and process of making patient care assignments, and it provided evidence on how those patient care assignments affect …

Restorative Strategies Used To Reduce Disproportionality In Texas Schools That Have Implemented Restorative Practices, Shenita Y. Alsbrooks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to identify restorative practice strategies than can be used to reduce disproportionality in school discipline in Texas schools. Exclusionary discipline practices have created disproportionality in school discipline. While zero-tolerance policies are no longer considered effective in addressing conflict in schools, many schools are implementing restorative practices as a promising alternative. Restorative practices have shown to contribute to positive school culture, specifically by improving student achievement, improving attendance, improving student-teacher relationships, and lowering discipline issues. Interviews using semistructured questions were used to conduct this study. In this qualitative case study, participants at suburban …

Perceptions Of Migrant And Seasonal Head Start Parents About Childhood Vision Care Utilization, Felicia R. Thomas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The benefits of pediatric vision screening for very young children is not a new concept. However, not all children receive this valuable preventative intervention, or they do not receive an evaluation or examination to rule out or treat common visual refractive errors. This Doctor of Nursing Project sought to identify factors that impact a parent’s failure to follow up on recommendations for further evaluation or treatment following their child’s failed vision screening. The project utilized a phenomenological study to assess Migrant and Seasonal Head Start parents’ perceptions about their perceptions of the need for preventative vision screening and care. Three …

Std Prevention: An Educational Intervention For Exotic Dancers, Maria Delurdes Dehoyos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Centers for Disease Control and prevention reported nearly 2.3 million STD cases diagnosed in 2017, and the number is continuing to rise. San Antonio, Texas, is ranked third in the state of Texas with the highest STD rates and leading in the state with congenital syphilis. There is an increased risk for contracting STDs working in the sex industry. There are little to no studies pertaining to any educational interventions offered to exotic dancers to increase personal knowledge on STDs. This research has focused on an educational intervention offered by a nurse practitioner to exotic dancers in two adults-only …

Parental Support And Online Sixth-Grade Students’ Academic Performance: A Survey Research, Tiffany Ann Nayar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite the growing popularity of full-time virtual schools, too many students have not found success. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to explore the relationship between parental involvement and online middle school students’ academic performance at one public online school in the southern United States. The research question asked if there was a relationship between parental involvement in the form of encouragement, modeling, reinforcement, and instruction and sixth-grade students’ academic performance assessed through GPA in an online K-12 public school. The null hypothesis stated there was no statistically significant relationship between parental involvement and students’ academic performance. Data …

Experiences Of Chinese Students In Higher Education In The Southeastern United States: A Narrative Study, Darren Dean

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As higher education leaders, it is vital to understand who is attending our schools and know how to provide the support they need. The number of Chinese international students studying abroad has increased by 600% over the last two decades. Higher education institution leaders need to understand this growing segment of their student population and meet their unique needs. Unfortunately, regional data is lacking concerning antecedent factors of acculturative stress for Chinese international students. The purpose of this narrative study was to understand Chinese international students’ perceptions of the factors, if any, that may lead to acculturative stress while attending …

Exploring Actions Toward Supporting English Language Learners In A Rural Remote Secondary Setting, Annamarie Valdez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ESL students make a small population in rural, remote secondary schools. One ESL student can have a profound impact on the academic measures taken on state accountability tests. The gap between an ESL student’s achievement and that of native English-speaking peers is disproportionate. The actions of principals and campus leaders directly impact the teacher’s ability to support English language learners’ (ELL) ESL needs. A problem exists on what principals and campus leaders can do to help ESL students’ needs in a rural, remote secondary setting. The purpose of this exploratory single case study was to identify the actions campus leaders …

An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of Leadership And Interprofessional Conflict In A Chronic Joint Venture Setting, Jeffrey Thomas Stevey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The logics of medical professionalism and managerialism often result in differences in perspectives and conflicting prioritization of healthcare delivery, resulting in interprofessional conflict that stymies healthcare reform initiatives. In the context of dialysis joint ventures in the chronic healthcare setting, interprofessional conflict threatens the collaborative processes needed to deliver the desired clinical and financial performance outcomes. This study sought to explore the influence of leadership behaviors on the manifestation of collaboration and conflict in dialysis joint ventures to provide leaders with recommendations on how to modify behaviors to achieve desired outcomes. Six dyads of physicians and managers, three dyads from …

Exploratory Case Study Of Freshman Student Experiences In Developmental Education Courses That Encourage Persistence At One College In West Texas, Brandon A. Hernandez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore freshman student experiences in developmental education courses that encourage their persistence at one college in the West Texas region. More specifically, this study focused on the programs and services that benefit freshman community college students enrolled in developmental education courses. This study followed case study methodology to examine the student experience. The data were collected by way of personal interviews with students and employees that lasted on average of 45 minutes via the software Webex. The interviews were all conducted online from one community college in the West Texas region. Participants were …

The Impact Of A 1:1 Technology Initiative On Student Achievement In 10th Grade English Language Arts In A South Texas Public School District, Lois E. Marshall Barker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the implementation of a south Texas public school district’s 1:1 technology initiative to determine the impact on 10th grade English Language Arts student achievement. A mixed method approach was used for this exploratory case study. Multicase sampling was implemented to identify participants. Qualitative data were collected through virtual video conference interviews and analyzed to reflect five emerging themes: lack of quality professional development, teacher efficacy, leadership attitudes toward the initiative, misconceptions about student attitudes and technology skillset, and lack of communication between district administration campus stakeholders. Quantitative data were collected through the CBAM SoCQ and archival campus …

Discerning And Developing Department Chairs As Instructional Leaders: A Case Study Of A Large Suburban High School, Michael David Heath

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prevailing research on instructional leadership has primarily focused on school administration to fulfill this role. Growing accountability from state officials, increased departmentalization, and demands on administrations’ time and resources led to the need to study other avenues of leadership in secondary schools. In this qualitative case study, the researcher looked at the current perceptions and beliefs of administration, department chairs, and teachers concerning the department chair role. An understanding of department chairs’ instructional leadership capacity, distributed leadership in the school of study, and collective efficacy were investigated to determine the best ways to employ department chairs to support teacher development …

Teachers Who Collaborate With A Professional Writing Organization: The Importance Of Critical Stance, Paul A. Viskanta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A wide body of research finds teacher preparation programs fail to address the complexity of writing instruction, especially for secondary English-language Arts teachers (Coker & Lewis, 2008; Graham, 2019; Wahleithner, 2018). Beliefs and knowledge about writing determine how teachers approach pedagogical practices (McCarthey & Mkhize, 2013). One of many contextualized social literacy practices, writing is always ideological (Gee, 2105; Moje & Lewis, 2007). Competing research philosophies complicate development of teachers' practices and impedes research dissemination (Coker & Lewis, 2008; Hillocks, 2008; National Writing Project & Nagin, 2006). Structures informing school-based writing limit the types of writing practices (Bazerman, 2016). Using …

Moving Past ‘One Size Fits All’: Developing A Trajectory Deviance Index For Dynamic Measurement Modeling, Yixiao Dong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dynamic Measurement Modeling (DMM) is a recently developed measurement framework for gauging developing constructs (e.g., learning capacity) that conventional single-timepoint tests cannot assess. Like most measurement models, overall model fit indices of DMM do not indicate the measurement appropriateness for each included student. For this reason, other measurement modeling paradigms (e.g., Item-Response Theory; IRT) utilize person-fit or model appropriateness statistics to indicate whether a measurement model appropriately describes the data from each individual student. However, within the extant DMM framework, no statistical index has yet been developed for this purpose. Thus, the current project advanced a person-specific DMM Trajectory Deviance …

Challenging The Limitations Of Asserting Jurisdiction: A Case Study Of The South China Sea, Joshua Villanueva

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The South China Sea dispute challenges the future development of maritime legal order and international law. China’s behavior in the South China Sea challenges widely accepted rules governing maritime jurisdiction worldwide as it tries to expand the limits of its jurisdiction. In China’s view, the Arbitral Tribunal in Philippines v. China also challenged the jurisdiction of the UNCLOS by taking a highly political issue related to sovereignty. This thesis argues that mere rhetorical rejection of China’s actions in the South China Sea will not determine the resolution of the dispute. China’s behavior will be dependent on striking the right balance …