Digital Commons Network^™

The Lived Experiences Of Transgender Higher Education Professionals, Jessica L. Ward

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of transgender higher Education professionals. There have been great strides in the acceptance and inclusion of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. However, the acceptance level of transgender individuals has not reached the same level as the LGB community. Utilizing a qualitative phenomenological approach, participants who identified as transgender were interviewed to understand their experiences as professionals in higher Education institutions. As a result of the semi-structured interview process, six shared experiences emerged: understanding identity, transitioning in higher Education, job search, mental health, rejection, and support. From these categories three …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Kuzhilethu “Shep” Kshepakaran, M. Ed., Otr/S, Caps, Faota, Roxana Chirinos, Carly Derouin

Oral History Student Papers

The purpose of study is to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved from its inception to current practice through the life history stories of occupational therapists who have held leadership roles at the national level and beyond. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information. An in-depth interview with the selected participant, Kuzhilethu “Shep” Kshepakaran, as well as his resume and the internet were used to gather information. The categories created symbolized Shep’s life history which included …

School Security: A Study Of Existing Measures And Plausible Solutions To Better Secure Students, Jonathon D. Julius

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to find out the current status of school safety in regard to how school buildings are secured and how much the staff is trained on how to handle security related issues. The research was based on the differences between rural, suburban, and urban schools in the state of Illinois. My interest in this topic is a result of a decade of my life being devoted to public safety as a law enforcement officer. As a current educator, I still have an interest in the intricacies of safety as it relates to school settings. …

An Investigation Of How Iep Teams Function In Select Michigan High Schools When Developing A Course Of Study Decision For Students With Disabilities, Patrick Mies

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the ways that Individual Education Program (IEP) teams function when developing a course of study decision for students with disabilities in high schools in 19 school districts from four intermediate school districts in Michigan. Topics included teacher professional development for reaching consensus in IEP meetings and personal curriculum (PC) plans for diploma acquisition by students with disabilities. Special education teachers who work with students with disabilities at the secondary level shared survey information, perceptions, and opinions about their experiences in IEP meetings. Special education directors, with oversight for special education programs, …

Separate But Equal? A Look At Michigan Public School Districts, Travis Michalak

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that schools that are separate are inherently unequal and that the desegregation of schools should take effect with “all deliberate speed.” Decades later, there are still schools whose student bodies are comprised of over 90% minority students. The following study aimed to understand the relationship between minority segregated schools and their graduation rates, as well as the relationship between student poverty rates and the racial composition of schools and the resulting effect these variables have on school funding. Using data collected from the Michigan School database, this study …

Developing And Implementing Trauma Informed Care Principles: A Pilot Project, Lisa Blair Bell

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Clinical Projects, 2016-2019

Background: Exposure to childhood trauma have lifelong consequences effecting the health and well-being of the individuals who experienced or witnessed the trauma. As healthcare providers, we must recognize patients who have been exposed to trauma and ensure that it is responded to appropriately. This approach is known as trauma informed care.

Objective: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase knowledge, opinion, and self-rated competence related to trauma informed care through the use of an educational intervention. Application of trauma informed care into daily practice was monitored through semi-structured interviews with project participants.

Methods: Registered nurses from the …

"How It Works" After-School Club, Katharina Dvorak

Honors Program: Expanded Learning Clubs

This after-school club (intended for grades 3-5) will help students put their science learning in context by discussing how science (biology, chemistry, and physics) is important to our everyday lives.

Deaf Education: The Past, Present, And Future, Diana Burke

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Back in the 1800's, sign language was banned from schools because of the prevailing view that sign language inhibited children who are deaf from interacting with the hearing society. Today, due to the growth of technology, children who are deaf can communicate using sign language and spoken language. These children can attend mainstream schools or schools for the Deaf. This paper will focus on the history of schools for the Deaf and my observations as a student observer at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind (VSDB). VSDB is a residential school providing students who are deaf and blind …

Examining The Benefits Of Educating Caregivers About Tummy Time In The Acute Care Setting, Alexandra L. Turner

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: This project addressed providing parents with education on tummy time in the acute care setting. This is based on a gap in the literature on occupational therapy (OT) services in the acute care setting.

Purpose: The purpose of this research project was to conduct a pilot study to examine the benefit of educating parents of infants in the acute care setting on providing tummy time as a developmental education measure.

Theoretical Framework: The occupational therapy practice theory, of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) supports the holistic supporting of families, in their role as a parent, to meet the …

High School Discipline Policies And The Teacher-Student Relationship, Sara Elizabeth Nardone

ETD Archive

Relationships play a central role of human development by fostering connection and growth in individuals (Josselson, 1992). Adolescence is a stage of development in which relationships are perhaps most integral because they help youth navigate the changes that come with this developmental phase. Teacher-student relationships are one of the most influential relationships for youth because teacher-student relationships impact students’ academic achievement and educational experience (Ellerbrock et al., 2015; Wilkins, 2014). There are many factors that contribute to positive teacher-student relationships. An area of research that has not gained as much attention regarding teacher-student relationships is discipline in schools. High schools …

The Effect Of The I-Ready Reading Program On Student Scores On The Northwest Evaluation Association (Nwea®) Measures Of Academic Progress (Map) Reading Assessment, Ricardo A. Torres

ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect on student scores on the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA®) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Reading Assessment when students are engaged with on-line adaptive diagnostics and instruction via the Curriculum Associates (CA) i-Ready Reading on-line platform. Outcomes were explored based on usage of the i-Ready program, ethnicity (Hispanic, or Non-Hispanic), and sex (male, or female) of the participant. Participants were students in a K-8 environment in an urban setting in the Mid-West United States. There were two groups of students: one group who used the i-Ready Reading program by CA, and …

Are We Teaching Trauma?, Gretchen Hoak, Adrienne S. Garvey

Selected Faculty Publications

Covering violence is an expected part of the daily job for many journalists in the United States; however, are college and university programs fully preparing students for what they may experience? This study surveyed accredited journalism schools in the United States. Of the 41 respondent schools, only one offered a course specifically aimed at teaching journalists how to protect themselves from psychological trauma and how best to interact with victims of trauma. Results show that although schools believe the topic of trauma is important and worth teaching to future journalists, the approach to the topic is mostly reactive and inconsistent. …

The Disproportionate Burden Of Asthma By Race, Sex, Income And Education, Lisa Elizabeth Stack

Wayne State University Dissertations

This paper seeks to understand the relationship of county level median air quality with adult asthma risk, and the disproportional adult asthma risk by sex, race, income and education, controlling for individual and county effects. The specific objectives of this work are to answer the following questions: 1) What is the difference exposure of the median AQI by race, controlling for county and individual effects? 2) What is the difference in exposure of the median AQI by sex, controlling for county and individual effects? 3) What is the difference in exposure of the median AQI by education, controlling for county …

Building Resilience Through Strengths-Based Learning During Graduate Study Abroad: An Exploratory Study, Chelsea K. Dresen, Matthew L. Wilmes, Karen R. Sullivan, Theresa A. Waterbury

Leadership Education Capstones

Resilience has been identified as an essential skill for leaders (Basso, Gruendel, Key, MacBlaine, & Reynolds, 2015) and as crucial for navigating both school and life challenges (Yeager & Dweck, 2012). Research indicates that there are a variety of ways to build resilience, including in educational settings (Yeager & Dweck, 2012). Higher education institutions utilize pedagogical practices to maximize student learning and growth opportunities (Rennick, 2015). One pedagogical frame often employed is experiential education. College and university faculty have embedded experiential learning pedagogy in the curriculum to facilitate learning outside the classroom (Liang, Caton, & Hill, 2015; Jordan, Gagnon, Anderson, …

Stem: Why We Should Care About Successful Females In Nontraditional Stem Careers, Gene T. Hack

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Researchers, policy makers, business and industry leaders, teachers, and parents have suggested that the United States is experiencing a shortage of qualified trained individuals in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Many research studies have been conducted to help determine cause and effect of females participating in STEM fields. This case study was designed with the purpose to gain insight in what has taken place or what barriers were overcome for females to become successful in nontraditional STEM careers. For the purpose of this study, nontraditional was determined to be careers in the fields of construction, engineering, andBailey College of …

The Effects Of Work-Integrated Learning On Undergraduate Sports Coaching Students’ Perceived Self-Efficacy, Anthony Weldon, Jake K. Ngo

Faculty of Management & Hospitality (THEi)

This study examined the effects of a work-integrated learning (WIL) placement on student's self-efficacy and perceived workplace skill levels. Twenty-eight participants volunteered for this study, in which 15 completed WIL and 13 did not (non-WIL). The Work Self-Efficacy Inventory (WS-Ei) and Workplace Skills Questionnaire (WSQ) were used to collect student responses. Differences between groups were analyzed using a Mann-Whitney U test, mean differences were shown, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results from the WS-Ei indicated the WIL group shown significantly higher total WS-Ei scores, higher mean scores for all dimensions measured, and significantly higher scores for individual dimensions; problem-solving, politics, pressure and role expectations. The WSQ indicated the WIL group had higher mean scores for all perceived workplace skills, except for information technology, and no significant differences was observed between groups. Areas showing little difference between groups can be highlighted for further support and development.

Christ-Focused Service-Learning: Learning To Receive Ministry In Humility, Stephanie Matthew, Elizabeth Roark, Eloise Hockett

Faculty Publications - College of Nursing

Service-learning is an experiential process of action and reflection that allows students to expand their knowledge through real-world activities that benefit others. Service-learning opportunities for baccalaureate nursing students in Kenya have provided many ongoing examples of learning from our Kenyan collaborators. Receiving ministry from those we came to serve, allows allows us, in turn, to demonstrate Christ’s humility. In this article, we share specific stories of how various community partners ministered in unexpected ways to our teams of students and faculty, as we served in Kenya through healthcare and education.

Radical (Re)Naming Through A Tapestry Of Autoethographic Voices: Finding Healing Through Dis/Ability Theorizing, Kelly Vaughan, David I. Hernandez-Saca, Jamie Buffington-Adams, Mercedes Cannon, Sandra Vanderbilt, Ann G. Winfield

Education Faculty Publications

In this article, we engaged in a multi-layered collective autoethnography about disability, ableism, and identity within the context of schools and society by exploring the relationship between Curriculum Studies and Dis/ability Studies in Education. While excerpts of our individual narratives are embedded in the article, our final piece weaves together our individual reflections to illustrate that there is no single experience of dis/ability; however, there are themes about dis/ability and resistance to ableism that can be gleaned from hearing a multiplicity of voices within a context of intersectionality for radical individual, social and (inter)disciplinary transformation.

Does Education Improve Health In Low- And Middle Income Countries? Results From A Systematic Review, Stephanie Psaki, Barbara Mensch, Erica Chuang, Andrea J. Melnikas

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Despite enormous progress in expanding school enrollment globally, improvements in health have not always followed, raising important questions: Does education, in fact, enable women, men and their families to be healthier? And if so, how? To fill this gap in knowledge, the GIRL Center conducted a systematic review of the evidence for the effects of education on health in low- and middle-income countries.

Delivering Results In Girls' Education: How To Evaluate What Works, What Doesn't, And What We Don't Know, Stephanie Psaki

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Girls around the world face daunting challenges when it comes to enrolling in primary school, completing secondary school, and gaining the basic knowledge and skills they need to be empowered, healthy, and productive adults. Many governments and organizations have risen to meet that challenge through policies and programs designed to remove common barriers to girls’ education. But as the number of actors in this space grows, and resources to address these challenges remain scarce, it is essential to ensure that investments are targeted toward the most effective policies and programs. This brief lays out the basics of program evaluation. The …

Parent Perceptions Of A One-To-One Laptop Program, Lewis Hayes Chappelear

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parents are important to the success of the one-to-one computing programs that are becoming more commonplace in secondary classrooms. Parents' opinions can influence the success of these programs or doom them to failure; however, little is known regarding parents' attitudes about these programs. To understand parental attitudes toward a one-to-one laptop program, this qualitative exploratory case study used Rogers's diffusions of innovations theory on how new ideas and technologies spread. Participants included 11 parents of students attending 2 urban secondary schools with similar demographics in the southwestern United States. Data were collected through focus group sessions, follow-up interviews, and relevant …

Tobacco Treatment Education Module For Nurses Working In The Inpatient Psychiatric Setting, Marchell Rene Spielmann

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Tobacco use among people with mental illness remain a significant problem in the western United States. At the project site, there is widespread tobacco use among patients with mental illness and lack of training for nurses to address the issue. The purpose of this project was to educate nurses working in the acute psychiatric setting about evidence-based tobacco treatment interventions. The practice-focused question addressed whether a tobacco education program would increase nurses' knowledge, confidence, and skills to provide tobacco treatment interventions to patients with a mental illness. Self-determination theory and the transtheoretical model of change provided the theoretical framework for …

Improving Nursing Knowledge Of African American Heart Failure Self-Care Management, Sharnee Moore-Jervis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Heart failure is a complex chronic disease affecting 6.6 million people in the United States, with an annual cost of $39.2 billion per year. African Americans are at an especially high risk for poor outcomes and readmissions from heart failure complications, as they are 2.5 times more likely to develop heart failure than other ethnic groups. This disease requires a high level of patient self-care management, and evidence suggests that African Americans do not always receive culturally sensitive education, which can lead to suboptimal self-care practices. The practice-focused question for this educational program asked whether nurses of African American patients …

The Urban Parents' Learning Experiences In An Online Training Program, Shamanie Atkinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has shown a link between urban students' success in U.S. schools and the level of parental involvement. However, urban parents have historically low levels of engagement in their children's education. Increased involvement of urban parents in their children's education can increase student success in urban schools. The purpose of this generic qualitative research study was to understand the experiences of urban parents of children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) who have participated in an online training program to learn about their children's learning disability. Self-efficacy, andragogy, experiential learning, and sociocultural theory were used as conceptual foundations to guide the …

Coerced Choice: School Vouchers And Students With Disabilities, Claire Raj

Faculty Publications

The landscape of public education, once thought to be a core function of the state, is shifting towards privatization. The appointment of Betsy DeVos as U.S. Secretary of Education further cements this shift. In particular, DeVos intends to vastly expand the availability of vouchers and tax credits that use public dollars to fund private school tuition. The debate over this expansion and its impact on traditional public schools has been polarizing and combative. Thus far, commentators have framed vouchers as purely matters of choice and increased educational opportunities. Drowned out in the debate are the voices of students with disabilities. …

Deaffa: An Exploration Of Agricultural Education In Schools For The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing, Sarah Danielle Warren

Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development

The Kentucky School for the Deaf agriculture program and FFA chapter is the second Deaf FFA chapter in the nation and has proven itself to be unique, successful, and worthy of investigation. This exploratory, collective/intrinsic Case Study examines the historical evidence of agriculture on the school’s campus, collects observations and interviews regarding agricultural education at the school, and provides insight to advise other educational institutions and organizations on the nature of agricultural education in a school for deaf and hard of hearing students.

Servant Leadership Towards Cultural Competency And Critical Thinking: A Mixed Methods Study In Zambia, Jill Marie Brown

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

There is a paucity of occupational therapy literature related to the professional development process that occurs when students participate in immersive, international servant leadership experiences in developing countries. A scarcity of literature exists on how such culturally rich experiences can influence the development of the participating students’ dispositional critical thinking and cultural competency skill sets. This mixed methods study depicts how a 3-week servant leadership experience in Zambia, Africa, measured the acquisition of dispositional critical thinking and cultural competency skill sets in novice to experienced occupational therapy students. Moreover, this study infuses a constructivist grounded theory approach to uncover a …

Development Of A Caregiver Education Support Tool For Family Caregivers Of Older Adults With Dementia, Sarah Guariglia

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

For every person diagnosed with dementia, four family members are affected and burdened with providing care. Providing familial care is associated with greater psychological, social, and emotional burden on the caregiver. Caregivers are not provided with adequate education to support successful caregiving and aging in place. This capstone project developed and piloted a caregiver education support tool to simplify the process of finding caregiver education. Five caregivers participated in interviews to guide the development of the support tool, next completed the Likert questionnaire, and tested the caregiver education support tool. Four themes were identified: (1) burden, (2) loss, (3) unmet …

Defying Poverty: Educator Impact On High Performing, High Poverty Students, Matthew M. Thompson

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine if teacher and administrative experience in public schools has an impact on student standardized test achievement in poverty schools. The study determined the previous school accountability score given by the state provides predictable outcomes for the next years score within poverty schools. The study also determined the relationship between faculty experience and student success in both math and English language arts (ELA) Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP) test scores within poverty schools was not statistically significant. Additionally, the study determined the relationship between administrator experience and student success in …

Challenges To Successful Total Quality Management (Tqm) Implementation In Saudi Higher Education Institutions, Ahmed Aljuhani

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to identify the challenges to successful total quality management (TQM) implementation in Saudi higher Education institutions (HEIs) according to the perspectives of faculty members. A quantitative study was conducted to identify the demographic independent variables of faculty members (i.e., years of experience, gender, and job status) that may have impacted the strategic, organizational, human resources, and procedural challenges of TQM implementation as the dependent variables. A total of 194 faculty members of Yanbu Industrial College and Yanbu University College in Yanbu Al Sinaiyah City completed the online survey developed for this study. The survey …