Education Commons^™

What Do The Voices Of Incarcerated Females Tell Educational Leaders About The Need For Mental Health Resources In Pk-12 Programs?, Phyllis E. Burger

Doctorate in Education

Statistical reports confirm that the female incarcerated population is not only increasing, but the frequency of mental disorders among this vulnerable population is accelerating. Women’s pathways to crime show that gender matters significantly in shaping criminality. The frequency of mental disorders among incarcerated females is much higher than that in the general female population; it is higher than that of incarcerated men. There is abundant literature about women in prison, however, little about the characteristics of females in county jails. The goals of this study were to understand both the demographics and characteristics of females in jail and responsive programming …

Navigating The Sexual Politics On The High School Campus: Testimonios Of Young Chicana/Latinas, Mayra Alejandra Lara

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

By employing pláticas y encuentros, this qualitative study examined the testimonios of Chicana/Latina youth and their experiences with navigating the sexual politics on the high school campus. Six young Chicana/Latinas, all of whom graduated from the same high school in South East Los Angeles, participated in the study. The study used two frameworks: Chicana/Latina feminist theory and critical pedagogy to analyze the young women’s testimonios. Findings speak of their daily struggle with adults policing, objectifying, and containing their bodies; as well as the benefit of a third space, counterspaces, for self-actualization. This study contributes to this field by identifying how …

Writing Ourselves Into Existence: A Spoken Word Artist’S Autoethnography Of A Liberatory Hip-Hop Pedagogy, Kahlil Almustafa Gasper

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

While there is growing research about the positive impact of teaching artists (TAs), these professional arts educators are an underused resource. As a TA, I have more than a decade of experience implementing spoken word and hip-hop as a pedagogical approach in urban public school classrooms. By conducting this autoethnographic study, I sought to explore insights from these 10 years of lived experience for understanding and documenting the critical principles of my practice as a TA. This autoethnography of my life as a TA tells stories from urban public school classrooms during my formative years as an educator. The research …

A Critical Interrogation Of The Mind, Brain, And Education Movement: Toward A Social Justice Paradigm, Bibinaz Pirayesh

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Much attention has been given to “bridging the gap” between research and practice since neuroscience research first made claim to its potential impact in classrooms. With the inception of Mind, Brain, and Education (MBE) as a new interdisciplinary field, an unprecedented opportunity to explore the educational implications of new research coming out of neuroscience has presented itself. And yet, the gap between research and practice persists while new problems arise as education looks to brain science for answers with ongoing social and academic difficulties faced by students. A critical bicultural methodology, grounded in a decolonizing interpretive approach, is utilized to …

En Busca De Un Futuro Mejor [In Search Of A Better Future]: Understanding Charter School Selection By Immigrant Latina/O Families, Carlos Alberto Garcia

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study focused on understanding the process immigrant Latina/o families in the greater Los Angeles area underwent when selecting a charter school for their children. Through narrative interviews, 13 participants shared their perspectives of how and why they chose a charter school, and detailed the factors they considered in their selection process. Through the theoretical framework of cultural community wealth, social and cultural capital, participants answered the research question why and how do immigrant Latina/o parents research and apply to charter schools, and what are the factors they consider in the decision-making process?

Participants described social networks as connections …

Intrinsic, Future-Oriented Goal Awareness And Two-Year College Graduation, Brent A. Stubbs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The two-year college graduation rate is at an all-time low. Curricular and program designs are not making the sweeping changes needed for the outcomes desired. While higher education continues to be sold as an economic good, research is pointing to the predictive nature of intrinsic, future-oriented goal (IFOG) awareness on sub-goal adoption and its relation to course success and intention to persist. This cross-sectional, correlational study desired to uncover the relation between IFOG and graduation. A modified version of the Aspirations index was provided to a group of new students and those on-target to graduate (last semester) in an effort …

A Phenomenological Study Of Teachers' Emotional Responses To Tkes, A High-Stakes Evaluation System, Kristina J. Hirsch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teachers experience a plethora of emotions relating to being evaluated and we are losing a lot of good teachers due to some of these emotions. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate how teachers at one rural high school describe their emotional responses to evaluation and the implementation of TKES as well as if there were gender differences in their responses. This research is important because teachers need to understand that their emotions are not taboo and they are not alone in the evaluation process. Additionally, evaluators benefit from knowing how teachers respond to evaluation so that they …

A Meta-Assessment Of An Institution's Administrative Assessment Processes, Cynthia Groover

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many institutions establish assessment teams to assist faculty in developing their knowledge of and confidence in conducting academic program assessment, and some extend these teams to address administrative and student affairs assessment as well. These teams may function as more formal distributed leadership models, as described by Spillane (2006), or they may be less formal groups with little or no leadership roles. Regardless of their level of formality, these teams are often used to implement other resources such as rubrics, peer review, and feedback, but the effectiveness of these resources and processes is not commonly reviewed through an intentionally designed …

Propuesta De Animación A La Lectura Para Niños Y Niñas Entre 7 Y 10 Años De Edad, A Través De La Música, Cindy Katherin Reyes Niño

Sistemas de Información, Bibliotecología y Archivística

El presente proyecto de investigación se desarrolló con el propósito fundamental de elaborar una propuesta de animación a la lectura que permitió evidenciar la importancia de vincular a la música para potencializar las habilidades y capacidades de comprensión lectora en los niños y niñas de 7 a 10 años. La metodología que se implementó se basó en los conceptos definidos por diferentes autores, se empleó el enfoque cualitativo, el tipo de investigación que se empleó fue explorador descriptiva, con método inductivo. Con relación a la técnica se empleó el análisis documental y entrevistas a expertos, para definir elementos teóricos y …

El Aprendizaje Del Inglés Como Lengua Extranjera En Adolescentes Del Instituto Aismer International A Través Del Método Experiencial De Kolb, Karen Lorena Erazon Chezar, Jhonnier Moreno Tique

Licenciatura en Español y Lenguas Extranjeras

Con la finalidad de resolver problemas cotidianos e inmediatos se buscó la transformación de una realidad social, específicamente, del aprendizaje del inglés como lengua extranjera. Esta investigación presenta los resultados logrados luego de aplicar el método experiencial de Kolb (2015), en las clases de inglés de estudiantes adolescentes del Instituto Asimer International. El objetivo de este trabajo fue favorecer el progreso en el nivel de dominio de lengua inglesa de los estudiantes de este Instituto de lenguas y de manera precisa fortalecer el nivel de desarrollo de su habilidad de comprensión de lectura. Se realizó entonces una implementación pedagógica que …

Identifying Predictors Of New Teacher Retention, Bonita Lanoza Maready

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifying Predictors of New Teacher Retention Abstract High teacher turnover is a financial and instructional problem in schools on the national, state, and district level. Because the greatest proportion of teacher attrition (not related to retirement) and turnover occurs in the first five years of beginning a teaching career, retaining new teachers is critical to the effective use of shrinking education budgets and bringing about instructional stability, particularly in high-poverty and high-minority schools and districts. The study utilized restricted-use data from the 2007-2012 Beginning Teacher Longitudinal Study (BTLS) to identify predictors of teachers remaining in their initial teaching assignment into …

The Relationship Of Underrepresented Minority Status With Choice Process When Considering The Physician Assistant Profession, Christina Hanson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Representation of African Americans, Latinos, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Alaskan Natives in the Physician Assistant (PA) profession is not growing at the same rate as in the general population, leaving these groups underrepresented in the PA profession. To increase the diversity of the PA profession, the diversity of matriculating PA students must first increase. The purpose of this study was to investigate the choice process of underrepresented minority (URM) and non-URM applicants and matriculants to PA school, to identify trends in the choice processes of URM individuals considering the PA profession. In this quantitative, retrospective study, chi-square analysis was performed …

Diversity Ideology In The Cccu: A Critical Discourse Analysis, Desiree Libengood

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As American demographics shift, it is necessary for institutions of higher education to adapt to the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. Christian colleges and universities have often been criticized for their lack of diversity efforts, and much of the existing research focuses on this deficiency. Some Christian institutions, however, work diligently to increase diversity on their campuses and to support the needs of a diverse student body. In the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), for example, several institutions with high commitment to diversity have received the Racial Harmony Award (RHA). Focusing specifically on racial/ethnic diversity in …

Consequences Of Postsecondary Education Institution Policies And Practices: A Structural Model Of Tuition Costs, Student Financial Aid, Selectivity, Proximity, And Enrolled Undergraduate Students' Aggregate Capital, Aaron Michael Skira

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

For decades, U.S. higher education enrollments have been stratified with students from wealthier households consistently attending postsecondary institutions at higher rates than low-income students. The disparity in postsecondary participation rates by family income is a systemic issue (M. J. Bailey & Dynarski, 2011), meaning the phenomenon is the result of a combination of factors within society rather than one factor alone. Guided by a critical theory perspective and the assumptions behind Perna’s (2006) proposed conceptual model for student college choice research, the current study sought to examine the extent to which policies and practices at the postsecondary institution level may …

Disability Resource Specialists' Capacity To Adopt Principles And Implement Practices That Qualify As Universal Design At A 4-Year Public Institution, Cecilia Spencer Grugan

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Due to the continuous growth of diverse student bodies on college campuses, creating accessibility for each unique student needs to be considered. Students who have a disability or disabilities are a substantial part of this growing diverse student body. Since disability resource specialists play a significant role in creating accessibility for such students, they can consider implementing practices that qualify as Universal Design. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore where disability resource specialists fall on Lewin's (1951) continuum of change and Reynold's (2009) levels of expertise in regards to implementing practices that qualify as Universal Design. Six …

Follower Commitment: The Impact Of Authentic Leadership's Positivity And Justice On Presenteeism, Caroline Antonia Drakeley

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Leadership behaviors are associated with organizational commitment for a unique niche of individuals - those who produce less work while in the workplace due to health-related problems, such as anxiety, stress, or depression. New research shows followers' perceptions of leaders' positive support and organizational justice (procedural and distributive) are significantly positively associated with followers' perceived organizational commitment. This quantitative correlational study explored the relationship between followers' perceptions of leadership support, leadership procedural justice, and leadership distributive justice, as well as their own perceptions of their emotional stability, and organizational commitment using the authentic leadership framework. Further research using multiple linear …

Instructional Data Teams And Data Literacy: Leaders Supporting The Work Of School Instructional Teams, Vicki Sherril Begin

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

A multiple case study was designed to examine the components of data literacy used by formal and informal leaders to support the work of Data Teams. Nine formal leaders and ten informal leaders constituted the participants. One overarching central question and seven subquestions guided the research. The answer to the central question, How do leaders’ influence the Data Team?, was informed by the seven subquestions: (1) How do leaders initiate discussions about data that create a catalyst for meaningful action?, (2) How do leaders determine the data used to support the work of the Data Team?, (3) How do leaders …

From Policy To Practice: Exploring Principals’ Experiences In Facilitating The Implementation Of Cross Curricular Literacy Standards To Early Adolescents, Sherri Betton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research has shown that early adolescents continue to need literacy development in middle school. Furthermore, states that adopted the current comprehensive school reform policy must implement literacy instruction across content areas in grades six through twelve. This study will explore principals’ experiences as they facilitate the implementation of cross-curricular literacy standards. Qualitative case study methodology will be used to examine the perceptions of seven middle school principals as they act as change agents in the implementation process.

An Examination Of Bullying In Catholic Middle Schools In The Pacific And Mountain States In The United States, Margaret Murphey

Doctoral Dissertations

Every child has a right to feel safe at school. The highest prevalence of bullying occurred in middle school grades 6 through 8. In a school environment, bullying can inhibit student learning, as it may cause a great deal of pain, anxiety, and stress for the victim. Bullying and aggressive behavior have negative effects on student learning and students’ attitudes toward school. The occurrence of bullying can change the expectation of security in a school climate. Schools need to teach acceptance toward all differences, an appreciation of diversity, and the significance of various collective customs and social characteristics that all …

Experiences Of Women Stem Professors Who Are Considering Leadership Positions At Research Universities, Cheri Liebow

Doctoral Dissertations

Empirical evidence is needed to discern the reasons for inequities among those with doctorates hired in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. It is necessary to create a successful and motivational atmosphere for various types of female leaders who are seeking opportunities to become leaders, especially in STEM fields. This qualitative-method study used an exploratory design. The study first sought to gather information about female STEM professors’ experiences through open-ended qualitative interviews to explain gaps in details of women’s experiences as professors in STEM departments of universities. Second, the researcher sought to discern common themes in interview responses for …

School Leaders' And Educators' Perceptions Of Ignatian Identity At Jesuit Cristo Rey Schools, William Bludgus

Doctoral Dissertations

This study utilized a mixed-methods, embedded multiple-case study approach; school leaders and educators were invited to complete the study’s survey, and three in-depth interviews were conducted at each school. The six Jesuit, Cristo Rey schools in the study were those, which are solely sponsored by the Society of Jesus, and which have existed for at least eight years. The study’s survey instrument, the CRIGNIS, is an adaptation of the Jesuit Schools Network’s IGNatian Identity Survey; each item of the CRIGNIS was validated for alignment to one of the ten “distinguishing criteria” from What Makes a Jesuit High School Jesuit? (Jesuit …

The Relationship Of Work Stressors And Perceived Organizational Support On Nurse Manager Work Engagement In Geriatric Care, Jacob Michael Goering

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationship of work stressors and perceived organizational support on work engagement for nurse managers in geriatric care practice settings. A non-experimental descriptive, cross sectional design examined the relationship in nurse managers working for member organizations of two Minnesota aging services trade associations: LeadingAge and Care Providers. Four instruments measured work engagement, work stressors, and perceived organizational support. Study instruments were: (1) the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES); (2) the Challenge-Hindrance Stressor Scale (CHSS); (3) the Survey of Perceived Organizational Support (SPOS); and (4) the Practice Environment Scale – Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) developed by Kramer and …

Testing A Model Of Servant Leadership's Influence On Follower Outcomes: Exploring Mediation Effects Of Follower Trust And Prosocial Identity, Dante P. Myers

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Servant leadership is beginning to emerge as a premier positive leadership approach in the 21st century. However, recent theoretical propositions detailing the process through which servant leadership impacts outcomes has not been tested. Using the JD-R framework, the present study investigates follower prosocial identity and follower trust as key mediators of the relationship between servant leadership and follower job satisfaction, organizational commitment, organizational citizenship behaviors, community citizenship behaviors, and turnover intentions. Research participants included 578 working adults recruited from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) that responded to three surveys separated by approximately one month each. The hypothesized model was tested using …

An Exploration Of Faculty And Staff Mentoring On High-Risk Community College Student Self-Efficacy, Support Systems, And Persistence, William E. Ashcraft

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of faculty and staff mentoring on high-risk community college student self-efficacy, support systems and persistence and identifying the attitudes and behaviors of successful faculty and staff mentors. Using a phenomenological qualitative approach, twenty-two successful high-risk students from one urban community college were interviewed and asked to identify and describe someone on campus who had been most influential in their ability to persist. The twenty-six community college faculty and staff personnel identified by these students were interviewed to learn what they do to help students succeed and persist. Four themes emerged …

The Manifestation Of Principal Training: Preparing Assistant Principals For Assuming The Role Of Building Leader, April S. Hodges

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Today’s school principals are required to lead in a new environment marked by unprecedented responsibilities, challenges, and managerial opportunities requiring them to be trained to face these challenges. Although a great deal of literature exists on the specific issues that should be addressed or considered when trying to redesign or restructure a leadership program, there was little that explicitly addressed the assistant principal or how that position specifically could be used to help better prepare aspiring leaders for the role of principal. Therefore, the purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to provide a greater depth of knowledge and understanding …

The Confidence To Engage: Conflict Engagement Styles Of Academic And Student Affairs Deans In A Large, Midwestern State College And University System, Aaron Peterson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Conflict engagement is an integral part of higher education. Academic and student affairs deans are certainly no exception to this concept. This study examines reported conflict approaches of academic and student affairs deans in a large Midwestern state college and university system using the Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II (ROCI-II). There are four hypotheses of the study. The first was that academic and student affairs deans at four-year universities would report a compromising style. The second was that academic and student affairs deans at two-year community and technical colleges would report an integrating style. The third was that male deans would …

What Happens Now? Coaching And Leading Following A Student-Athlete Death - A Phenomenological Study, Peter Mcgahey

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

College students die and sometimes these students are student-athletes. This transcendental phenomenological study described and explored the lived leadership experiences, related to the components of Transformational Leadership, of NCAA sports team coaches who led their team following an unexpected death of a student-athlete. No research to date had focused on this leadership phenomenon. Five NCAA sport team head coaches participated in semi-structured interviews to learn more about their coaching leadership experiences during this time of crisis. The study participants shared their intensely emotional and personal leadership experiences of leading and coaching their teams during a time of crisis. There were …

My Truth, My Telling: Experiences Of Black Women Principals In A Poetry-Themed Workshop On Race And Gender, Antonia Felix

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Teaching gaps reveal that students of color, who make up the majority of public school enrollees in the United States, do not receive instruction that provides them with the tools to achieve. Evidence of a link between principals and student achievement in the literature has cultivated an interest in improving principal leadership as a means of reversing persistent teaching gaps (National Association of Secondary School Principals & National Association of Elementary School Principals, 2013). This study provides evidence of the systemic racism permeating public education as experienced by black women principals who are engaged in equity work to close teaching …

African-Centered Pedagogy: Exploring Black Male Identity And Achievement Through An African-Centered Lens, Kenneth Turner Jr.

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This mixed method study researched African-centered pedagogy and examined if it made a difference for Black males in middle school. The study examined what it meant to be Black for the participants through administering the Multidimensional Model of Black Identity (MMBI) which measures Black males' connections to their own cultural group. Students were asked three semi-structured questions about their experiences in school. In addition, MCA test scores and GPA were compared. Twenty-four middle school students participated for two different middle school types in Minnesota: one traditional school and one African-Centered school. Findings revealed that there were substantially different scores on …

Building Teacher Efficacy: Challenges Of Creating Communities Of Practice Among New Teachers And Veteran Teachers In A Toxic Work Environment, J Lail

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

Recently, changes in graduation requirements in some states have made it more important than ever for students to be literate in all content areas. State assessments not only measure student academic ability, but they are a necessary component of graduation from high school. After completing required courses, students are expected to take assessments covering the content of those courses. In order to safely meet the graduation requirement, students must score at least 3 points per assessment on a 5-point scale. This has proven difficult for over 50% of students expecting to graduate.

Students at Midwestern-American High School (MAHS) have been …