Reapplication And Credential Completion Among Non-Selected Community College Health Science Applicants: A Social Stratification Perspective, Donna G. Whitehouse

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reapplication and Credential Completion Among Non-Selected Community College Health Science Applicants: A Social Stratification Perspective by Donna Whitehouse Community colleges serve as primary access points for healthcare workforce preparation, yet thousands of qualified applicants are not selected for competitive admission health science programs each year. Research on what happens to these students following non-selection is limited, and existing studies focus almost exclusively on nursing, leaving allied health programs largely absent from the literature. This study addressed that gap by examining the reapplication behavior and credential completion outcomes among 2,604 applicants to three competitive admission health science programs, Nursing, Occupational Therapy …

An Exploration Of The Psychological Impacts Of Code-Switching, Cristina Culler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is an interpretative phenomenological analysis of the lived experiences of four Black American adults who have frequently engaged in code-switching. Historically, code-switching has been perceived as a necessary skill that helps marginalized folx adopt the norms and practices of the dominant culture. As a result, code-switching has become a routine practice specifically for Black Americans who often occupy white spaces. Since code-switching has been perceived as a skill, the oppressive origins of code-switching often go unnoticed. Therefore, this dissertation examines code-switching through a critical lens that deems this practice a product of racist ideologies that prioritize whiteness. Through …

Predictors Of Pre-Service Teachers’ Strength-Based Teaching Practices With Els (English Learners), Stephany M. Panza

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The increasing number of English learners (ELs) in U.S. school classrooms highlights the importance of utilizing pedagogical approaches that build upon their preexisting cultural and linguistic strengths. Strength-based teaching practices, grounded in positive psychology represent a systems-levels approach to promoting positive academic and socio-emotional outcomes for ELs. In this study, a sample of 21 pre-service teachers attending Northeastern teacher preparation programs completed a series of surveys identifying their EL teaching experience, EL coursework, multicultural attitudes, and intercultural self-efficacy. These predictors were examined to determine their cumulative impact and unique contributions to an adapted Strength-Based Practices Inventory (SBPI), which captured pre-service …

Perceptions Of Situational Leadership Styles On The Behavioral Intervention Skills Of General Educators, Kendall Jordan Baethge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The researcher conducted the following study to describe the lived experiences and perceptions of general educators employed in a rural, central Texas school district. The study specifically inquired about the perceptions of leadership styles and strategies to successful behavior intervention strategies for inclusive general education classrooms. The problem addressed within the study was the growing diversity in general education classrooms ensuring inclusive opportunities to students with disabilities who exhibit challenging behaviors. The purpose of the study was to better understand those leadership styles currently being used and styles that are most appropriate to develop perceived self-efficacy and proficiency in behavior …

Teacher Self-Efficacy And Its Relationship To Student Achievement: A Quantitative Analysis Using Map Growth Data, Joseph Todd Holzmann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One factor that has been widely studied is teacher self-efficacy. Teacher self-efficacy is often considered an indicator of teacher effectiveness and has been linked to a variety of positive educational outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between teacher self-efficacy and student achievement. Additionally, the study investigated whether teacher self-efficacy differed based on years of teaching experience, grade level taught, and subject area taught. The Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES), developed byTschannen-Moran and Woolfolk Hoy, was used to measure teacher self-efficacy among 88 participants with corresponding student MAP Growth data available for analysis. Results …

Navigating The Dark Side: Emotional Labor's Impact On Hr Professionals' Wellness, Esmeralda Amelia Rendón

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative descriptive study was designed to document and describe how female-identifying human resource (HR) generalist practitioners serving as sole or primary employee relations practitioners in small- to medium-sized organizations across the United States experience and manage emotional labor in their roles, cope with its demands, and how these experiences impact their wellness and perceptions of organizational support. Despite the centrality of emotional labor (EL) in human resource professionals’ (HRPs) roles, little was known about how HRPs in these underresourced environments cope with these demands. Data were collected through semistructured virtual interviews with eight participants and analyzed using Braun and …

Kindergarten Teachers’ Perceptions, Experiences, And Challenges Using Visual Supports For Children With Autism, Jasmine M. Mcnair

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study examined kindergarten teachers’ perceptions, experiences, and challenges related to the use of visual supports for students with autism spectrum disorder in East Texas. Grounded in cognitive load theory, the study explored whether visual supports enhance learning outcomes by reducing cognitive overload. Four research questions addressed teachers’ perceptions of effectiveness, implementation challenges, the influence of teacher attitudes, and differences based on teaching experience. The researcher collected data through semistructured interviews with 10 kindergarten inclusion teachers and supplemented by classroom observations. Thematic analysis revealed five primary themes: emotional impact and student growth, visual supports as essential instructional tools, …

Cultural Intelligence And Leadership: Examining School Principals’ Impact On Teacher Belonging, Retention, And Conflict Resolution, Quincy C. Commerford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The increasing diversity throughout the United States, especially reflected in the school system, has increased the need for school leaders who can effectively lead culturally diverse communities, and, specifically, for culturally diverse teachers. Cultural intelligence has gradually become a leadership competency alongside other intelligences, such as emotional and social, but little is known about how a school leader’s cultural intelligence affects culturally diverse teachers sense of belonging, their experiences with conflict, and overall teacher retention. In this study the researcher examined how a school leader’s cultural intelligence affects teachers’ sense of belonging in two culturally diverse secondary school settings. Using …

Making Sense Of Generative Ai: A Qualitative Single Case Study Examining How College Students Describe Its Use In Academic Coursework, Hollie L. Reese

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Generative artificial intelligence has become increasingly present in higher education, creating opportunities and challenges related to teaching, learning, academic integrity, and student preparation for future professional settings. The problem addressed in this study was the growing misalignment between students’ use of generative artificial intelligence tools and the guidance, expectations, and policies provided within college courses. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how college students described their use of these tools in academic courses and to identify the benefits and challenges associated with integrating them into learning experiences. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with undergraduate students …

A Correlational Study Exploring The Influence Of Organizational Climate On Job Satisfaction Of Non-Faculty Staff At Texas Community Colleges, Tamesha M. Hilliard-Daniels

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As U.S. higher education institutions face increasing challenges related to employee morale and retention, understanding the drivers of workplace satisfaction is critical for institutional stability. This research investigates the relationships between organizational climate factors and job satisfaction among staff within Texas community colleges, applying Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Herzberg’s motivator-hygiene as the theoretical framework. Specifically, this study explores the influence of institutional communication, employee well-being, and organizational mission and pride on staff job satisfaction. Utilizing a quantitative correlational design, the study analyzed secondary data from ModernThink’s Higher Education Insight Survey©. The sample consisted of 2,265 higher education professionals collected …

Charting The Martian Future: Long-Term Space Policy Planning Of Nasa’S Human Spaceflight Program, 1957-1988, Angel J. Peralta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

From the late 1950s to the early 1990s, NASA’s human spaceflight programs repeatedly encountered political and bureaucratic pressures that prioritized short-term interests over long-term planning. These constraints shaped the development of the Apollo, Space Shuttle, Space Station, and other human spaceflight programs, limiting NASA’s ability to pursue a sustained strategic vision. This thesis traces the evolution of long-term human spaceflight policy through documents and memos produced by advisory committees, research councils, and key individuals during this period. Despite shifting administrations and their respective politics, these sources reveal a consistent goal of human spaceflight ultimately leading beyond Earth to the Moon …

Forest Cover Effects On Canopy Interception Loss, Evapotranspiration, And Soil Infiltration On Stormwater Detention Basins, Alexandria N. C. Perez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Developing cities and increased impervious surfaces has resulted in more surface runoff and severe flooding. Harris County, Texas has experienced major flooding events, such as Hurricane Harvey in 2017 which was estimated to be a 9,000-year flood event. The Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is dedicated to creating, maintaining, and finding new ways to reduce flooding damage such as the use of detention basins as green infrastructure. These basins are either populated by grass or are planted with various tree species. This study will identify the planted trees’ canopy interception loss, reference evapotranspiration, and enhanced soil infiltration effects within …

Examining Pain Catastrophizing, Mental Toughness, Self-Efficacy, And Perceived Pain In The Performance Of Female Athletes During Their Menstrual Cycle, Carissa R. Martinez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pain is a universal unpleasant or negative experience influenced by physiological, psychological, and environmental factors. Disruption in the neural pathways of pain can affect athletic performance and lead to injury risks. Both negative attributes, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, and positive attributes, such as mental toughness and self-efficacy, contribute to pain perception and catastrophic thinking. The menstrual cycle also plays a critical role in pain catastrophizing, as hormonal fluctuations across different phases may hinder pain perception and performance in female athletes. However, research lacks the inclusion of how these factors impact female athletes. Using a non-experimental quantitative analysis, this …

The Rise Of Emergent Bilingual Students In Texas School Districts: A Longitudinal Analysis Of Outcomes, Resources, And Conditions, Ashley Ivy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined district-level changes associated with rapid growth in Emergent Bilingual (EB) enrollment across 53 Texas public school districts between the 2012-2013 and 2022-2023 academic years. Using a quantitative, nonexperimental, longitudinal descriptive-comparative design, secondary data from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) were analyzed to assess changes in district demographics, staffing patterns, bilingual/ESL expenditures, academic achievement, graduation rates, and college readiness outcomes. Paired-samples t-tests were conducted to determine statistically significant mean differences across the 10-year period. Findings revealed significant increases in EB enrollment, Hispanic enrollment, and economically disadvantaged enrollment, indicating that participating districts served increasingly diverse student populations with …

From The Band Hall To The Classroom: A Qualitative Study On Curriculum Design In Successful Texas Bands To Support Student Success, Amy R. Bennett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Texas band programs have captured national attention for student achievement. This qualitative study examined curricular elements shared among perennially successful Texas band programs to explore whether these practices could inform curriculum development in other academic settings to support student success in indicators such as student academic achievement, behavior, and attendance. The data collection phase consisted of semi-structured interviews with fine arts administrators, campus administrators, and band directors associated with school districts of multiple perennially successful band programs. Through thematic analysis, collaboration and observation emerged as themes that influenced curriculum development among the participants; a focus on student experience, written curriculum, …

Professional Learning Communities In Virtual K-12 Schools: Survey Evidence From Texas, Charles L. Tracy Jr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) have been viewed as a tool for improving teacher practices and student outcomes in schools for more than thirty years. Much of the existing research on their effectiveness has focused on the traditional school setting. With the explosion of virtual K-12 schools, less is known about how PLCs function in the fully online environment and how teachers perceive their overall effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of teachers working in a full-time virtual school with regard to their participation in Professional Learning Communities. A review of the literature examined the importance …

The Tension Of Retention And Retirement: A Narrative Study Of Full-Time Nursing Faculty Within Five Years Of Retirement At Public, Four-Year Institutions In Texas, Shelley Hunt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This narrative inquiry, qualitative study explored the retirement decision-making process of nursing faculty at public, four-year institutions who were within five years of retirement. Through purposive sampling, 11 participants across eight institutions consented to participate and were interviewed via Zoom. Due to the nursing faculty shortage, the researcher hypothesized that nursing faculty nearing retirement may be retiring not only as a natural progression of their career but also because of factors that lead other early and mid-career faculty members to leave academia. Through thematic analysis, four themes emerged: Finding Meaning and Fulfillment in the Nurse Faculty Role, Institutional Factors Shaping …

The Impact Of Student Behavioral Demands On Teacher Burnout In Secondary Education, Adrienne J. Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Teacher burnout is a growing concern in secondary education because it affects teacher well-being, instructional effectiveness, and retention (Anton & Ryzin, 2024; Madigan & Kim, 2021). This quantitative correlational study examined the relationship between behavioral demands and emotional exhaustion among 64 Texas secondary public-school teachers. Guided by the Job Demands–Resources (JD–R) model and Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, the study also examined whether teacher self-efficacy and school climate moderated this relationship. Behavioral demands were measured as a composite of student aggression, defiance, and inattentiveness. Pearson correlations and moderation analyses conducted in Jamovi indicated that behavioral demands were positively associated …

Voices Of The Homeless: Phenomenological Portraits Of Parental Engagement Among Parents Experiencing Homelessness, Geneva Marie Winterbottom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Family homelessness is a widespread crisis that disrupts the educational experiences of thousands of children, including South Carolina where rates of family homelessness continue to grow. Although research has explored families and homelessness, limited research has focused on the parental engagement of homeless parents. This study explored the parental engagement among homeless parents in South Carolina.

Guided by van Manen’s (1990) interpretive phenomenology, four parents residing in a South Carolina homeless shelter participated in semi-structured interviews and created self portraits, which were analyzed using the hermeneutic circle to derive phenomenological insight.

Findings revealed that parental engagement while homeless was like …

A Modest Proposal For Discourse Analysis In Nonbinary Communities: Method And Case Study, Nikoli Michael Daigneault

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While linguists have long used discourse analysis to study language variation in binary and nonnormative gender groups, nonbinary people have often been excluded from analyses or treated without a nonbinary-informed framework. Nevertheless, nonbinary language use can provide key insights into the relationship between gender and language. In this thesis, I propose Nonbinary Discourse Analysis, a set of recommendations and best practices for conducting discourse analysis in nonbinary communities. These methods are informed by previous empirical research on nonnormative gender identities and theoretical work in trans linguistics (Zimman, 2020) and trans epistemologies (Nordmarken, 2019; Raclaw, in press). To demonstrate the methodology, …

Perspectives Of Power: A Qualitative Study On Teacher Empowerment In Elementary Settings, Caitlin Mattie Shuppy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain insight and understanding of elementary school teachers’ perspectives of teacher empowerment in relation to six key principles: self-efficacy, professional development, collaboration, communication, shared vision, and support. The teacher perspective remains underrepresented in empowerment research; this study was designed to center the voices of those most directly experiencing empowerment in their daily work. Two research questions guided the study: How do elementary school teachers perceive teacher empowerment in relation to six key teacher empowerment principles and what principle(s) do teachers identify as most influential in fostering their sense of empowerment?

A basic …

Illuminating Sanja Matsuri: Lived Religion And Festival Practice In Asakusa, Caleb R. Merckle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines Sanja Matsuri, a major Shintō and Buddhist festival in Asakusa, Tokyo, through the lenses of lived religion, participant observation, autoethnography, and anthropology. Departing from institution-centered approaches, it foregrounds the experiential dimensions of festival participation, showing how physical devotion, collective movement, and festive intensity function as expressions of spiritual meaning. Ethnographic fieldwork conducted in 2023 and 2025 included participant observation, informal interviews with local and foreign participants, and Reflexive Discourse Analysis of fieldnotes and bilingual transcripts. Analysis reveals a dynamic interplay between formal sacralization strategies — such as mitama-ire rituals and structured processions — and spontaneous, informal participant …

The Effectiveness Of Writing Professional Development For Instructional Leaders On Student Academic Outcomes, Kourtney Y. Lavergne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how elementary instructional leaders in a Southeast Texas school district perceived and utilized the R.A.C.E. (Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain) professional development training as an instructional tool to improve student writing performance. The study was guided by two research questions: (a) How do elementary instructional leaders perceive the R.A.C.E. professional development training as an effective English writing curriculum tool to improve student performance? and (b) How do instructional leaders utilize the R.A.C.E. professional development training to improve student writing performance in their classrooms? The study was grounded in adult learning theory …

Professional Dispositions In Coaching Education: Icf-Credentialed Coaches’ Perspectives On Development And Assessment, Michelle Renee Thompson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study examined how professional dispositions were defined, experienced, and assessed in coaching education within the rapidly expanding field of professional coaching. The problem addressed was the lack of a clear understanding of professional dispositions in coaching and the absence of a systematic dispositional assessment comparable to that in counselor education. The researcher’s purpose was to explore how credentialed professional-level coaches defined and identified professional dispositions for effective coaching engagements and how these dispositions aligned with constructs in other helping professions. The researcher collected data through semistructured videoconference interviews. Purposeful and snowball sampling yielded 16 U.S.-based coaches who …

A Perspective As Observed By Public Middle School Teachers On A Lack Of Empathy Demonstrated By Public Middle School Students, Gail P. Hall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore a perspective as observed by public middle school teachers on a lack of empathy demonstrated by public middle school students. The research analyzed how public middle school teachers in the southern region of Texas described their perception of how a lack of empathy demonstrated by public middle school students impacted students during the school day. The study involved 10 selected participants who participated in a semistructured open-ended interview on the Google Meet platform. The participants consisted of 90% female and 10% male, with a combined total of 91 years of …

Attendance And Academic Performance: A Comparison Of 4-Day And 5-Day School Week Schedules In Texas High Schools, Cynthia Miles

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative cross-sectional comparable study examined the differences in academic performance and attendance in Texas public high school campuses between those operating on a 4-day instructional week and those operating on a 5-day instructional week. The study used a quantitative, cross-sectional comparable design. The analysis included campus-level data from the Texas Education Agency’s Texas Academic Performance Reports. The independent variable was instructional schedule—either a 4-day or a 5-day instructional week. The dependent variables included campus attendance rates and student performance on the English I and Algebra I End-of-Course (EOC) STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) assessments of ninth-grade …

Evaluating Special Education Teachers’ Competence In Inclusive Education: A Study Of Behavior Management, Level Of Confidence, And Training Needs, Kourtney Guthrie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed-methods study is to examine the competence of special education teachers in rural East Texas, focusing on their experiences, perceptions, and professional development needs related to behavior management and inclusive education. Quantitative data were gathered through questionnaires given to special education teachers and elaborated upon through focus group interviews, where themes emerged. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was used to develop a better understanding of teachers’ preparedness and the problems involved in the implementation of inclusive practices. The findings may inform more effective teacher training, policy-making, and support systems in rural educational settings by highlighting professional …

Navigating Preparation: A Qualitative Exploration Of Special Education Teachers' Experiences Supporting Students With Disabilities In Transition To Post-School Life, Carrie Ann Friend

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Transition-focused instruction is a critical component of special education services intended to prepare students with disabilities for postsecondary education, employment, and independent living. Although federal legislation such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires transition planning beginning in secondary school, prior research indicates that many special education teachers feel inadequately prepared to implement transition-focused instruction effectively. Existing literature has largely examined transition outcomes for students and programmatic compliance, while less attention has been given to teachers’ lived experiences implementing transition services within school contexts. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry study was to explore how high school …

From Hashtags To Regime Change: How Ai-Driven Social Media Algorithms Fueled Youth Protests Against Authoritarianism In Bangladesh But Stalled In Pakistan (2020-2025), Rafia Nishan Abbasi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this research, it has been investigated that how and why youth protests were amplified by AI based social media algorithms in Bangladesh; however, their impacts resulted in occasional and isolated resistance in Pakistan during 2022-25, taking in account the differences in state regulations, platform governance, and civil society networks. While utilizing Mixed-methods approach, this study employs comparative discourse analysis, a structured survey (N=466), semi-structured interviews, legal and policy tracing, and platform data. This research has proposed a novel theoretical framework of Algorithm Regime Mediation (ARM). ARM considers platform algorithms as politically intermingled intermediaries which can determine socio-political outcomes by …

Student-Faculty Pedagogical Partnerships Humanize Teaching And Learning: A Phenomenological Study, Kiersten Ann Hillkirk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This hermeneutic phenomenological study, guided by Gadamer’s (2004) ideas, explored the lived experiences of student consultants and faculty members participating in a student-faculty pedagogical partnership program. Framed by humanizing pedagogy (Freire, 1970; Salazar, 2013) and students as partners (Healey et al., 2014) as the conceptual foundation, the study examined how collaborative teaching and learning relationships can promote more equitable, dialogic, and transformative educational practices. Participants included three student consultants and three faculty members at a private research university in the western United States.

Data were collected through nine in-depth phenomenological interviews (Seidman, 2019) and supplemented with written reflections and entry/exit …