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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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Supplemental Education Services And Cultural-Linguistic Instruction For Hispanic Students To Improve English Language Proficiency, Joshua William Cochran Jan 2022

Supplemental Education Services And Cultural-Linguistic Instruction For Hispanic Students To Improve English Language Proficiency, Joshua William Cochran

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to low English language arts (ELA) state test scores among Hispanic students, district administrators in a Title I identified school district implemented a new literacy policy that included both supplemental education services for Hispanic students (SES-HS) and professional development in cultural and linguistic instructional practices (CLIP) for ELA teachers. But the ELA state test scores for Hispanic students who received the SES-HS and CLIP services had not been studied to see if there was any improvement related to the CLIP-HS training. The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in Hispanic students’ ELA scores before and after …


Teachers’ Perceptions Regarding Implementing Student-Centered Instructional Practices In Reading Comprehension, Gloria Nnenna Edeh-Okwuosah Jan 2022

Teachers’ Perceptions Regarding Implementing Student-Centered Instructional Practices In Reading Comprehension, Gloria Nnenna Edeh-Okwuosah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was that the English as foreign language teachers in five government elementary schools were not consistently instructing in a manner that contributed to a student-centered learning environment when teaching reading comprehension. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of English as foreign language teachers in the five government elementary schools regarding implementing student-centered instructional strategies when teaching reading comprehension. Weimer’s learner-centered teaching served as the conceptual framework. The research questions focused on English as foreign language teachers’ perceptions regarding implementing student-centered practices when teaching reading comprehension. Data were collected …


Information Communication And Technology Strategies For Improving Nonprofit Organizations’ Effectiveness, Richard T. Evans Jan 2022

Information Communication And Technology Strategies For Improving Nonprofit Organizations’ Effectiveness, Richard T. Evans

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSome nonprofit organization leaders lack strategies to incorporate information communication and technology (ICT) into the business operations of organizations. A nonprofit organization lacking strategies involving integrating technology into their business operations decreases the likelihood of being efficient, productive, and effective. Grounded in the information technology (IT) competency model, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore the ICT strategies of a nonprofit organization leader in the south suburbs of Chicago. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, direct observations, and reviews of organizational documents. The Marshall and Rossman seven-step process was used to analyze data. Three themes emerged …


A Meta-Analysis Examining The Efficacy Of Flipped Instruction For Stem Academics, Daphne Marie Gricoski Jan 2022

A Meta-Analysis Examining The Efficacy Of Flipped Instruction For Stem Academics, Daphne Marie Gricoski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractImproving education, particularly for the sciences, is an important and necessary endeavor which can lead to positive social change. Education reform tends to involve updating and aligning curriculum standards without considering methodologies or teaching strategies involved. Identifying evidence-based practices to improve achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) will contribute to improving the education system. Flipped classroom instruction is a pedagogical approach that emphasizes student involvement and engagement in the learning process. There is evidence that active learning strategies improve achievement in STEM academic areas. The purpose of this study was to compare traditional lecture teaching methods to the …


Current School District Administrators’ And Math Teachers’ Perspectives Of Teacher Buy-In For Problem-Based Learning In Middle School Math, Kelly Riley Hastings Jan 2022

Current School District Administrators’ And Math Teachers’ Perspectives Of Teacher Buy-In For Problem-Based Learning In Middle School Math, Kelly Riley Hastings

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Project-Based Learning (PBL) in middle school math classrooms is a topic that has not been well-researched, even though math scores in the United States have been declining. In a school district in the Southcentral United States, the local problem was that teacher buy-in for PBL in middle school math classes was unknown, as current literature regarding administrator and teacher perspectives on teacher buy-in is limited. The purpose of the study was to explore current school district administrators’ and math teachers’ perspectives of teacher buy-in for PBL in middle school math in a Southcentral U.S. state. Vygotsky’s social constructivist theory contributes …


Teacher Perceptions Of The Use Of Cognitively Guided Instruction In Mathematics Classrooms, Irin Sultana Jan 2022

Teacher Perceptions Of The Use Of Cognitively Guided Instruction In Mathematics Classrooms, Irin Sultana

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Elementary teachers in California were tasked to use cognitively guided instruction (CGI) strategies in mathematics classrooms, but it was uncertain if they had the self-efficacy, confidence, resources, and support to do so consistently. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate K-5 teachers’ perceptions about their self-efficacy and confidence in using CGI strategies in the mathematics classroom and what resources or support they felt needed to implement CGI strategies successfully. Bandura’s social cognitive theory, which emphasizes four sources of self-efficacy, was used for the framework analysis. Research questions supported teachers’ self-efficacy and confidence through research questions- What challenges …


Credit Abuse, Interest Rates, And Loan Performance Of Ten Nigerian Banks, Diala Ugwumba Jan 2022

Credit Abuse, Interest Rates, And Loan Performance Of Ten Nigerian Banks, Diala Ugwumba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe ongoing failure in the Nigerian financial system has been a source of concern to the regulatory authorities, stakeholders, depositors, and the banking public because of the role these financial institutions played in the Nigerian economy in the last decade. The root of the problem was credit abuse performed by the bank’s credit officers and executive directors which made it challenging for financial institutions to recover the loans granted by the banks. The issue made investors lose their investments and bankers lose their jobs. The crisis resulted in poor asset quality that eventually eroded the Nigerian financial institution’s capital. Using …


Teacher Perspectives On Integrating Technology Into Social Studies Instruction, Karen Diane Caldwell Jan 2022

Teacher Perspectives On Integrating Technology Into Social Studies Instruction, Karen Diane Caldwell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social studies instruction is vital to connecting students to the world and learning 21st- century skills needed for college and careers. Teachers’ knowledge and skills are essential for effective technology integration in instruction. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to explore the perspectives of teachers in an urban elementary school district on the use of instructional technology in terms of the potential for properly integrating technology in studies instruction. Roger’s Diffusion of Innovations theory was the conceptual framework that guided this study. The research questions focused on teachers’ interpretations of their knowledge of laptop computers, their communication …


Relationship Between Attending Stem Extracurricular Programs And Aspiration Toward Stem Careers, Rani Mohammad Altoum Jan 2021

Relationship Between Attending Stem Extracurricular Programs And Aspiration Toward Stem Careers, Rani Mohammad Altoum

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Enhancing students’ aspiration toward STEM-related careers is of a great importance for many communities that seeks the transformation to the knowledge-based economy. The problem this study explored was the literature gap in the relationship between Qatar students’ attendance in STEM-related extracurricular programs and their aspiration to pursue STEM-related specializations and careers. The purpose of this quantitative, pre-experimental study was to investigate the relationship between attending STEM extracurricular programs and change in students’ aspiration toward STEM careers. Additionally, the study aimed to investigate if the change in students’ aspiration depends on students’ gender and age group. Social cognitive career theory framed …


Perspectives On Professional Development On Common Core Standards For English Language Arts, Martin W. Jones Jan 2021

Perspectives On Professional Development On Common Core Standards For English Language Arts, Martin W. Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Middle school teachers at a rural site in a western state have faced problems in implementing Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts (ELA), as well as in resolving achievement gaps in ELA between regular education students, special education (SPED) students, English language learners (ELL), and at-risk students. The purpose of this case study was to obtain teachers’ and school leaders’ perspectives on how CCSS for ELA can be used to enhance learning for all populations of students using the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. The CCSS for ELA and UDL comprised the frameworks employed in this …


College Readiness Of Freshman Students From Inner-City Schools, Shanitra Jones Barnes Jan 2021

College Readiness Of Freshman Students From Inner-City Schools, Shanitra Jones Barnes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A problem that exists in higher education is that many students are not college and career ready. Many students enter college without being academically prepared to succeed. The purpose of this study was to explore the academic college readiness barriers and supports of freshmen college students from a Midwestern inner-city college. The conceptual framework of this study was Bourdieu’s social capital theory. The research questions address what college freshmen who graduated from inner-city public high schools perceive to be the barriers and necessary supports to reaching their academic goals. The basic interpretive research design was used to investigate the problem …


Strategies Project Managers Use That Reduce Information Technology Project Failures In The Insurance Industry, Jamarcus Snipes Jan 2021

Strategies Project Managers Use That Reduce Information Technology Project Failures In The Insurance Industry, Jamarcus Snipes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The worldwide failure rate of information technology (IT) projects is approximately 65%. Insurance project managers who fail to successfully implement IT projects negatively impact organizational performance and profitability. Grounded in the management by objectives theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies project managers use to reduce IT project failures in the insurance industry. The participants comprised four IT project managers in Alabama who successfully used strategies to reduce IT project failures in the insurance industry. Data were collected from virtual semistructured interviews, company documents, existing literature, and journal notes. Thematic analysis was used to …


Strategies For Implementing Internet Of Things Devices In Manufacturing Environments, Todd Efrain Hernandez Jan 2021

Strategies For Implementing Internet Of Things Devices In Manufacturing Environments, Todd Efrain Hernandez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Internet of Things (IoT) has been exploited as a threat vector for cyberattacks in manufacturing environments. Manufacturing industry leaders are concerned with cyberattacks because of the associated costs of damages and lost production for their organizations. Grounded in the general systems theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies electrical controls engineers use to implement secure IoT devices in manufacturing environments. The study participants were eight electrical controls engineers working in three separate manufacturing facilities located in the Midwest region of the United States. The data were collected by semistructured interviews and 15 organizational documents. …


Competition And Technical Efficiency For General Medical And Surgical Hospitals In Georgia, Nathan Ekow Davies Jan 2021

Competition And Technical Efficiency For General Medical And Surgical Hospitals In Georgia, Nathan Ekow Davies

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The primary aim of this study was to enhance understanding of the fundamental socioeconomic problem associated with inefficient hospital competition in the United States in terms of demand and supply of services as well as the efficiency of hospitals. The relationship between market competition and hospital efficiency was investigated among general medical and surgical hospitals in Georgia. The X-efficiency theory was used which defines efficiency as the degree of effectiveness that an organization can maintain while operating in imperfect competition. The theory is most applicable in terms of addressing imperfect market characteristics of the healthcare industry. Correlations between efficiency and …


Women’S Reflections On Learning 10 Years After A Middle School Stem Program, Susan Mary Caley Opsal Jan 2021

Women’S Reflections On Learning 10 Years After A Middle School Stem Program, Susan Mary Caley Opsal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A lack of understanding of how women perceive their learning continues to hinder efforts to design educational experiences that prepare women for STEM disciplines. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore women’s perceptions of their learning from a middle school STEM program a decade earlier and other learning experiences they had into their adulthood. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 of 26 women who participated in that STEM program when they were in middle school. Belenky et al.’s women’s ways of knowing provided a unique lens for examining participants’ understanding of their development as learners. Key findings …


Exploring The Value Of Technology Within Cross-Departmental Communications, Brian J. Luckey Jan 2021

Exploring The Value Of Technology Within Cross-Departmental Communications, Brian J. Luckey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While many midsized businesses have invested in technology to support business operations, most have not realized the potential value of using technology to collaborate cross-departmentally. There is a lack of knowledge concerning strategies for using technology to facilitate effective organizational communications, which has resulted in operating technology investments being made without corresponding investments in communication technologies. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to fill the knowledge gap concerning the impact of technology for cross-departmental communications. The theoretical foundation for this study was based on systems theory, organizational theory, and stakeholder theory. The key research question involved the impact …


Inclusion Of Students With Moderate Intellectual Disabilities In The General Education Setting, Danielle E. Jania Jan 2021

Inclusion Of Students With Moderate Intellectual Disabilities In The General Education Setting, Danielle E. Jania

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In recent years, states have been interested in the amount of time students with moderate intellectual disabilities spend being educated in the general education environment. Students with moderate intellectual disabilities at a suburban high school in Illinois consistently spend more than 80% of their educational time in the special education environment. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the self-efficacy of secondary school co-teachers at the local level to support the academic needs of students with moderate intellectual disabilities in the general education classroom. The theory of teacher self-efficacy provided the conceptual framework for this study. The self-efficacy …


The Power Of Exogenous Variables In Predicting West Nile Virus In South Carolina, Christopher Lee Glaze Jan 2021

The Power Of Exogenous Variables In Predicting West Nile Virus In South Carolina, Christopher Lee Glaze

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the availability of medical data, environmental surveillance tools, and heightened public awareness, West Nile Virus (WNv) remains a global health hazard. Reliable methods for predicting WNv outbreaks remain elusive, and environmental health managers must take preventive actions without the benefit of simple predictive tools. The purpose of this ex post facto research was to examine the accuracy and timeliness of exogenous data in predicting outbreaks of WNv in South Carolina. Decision theory, the CYNEFIN construct, and systems theory provided the theoretical framework for this study, allowing the researcher to broaden traditional decision theory concepts with powerful system-level precepts. Using …


Factors For Consideration In A Plan For Terrestrial Oil Disaster Mitigation, Olaniyi O. Oyebode Jan 2021

Factors For Consideration In A Plan For Terrestrial Oil Disaster Mitigation, Olaniyi O. Oyebode

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Oil spills, are common disasters associated with hydrocarbon exploration and production, can be devastating and severely impact water quality, which can be detrimental to human life and the environment. One of the primary objectives of oil spill planning and response, aside from protecting human beings, is to reduce the environmental consequences of spills and cleanup efforts. This objective is best achieved by responders identifying sensitive resources ahead of time to establish protection priorities and select cleanup strategies. When a plan is well situated, within the limited hours available to respond, responders will not have to contact all of the various …


Teacher Perceptions Of Second Step In Third And Fourth Grade, Sarah Lewis Jan 2021

Teacher Perceptions Of Second Step In Third And Fourth Grade, Sarah Lewis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Behavior problems among third- and fourth-grade students have become an issue of concern among stakeholders in the education sector. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to explore teachers’ perceptions of Second Step, a socioemotional curriculum with practices used to address behaviors with third and fourth graders. The study’s theoretical framework was Bandura’s social learning theory. Research questions focused on third and fourth-grade teachers’ perceptions of Second Step’s benefits on student behaviors and socioemotional practices. Interviews, document reviews, and photographs were used to collect data from 10 third- and fourth-grade teachers. Open coding and thematic analysis were used …


Teachers' Perceptions Of Their Ability To Provide Equitable Instructional Practices In High-Poverty Schools, Angela Mary Davis Jan 2021

Teachers' Perceptions Of Their Ability To Provide Equitable Instructional Practices In High-Poverty Schools, Angela Mary Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Equitable instructional practices have a positive impact on the academic achievement of students living in high poverty. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore teachers’ perceptions of their abilities to implement equitable instructional practices in high-poverty schools. Gorski’s equity literacy framework was the approach used to guide the study and address the research question. In this qualitative study, teachers in high-poverty schools were asked to perceive and describe their abilities to implement equitable instructional practices. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 K-8 teachers of high-poverty schools located in the Southeastern region of the United States. …


Training And Experience As Predictors Of Principals’ Efficacy For Inclusive Education Implementation, Courtney Lynch Jan 2021

Training And Experience As Predictors Of Principals’ Efficacy For Inclusive Education Implementation, Courtney Lynch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Federal inclusion law requires that school administrators provide an equitable and legally compliant inclusive education for all students. Previous research has shown that successful program delivery is not possible without efficacious school leadership. Prior studies have also revealed that principals’ self-efficacy judgments are directly influenced by contextual and personal factors. Limited research-based inquiries have explored which factors contribute to administrator confidence as it relates to successfully implementing inclusive educational programs in particular. Grounded in social cognitive theory, the purpose of this nonexperimental, survey-based, quantitative study was to assess the extent to which facets of elementary school principals’ educational background, experience, …


Kindergarten Teachers’ Implementation Methods For School Readiness Skills In A Rural School, Beverly Vashon Woods Jan 2021

Kindergarten Teachers’ Implementation Methods For School Readiness Skills In A Rural School, Beverly Vashon Woods

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Kindergarten students in a Title 1 elementary school are lacking school readiness skills. When students enter kindergarten unprepared to learn, they may experience difficulties with approaches toward learning skills related to physical, language, social, emotional, and cognitive development, which are reliable predictors of subsequent academic and life success. The purpose of this qualitative bounded case study with a constructivist framework was to examine how kindergarten teachers implemented the five domains of school readiness at a Title 1 school to improve incoming kindergarten students’ learning. Convenience sampling was used within a bounded system of four kindergarten teachers in a Title 1 …


The Digitization Of Court Processes In African Regional And Subregional Judicial Institutions, Frederic Drabo Jan 2021

The Digitization Of Court Processes In African Regional And Subregional Judicial Institutions, Frederic Drabo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite information technology (IT) officers’ multiple efforts to develop reliable and efficient electronic justice (e-justice) systems, digitizing court processes still presents several quality challenges associated with IT infrastructure and literacy issues. Grounded in the principles of total quality management, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to identify strategies and best practices IT officers in African regional economic communities (REC) use for digitizing regional and subregional court processes to improve African e-justice systems. The participants included four IT officers working as assistant computer system analysts (ACSA), computer system analysts (CSA), and heads of IT (HIT) in regional and …


Educator And Parent Perceptions About Parent Involvement In An Elementary School, Jennifer Anne Cenatiempo Jan 2021

Educator And Parent Perceptions About Parent Involvement In An Elementary School, Jennifer Anne Cenatiempo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Limited parent involvement in K-8 schools in the United States may be influencing student performance. A five-year strategic plan conducted at a K-8 elementary school with 550 students in the Northeast region of the United States highlighted the need to increase parent involvement. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of administrators, teachers, and parents on current parent involvement and to gather input from them on how to improve parent involvement in the local school district. The study was guided by Epstein’s framework of parental involvement. Research questions focused on the perceptions of administrators, teachers, and parents …


Exploring How Organizations Ensure The Hiring Process Is Conducted Appropriately To Avoid Legal Issues, Natashia Stafford - Cotton Jan 2021

Exploring How Organizations Ensure The Hiring Process Is Conducted Appropriately To Avoid Legal Issues, Natashia Stafford - Cotton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The overall research problem of interest in this study was the need for human resource (HR) leaders and hiring managers (HMs) to conform to a wide array of complex state and federal legal requirements concerning hiring practices. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was two-fold: (a) to understand how HR leaders can ensure that ethically and legally acceptable hiring practices are used in their organizations and (b) to identify the perceptions of the employee selection procedures and legal defensibility of HR personnel and HMs in Northern California in order to develop timely and informed answers to the study’s research …


Phenomenological Study Of Parental Perceptions Regarding Components Of Early Home Reading, Shakiba Amini Mobaraki Jan 2021

Phenomenological Study Of Parental Perceptions Regarding Components Of Early Home Reading, Shakiba Amini Mobaraki

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMany children struggle with developing their reading skills at the point of starting formal elementary school. Parents contribute to their children’s literacy development through early home reading engagement aimed at improving their children’s reading skills. Parental styles of literacy interactions are associated with their beliefs and perceptions regarding literacy development of children. Therefore, there was a need to understand parental perceptions regarding (a) the importance of child’s readiness for reading interactions, (b) the quality of parent-child reading activities, and (c) the importance of parental preferences regarding specific reading materials. The research questions focused on parents’ lived experiences regarding the values …


The Impact Of Financial Education On The Lives Of Cherokee Nation Citizens, Ron Pense Jan 2021

The Impact Of Financial Education On The Lives Of Cherokee Nation Citizens, Ron Pense

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Financial literacy is something that is important for financial well-being for individuals, but it is lacking, leading to problems such as inadequate saving and poor financial decision making. This research was conducted to examine the impact of financial education for citizens of Cherokee Nation on saving and financial decision making and was grounded in prospect theory and quasi-rational economics. Accordingly, the research questions focused on the extent of differences between individuals with and without financial education for decision making and saving as well as the extent demographic factors play a role. The research design was non-experimental causal comparative with financial …


Teachers' Perceptions Of Challenges Implementing Best Practices For Inclusion, Julie Deshann Miller Jan 2021

Teachers' Perceptions Of Challenges Implementing Best Practices For Inclusion, Julie Deshann Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In a small, rural district in southeastern United States, general and special education teachers have not consistently provided inclusionary practices for students with disabilities to help them be successful in the general education setting. The purpose of this study was to investigate what general and special education teachers perceive are effective inclusionary practices, why they are not implementing the strategies, and what teachers think they need to help them improve implementing inclusion practices. The conceptual framework that grounded this study was Knowles' adult learning theory. The research questions addressed the inclusionary practices teachers use, challenges of inclusion, and teachers' perceptions …


Perceptions Of The Reggio Emilia Approach To Early Childhood Education, Brandon Harris Gantt Jan 2021

Perceptions Of The Reggio Emilia Approach To Early Childhood Education, Brandon Harris Gantt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Preschools provide a method of early intervention to prepare children for school. Reggio Emilia (RE) curricular approach widely used for early childhood education that has not consistently shown a positive influence on cognitive, social, and emotional development of young children. It is also unknown whether those who participate in the RE curricular approach perceive it to foster cognitive, social, and emotional development in early childhood. The purpose of this qualitative, exploratory case study was to investigate participant-perceived benefits of RE as a curricular approach. The conceptual grounding of the study was social constructivism because the RE curricular approach emphasizes the …