Education Commons^™

Progression: Preventing Recidivism Through Post-Secondary Education, Frelimo Omari Amili

MAIS Projects and Theses

In the United States of America there are more people incarcerated than in any other developed country. The majority of people released from incarceration become recidivists. Many people who are incarcerated serve their time and return to the same circumstances that led to their incarceration. First time offenders are often released to much worse circumstances because they now have their options in regards to life essentials such as housing and employment limited by a criminal conviction. Despite these unfortunate realities, the potential within many people affected by this vicious cycle can still be reached.

Many researchers have concluded that post-secondary …

Using Student And Staff Perceptions To Guide Training And Practice, Cynthia Sherrod

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Despite the notable positive outcomes SWPBIS has for students, schools sometimes struggle with effective and successful implementation. SWPBIS is a complex systems change effort which may prove to be overwhelming for some schools to effectively implement without the necessary preliminary supports in place. System change efforts provide an avenue to approach the work of implementing SWPBIS. The present case study examined use of staff and student perceptions of behavior and discipline to design and provide targeted staff training through PLCs. Findings demonstrate some improvements in Tier I SWPBIS implementation. However several barriers were also identified in the course of this …

Attracting Foreign Direct Investment (Fdi) In The Process Of Tacoma’S Globalization, Yi Hui

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

This qualitative research project aimed to provide a comprehensive review of a deficiency in foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tacoma, the causes of that insufficiency, and the possible resolutions that could change the stagnation and attract more FDI. By analyzing the data collected mainly via interviews and survey, the paper revealed reasons Tacoma has lagged behind other similar cities in attracting FDI, where the gaps exist, and what kinds of educational programs could be applied to enhance the FDI literacy and competency. Case studies on other similar cities offer Tacoma lessons and experience on how to grow FDI. This project …

Images Of Dreamers: Using Photovoice To Explore The Experiences Of Undocumented Latinxs In A Washington State Community College, Theresa R. Ramos Ed.D.

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Undocumented students attend school under the provisions of the 1982 Plyler v. Doe Supreme Court decision that determined states must provide free K-12 education for all students regardless of their immigration status. Despite this legally enforced access to free schooling, 52% of undocumented Latinx adults ages 20-29 in the U.S. are high school dropouts (Fry, 2010) compared with 14% of Latinx born in the U.S. (Krogstad, 2015). Although an estimated 65,000 undocumented students graduate high school each year in the United States, many do not have the practical opportunity to attend college, thereby eliminating one of the few opportunities for …

Gifted And Unserved: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of The Promise Scholar Program On Reducing The Racial Segregation Of Gifted Education, Reby Helland

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

There is a crisis in gifted education across our nation. Gifted programs are disproportionally identifying and servicing middle-class White students while systematically ignoring minority students. The Promise Scholar Program was developed by the Kent School District as a method to tackle the underrepresentation of minority students in their gifted education program. This elementary talent development model places promising minority students into gifted classrooms, exposing the participants to advanced and accelerated curriculum. This study sought to determine the effectiveness of this program as way to increase the identification of minority students for gifted education. Through the analysis and comparison of student …

Change Management And Guided Pathways: Creating A Plan For Implementation At A Washington State Community College, Sandra Spadoni, Saovra Ear

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Objective: This article addresses a problem of practice in community college leadership: how to effectively use change management strategies to implement a guided pathways model at a community college. Guided pathways is a recent national movement to create more structured and better coordinated academic pathways within community colleges. Using the case study of one Washington State community college looking to implement this model, we identified change management strategies for community college leaders seeking to implement the guided pathways model. Methods: We conducted interviews with national consultants, state system leaders, and college leaders around the country who have effectively …

Harnessing Emotions: The Critical Role Of Emotional Intelligence For Community College Leaders, Lauren Hibbs, Valerie M. Sundby-Thorp

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

More than ten million students are enrolled each year in public two-year colleges in the United States. Community colleges are faced with unprecedented accountability for student progression and completion. In Washington State, the work of academic and student services deans is critical to the success of public two-year colleges. Mayer and Salovey’s (1997) ability model of emotional intelligence and the related work of Goleman (1998), and Mayer, Salovey, and Caruso (2008) suggest that the development of emotional intelligence has the potential to positively impact the effectiveness of these community college leaders. This study asks broadly, what are the perceptions, beliefs, …

Sustained Implementation Of School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports Through Continuous Regeneration, Thomas A. Edwards

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

School-wide Positive Behavior Supports (SWPBIS) aim to create safe and civil school environments through proactive teaching, consistent reinforcing, and appropriate response to student behavior. The literature pertaining to the implementation of SWPBIS is limited, having few longitudinal studies of school-based changes to sustain the initiative. The present case study examined the data-based adaptations in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, priority, and continuous regeneration during a five-year implementation of SWPBIS at a high needs middle school. Findings demonstrated marked improvement in fidelity of implementation, student, parent, and staff perceptions, and student behavior outcomes. Recommendations related to continual improvement that engages more staff …

Utilizing Assessment Resources To Support Classroom Instruction In Mathematics, Jennifer A. Judkins

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Mathematics teachers in the state of Washington have the responsibility of helping students develop the knowledge and skills included in the Mathematics K-12 Learning Standards (also known as the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics) and measured by the Smarter Balanced summative assessments in mathematics. A great need existed for teachers to have additional support to help students learn the standards and be prepared to demonstrate their knowledge on the Smarter Balanced assessments as well as more working knowledge of how to utilize the supports provided within the system of Smarter Balanced. Mathematics educators in the state of Washington were …

Youth Empowerment For Environmental Justice, Mattie B. Brickle

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Woodsmoke pollution is an environmental justice issue for youth living in certain Pacific Northwest cities. Little is understood about how youth may be empowered to address woodsmoke issues in their communities. In this study, I examined youth empowerment in a citizen science study on woodsmoke, using Photovoice methodology. Ten diverse youth collected and analyzed indoor air samples and photos, then presented their findings to the community and policy makers. Entrance and exit surveys revealed an increased sense of empowerment to take action on woodsmoke pollution. Youth also expressed increased optimism and a resolve to become scientists and to combat environmental …

Responding To Their Voice: The Needs Of Postsecondary Students With Intellectual And/Or Developmental Disability, Lucretia A. Berg

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) enter postsecondary education (PSE) at increasing rates. Many continue to demonstrate persisting adaptive behavior needs that impede academic and employment outcomes. This qualitative case study explored one Northwest PSE program educating students with IDD regarding persisting adaptive behavior needs and whether the needs fell under the purview of occupational therapy (OT). It was the researcher’s assumption that gaining an understanding of student needs would provide cognizance of potential OT services. Thirty-two participants were recruited through both purposive and snowball sampling including: administrators; instructors; related services providers; parents or guardians; and students. In …

Race Matters: Occupational Therapy As A Career Choice By High School Students Of Color, Kirsten L. Wilbur

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Abstract

This critical ethnographic study examined occupational therapy as a field that has maintained the historic exclusion of students of color through mainstream professional academic practice. In particular this paper explores systemic barriers that influence secondary to post-secondary pipeline decisions for urban, high school students of color. The tenets of critical race and Freirean critical theory guided analysis of the data collected from field notes, individual interviews and focus group discussions. Three categories representing student experiences with making post-secondary decisions emerged from the study: (a) navigating the system, (b) making choices, and (c) no interest in healthcare. Additional findings including …

Sustainable Hub For Education And Demonstration, Daniel N.C. Smith

MAIS Projects and Theses

In our lives we are routinely confronted with images of climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation. The Sustainable Hub for Education and Demonstration (SHED) reflects my personal commitment to action in confronting this seemingly overwhelming problem. The structure embodies the practice of green building and makes connections among education, resource conservation, service learning, and community action. As a demonstration of resource conservation, the SHED was designed to be recycled, reused, or repurposed at the end of its service life. The materials of the structure will be reincarnated in another use cycle and no deposits will be made to a …

Uncovering Inequalities: Addressing The (Re)Production Of Power Relations Within Financial Aid Processes Utilizing Institutional Ethnography, Victoria A. Hill

MAIS Projects and Theses

The purpose of this research project is to critically map the University of Washington’s institutional practices concerning financial aid and related administrative policies and procedures related to the FAFSA application. This research was conducted by using institutional ethnography as a method to analyze the difficulty of carrying out organizational duties under complex federal, state and institutional policies. It also considers how the process of carrying out these duties creates tensions for staff, and how the unintended consequences of power relations are produced and reproduced between the process of staff carrying out their duties and students receiving aid. Information obtained from …

Writing Equity Policy For A K-12 Public School District: An Insider's Perspective, Louanne H. Decker

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Drawing on school board policy development and implementation research and examining the significant interactions that exist in a K-12 public schools system undertaking the development of racial equity policy, the author examines (a) how a K-12 public school system can use local stakeholders to develop equity policy; (b) the factors that influence the development of a white equity leader in a K-12 public school central office. John Kotter’s change management framework is used to lead internal and external stakeholders in a K -12 public school system to write racial equity school board policy. The author’s findings reveal the importance of …

Black Student Union Demands: A Response To Racially Hostile Campus Climates, Beleqsa Tamaami

Global Honors Theses

This paper looks at how college campuses across the globe foster racially hostile climates that negatively impact Black students’ college experience both in and outside the classroom. I use Critical Race Theory (CRT) as an analytical framework to examine Black college students demands in response to their experiences with racism on campus. For this thesis, colleges include community colleges, four-year institutions, and universities. In my findings I break down my analysis of the list of Black Student Union (BSU) Demands by looking at how Black college students challenge and respond to a racial climate in both Academic and Student Affairs. …

Building On Community: A Community-Built Pipeline Of Community College-Educated Secondary Mathematics Teachers Of Color, Maria J. Gross

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

The race/ethnic gap between secondary mathematics teachers and their students is widening as more students of color enroll in public schools. Community colleges serve local and diverse populations. Historical focus was on elementary education, but, nationally, community college students prepare for careers in secondary mathematics education. Despite Washington State’s strong community college network, few defined secondary mathematics teacher pathways exist. Washington State community colleges’ role in preparing secondary mathematics teachers of color is emerging but is not sufficient to overcome the secondary mathematics teacher shortage and race/ethnic gap.

The purpose of this case study was to understand the role community …

The Cultural Isolation Of Providers And Educators Caused By Stigma And Compassion Fatigue When Serving Survivors Of Invisible Wounds, Bronwyn G. Pughe

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to give voice to the lived experience of providers and educators regarding stigma and compassion fatigue. In this study, using critical social theory as a lens, I seek to understand how providers and educators experience and recognize the stigma they carry, their own compassion fatigue and what they do to stay healthy—including mental physical, emotional/psychological, intellectual, and spiritual health.

Surviving Or Thriving: Educator Change Following School-Based Trauma, Mona M. Johnson

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Situated in the Pacific Northwest, this qualitative study explored coping, change, and systemic support experienced by thirteen K-12 educators following a school-based trauma. It is based on a theoretical framework of posttraumatic growth, the systematic study of how individuals are changed by traumatic encounters in positive ways. Study participants witnessed school shootings, physical assaults, or accidents resulting in injury or death and were responsible to care for the life and death needs of others.

Research questions guiding this study: (1) How do educators cope following school-based trauma? (2) How do educators change following school-based trauma? (3) What systemic supports are …

The Principal's Voice: Supports Critical To A School Principal's Effectiveness, Rita Chaudhuri

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Abstract

Demands on school principals in the 21^st century are highly complex. Ever-increasing pressures include accountability for student achievement; creating systems and structures to close the achievement gap of underrepresented students; implementing Federal, State, and District initiatives; implementing a more complex evaluation system for staff; being responsible for all stakeholders that create the school community; and being an instructional leader that makes learning happen for all students every year. In the State of Washington, a majority of districts have adopted the AWSP Leadership Framework as a standards-based model to evaluate principals and also provide targeted supports.

The purpose of …

Online Onboarding Of Community College Mid-Level Administrators, Heather F. Lukashin

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Utilizing focus group interviews involving high-level administrators (HLAs) and mid-level administrators (MLAs), the study investigated the need and common themes associated with onboarding MLAs at a West Coast community college. The author designed, implemented, and solicited participation of new MLAs in a pilot online onboarding program utilizing Canvas. Feedback from pilot program participants (PPPs) was collected and analyzed. Given new MLAs’ documented inadequacies in the crucial skills of management and leadership, designing an effective onboarding program requires educating both HLAs and MLAs that (many) management and leadership skills can be developed or improved via an onboarding program. Administering an onboarding …

An Opportunity For Community: Building A Community College Center For Community Engagement In A “Distressed” Suburb, Jeffrey L. Wagnitz

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Over the past several decades, poverty rates in the United States have been rising more rapidly in the suburbs than anywhere else. Today, in fact, more poor people live in U.S. suburbs than in its cities. While poverty is painful in any setting, a suburb in decline can present its residents with particularly difficult obstacles, including deteriorating public infrastructure, under-funded schools, fragmented social services, time-consuming travel to distant jobs, and a lack of coherent political influence to address those liabilities. For the community colleges that serve such regions, the rise of suburban poverty challenges the institution’s traditional mission of community …

The Value Of Technology Grants In Schools: A Case Study On The Connected Initiative In An Inner City Los Angeles Primary School, Kathryn J. Drohman

Global Honors Theses

As entities from governmental and nongovernmental sectors search for means of developing underserved localities, public-private partnerships have been built to provide education technology to primary schools. In the current neoliberal, digital age, information and communication technology (ICT) is widely perceived as a value-implicit differentiator because of the information it can access and construct for its users. To further understand the implications of public-private partnerships in ICT initiatives occurring in American elementary schools, this thesis reports a study of the initial implementation of the U.S. White House ConnectED Initiative’s grant in an inner city Los Angeles school, sponsored by Apple Incorporated. …