Digital Commons Network^™

The Standardization Of Teaching: Minnesota Elementary Teacher Perceptions Of Academic Standards In 21st-Century Classrooms, Katie Rotvold

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This sequential explanatory mixed methods study examined how Minnesota elementary teachers’ perceptions of academic standards and assessment influence their instructional practices in the context of 21st-century classrooms. Guided by Ajzen’s (1991) Theory of Planned Behavior, the study explored teachers’ attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control related to implementing academic standards. Quantitative data were collected through an online questionnaire completed by 221 Minnesota elementary teachers, followed by qualitative analysis of open-ended survey responses and semi-structured interviews with four teachers. Results indicated that teachers generally held positive attitudes toward academic standards, perceived strong expectations from administrators and state policymakers to implement …

What Leadership And Operational Strategies Should Twin Cities Black-Led Charter Schools Have To Promote School Improvement, Enhance Student Achievement, And Ensure Sustained Organizational Success?, Donald W-R. Allen, Ii

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

Allen, D. (2026). What Leadership and Operational Strategies should Twin Cities Black-led Charter Schools have to Promote School Improvement, Enhance Student Achievement, and Ensure Sustained Organizational Success?  

This dissertation examined my story along with the leadership and operational strategies employed by Twin Cities Black-led charter schools to support school improvement, enhance student achievement, and sustain long-term organizational success. Black-led charter schools emerged as community-centered educational alternatives designed to provide culturally responsive learning environments for Black students and families while addressing persistent educational inequities. Despite their important role within Minnesota's educational landscape, limited empirical research has examined the organizational conditions that …

Beyond Casebooks: Law School’S Hidden Curriculum, Nubia Nelly Esparza

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods study sought to understand how the hidden curriculum affects first-generation, marginalized, and underrepresented law students and attorneys, what educational and career opportunities they have missed as a result of not knowing these unwritten rules, and what law schools could do to better prepare this population for the realities of legal education and practice. Data were collected through an anonymous online survey and a focus group with first-generation law students and attorneys who have been in the profession for ten years or less. Analysis of the data was mapped against the Conceptual Framework of the Hidden Curriculum in …

Investigating Culicoides Diversity, Distribution, And Behavior In Arkansas, Cassandra Steele

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are globally important vectors of pathogens affecting livestock and wildlife. In the United States (US), transmission of bluetongue virus (BTV), epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) results in economic losses and periodic mortality events of wild and domestic ruminants. Culicoides sonorensis is the confirmed vector of BTV and EHDV in the western regions of the US, however this species is uncommon throughout much of the eastern and southeastern US, where hemorrhagic diseases remain endemic. There are likely other putative vector species responsible for pathogen transmission. This research investigated Culicoides diversity, distribution, …

South Dakota County Population Trends : Population Estimates And Components Of Change, April 1, 2020 - July 1, 2025, Weiwei Zhang

Center for Rural Vitality and Community Well-being Project Reports

DOI: 10.62812//GRRV1852

Interactive map:  https://arcg.is/1jeTb83

This report is in relation to this interactive map that shows how population change varied across South Dakota’s 66 counties between April 1, 2020 and July 1, 2025. It distinguishes overall population gain or loss and the demographic components behind those changes: natural change—births minus deaths—and net migration—people moving into a county minus those moving out.

Overview: 
South Dakota’s population increased from an April 1, 2020 estimates base of 886,656 to 935,094 on July 1, 2025, a gain of 48,438 residents, or 5.5%. This base-to-2025 growth rate ranked 13th among the 50 states. Measured instead …

Doctor Decision Making And Patient Outcomes, Janet Currie, W. Bentley Macleod, Kate Musen

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

Doctors often treat similar patients differently, which affects health outcomes and medical spending. We assess the recent literature on doctor decision making through the lens of a model that incorporates diagnostic and procedural skills, beliefs, incentives, and differences in patient pools. Decision making is affected by beliefs, training, experience, peer effects, financial incentives, and time constraints. Interventions to improve decision making include providing information, guidelines, and technologies like electronic medical records and algorithmic decision tools. Economists have made progress in understanding doctor decision making, but applications of that knowledge to improving health care are still limited.

Relationship Between Sociodemographic Characteristics At Presentation And Outcomes Of Provoked Venous Thromboembolism In United States Children: A Secondary Analysis Of The Multinational Kids-Duration Of Therapy For Thrombosis Trial., Hope P. Wilson, Maua M. Alleyne, Sanjay Ahuja, Ernest Amankwah, Aisha Bruce, Shannon L. Carpenter, Fernando F. Corrales-Medina, Craig A. Mullen, Arun Panigrahi, Lakshmi Srivaths, Courtney D. Thornburg, Anupam Verma, Gary Woods, Neil A. Goldenberg, Madhvi Rajpurkar

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with adverse long-term sequelae, including recurrence and development of chronic venous insufficiency following limb deep vein thrombosis (postthrombotic syndrome [PTS]). Adult VTE studies have demonstrated that lower socioeconomic status, Black race, and Latinx ethnicity are associated with an increased risk of recurrence. Clinical trial-derived pediatric VTE data are limited.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess whether clinical features of provoked VTE and outcomes vary across sociodemographic characteristics and proxies for social determinants of health among children enrolled in the Kids-duration of therapy for thrombosis trial.

METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis …

Environmental And Socioeconomic Effects Of Roundtable On Sustainable Palm Oil Certification: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Kibrom T. Sibhatu, Matin Qaim

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Palm oil is the most widely produced and consumed vegetable oil worldwide, but its production is associated with deforestation and other environmental and social problems. Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is the only internationally-recognized voluntary certification standard aimed at mitigating such problems. Many studies examine RSPO’s effects on particular outcomes in specific contexts, but a consolidated global assessment is lacking. Here, we systematically review the literature and identify 53 original studies covering RSPO effects in various countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Where data availability permits, we also conduct meta-analysis. Results reveal that RSPO can lead to environmental …

Infrastruktur, Kelembagaan Tani, Kemandirian Ekonomi Desa: Geografi Dan Paradoks Kepemimpinan Di Indonesia, Tri Wahyu Cahyono

Jurnal Ekonomi dan Pembangunan Indonesia

This study examines determinants of village economic independence (PADes) in Indonesia, focusing on infrastructure, social capital, and leadership. Using 2024 PODES census data (N=84,240) and clustered logistic regression, results show road infrastructure as the strongest factor (OR: 2.27). A “leadership paradox” emerges, where higher education of village heads negatively correlates with PADes formation. Geographic analysis reveals infrastructure effectiveness depends on topography, with lowland areas gaining the greatest structural advantage. Findings highlight the need for topography-based policy differentiation to strengthen fiscal independence in rural Indonesia.

Hmong Cultural Literacy Curriculum To Preserve The Hmong Language And Culture, Pa Kou Vang

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The Hmong language is considered a dying language as Hmong youth feel the pressure to assimilate into American culture and language while adapting to economic and survival needs in the United States. The curriculum designed for this project uses the concept of culturally sustaining pedagogy, which provides a theoretical framework for designing an instructional unit focused on Hmong language, history, and cultural identity. The purpose of this capstone was to develop an instructional unit that supports Hmong language and cultural preservation among Hmong students at the secondary grade level. To inform the curriculum’s development, a comparative study was conducted in …

American History And Immigration: Creating A Comprehensive Immigration Unit For An American History Class, Hawkens Bory-Baar

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone addresses a deficit in social studies curricula which overemphasizes factual recitation of a narrow selection of history. Understanding that ethnic studies is another social studies topic which provides the lacking elements from mainstream history teaching, this project attempts to design an American history unit that is informed by the principles of ethnic studies and culturally relevant pedagogy. The research question being asked is: how can we best design an immigration unit for Minnesota studies or American history that effectively integrates ethnic studies into a mainstream curriculum? To achieve this goal, a unit has been designed that focuses on …

Decolonizing Minnesota Mathematics: Incorporating Indigeneity Into Middle School Mathematics, Tia Ahmed

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The invisibility of Native Americans in mainstream mathematics education has contributed to the academic underachievement and cultural disconnect experienced by Native American youth. Grounded in the frameworks of Tribal Critical Race Theory (TribalCrit), culturally relevant teaching, and ethnomathematics, this project investigates: How can the historical and current cultural contexts, mathematical understandings, perspectives, and issues relating to Dakota, Anishinaabe, and Urban Indigenous communities be incorporated into Minnesota middle school math curriculum in a way that fosters strong math identities among Native American students and supports the needs of Minnesota’s American Indian tribes and communities? Along with research on the intersectionality of …

Enhancing Second Language Acquisition Through Hands-On Learning In French Immersion Schools, Vanessa Hendrikson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Learning a second language at school is a valuable experience. However, the journey toward fluency can sometimes be long and challenging for both students and educators. This capstone explores how hands-on learning activities can support second language learning by providing students with meaningful and engaging experiences. It is guided by the research question: How can hands-on learning activities support second language acquisition among students in French immersion schools? Grounded in research on second language acquisition and experiential learning, the project examines how games, manipulatives, and other hands-on activities can help students build their language skills while providing opportunities for authentic …

The Contested Contingent Constitution: Plutocrats, Right-Wing Populists, And Labor Rights In The U.S., Kate Andrias

Faculty Scholarship

Constitutional labor rights have long been negligible in the United States. Now, with the ascendance of Donald Trump’s right-wing authoritarianism, even statutory labor rights are under threat. Yet there is an apparent paradox: While the Trump Administration seeks to declare the NLRB unconstitutional and has decimated federal workers’ rights, Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement rose to power in part by invoking the plight of the American worker. The more populist wing of the American Right does not expressly challenge the constitutionality of labor law. Indeed, some right-wing populists urge an expansion of labor rights, emphasizing such goals as …

Analysis Of Physicians Who Trained And Remain At Lehigh Valley Healthnetwork, Partof Jefferson Health: Factors Influencing Satisfaction And Retention, Michela Biondi, Terri Vian, Joseph E. Patruno Md

Research Scholars

No abstract provided.

Multi-Parameter Assessment Of Land Degradation Vulnerability In Ranya And Pshdar Regions Using Geospatial Techniques, Kaifi Chomani

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

Land degradation poses a significant threat to the stability of the ecological and socio-environmental characteristics of the Ranya and Pshdar (RP) region in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The fragile environmental and physical dynamics of the RP regions make it considerably vulnerable to land degradation. This study integrates remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to address this issue, as these techniques provide a robust framework for mapping land degradation vulnerability in the RP regions of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Ten critical environmental and physical parameters were analyzed and considered to model …

The Impacts Of Urbanisation On Housing And Infrastructure In Nigeria: Implications For Environmental Sustainability, Nathan Udoinyang, Reuben Daniel, Johnson Aborivwighre Iteku, Edna Abibetu Abidde, Salami Hope E, Violet Abieyuwa Imariagbontua, Okose Faith Nneka

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to collect and analyse data on urbanisation and its impact on housing and infrastructure in Nigeria. A survey of 400 households in urban areas of Nigeria was conducted, and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including government officials, urban planners, and community leaders, were held. Secondary data were also obtained from existing sources, such as the National Bureau of Statistics and the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. The study found that urbanisation has led to a housing shortage, increased housing costs, and inadequate infrastructure development in Nigeria. It also …

Metaphysics Of Parallel Heritage In The Formulation Of The Contemporary Cityscape, Ban Mohammed Sultan, Abbas Ali Hamza Al Greiza

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

In the contemporary globalized world, the metaphysical texts of parallel heritage play a vital role in preserving the identity and privacy of cities with historical cores by conveying both the authenticity of the past and the spirit of the age in architectural production. The research problem addresses a cognitive deficiency in reading the metaphysics of parallel heritage within the urban landscape of Haifa Street, proposing it as a text that mediates between heritage and contemporaneity. The research hypothesizes that these metaphysical texts contain a creative core that functions as a future-oriented cognitive model. Using a descriptive–analytical approach, the study analyzes …

Geospatial Assessment Of Urban Expansion And Green Area Decline In Karbala Using Machine Learning: Supporting The Achievement Of Sdgs, Doaa Taha Yaseen, Oday Zakariya Jasim

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

Urban sprawl is a major challenge to sustainable development. This research examines geospatial patterns of urban growth and vegetation cover reduction in the Karbala District between 2017 and 2024. Sentinel-2 satellite imagery classification using a Support Vector Machine (SVM) model was evaluated, and accuracy was assessed using confusion matrices and a comparative evaluation against the Esri Sentinel Land Cover dataset. The SVM approach provided better classification precision. The change-detection analysis shows that the conversion of green and cultivated lands into built-up areas is significant. Although there has been an expansion of pivot-irrigated areas in other districts of the Karbala Governorate, …

Urban Stigmergy: A Traceability Approach Towards The Development Of Baghdad, Nada Abdulmueen Hasan, Shireen K. Zedan

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

Interdisciplinary urban research has pointed to finite attempts to the fact apply and develop stigmergic approaches the concept has not gained widespread acceptance in the field of urban design despite paving the way for significant opportunities and possibilities for city development, thus the research framework represent the concept of stigmergy within a specific approach to traceability impact which stimulates stigmergic behavior in the urban environment, and results in the generation of a set of urban development mechanisms the research objective focuses on exploring the mechanisms of the traceability approach within urban stigmergy scenarios and their role in the development of …

“Retalhos De Mim Costurados Por Nós” (A Patchwork Of Me, Stitched Together By Us), Marjorye Graves

MFA in Dance Theses

This document represents the culmination of my thesis project "Retalhos de Mim Costurados por Nós" (A Patchwork of Me, Stitched Together by Us), a choreographic project integrating scholarly perspectives from Dance and Social Justice, Phenomenology, and Somatics courses. Employing both dance film and solo live performance, the research interrogates the complexities of identity within the overlapping contexts of immigration, domestic violence, and motherhood. Through an embodied praxis, the project addresses the intersection of adversity and resilience, highlighting the transformative potential of community, cultural inheritance, and spirituality in my healing process.

Characterization Of River Cane Morphology, Density And Biomass In Sun And Shade In Stream Riparian Zones In Northwest Arkansas, Emily Shy-Anne Carter

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

River cane, or Arundinaria gigantea Walter (Muhl.), ecosystems serve as ecological and cultural keystones, offering wildlife habitat, streambank stabilization, and construction/craft material for Native groups who utilize river cane. However, these ecosystems have declined substantially because of overgrazing, land conversion, and fire suppression, resulting in reduced patch size and culm morphology. Historically widespread across floodplains and riparian zones, canebrakes, or monotypic forests of river cane, have been restricted to small fragments. This study evaluated how canopy cover influences light availability, culm morphology, density, and biomass of river cane across eight riparian sites in Northwest Arkansas to inform restoration efforts. Light …

Comparative Evaluation Of Similarity Metrics For Multi-Vendor Origin–Destination Matrix Comparison: A Case Study Using Data From Three Probe Data Vendors In Arkansas, Sagar Silwal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The proliferation of commercial probe data vendors has posed both opportunities and challenges for transportation agencies regarding the choice of reliable vehicle probe data for decision making purposes. Probe data is a form of passive mobility data representing a small fraction of the traveling population. Vendors aggregate mobility data from different sources including GPS enabled smartphones, telematics systems, and connected vehicles. They possess unique data collection methodologies, sampling mechanisms, and expansion algorithms which introduce variability in derived traffic performance measures like speed and volume. The overall objective of this work is to assess similarities and differences among probe data vendors …

An Epilepsy Community Collective Towards Occupational Justice And Empowerment, Tyler Debuty

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Underutilization of epilepsy-specific resource programs, lack of public awareness about epilepsy, limitations in community belonging, and implications for self-management programs aimed towards improving quality of life and reducing the burden of care during the transition into adulthood and throughout the lifespan for people with epilepsy.

Production Country Origin Impact On Soybean Oil Quality, Huazhen Liu, Micah Pope, Todd Doehring, Pradeep Kachroo, David Hildebrand

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

Previous studies have suggested variability in soybean oil quality depending on geographic origin of the soybeans. In this study, 1035 crude degummed soybean oil (raw oil unrefined except for degumming) samples collected from vessels and crushers over five harvest years (2020–2024) were analyzed for 11 key quality attributes. Soybean oil samples were sourced from soybeans that originated from the United States, Brazil, and Argentina. The results indicate that US-grown soybeans consistently produce the highest-quality oil, characterized by the lowest free fatty acid (FFA) levels and lowest neutral oil loss (NOL). Oils from US soybeans also exhibited the highest iodine values. …

Life After Divorce: Effects Of Joint Custody On Parents And Children, Stella Canessa, Gordon B. Dahl, Anna Hasselqvist, Costas Meghir, Susan Niknami, Mårten Palme, Helmut Rainer, Olof Rosenqvist, Pengpeng Xiao

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

Divorce reshapes family life, yet little is known about one of its most consequential features: the allocation of child custody. We study the impact of joint versus sole custody on both parents and children using rich administrative data from Sweden linked to over 25 years of newly-collected court custody rulings. To address selection concerns, we exploit random assignment of custody disputes to judges who differ sharply in their propensity to grant joint custody. For fathers, joint custody substantially raises earnings and improves mental health, consistent with sustained paternal involvement enhancing labor market attachment and psychological well-being. In contrast, there are …

Modernizing Civic Building Design For Emergency Shelter Operations: An Architectural Framework With Proposed Design Guidelines For 21st-Century Shelter Readiness, Enrique M. Peralta

Theses

The frequency and severity of climate-related disasters are rising globally, resulting in the displacement of millions of individuals each year. Although this is a worldwide issue, the present research concentrates on the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut tri-state region, where severe storms, flooding, prolonged power outages, and other natural hazards frequently necessitate the activation of emergency shelters. While schools, community centers, and other civic buildings are commonly designated for emergency shelter operations, these facilities were not originally designed to accommodate displaced groups during such events. This study focuses on the immediate sheltering period following a disaster, defined as the …

Institutional Barriers To Agro-Food Export Upgrading: Evidence From Indonesia’S Modified Cassava Flour Sector, Arie Kusuma Paksi, Fiya Ainur Rohmatika, Melvin Jabar

DLSU Business & Economics Review

The growing global demand for functional and sustainable foods has prompted developing countries to explore alternative exports, including Indonesia’s modified cassava flour (MOCAF). Despite its environmental benefits and gluten-free properties, MOCAF’s penetration into European markets remains limited. This study examines institutional barriers constraining MOCAF exports using Scott’s framework of regulative, normative, and cognitive institutions. A qualitative approach combined in- depth interviews, town hall meetings, and secondary data from governmental and international sources. Findings show that institutional constraints, rather than product quality alone, hinder European Union market entry and reduce competitiveness. Regulative barriers include fragmented logistics and high certification costs. Normative …

A Long Loop, Dan Wessner

GHEA21 Publications

No abstract provided.

Current Trends In Remote Sensing-Based Harmful Algal Bloom Research: A Bibliometric Analysis, Joshua T. Ruiz

Research Papers

No abstract provided.