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Full-Text Articles in Education

A Multiple-Site Case Inquiry To Identify The Attributes Of Socio-Academic Culture In Successful Entry-To-Practice Respiratory Therapy Programs, Thomas D. Jones Apr 2024

A Multiple-Site Case Inquiry To Identify The Attributes Of Socio-Academic Culture In Successful Entry-To-Practice Respiratory Therapy Programs, Thomas D. Jones

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Background: Organizational structure and culture have been explored extensively in higher education. Nonacademic factors influence student engagement, motivation, and success. Research describing socio-academic culture in health professions programs is limited. Achievement of fundamental social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies empowers students to learn and achieve educational goals. SEL has not been established as a theoretical framework in health professions education. SEL competencies closely align with respiratory therapy (RT) learner needs and essential professional skills. Attributes of socio-academic culture in successful RT programs and their impact on student success are unknown. Objective: To identify the attributes of socio-academic culture in successful entry-to-practice respiratory …


Promoting College Retention For Minority First-Generation Students: The Importance Of Transitional Adjustment, Academic Support, And Validation, Jacoby A. Watkins Apr 2024

Promoting College Retention For Minority First-Generation Students: The Importance Of Transitional Adjustment, Academic Support, And Validation, Jacoby A. Watkins

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

College retention is a topic of concern for many leaders of post-secondary institutions. This study explores the multifaceted elements of a summer bridge program aimed at bolstering college retention for minority first-generation students through a combination of mentorship, academic support, and community-building initiatives. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationships between the essential elements of first-generation minority college students’ participation in the summer bridge program and how these elements may affect retention rates at a local four-year institution in Southeast Florida. Using a survey instrument as the research methodology, the researcher investigated the program's impact on students' …


The Impact Of Using Embedded Learning Assistants In Mathematics Courses, Lyyne Y. O'Dell Apr 2024

The Impact Of Using Embedded Learning Assistants In Mathematics Courses, Lyyne Y. O'Dell

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This study’s purpose was to determine whether the use of course-embedded learning assistants compared to sections that did not use course-embedded learning assistants in intermediate algebra courses impacted student performance at a community college. The sample was composed of 5,738 students who were enrolled in an intermediate algebra course between fall 2016 and fall 2019. The study’s research methodology was considered causal-comparative, and a non-probability, convenient, and purposive sampling technique was used for all students using archived pre and post-test scores for all participants, then by student demographics African American and socioeconomically disadvantaged students. Statistically significant treatment effects were observed …


Case Study Exploring Training For Assembly Of God Pastors, Robert W. Shader Apr 2024

Case Study Exploring Training For Assembly Of God Pastors, Robert W. Shader

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Abstract Pastors in the Assembly of God fellowship have several options regarding types of pastoral training. Conducting a multiple case study qualitative study, the researcher interviewed 12 pastors with 2-6 years of ministry experience who had primary training in a specific category: higher education, on-the-job training, hands-on internships, or credentialing programs. The researcher utilized a transformational leadership framework and asked questions related to idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration. The findings suggest each training method (higher education, hands-on internship, on-the-job training, and credentialing programs) equipped pastors to demonstrate aspects of transformational leadership.


Elementary Teachers’ Perception Of Digital Resources Based On Student Achievement, Tanya R. Small Oct 2023

Elementary Teachers’ Perception Of Digital Resources Based On Student Achievement, Tanya R. Small

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Many factors impact teachers’ decisions about when and how to implement technology during instruction. However, a gap exists in understanding teachers’ motivations for technology integration and face-to-face instruction. Therefore, this qualitative case study explored how teachers’ perceptions of student achievement, motivation, classroom behaviors, and digital challenges influenced their decisions about using technology or direct instruction in the classroom setting. A group of 20 teachers from two southern Florida public elementary schools completed anonymous Likert-scale surveys; six teachers participated in semi-structured interviews. The findings determined via descriptive statistics and thematic analysis revealed that teachers’ inclusion of technology and traditional resources is …


Introversion Versus Extroversion In Dpt Students’ Burnout Prevalence, Shana L. Carter Oct 2023

Introversion Versus Extroversion In Dpt Students’ Burnout Prevalence, Shana L. Carter

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this non-experimental study was to determine if Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student personality type, introverts versus extroverts, and student selfreported burnout levels were different and whether DPT students reported burnout during program completion. The participant sample consisted of 54 DPT students enrolled in a flex program at one private DPT program in Northern Florida were surveyed using the MBTI and MBI-SS (G) to determine personality type and whether students felt burnout while completing the program. The results of the study revealed non-statistically significant findings for the levels of burnout reported for both students identified as introvert …


Accreditation As A Framework For School Improvement: A Quantitavite Study, Michael A. Burroughs Jul 2023

Accreditation As A Framework For School Improvement: A Quantitavite Study, Michael A. Burroughs

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This study investigated the perceptions of heads of schools from accredited schools concerning whether the accreditation process, as prescribed by the League of Christian Schools (LCS), leads to improvement in leadership capacity and the impact of instruction on the learning environment. The League of Christian Schools has developed an accreditation process that is based in systems theory as espoused by Senge (2006), which contributed to the theoretical framework for this study. Administrators in LCS member K12 schools provided 25 responses to an anonymous online survey. Quantitative data were collected and analyzed to determine perceptions regarding increased organizational capacities in the …


The Educational Experience Of Children In Foster Care, Autumn Brueckmann Apr 2023

The Educational Experience Of Children In Foster Care, Autumn Brueckmann

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Children in foster care face a myriad of challenges in educational development. Conducting a phenomenological study, the researcher interviewed eight foster parents licensed in the state of Florida regarding the educational experiences of children in foster care. From the holistic perspective the data set provided, the researcher described the educational experience of children in foster care using the five themes: challenges, meeting needs, deficiencies, support systems, and behaviors of foster parents. Though children in foster care face many challenges, community members such as foster parents and case managers work to meet the needs of children in care. However, because of …


An Exploratory Study Of Elementary School Students’ Reading Performance Scores Before And After Covid-19, Timothy Goodman Mar 2023

An Exploratory Study Of Elementary School Students’ Reading Performance Scores Before And After Covid-19, Timothy Goodman

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this study was to explore the reading performance scores of elementary school students in one school district before and after school closures due to COVID-19. This nonexperimental, exploratory study of quantitative, archival data was designed to explore a single cohort (N = 2,006) of third- through fifth-grade students’ i-Ready reading diagnostic scale scores from five different assessment periods: before school closures in spring 2020 and four subsequent assessment periods after face-to-face instruction resumed in fall 2020. The research sample excluded exceptional student education students and English language learners who had been retained. Mean scale scores of …


The Relationship Between Introverted Student Behavior And Teacher Perception Of Student Engagement, Megan M. Dubee Oct 2022

The Relationship Between Introverted Student Behavior And Teacher Perception Of Student Engagement, Megan M. Dubee

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this quantitative survey study was to investigate if a relationship exists between introverted student behavior and teacher perception of student engagement. The purposive sample was composed of high school teachers in the United States. Using the Engagement Rating Scale, teachers scored student engagement across four domains when considering two descriptions of students. One student was described using characteristics of an introvert; teachers then completed an identical version of the scale for a second student who was described using characteristics of an extravert. Independent samples t-tests were used to analysis differences in scores by personality type and revealed …


The Effectiveness Of Professional Development On The Literature-Based Chinese Teaching, Gracelynn G. Knapp Oct 2022

The Effectiveness Of Professional Development On The Literature-Based Chinese Teaching, Gracelynn G. Knapp

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The surge in Chinese language learning as CSL/CFL increases needs for quality teacher professional development training. Although researchers report advantages of employing literature and confirm the value of literature in teaching foreign language, few studies focused on CSL/CFL teacher training, specifically, for the use of literature-based Chinese language teaching for CSL/CFL classes. Professional Development (PD) provided opportunities for Chinese teachers to learn and practice strategies that are necessary to teach CSL/CFL with literature-based teaching. The researcher conducted the PD training evaluation to determine the significant effect on the Chinese teachers’ confidence, attitude, and overall preparedness for teaching literature to non-Chinese …


The Putrefaction Of Digital Scholarship: How Link Rot Impacts The Integrity Of Scholarly Publishing, Marshal A, Miller Oct 2022

The Putrefaction Of Digital Scholarship: How Link Rot Impacts The Integrity Of Scholarly Publishing, Marshal A, Miller

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Research sits at the core of scholarship. The integrity of that research allows fields of study to grow and build upon one another to form the foundation for and extension of human knowledge. In the last 10 years, a new phenomenon has occurred as digital scholarship has become more prolific. This phenomenon is called link rot. Link rot occurs when over time, digital resources become inaccessible because their originally cited location has been relocated or become permanently unavailable. This study examined the extent to which link rot has affected scholarly research and how it might affect the future of digital …


Examining Career Decisions: Exploring The Interest Of Gifted Graduates On Working In Education, Alexandria K. Ryan Jul 2022

Examining Career Decisions: Exploring The Interest Of Gifted Graduates On Working In Education, Alexandria K. Ryan

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Students who are gifted are often pulled in a variety of career directions because of their tendency to have many interests and passions. This study was designed to better understand the experience of adults who are gifted and their career choice. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore what career paths adults who are gifted follow, specifically whether they choose to work in the education field or not. This phenomenological study explored four main themes in an individual who is graduated from a gifted education program’s life: Gifted Program Experience, Career and Interests, Family Influence, and Social Emotional. …


An Evaluation Of The Effects Of Student Participation In High School Athletics And Grade Point Averages In A Rural Title I School District, Robert Ebert Jul 2022

An Evaluation Of The Effects Of Student Participation In High School Athletics And Grade Point Averages In A Rural Title I School District, Robert Ebert

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative, associative/predictive study was to evaluate the relationship between participation in high school athletics and grade point averages (GPAs) for graduated cohorts in a rural Title I school district. Study data were collected in archival form from three graduating cohorts of students from a rural Title I school district in Florida. Study findings indicated that senior students who were identified as student-athletes had a mean GPA that was significantly higher than students who were identified as non-athletes. Furthermore, when considering the effect of GPAs by gender, both female and male student-athlete GPAs were statistically higher …


Parental Involvement - Investigating The Roles, Barriers, And Strategies Of Effective Parent-Teacher Relationships In Middle School Math, Praise-El K. Pelemo Apr 2022

Parental Involvement - Investigating The Roles, Barriers, And Strategies Of Effective Parent-Teacher Relationships In Middle School Math, Praise-El K. Pelemo

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this single-instrument qualitative case study was to investigate the roles, barriers, and strategies for effective parent-teacher relationships in middle school mathematics. The focus of this study was the accounts of three parents of middle school mathematics students in independent schools and three middle school math teachers in independent schools on their perception of roles, barriers, and strategies that increase or reduce building effective partnerships. Audio recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather details about participants' lived experiences. The goal of the research was to gain knowledge on current parent, teacher, and school practices on parental involvement and …


Teachers’ Lived Experiences And Perspectives Of School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Plans, Susanna J. Brice Apr 2022

Teachers’ Lived Experiences And Perspectives Of School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Plans, Susanna J. Brice

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this case study was to examine how teachers from Title 1 elementary schools implemented school-wide positive behavior plans in Northeast Florida. This qualitative study was founded on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). According to TPB, an individual’s behavior can be predicted by attitude and purposes for the behavior. The research participants were six Title 1 elementary school teachers with whom semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather the data. Themes that emerged were professional development, consistency, teacher buy-in, administrative support, and the effectiveness of the plan. Participants indicated the importance of continued support through check-ins, collaborations, professional …


The Confidence Of High School Special Education (Sped) Teachers To Deliver Instruction In A 100% Virtual Learning Environment Due To Covid-19, Darius E. James Apr 2022

The Confidence Of High School Special Education (Sped) Teachers To Deliver Instruction In A 100% Virtual Learning Environment Due To Covid-19, Darius E. James

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic had substantially altered others' daily social interactions and the delivery of education globally. From preschool to universities, educational institutions worldwide temporarily closed their brick-and-mortar facilities to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The transition from in-person to virtual learning was very abrupt, and the transition forced teachers of all experience levels to adapt to a new normal of virtual instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of high school special education teachers’ confidence to deliver virtual instruction to students within a school district that was …


The Intersection Of School-Based Leadership Practices And School Grades In The State Of Florida, Wendelynn A. Mcpherson Oct 2021

The Intersection Of School-Based Leadership Practices And School Grades In The State Of Florida, Wendelynn A. Mcpherson

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative study was to examine to what degree 12 self-reported leadership behaviors were associated with and predictive of school grades in the state of Florida. The study participant sample was exclusively comprised of educational leaders from elementary schools located in Florida. In this descriptive study, elementary principals were surveyed to determine the frequency of leadership behaviors (independent variable) and school grades (dependent variable). Two research questions and hypotheses were posed to address the study’s research problem. Research question one utilized a simple linear regression to assess the predictive variable of the overall leadership practices for …


An Evaluation Of Student-Led Data Notebooks, Desiree M. Thompson Oct 2021

An Evaluation Of Student-Led Data Notebooks, Desiree M. Thompson

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this study was to examine teachers' perceptions of data notebooks after implementation in an elementary school in Northeast Florida. This quantitative study was founded on the goal-setting theory, which focuses on setting attainable goals for motivation. The research participants were 45 teachers from a K-5 school. The participants varied in grade level and experience. Data were collected via a survey after teachers had fully implemented data notebooks in the classroom. Understanding teachers' perceptions of data notebooks will encourage school leaders to implement data notebooks to strengthen student accountability, student motivation, and the instructional process in the classroom.


Getting Started: The Impact Of Training On Teacher Self-Efficacy And Implementation Of Arts Integration Strategies, Sharon J. Reid-Kane Oct 2021

Getting Started: The Impact Of Training On Teacher Self-Efficacy And Implementation Of Arts Integration Strategies, Sharon J. Reid-Kane

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Arts integration is a proven cross-cultural methodology for instructing through and with the arts (Sterman, 2018). Professional development experiences are met with enthusiasm and interest; however, a disconnect exists between completion of training and implementation of learned practices. Providers are, therefore, led to question program design and delivery (The Kennedy Center, n.d.). The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate the impact of training on perceptions of self-efficacy of teachers participating in The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ professional learning programs and the implementation of arts integration strategies. Using a researcher-created instrument, 51 teachers from within …


A Phenomenological Study To Understand The Transformation Of The Education System In A Rural Missouri High School In The Wake Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Amanda R. Burdick Oct 2021

A Phenomenological Study To Understand The Transformation Of The Education System In A Rural Missouri High School In The Wake Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Amanda R. Burdick

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the transformation of the education system in a rural-distant Missouri high school in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven content-area educators participated in the study. Data was collected through interviews and archival documents. The data analysis revealed three themes: transition to virtual learning, the new classroom experience, and emotional impact. Within those themes, participants described specific institutional and curricular changes that were made, and the emotional impact that the COVID-19 teaching experience had on them. Results of the study indicated that teachers felt very alone navigating through all of the …


Examining The Lived-Experiences Of International L2 Phd Students: A Narrative Study, Sydney B. Basford Apr 2021

Examining The Lived-Experiences Of International L2 Phd Students: A Narrative Study, Sydney B. Basford

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The primary purpose of this qualitative narrative study was to explore the lived experiences of international PhD students who used academic English literacy during their research for their theses/dissertations. The second purpose of this study was to identify ways international PhD students mitigated academic language challenges for their theses/dissertations. This qualitative narrative study was founded on the theoretical framework of constructivism and sociocultural theory created by Vygotsky. The research participants were three L2 international PhD students who lived in America while conducting research for their dissertations or theses. Video recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted with all participants to gather rich, …


An Evaluation Of Student Perceptions Of Classroom Environment Factors In Faccs Schools, Pamela J. Piorkowski Apr 2021

An Evaluation Of Student Perceptions Of Classroom Environment Factors In Faccs Schools, Pamela J. Piorkowski

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of the study was to evaluate Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (FACCS) high school student perceptions of the relationship between ideal and real classroom environments. The quantitative, non-experimental research design with a survey was used to understand students' overall perceptions of attending five Christian schools and how they perceived the classroom environments. Student perceptions of their classroom environment are a topic of essential importance to the Christian school. The data provided vital insight using nine dimensions measured using a standardized tool, the Classroom Environment Scale (CES), developed by Edison Trickett and Rudolf Moos. Dimensions in the …


A Qualitative Case Study Exploring How Title I Schools Build The Capacity Of Staff And Families In Support Of Academic Achievement, Denise D. Atwell Apr 2021

A Qualitative Case Study Exploring How Title I Schools Build The Capacity Of Staff And Families In Support Of Academic Achievement, Denise D. Atwell

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This qualitative case study explored family-school partnerships in five Title I elementary schools in one central Florida school district. Literature confirms that engaging parents and families in their children's education provides positive results for a child's well-being socially, emotionally, and academically. Furthermore, partnerships between families, schools, and communities, in which all stakeholders share in the responsibility of a child's academic success, are beneficial to everyone, especially children and schools. The existing problem is that most educators do not know how to do this and many educators receive little, if any, support to build their capacity or aid their efforts in …


A Case Study Of Pedagogical Practices That Boost Chinese Students’ Oral English Self-Confidence, Michael D. Knapp Apr 2021

A Case Study Of Pedagogical Practices That Boost Chinese Students’ Oral English Self-Confidence, Michael D. Knapp

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Practice is necessary for developing oral English proficiency, but many Chinese learners of English lack the self-confidence to practice oral English; furthermore, students’ self-confidence deficiency is perpetuated by insufficient oral English proficiency. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to discover pedagogical practices that break the cycle of the reciprocal effect of deficiencies in oral English and in self-confidence in Chinese adult PhD non-English major students. Six participants who raised their oral English proficiency and self-confidence during their PhD studies described their English learning journeys by responding to interview questions. Analyzation of data from interview responses developed into two …


A Confirmatory Factor Analysis Of The 22-Item Empathy Assessment Index, Kelly L. Hoskins Apr 2021

A Confirmatory Factor Analysis Of The 22-Item Empathy Assessment Index, Kelly L. Hoskins

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The Empathy Assessment Index (EAI), an instrument based on the social cognitive neuroscience conceptualization of empathy, is a measure of interpersonal empathy with five components: affective response, self-other awareness, perspective taking, affective mentalizing, and emotion regulation. However, the most recently added component, affective mentalizing, has demonstrated high correlations with perspective taking. The high correlations may indicate a lack of discriminant validity within the index. This non-experimental, quantitative, and cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether the factor structure of the 22-Item EAI is a correlated five-component model. A snowball sample of 929 community members completed the 22-Item EAI as an online …


The Perceptions Of High School Graduates Regarding The Effectiveness Of Their 504 Accommodations, Jackie A. Wyche Apr 2021

The Perceptions Of High School Graduates Regarding The Effectiveness Of Their 504 Accommodations, Jackie A. Wyche

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of high school seniors diagnosed with mental or physical impairments regarding the effectiveness of their 504 academic accommodations. The approach of this qualitative study was transcendental phenomenology. Phenomenology is defined as the qualitative approach to research that encompasses the exploration of lived experiences of the participants. The participants for this research study were high school graduates who had 504 accommodations during high school. Participants for this study contr ibuted by answering open ended questions from an interview guide. In the course of the in depth data analysis, the interviews …


Teacher Self-Efficacy And Teacher Work Engagement For Expatriate Teachers At International K12 Schools In China, Jennifer L. Johnson Apr 2021

Teacher Self-Efficacy And Teacher Work Engagement For Expatriate Teachers At International K12 Schools In China, Jennifer L. Johnson

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this non-experimental, descriptive quantitative survey study was to evaluate if teacher self-efficacy predicts teacher work engagement for expatriate teachers in international schools in China. The purposive sample was composed of 103 expatriate, international school teachers who have worked in China during the past 10 years at an international K12 school and are personally known to the researcher or the researcher’s contacts. The Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) and the Engaged Teachers Scale (ETS) measured teacher self-efficacy and teacher work engagement. Results from simple linear regression indicated a statistically significant predictive relationship between teacher self-efficacy and teacher …


Social Media: The Impact On Spiritual Formation Among Generation Z Freshman College Students, Sam Ninan Apr 2021

Social Media: The Impact On Spiritual Formation Among Generation Z Freshman College Students, Sam Ninan

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of social media on the spiritual formation of Generation Z freshmen college students. Social media app usage has become prevalent within society, and Gen Z members are the first to grow up their entire lives with Internet access. Christian universities must understand the impact of social media apps on incoming freshman students, as they develop spiritual formation strategies aimed at the college population. In addition, the students’ own perceptions of how they are being impacted is important to identify, in order for them to make the necessary changes towards spiritual …


Novice Teachers’ Perceptions Of Their Preparedness To Teach Students Experiencing Trauma: A Mixed Methods Study, Lisa A. Ciganek Oct 2020

Novice Teachers’ Perceptions Of Their Preparedness To Teach Students Experiencing Trauma: A Mixed Methods Study, Lisa A. Ciganek

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore how graduates of traditional teacher preparation programs perceived their preparedness to teach students experiencing trauma stemming from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The study focused on the perceptions of novice teachers working in Title 1 schools across two school districts in Central Florida. The quantitative research portion of the study involved an online survey addressing the impact of teacher preparation program coursework and clinical experiences on the teachers’ perceptions of preparedness. Qualitative data was gathered from semi-structured interviews after the survey to give voice to the novice teachers’ perceptions of preparedness. Study …