Education Commons^™

Examining The Impact Of School Resource Officer Training: A Survey Of North Carolina Officers In Schools, Jennifer M. Osborn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Recent increases in violence in schools have led to greater attention on the training and effectiveness of School Resource Officers (SROs). This study analyzes the effects of SRO training programs in North Carolina educational institutions, concentrating on two principal law enforcement agencies: the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and the Fayetteville Police Department. This research uses surveys and qualitative analysis to examine how SRO training relates to school safety and the development of positive relationships with students.

SRO training protocols and their efficacy in enhancing school safety and cultivating positive student relationships. The study examines four primary research questions concerning the …

Faith-Informed Instruction In Secondary Mathematics: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod Teachers, Jonathan Balsman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the phenomenon of faith-informed instruction as experienced by secondary mathematics teachers in Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) schools in the United States. The theory guiding this study was Vygotsky’s theory of social constructivism, which frames educators’ instructional and theological meaning-making as socially and contextually developed through collaborative, relational learning environments. The central research question guiding this study was: What are the lived experiences of LCMS secondary mathematics teachers as they practice faith-informed instruction? This study used a hermeneutic phenomenological design to interpret teacher meaning-making and reflective practice. Participants were selected using …

Secondary Science Teachers’ Perceptions Of Digital Simulations: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Marie-Romie Alexis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the shared experiences using digital science simulations as instructional tools for secondary science teachers in a large school district in southeastern Florida. Guided by Vygotsky’s social constructivist theory, which emphasizes the importance of providing support within learners’ zone of proximal development to enhance cognitive growth, this study aimed to provide a framework for understanding how teachers support students through digital simulations. The central research question focused on teachers’ experiences with digital simulations as pedagogical tools to improve science skill development. The sample consisted of 14 secondary science teachers. Data were …

Elementary Music Educators And The Mcclosky Technique, Shannon Day

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite years of private vocal instruction and coursework on the singing voice, many music educators have not continued their vocal study beyond their former institutional requirements, nor have they received training in the proper use and care of the speaking voice, which has led to the development of vocal disorders and complaints of poor vocal health. This study examines the varying levels of vocal health among elementary music educators as they undergo vocal health exercises using the McClosky Technique. The McClosky Technique offers a distinctive approach to vocal health that emphasizes the release of muscular tension within the voice. The …

High School Teachers’ Experiences Fostering Empathy At A Florida Charter School: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Angela Lynn Green

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of high school teachers fostering empathy at a charter school in Florida. The theory guiding this study was Vygotsky’s social constructivism as it provided the framework for exploring the phenomenon of fostering empathy in the classroom while considering the role of teacher and student interactions. The Central Research Question was as follows: What are the lived experiences of high school teachers with fostering empathy in their classrooms at a charter school in Florida? This study used a qualitative phenomenological approach with a purposeful sample of 10 high …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of College Student Motivations For Learning While Overcoming Addiction: Building University Recovery Capital, Jason James Gemme

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand how addiction recovery shapes college students' motivation to learn at Haven University, an institution in the South Atlantic region of the United States. The central phenomenon of motivation was generally defined as the internal drive that propels an individual towards achieving a goal or fulfilling a desire, such as overcoming addiction or pursuing academic learning. The theory guiding this study was Maslow's hierarchy of human motivation. This theory was instrumental in understanding the psychological factors that influenced college students' motivations for addiction recovery or learning and elucidated ways to integrate …

A Phenomenology Exploring The Perceived Influence Of Students’ Disability Disclosure On Faculty's Practices, Shannon M. Bernick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the influence of student disability disclosure on policy practices developed by higher education administrators for faculty at higher education institutions in the United States. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social cognitive theory. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of faculty integrating policy practices developed by higher education administrators with students who have chosen disability disclosure at higher education institutions in the United States? Participants in the study included 10 faculty members from diverse educational, professional, and personal backgrounds. The criteria for participant inclusion in …

Examining Perceptions Of Instructional Design And Technology In The Usaf Corrosion Prevention And Control Program: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jarquees Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to examine the perceptions of ID&T in corrosion education and training within the corrosion prevention and control program for personnel in the United States Air Force (USAF). The theory guiding this study was social cognitive theory, as defined by Bandura, which provided a structural framework for assessing personnel perceptions of the effectiveness of CPC education and training. The central research question is: How do USAF personnel perceive the efficacy of instructional design and technology within the USAF corrosion prevention and control education and training program? This study employed a qualitative phenomenological …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Exploring Veteran Mentor Teachers’ Role In Shaping Novice And Uncertified Special Educators At Joy High School In Texas, Venyke C. Medley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences mentoring novice or uncertified special education teachers for veteran special education teachers at Joy High School in Texas. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social learning theory, which emphasizes the importance of observational learning, modeling, and mentorship in shaping professionals. The central research question was: How do veteran special education teachers in Title I secondary schools describe the mentorship and training needs of novice and uncertified special education teachers related to implementing special education policies and individualized instructional practices? Using purposive sampling, 10 veteran special education …

Empowering Elementary Music Students To Compose And Perform With Ipad, Matthew Martin Massengale

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

iPad is a popular device commonly used an educational tool, yet little information is available about how iPad can be used to supplement gaps in music education in elementary classes. It is widely accepted that music education increases student achievement across multiple curriculums: therefore, any techniques and tools available to deliver music lessons that may close gaps in access to quality music education are important to study and understand. Through qualitative research techniques, this study will examine and analyze the efficacy of using iPad in music lessons. Students will access music history and theory through apps installed on iPad. Students …

Teachers’ And Parents’ Perception Of The Impacts Of Social Skills Education Among Learners With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Marian Baffoe Bonnie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the perceptions of the impacts of social skills learning for teachers and parents at a preschool in a central African country. The theory that guided this study was Premack and Woodruff’s theory of mind as it provides a scholarly underpinning for understanding the social and communication deficits experienced by individuals with autism. The central research question that guided the study was: How do teachers and parents perceive the impacts of social skills education among children with autism spectrum disorders? A qualitative methodology using a phenomenological design was used. Purposive sampling was …

Lived Experiences Of Faculty Working In Recently Consolidated Public Secondary Schools In Rural Southeastern United States Of America: A Phenomenological Study, Mary Elizabeth Baker Vick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of faculty members of a consolidated secondary public school within a rural district in the southeastern United States. The theory guiding this study was Lewin’s theory on institutional change as it explains how individuals experience the unfreezing, changing, and refreezing phases during organizational transitions. The Central Research Question was, what are the lived experiences of secondary public school faculty during and following the consolidation of their secondary public school in rural Southeastern United States of America? This qualitative research study utilized a transcendental phenomenological approach to investigate …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Faith-Based Advocacy Experiences Of Leaders Of Christian Academic Libraries, Melanie Lewis Croft

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the faith-based advocacy experiences for library leaders at Christian institutions of higher education. The theory guiding this study is spiritual leadership theory, which demonstrates how library leaders connect library resources and services to the advancement of the mission and goals of a Christian institution of higher education. The central research question asked, What are the lived experiences of library leaders in Christian institutions of higher education who have engaged in faith-based advocacy? Participants in this study were those who served as the primary administrator of an academic library within a …

Exploring The Leadership Experiences Of Black Males At Four-Year Public Universities: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Demario Levon Preston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the school leadership experiences for Black male students at four-year public universities. At this stage in the research, leadership experiences were defined as the lived experiences of Black male students in universities' leadership roles, including the barriers they encountered and the strategies they employed to navigate these challenges. The theory guiding this study was Astin's (1984) theory of involvement, which posits that student engagement influences academic success and leadership development. The central research question asked: What are the lived experiences of Black males in four-year public universities who engage in …

Teacher Interpretations Of Involuntary Peer Observations: A Case Study With Implications For Curriculum, Collaboration, And Trust, Lidia Waltos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, holistic, single instrumental case study was to explore how involuntary peer observations are described, perceived, and interpreted by teachers in an urban secondary school and how those perceptions may inform curriculum development, instructional strategy implementation, collaboration, and trust. The social learning theory guiding this research suggests individuals learn by engaging in observation, modeling of skills and tasks in specific social contexts, interpretations of others’ behaviors, and applying of learned information. The central research question was: How are involuntary peer observations described, perceived, and interpreted in an urban secondary school, and how do these perceptions inform …

Arete In Education: A Phenomenology On Virtue Cultivation In Classical Christian Schools, Jeffrey D. Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of educational leaders in classical Christian schools with the cultivation of virtue as the primary purpose of education. The concept guiding this study is Aristotelian virtue ethics, from which spring virtue theory and positive organizational scholarship. The Aristotelian worldview drives the assertion among classical Christian educators that education is defined as the cultivation of virtue. The central research question for this study is “What are the lived experiences of classical Christian educational leaders in cultivating virtue in their students?” The study of classical Christian educational leaders’ views about …

Internships As A High-Impact Practice: A Phenomenological Study Of Hbcu Student Experiences With Soft Skills, Michelle Bennett Simmons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe soft skill development gains through high-impact practice internship experiences for Black students at an HBCU in the Mid-Atlantic United States. The theory presented informed and supported the focus of inquiry was Kolb’s experiential learning theory. This theory served as the theoretical framework for the study to answer the following central research question: What are the lived experiences of HBCU Alpha University students who participate in HIP internships? Participants included 10 Black students at Alpha University who completed an internship. The participants were selected using purposeful sampling. Data was collected through …

The Lived Experiences Of Black Women In Leadership Within Secondary Education: A Phenomenology Study, Tonya Meichelle Morrow

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of Black women serving in leadership roles within secondary education. Guided by Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, which focuses on the interaction between personal, behavioral, and environmental factors, the study explored how these leaders navigate their role in secondary education. The central research question is: What are the lived experiences of Black women in leadership roles within secondary education? Using qualitative research methods, the study focused on public middle and high schools in the United States where Black women hold leadership positions, such as principal. assistant principal, dean …

Recommendations For Advancing Elementary Music Education For Students With Disabilities In Skyline Ridge School District, Dawn Marie Schafer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied research study was to provide recommendations to advance music instruction to students with disabilities at sixteen elementary schools in the Skyline Ridge School District (SRSD). The problem was that there was evidence of low musicianship and music participation in students with disabilities in the middle schools in SRSD. The rationale for this study was that students with disabilities may be capable of achieving musicianship as well as any other student. For this reason, music educators must be prepared to set them up for success. The central research question was: How can the elementary music teachers …

Exploring Teacher Experiences And Readiness In Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jennifer D B Melvin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the perceived preparedness for the responsibility for the educational experiences of twice-exceptional students at public schools in Western Georgia. Twice-exceptional students, who are gifted and have disabilities, face unique challenges in academic achievement and social-emotional well-being due to asynchronous profiles and unmet needs. While evidence-based strategies exist to support twice-exceptional learners, appropriate training for teachers is imperative to ensure these approaches are implemented effectively. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social cognitive theory, as it posits that there is a connection between personal factors, behavioral patterns, and the environment …

Recommendations For Improving Soft Skills Training In The Career And Technical Education Curriculum At Sumter Career And Technology Center In South Carolina, Walter Robertson Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to improve soft skills training in the Career and Technical Education curriculum at the Sumter Career and Technology Center in South Carolina. The problem was that 8% of the Sumter Career and Technology Center's students participating in work-based learning opportunities, apprenticeships, or internships lack the soft skills required by participating employers. The rationale for this study was that it is critical to improve soft skills training in the curriculum at Sumter Career and Technology Center to improve students' performance in work-based learning opportunities to boost employer confidence and lead to permanent future employment opportunities …

Recommendations To Improve Career And Technical Education Online Instruction Practices At A Community College In The United States Of America, Thomas Matthew Lewis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to provide recommendations to improve career and technical education online instruction practices at a community college in the United States of America. The problem was that career and technical education online instruction practices are inadequate at a community college in the United States of America. The reasoning for this study was to improve students’ preparedness for vocational careers by incorporating online instruction as a complement to traditional classroom instruction. Improving online instruction practices can improve a student’s self-efficacy. The central research question was how can career and technical education online instruction practices be improved …

A Phenomenological Study Of Early Educator Experiences Regarding The Educational And Developmental Benefits Of Play-Based Learning For Children Identified With Special Needs In Inclusive Early Education Classrooms, Karen Renée Gallagher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand what are the lived experiences of early childhood educators with providing play-based learning experiences in inclusive classrooms. The theory guiding this study is Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Development theory. This phenomenological study focused on understanding the perceptions and experiences of early childhood educators in regard to how play-based learning supports school readiness within early care and education environments. The focus of the study included educators who care for and teach children between the ages of birth to five years old within inclusive, state licensed early childhood learning environments located in the …

Voices From The Pacific: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Paraprofessionals’ Experiences Using Aac Devices To Support Students With Autism In The Northern Mariana Islands, Edieson Louie Bastareche Aguirre

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of paraprofessionals using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices to support students with autism in K–12 schools within the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Grounded in Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, the study examined paraprofessionals’ perceptions, challenges, and adaptive strategies in AAC implementation. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of paraprofessionals implementing AAC devices to support students with autism in the Northern Mariana Islands? A transcendental phenomenological design was employed, using convenience and maximum variation sampling, to recruit 10 paraprofessionals across the CNMI. …

Special Education Teachers’ Experiences And Knowledge Regarding Individuals With Severe And Profound Disabilities: A Qualitative Study, Nicole Valentine-Sokolowski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of special education teachers regarding their knowledge and experiences in teaching students with severe and profound disabilities during their pre-service special education teacher training. The problem is many students with severe and profound disabilities are not receiving appropriate services or instruction, which is affected by how special education teacher training programs are preparing future teachers. The theory guiding this study was John Dewey’s theory of experience, which emphasizes the importance of gaining experience to succeed. The central research question is: How prepared did special education teachers feel regarding …

From Hype To Habit? Attractional Youth Ministry Methods And Young Adult Church Involvement, Melanie L. Holbrook

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of young adults ages 18–22 who previously participated in attractional youth ministry programs and to examine how those experiences relate to their current levels of church involvement. This study addressed a need among church and ministry leaders to better understand how attractional youth ministry approaches shape ongoing church involvement during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood, a period often marked by declining church participation. By using a qualitative phenomenological design, this researcher collected data through semi-structured interviews with 15 participants recruited from churches along Colorado’s Front …

The Effect Of Structured Prebriefing On Pre-Simulation Anxiety In Baccalaureate Nursing Students Participating In High-Fidelity Simulation: A Quantitative Quasi-Experimental Nonequivalent Pretest-Posttest Control Group Study, Laura D. Wade

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental nonequivalent pretest-posttest control group study was to examine the effect of structured prebriefing on pre-simulation state anxiety among baccalaureate nursing students participating in high-fidelity simulation (HFS) at a private faith-based university in the South-Central United States (U.S.). Simulation is widely used in nursing education; however, nursing students frequently experience elevated anxiety prior to simulation that may negatively influence learning and performance. Despite recognition of prebriefing as best practice in simulation-based education, limited quantitative research has examined the effect of structured prebriefing on pre-simulation anxiety. A convenience sample of 73 baccalaureate nursing students enrolled in …

The Relationship Between Musical Aptitude And Multiple Intelligences In High School Music Students, Rachel Connor

Masters Theses

This quantitative correlational study examines the relationship between musical aptitude, measured by Edwin Gordon’s GIA assessments, and students’ predominant multiple intelligences (MIs), as defined by Howard Gardner. Although MI has been widely researched, little is known about how intelligence strengths relate specifically to musically adept students. High school music students at Fayetteville Christian School in Fayetteville, NC, were first assessed using the GIA to identify those demonstrating musical aptitude. Eligible students then completed the AMI R/ARCH Profile to determine their strongest MI. A correlational analysis examined whether specific intelligence strengths are commonly associated with musical aptitude. Grounded in Gardner’s MI …

Barriers And Beliefs: Narratives Of Mental Health Help-Seeking Among First-Generation Latino/Hispanic College Students, Karina L. Alba Lockhart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mental health challenges among college students in the United States have increased in recent years, yet first-generation Latino/Hispanic college students continue to underutilize available services while facing unique cultural and structural barriers to care. This qualitative narrative study explored how first-generation Latino/Hispanic college students made meaning of mental health help-seeking in relation to perceived barriers, perceived benefits, and cultural values such as familismo and stigma. Guided by the health belief model and cross-cultural psychology, this study recruited 15 participants from four-year institutions in the United States and collected data through an online asynchronous questionnaire. Thematic and narrative analysis revealed that …

A Qualitative Intrinsic Case Study Of How School Staff Members Are Using Collaborative Efforts To Mitigate The Preschool-To-Prison Pipeline, April Y. Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative intrinsic case study was to explore the collaborative efforts to mitigate the preschool-to-prison pipeline among stakeholders at one public elementary school in a southern city in Louisiana. The preschool-to-prison pipeline represents a systemic issue in which children, particularly those from marginalized racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, face punitive disciplinary practices in schools, increasing their likelihood of future involvement with the criminal justice system. Guided by critical race theory and the communities of practice framework, this study sought to understand the systemic factors contributing to the pipeline and examined the strategies stakeholders used to address these inequities. …