Digital Commons Network^™

Principal Perceptions Of Leadership Preparedness To Promote Family Engagement In Urban Title I Elementary Schools, Marcus Kimber

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative research examines urban Title I elementary school principals’ perceptions of their family engagement readiness based on university leadership preparation and/or district-level professional development. Based on Epstein's Theory of Overlapping Spheres of Influence, this research examines how educational leaders overcome socioeconomic inequities, trust problems, and communication failures to develop equitable relationships with families. Themes that revealed preparation deficiencies and prospective high-impact family engagement methods emerged from semi-structured interviews and ongoing comparison analysis. Principals value family engagement and recognize its impact on student achievement and school climate, but most feel unprepared to implement systematic, sustainable student engagement strategies. Leadership training …

Science, Students, And Self: An Autoethnography Of One Middle School Science Teacher’S Experiences And Challenges With Implementing Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, Alexandra Dalton

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation is an autoethnographic inquiry into how the implementation of culturally relevant pedagogy into the middle school classroom is filled with challenges and wins. In this dissertation I explore how implementing culturally relevant pedagogy helped me connect more with my students which in turn increased their academic success, cultural competence, and critical consciousness. I was able to accomplish this by using the research within my own classroom and reflecting on how my students reacted to the changes in my pedagogy. Using the methodology of autoethnography, I was able to incorporate my own personal experiences as research. I also include …

Breaking The Language Barriers? Machine Translation Technology And Analysts’ Forecasts For Firms With Foreign Operations, Bingxu Fang, Pengkai Lin

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

We study the impact of machine translation technology on analysts’ forecasts for firms with foreign operations. Exploiting the staggered rollout of Google Translate’s support for translating foreign languages into English, we find that U.S. analysts improve their forecast accuracy for firms with substantial business exposure to the corresponding foreign countries. We obtain similar evidence using an international sample of analysts covering firms outside their home countries. The improvement in forecast accuracy is greater for analysts with limited language skills or brokerage resources to process foreign information. Further analysis suggests that analysts raise more questions about firms’ foreign exposure during conference …

Ai Characterisations And Their Legal Implications, Jerrold Tsin Howe Soh

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

This chapter examines the difficult legal characterisation problems that artificially intelligent systems raise and explores how different characterisations of artificial intelligence (AI) shape practical legal outcomes. Three reasons are offered for the legal difficulty with characterising AI. First, answers to characterisation problems are inherently subjective and perspective-driven, particularly when the subject is an intangible technological system. Second, AI technology is especially difficult to define since the field typically proceeds on inexact anthropomorphic metaphors. Third, AI characterisation problems raise difficult sub-problems, particularly in determining how autonomous an AI system is. The chapter thus argues that a range of plausible AI characterisations …

Developing A Gpt-Based Virtual Training System For Medical Undergraduates' History Taking In Stroke Rehabilitation, Chao-Yu Hsu, Ching-Lin Hsieh, Jeng-Cheng Wu, Wen-Hsuan Hou

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background: Effective history taking in stroke rehabilitation requires comprehensive assessment skills, yet opportunities for medical undergraduates to practice such skills remain limited. Virtual patients (VPs), especially those powered by large language models (LLMs), offer a promising solution. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a GPT-based virtual training system for functional assessments in stroke rehabilitation history taking.

Methods: A mixed-methods design was employed in which VPs were modeled on a clinical stroke case and 10 core domains of functional assessments in stroke rehabilitation were integrated. A virtual examiner (VE) module provided automated scoring and feedback. Phase 1 evaluated the reliability …

The Perceived Frequency And Effects Of Multilingual Communication In Youth And Adolescent Soccer, Simao M. Araujo

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In professional soccer, the topic of multilingual communication has been widely researched; however, there appears to be a gap in the literature concerning how multilingual use is perceived by athletes and coaches at the youth and adolescent level of the sport. In the present study, male soccer athletes ages 10 to 18 years old and their coaches completed a questionnaire in which they rated both perceived frequency of use and perceived effects of using multilingual communication in youth and adolescent soccer. Specifically, these questionnaires elicited quantitative information regarding categories such as tactical advantages, words of encouragement, general expressions, and group …

Development Of A Stress Response Framework For Understanding Sogie Refugee Health, Arooran Saravanan Ananthavel Murugan

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

As an increasing number of individuals flee persecution on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity expression (SOGIE), Canada has become a prominent destination for SOGIE refugees. The chronic stressors encountered by this marginalized population remain insufficiently studied, particularly in relation to physical health outcomes. This qualitative study investigates the cumulative health impacts of chronic stress among SOGIE refugees through the application of a cell-to-society framework, underpinned by Minority Stress Theory (MST). The study seeks to develop a SOGIE-specific stress response framework that theorizes the processes by which social and environmental stressors become biologically embedded, thereby contributing to elevated …

A Dance Of War Or Love: Applying A Gendered Lens On The Lived Experiences Of Women Social Entrepreneurs In Nigeria, Grace C. Ihejiamaizu

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This study explores the lived experiences of Nigerian women social entrepreneurs, using a qualitative methodology rooted in yarning circles, a culturally respectful, relational approach that foregrounds storytelling and co-construction of knowledge. Through this method, the research examines how these women navigate the intersections of gender, culture, power, and purpose within highly patriarchal and institutionally constrained environments.

The findings assert that Nigerian women social entrepreneurs are not static actors driven by fixed motivations, but dynamic changemakers whose goals shift as they gain access to resources, legitimacy, and social capital. The Cycle of Privilege framework helps us understand this evolution as an …

Co-Creation, Interpretations And Engagement With A Movement-Based Symbol For Climate Justice: A Qualitative Inquiry, Kai Reimer-Watts

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The climate crisis demonstrates with complete clarity the need for massive systems-level changes towards far more sustainable societies. Global and local emissions need to decline rapidly to mitigate intensifying climate breakdown, accompanied by climate and sustainability solutions, to secure a far more stable, safe, and just future for all people and all life. Within these changes, engaging in our communities is essential to support and co-create broader solutions to help advance more sustainable societies, reduce negative impacts of a changing climate, and to move towards cultures and systems that recognize natural limits and centre care for people and planet.

‘Climate …

Changes In Functional Connectivity Are Associated With Functional Independence In The Early Postoperative Period Following Awake Surgical Resection Of Language-Eloquent Glioma, Kyle R Noll, Evan D Bander, Henry S Chen, Mariana Bradshaw, Jeffrey S Wefel, Vinodh A Kumar, Sujit S Prabhu, Ho-Ling Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Neurocognitive decline in patients with primary brain tumors is associated with alterations in the functional connectome and reduced independence in daily living. This study explores postoperative connectomic changes associated with functional independence outcomes in patients with eloquent glioma, and how these associations differ from neurocognitive-connetcomic relationships.

Methods: Fifteen patients with left perisylvian glioma underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and neuropsychological evaluation within 2 weeks before and on average 1 month after resection. Functional independence was measured with the Physical Self-Maintenance Scale (PSMS) and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale (IADL). Graph theoretical analysis quantified functional brain …

Cambio De Código Y Fenómenos Léxicos En Tres Generaciones De Hispanohablantes Dominicanos En Nueva Jersey, Rocio Leguisamon Tolentino

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

En Estados Unidos, el contacto prolongado entre el español y el inglés ha generado diversas situaciones de bilingüismo. Sin embargo, históricamente, la comunidad mexicana en el suroeste del país y la comunidad puertorriqueña en el noroeste han sido las más representadas y, por tanto, las más estudiadas (Poplack 1980; Silva-Corvalán 1994; Torres Cacoullos y Travis, 2015; Rodríguez-Ordóñez et al., 2023). Recientemente, las investigaciones sobre el bilingüismo en la comunidad dominicana han ido cobrando más relevancia, debido al rápido incremento de dominicanos en los Estados Unidos. Investigaciones anteriores han propuesto que los dominicanos muestran una alta lealtad al español, y a …

State Of The States: Blueprints For Building Age-Friendly Futures, Megan Stubbs-Richardson, Lauren E. Etheredge, Tockie V. Hemphill, Zaccheus J. Ahonle, Danielle K. Nadorff

Publications

Executive Summary:

Mississippi’s aging population growth mirrors national trends and suggests a need to establish equitable and sustainable age-friendly policies and programs. This report offers an overview of the best practices from age-friendly states, which can be adapted to meet unique challenges and opportunities for Mississippi’s aging population. We highlight five age-friendly policy areas that can improve Mississippi’s livability.

• Aging in Place: Best practices from California, Florida, and Massachusetts can be adapted to promote aging in place through structural changes to homes via universal design and home modifications, or through supportive housing programs and home care.

• Cross-Sector Collaboration: …

Decision-Making Supports And Cognitive Decline, Rebekah Diller

Articles

For persons with a range of cognitive disabilities, supported decision-making, rooted in a human rights approach to disability, has emerged as a tool that permits them to make legally binding decisions and avoid guardianship. As supported decision-making policy has evolved in the United States, state statutes have primarily focused on formal agreements through which individuals can designate trusted supporters to assist in obtaining information, processing that information, and communicating a decision. This Article argues that supported decision-making has promise for preserving the autonomy of persons living with dementia, but that the model of a supported decisionmaking agreement embodied in the …

Application Of Artificial Intelligence Techniques To Improve Leadership Decision Making With Uncertainty, Michael David Parrish

Doctoral Dissertations

"Every good leader is a good manager, but not every good manager is a good leader. The difference between the leader and the manager is critical decision-making. Today’s decision-making environment is characterized as Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA). With the exponential increase in the technical capabilities of systems, the human has become the weakest link in the use of such systems. To remain relevant, good leaders must continuously adapt to new advances in technology and processes.

The research contributions of this work provide several unique and novel solutions for leaders to utilize artificial intelligence tools to improve and optimize …

Leveraging Deep Learning Models And Social Media Data For Enhanced Situation Awareness In Disaster Management, Ademola Abdulganiyu Adesokan

Doctoral Dissertations

"In recent years, social media has become a crucial source of real-time data for disaster management, supporting emergency responses when traditional channels like 911 are overcrowded and overwhelmed. It offers authorities valuable data for developing effective strategies, especially when swift actions are essential to save lives. However, the informal language, ambiguous meanings, and irrelevant content on social media pose challenges to accurate classification and hinder the efficient extraction of disaster-relevant information, leading to inefficiencies in emergency response efforts.

This research focuses on seven key questions: i) How can we detect, classify, and analyze hate and offensive tweet emotions during large-scale …

Parallel Algorithms For Large Scale Dynamic Graph Analysis, Arindam Khanda

Doctoral Dissertations

A complex system of interacting entities in contemporary scenarios, be it biological, technological, or social, can be represented using graphs. Dynamic graphs, unlike their static counterparts, are ones in which the underlying topology changes over time. These networks act as a model for numerous systems, from transportation to social interactions, capturing the ever-evolving nature of real-world phenomena. However, the inherent temporality of these networks presents a unique set of challenges and the traditional static graph algorithms often fall short in efficiency and applicability. In our research, we delve into the complexities presented by large dynamic networks and suggest various methodologies …

Tailoring Selected Aerogels To Targeted Applications, Stephen Yaw Owusu

Doctoral Dissertations

Aerogels are ultra-lightweight, porous solid materials characterized by a three-dimensional nanostructured network. Owing to their exceptional physical and chemical properties, aerogels have garnered considerable attention within the materials science community and were recognized by IUPAC in 2022 as one of the top ten emerging technologies in chemistry. Although numerous aerogels have been synthesized, only a few have been effectively tailored for specific applications. Optimizing the properties of known aerogels for targeted uses remains challenging. This dissertation investigates strategies for tailoring aerogels derived from isocyanate-benzoxazine, benzodiazine, and phenolic resins to meet the requirements of various advanced applications. The approaches employed include …

Therapeutic Alliance In A Culturally Tailored Transition Program For Latino Young Adults With Autism And Their Families, Antonio F Pagán, Katherine A Loveland, Ron Acierno

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Latino young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face barriers to accessing culturally appropriate interventions that support adaptive functioning and family dynamics. Therapeutic alliance, the collaborative and trusting relationship between participants and providers, is a critical component of intervention success, yet its role in culturally tailored programs for Latino families remains underexplored. The present study examined therapeutic alliance in ¡Iniciando! la Adultez, a 12-week, culturally adapted intervention for Latino young adults with ASD and their Spanish-speaking parents. The program integrates Latino cultural values and language and consists of parent group therapy, young adult group therapy, and individual therapy sessions. …

Barriers To Family And Domestic Violence Support For Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Women In Australia: A Systematic Review, Annastasya J. Watts, Suzanne Rock, Natalie Gately, Antionette L. Smith

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: This systematic review investigated barriers culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australian women encountered when seeking support for family and domestic violence (FDV). Despite CALD women’s heightened vulnerability to FDV due to factors like immigration status, language barriers, and limited social networks, research suggests persistent, multifaceted obstacles to help-seeking. Methods: A systematic review of both qualitative and quantitative studies was conducted for articles published in peer-reviewed literature and grey literature. Databases searched included MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, ProQuest, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science, applying inclusion criteria centered on Australia, FDV, CALD women, and access to support services for studies in …

Motivation Matters: The Positive Influence Of Parental Involvement On Children’S Writing Outcome, Bronte Kelso-Marsh, Anabela Abreu Malpique, Helen Davis, Debora Similieana Valcan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Theoretical models and empirical evidence suggest parental involvement in general education is beneficial for children’s educational outcomes and that motivational factors may contribute to explaining parental involvement in children’s education. Few studies, however, have examined the role of parental involvement in children’s writing outcomes and, to our knowledge, none has investigated the motivations of Parents/Carers to support their children’s writing development in the first place. In this study, we aimed to address this gap by measuring Parents'/Carers' autonomous and controlled motivations for supporting their children’s writing at home and their engagement in writing activities with their children, and then assessing …

The Affective Milieu Of School Market Competition: Using Affect And Governmentality To Study Market Competition, Brad Gobby, Amanda Keddie, Jill Blackmore, Katrina Macdonald

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper integrates insights from affect theory into Foucault’s governmentality framework to analyse school markets. Using a Deleuzian approach to affect, we theorise school markets as an affective milieu that composes the field of competition. Drawing on interviews with staff at two rival high schools, we highlight how an affective milieu that included threat, anxiety, insecurity, resentment and confidence shaped market dynamics. Our analysis shows that affective milieus reflect and reinforce power asymmetries in local school markets and are a condition for generating competitive practices to enhance schools’ capacities to affect and be affected. Our central point is to move …

The Relationship Of Parent Iep Meeting Attendance On African American And Hispanic Middle School Students’ Attendance And Behavior, David W. Johnny

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation investigated whether there was a significant difference in behavioral and attendance outcomes among African American and Hispanic middle school students with disabilities, depending on parental attendance at Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. The study was grounded in Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler’s parent involvement theory. This quantitative study used archival data from a southeastern U.S. middle school to examine whether variations in parental participation corresponded with students' disciplinary incidents and school absences.

The study included 96 students in grades 6–8 whose IEP attendance, behavior referrals, and absence data were analyzed. Independent samples t-tests were conducted to determine if statistically …

Parent Social Validity Ratings Of Receiving Functional Communication Training, Shani Davies

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to provide greater insight on parent and caregiver views and perceptions on participating in functional communication training. While extensive research exists regarding the effectiveness of functional communication training and parent training in general for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, evidence on the social validity with respect to caregivers is lacking.

The researcher utilized evidenced-based social validity scales to explore parent/caregiver perceptions of receiving caregiver functional communication training, their perceived effectiveness of the treatment modality, and overall acceptance of the approach.

An analysis of the data revealed that parents’ overall perception was neutral regarding general views …

The Disengagement Of Black High School Students In English Language Arts Classrooms, Michelle Chanda Singh

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation explored how high school English Language Arts (ELA) teachers understand and respond to the disengagement of Black students. Racial disparities in literacy achievement persist across the United States. Despite reform efforts, many Black students continue to experience academic and emotional disconnection in ELA classrooms. Few studies have centered on teachers’ perspectives to understand the classroom-level conditions contributing to this disengagement. This qualitative study addressed that gap by examining the beliefs, practices, and experiences of four veteran ELA teachers in the southeastern United States.

Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, the study examined how teachers make sense of Black student …

Effects Of Parent Involvement In Their Children’S Academic And Behavioral Performance, Megan Menozzi

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to investigate the best practices to increase parental involvement in their children’s school activities by recording and scribing the experiences of certified teachers. Prior to this study, the current school experienced a decrease in parental involvement with their child’s scheduled school activities. As the school carry on with planning scheduled events for parental involvement, teachers were still expected to be prepared to implement curriculum in the classrooms, while ensuring children’s needs were being met by way of continuous communication with families.

The researcher developed a qualitative phenomenological approach. The design allowed the researcher to interview …

Formación Del Docente En Medios Tecnológicos Y Audiovisuales Para La Enseñanza De Inglés Como Segundo Idioma A Través De La Lectura, Waleska Rivera Santiago

Theses and Dissertations

Esta disertación aplicada fue diseñada para determinar la formación tecnológica del docente de inglés como segundo idioma del Departamento de Educación en tecnología. Además, la revisión de literatura presentada mostró una variedad de términos como el uso de las TIC en el aula, el uso de tecnología para la enseñanza y aprendizaje en la sala de clases. A su vez, la revisión de literatura presentó sobre el uso de la tecnología para la adquisición lingüística de inglés como segundo idioma. Por consiguiente, la investigación tuvo como fin cuantificar la formación docente de inglés como segundo idioma y sus competencias tecnológicas …

Exploring Teacher Self-Efficacy And Best Practices Of Teacher Preparation Programs To Teach The Science Of Reading, Tonya Robinson-Mcnair

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigated the content of teacher preparation programs to assess whether they integrate the science of reading and effectively equip English Language Arts teachers to instruct children in reading. Researchers have long examined the decline in national reading scores, identifying contributing factors such as the structure and content of teacher training programs. While many reading educators undergo formal training, these programs often lack a foundation in scientific research to support effective instructional methods. A teacher's confidence in teaching reading is influenced by both their preparation program and in-service training. However, many educators lack essential pedagogical knowledge and an understanding …

Perceptions Of The Role Principals Play As School Leaders: Current Charter School Perspective(S), Mary Ann Rosser

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to provide ongoing access to current information for charter school principals, charter school management organization (CMO), educational management organizations (EMO), and independent district level charter school leaders.

The researcher developed a qualitative research interview protocol. The interview protocol consisted of seven research questions, designed to elicit each participant’s perception of the key leadership elements associated with being a successful charter school principal. The researcher selected 10 charter school leaders to conduct in-depth interviews using qualitative research-gathering questions about charter school principals’ perspectives as the basis for generating research data. The researcher individually analyzed the interview …

Teacher Perception On The Implementation Of A Culturally Responsive Ela Curriculum, Erica Tate Dial

Theses and Dissertations

While the principles of culturally responsive and culturally relevant teaching hold transformative potential, they can only be fully realized if educators are genuinely equipped and empowered to implement them. This qualitative study examined teacher perceptions of an English Language Arts curriculum through the lens of culturally relevant and culturally responsive teaching. A diverse group of teachers, varying in experience, age, gender, and race, were interviewed to gather a range of perspectives on the implementation of this curriculum. The study focused on addressing the following research questions: 1. What are teachers’ perceptions of culturally responsive and culturally relevant instruction and academic …

Beyond The Brochure: Exploring The Reality Of Belonging In South Florida Private Schools, Jennifer Vigille

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to explore Black parents’ perceptions of teachers and leadership in predominantly White private schools. The research drew on a rich body of literature on race, education, and social dynamics in diverse school settings. The study addressed the ongoing challenges Black families faced in navigating these environments, particularly in terms of communication and cultural competence. The central research questions investigated how Black parents experienced and interpreted teacher and leadership relationships and support in predominately White private schools.

The study hypothesized that Black parents perceived significant gaps in communication and cultural competence among educators and leaders, affecting …