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Full-Text Articles in Education

Recommendations For Improving A Sense Of Community Between Online Contingent Faculty And Higher Education Administrators, Heather Lee Strafaccia Sep 2021

Recommendations For Improving A Sense Of Community Between Online Contingent Faculty And Higher Education Administrators, Heather Lee Strafaccia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study is to solve the problem of a lack of a sense of community between online contingent faculty and higher education administrators for a private university in the Midwest and to design a solution to address the problem. A multimethod design was developed, consisting of both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Online contingent faculty participated in individual structured interviews and a focus group to examine the current perception, problem, and preferred solutions to the problem of a lack of a sense of community with the participating institution. Higher education administrators and online contingent faculty participated in …


A Phenomenological Exploration Of Adjunct Faculty Perceptions Of Job Satisfaction With Multi-Year Teaching Appointments, Nestor Montilla Sep 2021

A Phenomenological Exploration Of Adjunct Faculty Perceptions Of Job Satisfaction With Multi-Year Teaching Appointments, Nestor Montilla

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Grounded in the extant literature, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore adjunct faculty perceptions of job satisfaction with multi-year teaching appointments at two campuses of a public urban university system in the Northeastern United States. The study utilized Herzberg et al.'s motivation-hygiene theory, also known as two-factor theory, and Husserl's transcendental phenomenological research design. The central research question was "What are adjunct faculty perceptions of job satisfaction with multi-year teaching contracts?" The data collection consisted of a demographic questionnaire, open-ended semi-structured interviews with twelve adjunct faculty who taught under multi-year contracts from 2017 to 2020, a focus …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Principals Who Implemented A Schoolwide-Positive Behavior Intervention And Supports Framework, John P. Frias Sep 2021

A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Principals Who Implemented A Schoolwide-Positive Behavior Intervention And Supports Framework, John P. Frias

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of principals who had implemented Schoolwide-Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (SW-PBIS) frameworks in New York State. The theory guiding this study was Situational Leadership Theory, as it focuses on the idea that leadership is contingent on the situation that is presented. The researcher sought to understand those varying leadership experiences which surround the implementation of this framework. Research data came primarily from interviews with 10 principals who had experience implementing this framework; however, data was also collected from timelines and from analysis of documents from the implementation process. Data …


A Case Study Of Combat Student Veteran Success In Higher Education, Mona Fazzina Aug 2021

A Case Study Of Combat Student Veteran Success In Higher Education, Mona Fazzina

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that support combat student veterans in a private institution of higher education. The theory guiding this study was Astin’s developmental theory of student involvement for higher education. The conceptual framework guiding the study was Vacchi’s model of student veteran support. The theory and conceptual framework explain the relationship between what these nontraditional students bring to the academic experience, the role of educators, and factors contributing to, or detracting from their success in higher education. Combat student veterans, and staff of support services were interviewed, and …


Texas Accountability System: The Relationship Between English Learners And The Ability To Meet Post-Secondary Readiness Standards, Zaida Saldivar Jul 2021

Texas Accountability System: The Relationship Between English Learners And The Ability To Meet Post-Secondary Readiness Standards, Zaida Saldivar

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Every Student Success Act (ESSA) provides explicit College Career and Military Readiness (CCMR) standards requiring state and local district's responsiveness to ensuring all students meet given expectations. ESSA does not exempt at-risk students from meeting expectations; however, at-risk students such as English Learners (ELs) are under-represented in this area. Research shows that ELs are capable of performing and meeting given expectations as their non-EL peers with the appropriate linguistic accommodations. Unfortunately, the pressures for not meeting federal and state accountability standards has led educators to address the needs of ELs appropriately and others to ignore this fragile population. Researchers present …


Onward And Upward: A Phenomenological Study Of School Leaders As They Prepare To Lead And Manage Change, Amy Elisabeth Love Jun 2021

Onward And Upward: A Phenomenological Study Of School Leaders As They Prepare To Lead And Manage Change, Amy Elisabeth Love

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of school leaders as they develop their capacity to lead and manage change. The central research question that guided this study is: What are the experiences of school leaders in Virginia as they develop their capacity to lead and manage change? The theoretical framework that guided this study was Mezirow’s theory of transformative learning as it applies to how school leaders incorporate new learning about how to lead and manage change with their own experiences and understandings. The design was a transcendental phenomenological study of school leaders in …


A Case Study Of The Perspectives Of School Administrators In Ontario On Policies And Practices Addressing Disproportionality In Student Discipline, Annastasia Onyinyechukwuka Oraegbunem May 2021

A Case Study Of The Perspectives Of School Administrators In Ontario On Policies And Practices Addressing Disproportionality In Student Discipline, Annastasia Onyinyechukwuka Oraegbunem

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand the perspectives of school administrators in Ontario on policies and practices addressing disproportionality in student discipline and suspension rates for minority students. The problem is that minority students get school suspension at significantly higher rates than non-minority students. The theory guiding this study is the Black identity development theory. There are four research questions with a central research question is, what are school administrators' perspectives on policies and practices addressing disproportionality in student discipline and suspension rates for minority students in Ontario? This single qualitative case study design purposefully sampled 10 …


A Phenomenological Study Of Teachers Implementing Restorative Practices, Janiese Pauline Mckenzie May 2021

A Phenomenological Study Of Teachers Implementing Restorative Practices, Janiese Pauline Mckenzie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore and understand the perceptions of teachers as they endure change while implementing restorative practices at the secondary level. The central research question guiding this study asked, “How do secondary level teachers from central North Carolina describe their experiences with restorative practices in the classroom?” I interviewed and discussed the lived experiences of 11 participants, all teachers who have been trained in restorative practices by the International Institute of Restorative Practices and implemented in their classroom for one year in central North Carolina. The theory guiding this study was Michael Fullan’s change …


Principal Perceptions On The Inclusion Of Music Education And Professional Development Opportunities: A Qualitative Study, Gabriel Woods May 2021

Principal Perceptions On The Inclusion Of Music Education And Professional Development Opportunities: A Qualitative Study, Gabriel Woods

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative case study identifies perspectives that have not yet been explored and documented concerning the difference in attention across school levels when it comes to offering professional development opportunities for music teachers. The majority of previous studies have focused on STEM programming, not the arts. In this study, the researcher interviewed six K-12 principals who aided in deciding whether to include music programs to students and professional development opportunities to teachers. Two principals were interviewed in the different K-12 school levels: elementary, middle, and high schools. The results of this study add to the literature and can foster an …


An Analysis Of Opinions About Special Education Inclusion Among Virginia Elementary And Middle School Administrators, Pattye Keeling Leslie Apr 2021

An Analysis Of Opinions About Special Education Inclusion Among Virginia Elementary And Middle School Administrators, Pattye Keeling Leslie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Past research has shown a relationship between individuals’ attitudes and their intentions to act. The attitudes of principals and assistant principals can impact the implementation of inclusion in the public school setting. This predictive correlational study used multiple regression to analyze the linear relationship between the opinions about inclusion and the factors of administrative assignment, school level, administrative experience, special education endorsement, gender, percentage of minority students served, percentage of students served identified as economically disadvantaged, and percentage of students served identified with a disability. The sample included 104 elementary and middle school principals and assistant principals representing 26 Virginia …


The Role And Possible Impact Of Music Administrators On School District Music Programs, Tracee Garrison White Apr 2021

The Role And Possible Impact Of Music Administrators On School District Music Programs, Tracee Garrison White

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In order to assist in building a successful music program that is conducive to the learning of all students within a school district, administrators and board members must be informed of the role and impact of a district music administrator. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to identify perspectives that have not yet been explored and documented concerning the positive effect district music administrators have on school music programs. Perspectives on support, accountability and advocacy have emerged as themes through an exploration of limited existing literature and feedback from questionnaires. Although the information is available for administrators who …


Work-Life Balance: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study On Female Assistant Principals' Approaches, Felicia Daniels-Colbert Apr 2021

Work-Life Balance: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study On Female Assistant Principals' Approaches, Felicia Daniels-Colbert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the work-life balance approaches for female assistant principals at Middleburg School District (pseudonym). Two theories were used to answer the central research question: What are the lived experiences of female assistant principals in connection with their role and approach to balance work and life responsibilities? Work/family border theory by Clark (2000) guided the study as it explains how people manage and make decisions on how to spend their time between work and family obligations. Additionally, the role theory by Biddle (1986) expounded on how an individual’s role influences decisions for finding …


Differences In Integration And Persistence Between Black Males And Their Peers At Predominately White Christian Institutions, Dion Edward Leonard Apr 2021

Differences In Integration And Persistence Between Black Males And Their Peers At Predominately White Christian Institutions, Dion Edward Leonard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Over the last several decades there has been much conversation, dialogue, and research around the topic of African American persistence, and more specifically African American male persistence within the higher education sector. Studies have shown that there is a major achievement gap among African American and white males. Studies also show that this persistence gap has been sustained over the course of several years. While there has been much research done on the topic, the researcher specifically addressed the persistence gap of African American men within the predominantly white private Christian higher education community. This particular study addresses how faith-based …


Improving Teacher Retention In A South Carolina School District, Christine Proctor Gunter Nov 2020

Improving Teacher Retention In A South Carolina School District, Christine Proctor Gunter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study is to solve the problem of the teacher retention issue for a school district in South Carolina and to design a solution to address the problem. A multi-method design was used consisting of both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The first approach was structured interviews with administrators. The interviews with administrators aimed to set the foundation on their school’s teacher retention and attrition and provided an outline for supportive opportunities they offer early-career teachers. Surveys with early-career teachers provided insight to their thoughts and feelings about their profession and school. The third approach is to …


Reducing Out-Of-School Suspension In Title I Middle Schools: An Applied Study, William Thomas Hatten Aug 2020

Reducing Out-Of-School Suspension In Title I Middle Schools: An Applied Study, William Thomas Hatten

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Out-of-school suspension is a growing concern in the United States education system and affects students at the three Title I schools in the Central School System at a particularly high frequency. The purpose of this applied study was to solve the problem of high-frequency out-of-school suspension for three Title I middle schools in the Central School system and to formulate a solution to address the problem. A multi-method design was used, consisting of both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The first approach was structured interviews with two administrators from each school. The second approach was the analysis of archival data using …


The Relationship Between The Average Number Of Principal Walkthroughs And School Accountability Grade Of Florida High Schools, Robert Leslie Bennett Jun 2020

The Relationship Between The Average Number Of Principal Walkthroughs And School Accountability Grade Of Florida High Schools, Robert Leslie Bennett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative correlational study sought to determine if the administrative time and financial investment in administrative walkthroughs is an effective practice that leads to improved student achievement. This study sought to determine if a predictive relationship existed between the predictor variable mean of principal school-wide walkthroughs, and the criterion variable school grade in Florida high schools. This study was designed to determine if the principal walkthrough is an effective tool to improve teaching practice to improve student achievement to meet accountability measures. The sample include 72 high school principals in Florida. Data was collected through a self-report survey in which …


Job-Related Stress And Burnout In Charter School Leaders: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jamie Douglas Mckay Apr 2020

Job-Related Stress And Burnout In Charter School Leaders: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jamie Douglas Mckay

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the impact of stress and burnout on charter school leaders in the western United States. The research questions were designed to understand how the role of charter school leadership impacts stress and burnout for charter school leaders. The theories guiding this study included the managerial stress cycle theory, and the multidimensional theory of burnout. While existing research has documented the stressors of traditional public-school administrators, little research has explored the distinctive challenges faced by charter school administrators. Data collection included individual interviews, a focus group interview, and observations. The identification …


Relationships Between Placement Criteria And Students' Online Developmental Math Final Grades, Michael P. Gibson Apr 2020

Relationships Between Placement Criteria And Students' Online Developmental Math Final Grades, Michael P. Gibson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Students placed into developmental math courses experience significantly increased costs for obtaining a college degree. They are also considerably more likely to drop out of college without obtaining a degree. However, many students need developmental math if they are going to succeed in their college level math courses. As a result, it is vitally important to both students and educators concerned with student success that students are placed into the correct courses. Little, if any, work has done been in this area for online math courses despite the explosive growth of online college level education in the last two decades. …


Predicting Academic Achievement Based On Sense Of Community Among Online Public High School Students, Randy Boydie Maraj Apr 2020

Predicting Academic Achievement Based On Sense Of Community Among Online Public High School Students, Randy Boydie Maraj

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Limited research has investigated the relationship between sense of community and academic achievement, as determined by students’ self-reported Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) scores. The purpose of this correlational study was to determine the extent by which sense of community can predict academic achievement among online public high school students. The predictor variables were social community and learning community. The criterion variable was academic achievement using student’s PSAT/NMSQT scores. The school form of the Classroom and School Community Inventory was given to 98 online high school students to complete. They represented a major suburban public …


A Description Of The Lived Experiences Of Administrators Supervising Special Education Programs: A Phenomenological Study, Kristen Marie Richtberg Wilkins Mar 2020

A Description Of The Lived Experiences Of Administrators Supervising Special Education Programs: A Phenomenological Study, Kristen Marie Richtberg Wilkins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe how novice, public school administrators experience and learn to supervise special education programs. This study was founded in epistemological assumptions that specific knowledge is required to provide supervision for special education programs. This study was additionally framed using Knowles’ adult learning theory, which theorizes that adults bring their personal experiences to bear and are intrinsically motivated to learn information that they need (Knowles, 1970, 1973). For the purposes of this study, adult learning theory related to the lived experiences of administrators as they learn to supervise special education programs. The …


The Relationship Between Teachers' Psychological Capital And Caring School Leadership And Enabling School Structure, Richard S. Jensen Jr Feb 2020

The Relationship Between Teachers' Psychological Capital And Caring School Leadership And Enabling School Structure, Richard S. Jensen Jr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teacher attrition is a continuing issue facing schools in the United States. A lack of administrative support and working conditions are often cited as causes of job dissatisfaction and lack of career commitment, which in turn lead to burnout and intent to leave. Psychological capital (PsyCap) has been extensively studied and found to have a positive correlation to the outcomes of job satisfaction and commitment and a negative correlation to stress and burnout. Some leadership models have been found to be an antecedent to PsyCap. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of teachers’ PsyCap with the …


Using Preschool To Close The Socioeconomic Math Achievement Gap, Sydney King Jan 2020

Using Preschool To Close The Socioeconomic Math Achievement Gap, Sydney King

Senior Honors Theses

Socioeconomic status (SES) heavily influences students’ academic performance, creating an achievement gap in core subjects like reading and mathematics. This thesis will describe the socioeconomic achievement gap as it relates to mathematics specifically, discuss the problem’s causes, and propose how preschool programs should be implemented more prevalently as a solution to close the gap. Children with low socioeconomic statuses enter school with lower math proficiency due to their limited math exposure in their early years and the quality of their home learning environments. This thesis will propose an expansion of preschool programs as a solution to this problem to help …


A Phenomenological Hermeneutic Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Spanish Elementary Dual Immersion Principals, Osvaldo Garcia Nov 2019

A Phenomenological Hermeneutic Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Spanish Elementary Dual Immersion Principals, Osvaldo Garcia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological hermeneutic study was to describe the lived experiences of Spanish elementary dual immersion school principals who have led or are leading in Spanish elementary dual immersion schools. At this stage in the research, Spanish elementary dual immersion schools were generally defined as educational institutions designed to provide instruction in English and Spanish. The following central research question guided the study: What is the leadership experiences of Spanish elementary dual immersion school principals? The researcher delved into the challenges, benefits, and transformational leadership traits of Spanish elementary dual immersion school principals. The theory which guided …


Elementary School Building Leaders’ Experiences With Leading Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports (Pbis) Initiatives In Upstate South Carolina: A Phenomenological Study, Jason Michael Ramey Aug 2019

Elementary School Building Leaders’ Experiences With Leading Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports (Pbis) Initiatives In Upstate South Carolina: A Phenomenological Study, Jason Michael Ramey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of elementary school building leaders with leading Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiatives in upstate South Carolina. The theories guiding this study were the growth mindset theory (Dweck, 2006) and the transformational leadership theory (Bass, 1996) as they tie into the experiences of building leaders through their journey. The central research question in this study was: What are the building leaders’ experiences leading PBIS initiatives in an upstate South Carolina elementary school? This study sought to discover the experiences of building leaders who were implementing PBIS. The …


Analyzing Millennial Student Perceptions Of Spiritual Development While Attending Religious Colleges In The United States, Gregory Thomas Adams Jul 2019

Analyzing Millennial Student Perceptions Of Spiritual Development While Attending Religious Colleges In The United States, Gregory Thomas Adams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to measure the perceived degree of spiritual development of graduating seniors at 26 denominational religious colleges and universities in the United States to analyze the possible effects of secularization on religious colleges. The study focused on the Millennial religious college student and suggests an approach towards improving the academic environment at religious colleges to promote a positive atmosphere for improving spiritual development. A question on the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) was analyzed over an eight-year period to determine student and denominational college trends. The researcher determined the degree of perceived spiritual growth …


The Relationship Of Christian Education To Adolescent Students' Biblical Worldview, Jason G. Nave Jul 2019

The Relationship Of Christian Education To Adolescent Students' Biblical Worldview, Jason G. Nave

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Our worldview affects all things in our lives – even our education. Every education has a founding premise or bias which either espouses a biblical worldview or does not. In addition to the factual content, it is typically delivered or taught by someone with a particular premise or bias. Perspectives vary from person to person, and therefore, so can what they believe to be true. The need for true knowledge to be imparted in an absolutely true context is necessary. Thus, there is the need for a biblical worldview to be established. This study is aimed at assessing the relationship, …


A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Persistence Among National Junior College Athletic Association Division Iii Student Athletes, Carlton Hartsell Bryan Jr May 2019

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Persistence Among National Junior College Athletic Association Division Iii Student Athletes, Carlton Hartsell Bryan Jr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of Division III National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) student athletes in central North Carolina who successfully persist to a four-year institution. The theory that guided this study was Vincent Tinto’s Theory of Student Integration (1975) as it established the principle that student’s personal commitment or determination to earn a degree and their commitment to their college or university determines whether they will complete their educational goals. The central research question guiding this study is: What are the experiences of the Division III NJCAA student-athlete in central North …


Correlation Between The Frequency Of Electronic Parent Monitoring Of Grades And Elementary Student Achievement, Michael Scott Robinson May 2019

Correlation Between The Frequency Of Electronic Parent Monitoring Of Grades And Elementary Student Achievement, Michael Scott Robinson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Parent engagement in the education of a child is a scriptural obligation expressively outlined by 2 Timothy 3:16 - 17 (New International Version). Federal legislation also emphasized the importance of parent engagement via the Every Student Succeeds Act (2015), which is supported by professional research to have a positive effect on student achievement. One important limitation of current research is the effect of technology as the intervening variable on elementary student achievement. The purpose of this study was to understand if a relationship exists between the frequency of electronic parent monitoring of grades, using gradebook views from a Student Information …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Job-Related Experiences Of Early Career Catholic Elementary School Principals In The Mideastern Region Of The United States, Sarah Kerins Apr 2019

A Phenomenological Study Of The Job-Related Experiences Of Early Career Catholic Elementary School Principals In The Mideastern Region Of The United States, Sarah Kerins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the job-related experiences of early career Catholic elementary school principals in the Mideastern region of the United States. Alderfer’s (1969) existence, relatedness, and growth theory provides a foundation to answer the central research question: How do early career Catholic elementary school principals in the Mideastern region of the United States describe their job-related experiences? Participants were purposefully selected from a population of Catholic elementary school principals employed within the Mideastern region of the United States who had completed one but not more than five years of service. Using a transcendental …


Developing A Strategy To Vitalize Volunteering For Successful Community Service In Korean Churches: Focusing On The Korean Baptist Church Of Blacksburg, Daijoong Park Apr 2019

Developing A Strategy To Vitalize Volunteering For Successful Community Service In Korean Churches: Focusing On The Korean Baptist Church Of Blacksburg, Daijoong Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Volunteering is a practical method of community service which is an essential ministry of the church’s mission as the salt and light of the world. In order for a church to fulfill its mission of community service, the volunteer work of church members should be activated. However, many church members are still not participating in community service, and some volunteers have difficulty in continuing their volunteer work due to the lack of volunteer management for volunteering properly. The purpose of this study is to develop a viable volunteer management process to vitalize volunteering for community service of a church properly …