Subversive Self-Care: Black Women Faculty And The (Im)Possibilities Of Healing In Higher Education, Hermenia Butler

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

In the backdrop of pervasive violence and oppression against Black women in higher education, Black women faculty (BWF) at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) have endured relentless race and gender discrimination for decades. This long-standing injustice has spurred an examination of the healing practices of four BWF working at PWIs through the sharing of their stories. This research study is guided by two central questions: (a) What are the racialized lived experiences of BWF at PWIs? And (b) What are the (im)possibilities of (racial) healing in higher education? The study is grounded in the theoretical framework of Black Feminist Thought, providing …

Editor's Introduction 2023, Margaret L. Lundberg

Access*: Interdisciplinary Journal of Student Research and Scholarship

Editor's Introduction 2023

A Post Pandemic Analysis Of Covid-19 And The Impact On Mental Health Of High School Student-Athletes—Today, More Than Ever Minds Matter, Pastora Hernandez Barbee

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

The cancellation of sporting opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic caused many student-athletes to feel deprived of the only outlet they had, which held a significant component of their personal and athletic identities (Grubic et al. 2021). This study aimed to answer the following research question: What are the experiences of high school student-athletes in a Pacific Northwest school district with access and support for holistic wellness in a post-pandemic COVID-19 school environment? The research methodology used was the wellness theory framework (Adams, Bezner, & Steinhardt, 1997). A total of seven student-athletes participated in the study through in-depth interviews. From the …

Creating And Maintaining High-Quality Educational Spaces For Black Children: Challenges And Strategies, Darius B. Mensah

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Public education in the United States offers disparate outcomes that negatively impact Black children. Leaders who go against the norms and create spaces where Black children thrive face professional and personal challenges. Yet educators still do this work, employing strategies to protect their work and themselves. This study explores how educational leaders describe their experiences in creating and sustaining high-quality educational environments for Black students through the lens of Critical Race Theory. Nine participants, including the author, describe their backgrounds, their entry into the field of education, their professional and personal challenges, and the strategies they have used to persist …

Traditional Culture And Knowledge As Suicide Prevention Among Indigenous People, Nigel Lawrence

M.Ed. Literature Reviews

American Indians and Alaska Native (AIAN) people possess the resilience and fortitude to survive attempted genocide, colonization, and assimilation. Still, the resulting intergenerational trauma has left AIANs with suicide rates disproportionately higher than any other race. This study reviews the research on the effectiveness of teaching traditional cultural knowledge and practices as suicide prevention measures. Alcohol and drug abuse have been shown to increase the likelihood of death by suicide; therefore, drug and alcohol use prevention measures will be included. As part of colonization and assimilation, much of the traditional cultural knowledge and practices were suppressed. If drug and alcohol …

Exploring The Impact Of Technology Implementation At The Elementary Level, Jayme Jakubek

M.Ed. Literature Reviews

This paper explores the impact of technology integration at the elementary level, focusing on measuring learning, benefits and challenges, attention, and technology. By examining existing research, this literature review highlights the importance of effective technology implementation in providing students with enhanced engagement, personalized learning, and the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It also addresses challenges such as access to technology, teacher training, and the need for digital citizenship education. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research from educators and policymakers and a discussion summarizing the key takeaways, and an action plan for future instruction.

The One Drop Rule While Being A Black Indigenous Woman, Ada Mcdaniel

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

The process of sharing my story will be from my Black Indigenous mindset in which my character has been formed over the last 63 years. It has not been a pleasant journey being part of two worlds, the red and black, both being led by the colonizing rulings, but there has never been a dull moment. I have learned that I am from the best of two worlds and I am willing to share those experiences through my trials, and tribulations, and from the guidance my ancestors from both worlds have tasked me with.

Off The Rez: Witnessing Indigenous Knowledges Through Social Media, Deborah Hales

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

The term “Off the Rez” is used, in the title, to mean research that is not done on a reservation or in urban areas. This study aims to discover if social media can be used as an innovative option for non-Indigenous allies to conduct respectful research. The study research questions were, (1) can social media be used as a research tool, to witness Indigenous Knowledges? (2) Can social media be used as research, by non-Indigenous research allies, to have the least impact on Indigenous communities?

This research was conducted using social media, with selected Indigenous participants who were 18, identified …

Preparing The Future, Healing The Past, & Being In The Moment With Teachers As They Indigenize The Way They Teach, Ramona Halcomb

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

This research study will interview participants from the first cohort of the Indigenizing Pedagogy Institute at the University of Washington Tacoma. The current educational system is failing to adequately serve American Indian/Alaska Native Students' Educational needs. Education creates knowledge, develops our political and civic goals, and systemically influences socialization and how we see ourselves and others; it determines our economic future and well-being. We must modify our pedagogy if we are to meet the needs of American Indian/Alaska Native Students.

Transforming Learning Spaces: Decentering Whiteness To Dream Of A Liberatory Education, Kimberly Booker

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

The educational system in the United States claims to be a neutral system in which each child has equal opportunity to learn. Rather, it is a system that is constructed from a white epistemology (Ladson-Billings, 1998) that teaches a white worldview (Sleeter & Stillman, 2005) while simultaneously disregarding epistemologies, including knowledge bases, from Communities of Color. This dissonance creates dehumanizing and harmful experiences for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color who are made to participate in an educational system that denies their worldview and way of being. The study is grounded in Critical Race Theory to acknowledge the permanence of …

Social Emotional Learning In Early Elementary Education And The Impact On Academic And Behavioral Outcomes, Adam Mckee

M.Ed. Literature Reviews

This project explored the impact of direct instruction in social-emotional learning (SEL) at the elementary grade levels on academic and behavioral outcomes. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to analyze existing research in this area. The findings demonstrate a strong correlation between explicit SEL instruction in primary grades and positive improvements in both academic achievement and behavioral outcomes. This paper concludes that providing explicit instruction in essential SEL skills, including self-regulation, flexibility, and inhibition, is vital for promoting positive student outcomes in both academic achievement and behavior.

The Integration Of Indigenous Knowledge In Education, Andrew Paquin

M.Ed. Literature Reviews

Abstract

This project consisted of a rational, literature review, action plan, and discussion on the topic of Indigenous knowledge integration in education. The literature review consisted of three main sections, decolonization through education, best teaching practices for integration, and how ontological differences shape the integration process. Going into this project I predicted that before proper integration can happen, Western and Indigenous communities have to build authentic relationships that go beyond just recognizing another viewpoint. My literature review consisted of 30 sources involving Indigenous communities from all over the world. The most common recommendation found across all studies was the importance …

Analyzing Trauma And Language Barriers For Refugee Students, Cade Rushing

M.Ed. Literature Reviews

This thesis explores trauma and language barriers for refugee students. The three themes identified are trauma prevalence among refugees, language barriers for refugees, and differences between international and local accommodations for refugee students. The paper examines how practices in Washington’s Puget Sound regional school districts align with current research. This research also assesses the Puget Sound region’s accommodations for refugee students and their families. The paper concludes with a discussion of implications for future research and suggestions for improved practice.

Effective Strategies For Third-Party Stakeholders To Promote Autonomous Student Learning, Meaghan Solenberger

M.Ed. Literature Reviews

Shifting the focus of learning to be centered around the student rather than the course content
presents a unique opportunity for third-party stakeholders to engage differently with students.
Traditionally, the behavior-centered approach in the classroom has driven the flow of
curriculum, the development of parent-teacher relationships, and the way that students
comprehend and retain important learning. This paper highlights the autonomous teaching and
learning approach which puts students as drivers of their learning experience. Also discussed are
the various strategies that parents, guardians, and caregivers can use to promote the use of these
learning practices. Finally, this project includes the …

Adolescents & Social Media Use, Wendy Shoot

M.Ed. Literature Reviews

This research explores the effects of social media use by adolescents. Five themes were identified: [1] social media and adolescent mental and physical well-being, [2] social media and adolescent problematic usage, [3] social media and adolescent academics, [4] social media and adolescent family connections, and [5] social media benefits for adolescents. The paper goes on to analyze how practices at the Middle School where I teach could be aligned with research and then questions implications for future research and transformed practice.

Supporting Working Memory Development In Schools During Adolescence, Megan Bryant

M.Ed. Literature Reviews

This master's project investigates the multifaceted aspects of working memory in secondary school students and its relationship with academic performance. The findings from this project contribute to the existing literature by offering insights into the effectiveness of holistic interventions and memory strategies in enhancing working memory abilities and optimizing academic outcomes in secondary school students. This project reviews evidence about the relationship between emotional regulation, stress, and working memory to understand better how emotional factors impact cognitive functioning in the classroom setting. This analysis also aims to shed light on the trajectory of working memory development during adolescence and its …

Ability Tracking And Its Effects On Students, Isabel Kielmeyer

M.Ed. Literature Reviews

Ability tracking is an educational practice used throughout the world that separates students into different curriculum tracks based on their perceived academic ability. This heavily debated practice poses significant questions to its continued use due to harmful psychological and social effects on students without any guaranteed academic benefits. This paper considers the literature on all these issues and finds that ability tracking may benefit some students academically, but that this often comes at a detriment to their own and others’ psychological and social development. Further, this paper discusses strategies moving forward to ensure all students have access to a high-quality …

The Academic Outcomes Of Dual Language Programs In Mathematics And English Language Arts, Dana Lisbet Aguirre

M.Ed. Literature Reviews

This paper focuses on Dual Language students in both elementary and secondary schools and their academic outcomes in the content areas of mathematics and English language arts. Positive benefits of Dual Language Programs are highlighted in both content areas acorss various grade levels, locations, and states.

Learning In The Natural Environment: Taking Education Outdoors, Alisa Kahle

M.Ed. Literature Reviews

This research explores the benefits, challenges, and barriers of outdoor education in elementary school students. Three themes were identified: barriers and challenges, effects of learning outdoors, and risks and consequences of outdoor education. The paper examines how research in this area can align with the practices at a Washington State elementary school in the West Puget Sound area. Furthermore, the paper explores implications for future research in this domain. This paper highlights many strategies for educators to increase learning opportunities in nature.

Lgbtq+ Youth Experiences In Education: What It Means To Be Queer, Alysa Schafer-Garcia

M.Ed. Literature Reviews

This research explores the existing literature on the experiences of LGBTQ+ students in schools. Three themes were identified: the effects of school climate on LGBTQ+ students, the health, wellness, and survivability of LGBTQ+ students, and how curriculum affects LGBTQ+ students. The paper goes on to examine how practices at Generic Sound School Name could be aligned with research and then explores the implications for future research and transformed practice.

Intersection Between Special Education And The Juvenile Justice System: An Exploration Of Legal Compliance, Transition Services, And Recidivism, Katherine Kolody

M.Ed. Literature Reviews

This paper explores the intersection between special education and juvenile justice. Specifically, it looks at the legal authority compliance in juvenile justice facilities, the transition services for juveniles once they return to school, and the recidivism rates of juveniles who have been in the system. It seeks to answer whether the current approaches to these legal issues are valid, or whether there are better or different approaches that might yield preferable results.

Inclusionary Practices For Elementary Students With Disabilities, Caroline Brandau

M.Ed. Literature Reviews

This research explores inclusionary practices for elementary-aged students with individualized education plans (IEP) for special education. Three themes were identified: academic achievement through push-in services, secondary benefits of special education services in the general education setting, and power dynamics of stakeholders of inclusion. The paper goes on to examine how practices at Western Washington School District could be aligned with research and then explores implications for future research and transform practice. The paper concludes with a call to action and a positive outlook for the future of special education.

We Are Stronger Together: Faculty Reflections On Competency-Based High School Completion For Adults In Washington State, Elizabeth J. Flanagan

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Situated in Washington State during the height of the global Covid-19 pandemic, this qualitative, insider-practitioner study examined the instructional context of four instructors engaged in a competency-based, high school completion for adults faculty praxis on community and technical college campuses through a state-supported program called High School+ (HS+). Guided by three areas of inquiry, this research sought to (1) explore how HS+ faculty describe their instructional praxis in the context of personal identity; (2) probe the cultural, structural, and administrative challenges HS+ faculty face when enacting competency-based instruction on community and technical college campuses oriented toward seat-time models of instruction; …

Educational Sovereignty: Creating Community By Ensuring Belonging, Merisa K. Jones

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

The purpose of this research is to look at how we can use the education system as a tool to restore tribal identity and create belonging. To successfully see this work through the Lummi Nation, I will have to look at ways to challenge the formalized Western Education System and acknowledge its impacts on identity development. Pre-contact, the Lummi people had education systems in place that ensured the transmission of sacred knowledge, the learning took place within the house, and it was the family's responsibility to ensure the children grew up knowing the family values. The house of learning was …

Indigenizing Education: Universal Design For Learning And Indigenous Leadership Frameworks, Jennifer Vasilez

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Abstract

This study seeks to determine if Universal Design for Learning could serve as a culturally sustaining classroom framework for supporting Indigenous students in classroom settings. It also shares the perceived proficiency of Indigenous parents by those serving in a caregiver role for Indigenous youth, as well as the perceived potential of specific elements of Universal Design for Learning in supporting their students. As an Indigenous woman, I recognize the importance of asking Indigenous families if this strategy is worthy of further research, before conducting research into the efficacy of Universal Design for Learning in this way. This research project …

Indigenous-Based Mindful Activities For Students With Test Anxiety, Amy Maharaj

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

College life for students can be stressful, with stress and anxiety being one of the biggest impacts on a student’s academic performance; with test anxiety being one of the biggest culprits in causing stress and anxiety among college students. One of the ways that students can help ease test anxiety is through mindful practices. As many colleges and universities increase their availability to provide mindfulness resources – there seems to be a lack of mindfulness resources for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students. The research study for this dissertation utilized Indigenous-based mindful practices from Indigenous and South Asian …

Women With Student Loans: Relational Impacts On Self, Family, And Work, Annie Pocklington

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the relational impact that student loans have on the lives of women across Washington state, with specific attention to their parents, partners, children, and workplaces. This research utilizes Feminist Relational Work as a theoretical framework, which combines feminist theory and Zelizer’s notion of relational work to attend to the gendered dynamic that Zelizer’s relational work does not specifically name. Participants in this study named sexism as a constant in their lives, whether within family dynamics growing up, throughout the college going process, or in professional post-college spaces that a degree granted them access to. The …

“Tienes Que Ser Bien Educada”: A Call For Art, Reconciliation, And Justice In Education, Eileen Jimenez

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Settler colonialism and colonized methodologies have created systems and power dynamics that continue to allow the holders of power and decision makers to deem what is ethical and what is appropriate as it concerns research of others, but in particular, Indigenous peoples. The voices that are given the most visibility in research are those who conduct and produce research through the paradigm of Western education and with standards of Western research. Settler colonialism has warped the purpose and the responsibility of educators. This study created space for understanding about our collective responsibility in teaching, learning and education for the community …

Effects Of Socioeconomic Status On English Language Learners' Success In School, Abbie Ashcraft

M.Ed. Literature Reviews

This research paper focuses on the effects of socioeconomic status on English language learners' overall success in school. The aspects of success discussed in this paper pertain to academics, social-emotional learning, and home practices, beliefs, and environments. Most English language learner students come from low socioeconomic status households and enter school with little to no English proficiency. This puts them at a much higher risk of developing academic struggles because of the need for more resources and opportunities, on top of acquiring a new language. They are also more likely to develop emotional and behavioral problems because of internalized behaviors …

Grading Policies In Education, Amber Kiesel

M.Ed. Literature Reviews

Grading is one of the most pivotal aspects of education, and grading results profoundly impact students’ future in grade school, higher education, and employment. This research explores grading policies in education. Three themes were identified: effective grading policies, equitable grading policies, and challenges or obstacles in grading policies. The paper examines how practices in schools and districts could be aligned with research and then explores implications for future research and transformed practice.