Digital Commons Network^™

Impact Of Single-Gender Education On Academic Performance, Stacey Wilcher

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the performance of middle school students Grades 6–8 in single-gender versus coeducational schools in a large urban district in the southeastern United States. It evaluates whether single-gender education leads to better academic outcomes and higher engagement, offering important insights for educational leaders and policymakers.

The study utilized Social Cognitive Theory and gender segregation theory through a mixed-methods approach, collecting quantitative data from standardized assessments (2021-2025) like the GMAS and MAP. Statistical analyses, including t-tests and ANOVA, were used to assess academic performance. Qualitative data from interviews and focus groups explored classroom engagement and teaching practices.

Participants included …

The State Of Funding For Curriculum Materials Centers And Collections, Caitlin Stewart, Jenelle Johnson

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

Using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, researchers analyzed whether there was a correlation between education student enrollment and curriculum materials center/collection (CMC) budget across eighty universities in the United States. Findings indicate that there is a positive correlation between those variables, although the relationship is weak. Universities with large education programs tend to have better-funded CMCs; however, variability across institutions is still significant. Findings suggest that many university CMCs may be comparatively underfunded based on student enrollment in education and historical trends.

An Examination Of The Impact Of School Accountability On Data-Driven Decision-Making By Florida Educational Leaders, Emily Galucho

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

This mixed-methods study examined how accountability influences educational leaders' data-driven decision-making (DDDM) practices in Central Florida. Grounded in the principal-agent and consequential accountability frameworks, the study investigated demographic predictors, implementation challenges, and the role of accountability in DDDM. Educational leaders completed online surveys measuring DDDM perceptions across five subscales and responded to open-ended questions. The responses were analyzed through multiple regression, correlation, and thematic coding.

Accountability emerged as DDDM's strongest predictor, significantly exceeding demographic and organizational variables. Five implementation challenges were identified: Data Literacy Gaps, Data Timeliness Issues, Resource Constraints, Implementation Fidelity, and Systemic Barriers. Accountability demonstrated dual effects: many …

Noongar Culture, Arts Learning, And Wellbeing Literacy In Early Childhood: A Case Study Of The Song Room’S Deadly Arts Early Years Program In Western Australia Government Primary Schools, Jason Goopy, Narelle Lemon, Megan Mcpherson, Libby Jackson-Barrett, Jacqueline West

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This report presents findings from a case study examining how The Song Room's Deadly Arts Early Years program supports wellbeing literacy in early childhood education through engagement with Noongar culture, arts, and storytelling at Western Australia government primary schools. Conducted on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar at Huntingdale Primary School and Orelia Primary School, the research was co-designed with Indigenous and non-Indigenous teaching artists, school communities, and The Song Room.

The study adopted wellbeing literacy — the capability to understand and intentionally use language about and for wellbeing across contexts — as its theoretical framework. Creative arts-based methods, including draw and tell …

A Scoping Review To Conceptualize Social Privilege For Studying Patients' Health Outcomes And Health Disparities, Elizabeth A. Brown, Priyanka Patel, Esther May B. Sarino, Vladimir Markovic, Carles Muntaner

Health Behavior, Policy & Management Faculty Publications

Background

The continued reliance on single-category self-reported demographic data (e.g., race/ethnicity) reflects conceptual limitations that hinder the study and understanding of health outcomes research. There is a pressing need for more precise measures of social privilege that conceptualize privilege and oppression while enabling the examination of their effects on health outcomes in the United States (US) healthcare system.

Objective

The purpose of this scoping review was to review the literature, determine how researchers have measured aspects of privilege and oppression, and develop a conceptual framework to study patients' social privilege in the US healthcare system and public health research.

Methods …

The Effect Of Education On Green Growth And Carbon Emissions, 1990–2022, Soojeong Ahn

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

The question of whether education promotes economic growth has long been a central topic in development research, and education has been linked to economic outcomes through macro-level pathways such as human capital accumulation, productivity growth, and technological diffusion. More recently, this discussion has expanded beyond economic growth to consider whether education contributes to environmentally sustainable development, particularly green growth. Green growth emphasizes the possibility of sustaining economic expansion while reducing environmental pressure (OECD, 2011; UNEP, 2011), and this study therefore examines how education is related to green growth and carbon emissions at the macro level.

At the macro level, existing …

Gender Inequality In Afghanistan's Public Schools: Provincial Disparities Amid Historical And Political Change, 2002-2021, Enayatullah Nasir

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This dissertation examines the persistence and spatial concentration of gender-based educational inequality in Afghanistan's public school system from 2002 to 2021–– a period spanning post-2001 reconstruction, the expansion of the Republic era, and the reversal under the second Taliban regime. Despite substantial international investment and two decades of repeated commitments to gender parity, access to and progression through public schooling remained profoundly uneven across the country’s thirty-four provinces. The Gender Parity Index values differ sharply between provinces, and those with the lowest overall enrollment tend to exhibit the widest gender gaps. Existing scholarship has concentrated on the national level, obscuring …

Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Foundations In Physics And Image Acquisition: An Innovative Hands-On Active Learning Workshop, Cherie Tator, Saul Flores, Alan Riley, Kiyetta Alade

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: We developed an innovative, active learning workshop to introduce foundations of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) physics and instrumentation. The workshop design aimed to reduce cognitive load and encourage learner-centered engagement through hands-on exploration that reinforces key principles and connects theory to practice.

Methods: First-year medical students participated in small-group, student-driven exercises to explore POCUS machine controls, transducers, and image acquisition skills. Each group was supported by a faculty member to guide activities and ensure accuracy. Students scanned pickles, hard-boiled eggs, and olives with pits; these items were selected for their low cost, sonographic characteristics, and recognizability. Later in the semester, …

Integrated Incubators: A Novel Framework For Technology-Based Creative Arts Education, Brad Phelps Nisbet

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis investigates the development and impact of an educational framework designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry within the media and entertainment sector. It addresses the prevalent "skills mismatch" where graduates often lack the specific technical competencies, foundational knowledge, practical experience, or soft skills required for entry-level positions in a rapidly evolving landscape influenced by advancements like virtual production, real-time VFX, immersive media, and Al. Grounded in both theoretical and practical insights, the framework aims to foster student creativity, technical proficiency, industry readiness, transferable skills, and adaptability, prioritising a transformative, student-centric learning experience.

The research employed a …

Development Of Virtual Reality Learning Environments In Science To Engage Secondary Students In Hazardous Activities, Luke Spartalis

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research examines the need for change in including hazardous activities in education. As different learning technologies develop, platforms that retain authentic outcomes via virtual reality are needed. The main objective of this research is to examine the inclusion of Virtual Reality Learning Environments (VRLEs) to determine their value in areas that include hazardous conditions. The research considered the ways that VR tools could be optimised to support these activities, as well as considering the challenges of VRLE implementation. The study examined whether VRLE’s allowed for authentic experiences to sufficiently drive an acceptance of VR to complement existing teaching and …

Uae Traditional Folklore Through Modern Media And Its Educational Potential: The Case Of Freej, Shahad Imad Mostafa

Theses

This mixed‑methods study examined how the Emirati animated series Freej preserves traditional folklore through vernacular language, dialect, and idiomatic expressions, and evaluated its educational potential. Guided by four questions on folklore representation, dialect/idiom use, the role of the characters, and curricular applicability, the research combined content analysis of selected episodes, interviews coding and a survey of 100 Emirati participants; survey data were summarized with descriptive statistics to triangulate qualitative insights.

Findings indicated that audiences overwhelmingly perceived Freej as linguistically and culturally authentic: 95% rated the dialect as very/somewhat authentic, 94% said it reflects elders’ speech, and 89% felt the series …

Impact Of A Nutrition Education And Counseling Program On Diet, Lifestyle, And Cardiometabolic Health In Adults With Overweight And Obesity: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Eram Albajri, Elham Aljaaly, Abeer Aljahdali, Manal Naseeb, Mai Khatib, Nahlaa Khalifa, Nagat E. Eltoum, Aisha Y. Hussein

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences

Background: Obesity is a global health issue attributed to changes in dietary habits and inadequate physical activity.Objective: This research aimed to assess the effectiveness of the nutrition counseling and education program on dietary habits, physical activity, and biomarkers among adults.Methods: This non-randomized controlled trial was conducted over 30 days in a primary care setting. Participants were grouped according to whether they chose to join the intervention program (n = 40) or maintain their regular diet (n = 20). The intervention group received personalized meal plans, recipes, and physical activity recommendations in line with the Saudi guidelines for obesity …

Impact Of A Workshop On Rural Healthcare Delivery On Medical Student Attitudes, Robert L. Snedegar, Ryan Hayes, Jun Xiang, Treah Haggerty, Kendra Unger, Jason Oreskovich, Amie M. Ashcraft

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Rural residents in the United States (U.S.) experience significant health disparities due to social determinants such as poverty, geographic isolation, and limited healthcare access. Physician shortages in rural areas further exacerbate these challenges.

Purpose: This study evaluates the impact of an educational workshop on medical students’ attitudes toward rural healthcare barriers, aiming to determine whether targeted education can enhance their understanding and interest in rural practice.

Methods: Third-year medical students at the West Virginia University School of Medicine participated in a workshop that included a 20-minute pre-recorded lecture and a 90-minute interactive virtual session. Pre- and post-surveys assessed students’ …

Journal Of Roleplaying Studies And Steam (Jrpssteam) Vol. 4 [2025], Número 2 (Issue 2), Cristo Leon, Romano Ponce-Díaz Phd, Ivan Avila Gonzalez Phd, James Lipuma Dr., Bruce G. Bukiet, Ricardo Victoria-Uribe, Nazario Robles-Bastida, Chris Birmingham, Ximena Diaz Santillan, Edgar Francisco Vázquez Martínez He, Jorge Prieto Terrones, Juan Carlos C. González Vidal S, Edgar Meritano, Laura Magela Garcés Ramírez

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

En una sesión de juego por medio del registro lingüístico se organiza la escena, se orienta la manera de nombrar las tareas, se distribuyen los roles actanciales, se establecen la expectativas; por lo tanto, se establece una puesta en escena. De tal forma, las prácticas lúdicas y ficcionales se configuran a partir de nuestra mirada del mundo e irremediablemente también reconfiguran esa misma mirada. El ser y el estar en un espacio es la especificidad mediática fundamental de los juegos de rol; dicho de otra manera, en los sistemas de juego de rol dentro de sus universos narrativos, en su …

The State Of The Child In Tennessee 2025, Tennessee. Commission On Children And Youth.

The State of the Child in Tennessee

No abstract provided.

Guiding Principles For Teaching About Genocide And Other Difficult Pasts, Kerry E. Whigham

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

This article outlines guiding principles for teaching “difficult pasts”—episodes of large-scale, identity-based violence such as genocide, crimes against humanity, colonialism, and enslavement—in ways that promote peace, human rights, and the prevention of future atrocities. Drawing from the fields of Holocaust and Genocide Education (HGE), Global Citizenship Education (GCED), Peace Education (PE), and Human Rights Education (HRE), it argues that instruction should move beyond the memorization of historical facts toward developing students’ socio-emotional and behavioral capacities to recognize and resist processes of othering, discrimination, and violence. The brief presents three main areas of guidance: curricular content, emphasizing conceptual understanding over rote …

An Accountability Myth: A Critical Analysis On High-Stakes Testing In U.S. Schools, Noelle E. Haskell

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

High-stakes testing has become synonymous with the United States (U.S.) education system. This began in the early 1900’s through the form of intelligence testing which was developed by several U.S. psychologists. Since then, high-stakes testing has taken on many forms. Popular policies such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Race to the Top, and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) have all taken aim at increasing academic achievement and holding schools accountable through high-stakes, standardized tests. Even through its varying forms, high-stakes tests have continued to perpetuate inequalities. Considering this, the current study examines how the rhetoric used in describing …

Interventions To Promote Menstrual Health Among Adolescents In Lmic’S: Protocol For A Systematic Review, Precilla Dsilva, Sudhir Prabhu Dr, Prajna Kumari Dr, Baby S. Nayak Dr, Judith Noronha Dr

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Background: Menarche brings out significant change in each girl’s life. Coping with the discomforts and adopting the body changes becomes a biggest challenge for every teen. Cost effective non pharmacological interventions will help to bring about improvement in the general wellbeing and quality of life in each adolescents life.

Objective: This review aims to determine the different menstrual interventions adopted by adolescent girls residing in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC’s). The Review question will be :What interventions are currently available, and how do they contribute in promoting menstrual health among adolescents from LMICs

Methods: This review will include …

Website Transparency Of Ophthalmology Residency Programs: A Cross-Sectional Study, Aaishwariya Gulani, Sruti Sai Rachapudi, Cherie Fathy, Fasika Woreta

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: There is an increasing call for transparency in the ophthalmology residency application process. With programs shifting to virtual interviews, the availability of information regarding each program is limited to website searches, which as is, are not reflective of the programs and what they offer to potential residents.

Purpose: To assess the transparency of the residency application process through assessment of program for the period 1 November 2022 to 31 December 2022.

Methods: Four main categories of variables were studied: selection criteria, interview process, program priorities, and program requirements. Every program’s website was reviewed and the four …

Self-Handicapping In Purdue Honors Students, Amanda Colip, Colin O'Donnell, Triniti Jenkins

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Child Care For Student Parents: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Policy And Politics In Nys, Elizabeth M. Starks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This policy analysis dissertation explores the complex and multifaceted challenges that exist within New York State’s early childhood care and education (ECCE) system by critically examining the amendment of one NYS social services law. Guided by Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis, this study examines two research questions (under one overarching question):

1. What language and arguments are effective in making change in Early Childhood policy in NYS?
   1. What is the policy discourse surrounding the amendment of subdivision 1 of section 410-w social services law in NYS?
   2. What is the political discourse surrounding the amendment of subdivision 1 of section 410-w social services …

Cybernest: A Step Forward For Training Cybersecurity Professionals, Justin Mott

Theses and Dissertations

The growing complexity of cyber threats has exposed a critical gap between academic cybersecurity education and the operational demands of the workforce. This thesis presents a pilot study for a use-case of CyberNEST, a simulation-based training platform that integrates adversary emulation and threat-informed learning to create realistic, hands-on experiences for cybersecurity students.(17) The system was designed to replicate Security Operations Center (SOC) environments and incident response workflows, allowing participants to investigate, analyze, and respond to simulated attacks under authentic conditions. This pilot-study performed training simulations using the CyberNEST platform, developed by Brigham Young University, with students, collecting data from pre- …

Kuleana Mākua: Native Hawaiian Parents' Exercise Of Agency In K-12 School Selection, Joseph Piikeha Kahaka`Ulamaikalaniki`Eki`E Hao

Theses and Dissertations

In this qualitative study the author investigates how Native Hawaiian parents on Hawai`i Island navigate educational choices for their children amidst a history of centralized, Western-dominated schooling and systemic cultural suppression. Grounded in Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), the research explores parent perceptions of different K–12 school types and the complex factors that drive their selection. Through semi-structured interviews and a card sort activity with sixteen Native Hawaiian parents (n = 16), the study confirms that parental choice is fundamentally an act of indigenous self-determination defined by Kuleana Mākua (parental responsibility, authority, and privilege). The findings reveal that parents’ choices …

Dnp Final Report: Hypertension Education In The Primary Care Setting, Michelle L. Sanders

DNP Final Reports

Background: Hypertension is a significant concern at the global, national, and local levels. If left untreated or improperly managed, it can result in severe health issues. Many patients in primary care settings have difficulty controlling their hypertension, which can lead to significant complications.

Practice question: What strategies can be implemented to help patients in primary care manage their hypertension more effectively?

PICOT: For patients age 18+ in a rural primary care clinic (P), how does the use of an education pamphlet (I) compared to no pamphlet use (C) affect patient management of hypertension(O) in three months? (T)

Body of …

The Educational Impact Of Taking Ethnic Studies In K12: A Mixed Methods Study Of Students In Ethnic Studies Courses, Lesley A. Rivera

Masters Theses (Archived)

This transformative mixed-methods study investigates the academic and personal impacts of Mexican American Studies (MAS) courses on South Texas high school students, addressing critical gaps in Texas-based research. Quantitative measures were combined with qualitative data from semi-structured interviews to reveal a comprehensive picture of MAS outcomes. While quantitative results show moderate academic gains, they also reveal MAS’s powerful role in fostering cultural understanding and student engagement. Qualitative analysis reinforces these findings through five intersecting themes: personal growth, representation, engagement and opportunities, empowerment, and challenges. Guided by Critical Race Theory, LatCrit, and Chicanx Studies, the research demonstrates that ethnic studies courses …

Phenomenological Qualitative Study Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Women With Terminal Degrees Related To The Gender Gap In Education Leadership Roles, Ashley Walker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the gender gap within education leadership for female teachers with terminal degrees within a Midwestern suburban school district and geographically similar educators recruited via Facebook. The theory that guided this study was Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy as it explains the relationship between self-efficacy and the choice to pursue professional leadership roles. Using purposeful and snowball sampling, 10 women were selected to participate in this study. Nine women who fit the selection criteria were recruited from the XYZ school district, and one participant was recruited via Facebook. Data were collected through …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of The Influence Of Leadership Styles On Teacher Retention In Rural Schools In South Carolina, Kayla Francena Carter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study explored the influence of principal leadership on teacher retention in rural schools in South Carolina. Grounded in the theoretical framework of self-efficacy, the study examined how specific leadership behaviors and practices shape teachers' decisions to remain in or leave their positions. The central research question guiding this study was: How does a principal's leadership style impact teacher retention in rural areas in South Carolina? A purposeful sample of 12 certified elementary, middle, and high school teachers with at least three years of experience working in rural schools participated in the study. Data was collected through open-ended …

Bridging The Gap: Optimizing Outpatient Care Delivery In Rural Kenya Through A Telemedicine Workflow Training Initiative, Elizabeth K. Bennett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Access to timely, high-quality outpatient care in rural Kenya is constrained by workforce shortages, geographic barriers, and inefficiencies in care delivery. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project evaluated the impact of implementing a structured telemedicine workflow and training program for a regional mission hospital in the highlands of Western Kenya and its satellite outpatient clinic. Guided by the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice, Kotter's Change Theory, and the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, the project employed a quasi-experimental, pre-post design, with eight medical providers participating in structured workshops, interactive telemedicine simulations, and workflow integration exercises. Impacts were …

From Public To Private: Understanding Parental Perceptions On Middle School Transitions, Joseph P. Peeden

Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore parents/guardians’ perceptions of their children’s transition from elementary to middle school, focusing on transitions to private middle schools and differences based on prior schooling (private versus public elementary) and gender. In this study, I addressed the lack of understanding regarding how private education transitions impacted students academically, socially, and culturally, including challenges related to social-emotional learning and cultural adjustment. I collected data from 75 parents/guardians using questionnaires and conducted 20 follow-up interviews in the Southeast United States to examine their experiences. I found that students transitioning from public schools to private …

Evaluating The Diagnostic Accuracy Of Ophthalmology Residents: Balancing Resident Autonomy With Patient Safety, Charles Zhang, Sinan Ersan, Timothy-Paul H. Kung, Yousef Yousef, Margaret M. Deangelis, Andrew L. Reynolds

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Ophthalmology residency programs aim to cultivate competent, independent-thinking ophthalmologists. However, achieving a balance between resident autonomy and patient safety presents a difficult challenge.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and safety of a resident-driven on-call model, wherein consulting with a senior resident or attending physician is at the discretion of a postgraduate year 2 or 3 resident.

Methods: This was a retrospective study evaluating emergency department ophthalmology consultations at Erie County Medical Center, a level one trauma center in Western New York, between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2021. Resident diagnoses and critical examination findings …