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Full-Text Articles in Education

Experiences Of School Climate Among Sexual Minority Students Of Color, Brandon Westerman Sep 2024

Experiences Of School Climate Among Sexual Minority Students Of Color, Brandon Westerman

Dissertations

Since the 1980’s educational research regarding sexual minority students has continued to expand. Researchers have found that school climate can have a profound impact on sexual minority students’ outcomes, including their mental health and academic success. However, much of the research on the effects of school climate upon sexual minority students consists of studies that are predominantly composed of White participants, or the researchers do not address other aspects of participant identity. Based on the concept of intersectionality, it is known that an individual’s experiences are shaped by all their identities, not just a singular one. The purpose of this …


In Pursuit Of Racial Equity: The Role Of Women Presidents And Senior Leadership Teams In Higher Education, Lisa Castillo Richmond Sep 2024

In Pursuit Of Racial Equity: The Role Of Women Presidents And Senior Leadership Teams In Higher Education, Lisa Castillo Richmond

Dissertations

Colleges and universities are of the place and time in which they exist, reflecting the prevailing racial, income, and wealth inequities across society. As a result, the history of higher education in the United States tells both a story of opportunity and advancement, as well as one of exclusion, separation, and inequality. The expansion of access over time has also been accompanied by racial and socioeconomic stratification by institution type and disparities in college completion rates (Carnevale & Strohl, 2013; Fry, 2013). Today, issues of racial and socioeconomic equity continue to pose significant barriers for students. Additionally, women remain stubbornly …


Navigating Culture And Family In Post-Secondary Education As Nigerian American College Students, Funmilayo Ojikutu Sep 2024

Navigating Culture And Family In Post-Secondary Education As Nigerian American College Students, Funmilayo Ojikutu

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine how Nigerian Americans and their families understand academic success, identity, and family influence. This research study aims to understand these three areas by examining the experiences of five Nigerian American undergraduate students and their respective families. The data for this study was collected through individual interviews, focus groups, and an artifact analysis. Through using the Multidimensional Model of Racial Identity framework, findings demonstrated the importance of balancing identities, community, legacy, and shifts in generational mindsets. The findings in this dissertation offer larger discussions related to differences within the Nigerian community, the impact …


Racializing Digital Campus Spaces: A Critical Phenomenological Approach To Understanding (Re)Production Of Whiteness In Digital Campus Ecology, Victoria Elizabeth Callais Sep 2024

Racializing Digital Campus Spaces: A Critical Phenomenological Approach To Understanding (Re)Production Of Whiteness In Digital Campus Ecology, Victoria Elizabeth Callais

Dissertations

The landscape of higher education campus environments continues to change as student populations diversify (Parsons, 2023; Renn & Reason, 2013) and campus spaces extend into the digital realm. This critical phenomenological study examined organizational features that racialize digital campus ecology by examining the phenomena of interest, racialized digital campus spaces (RDCS). Through semi-structured interviews and focus groups with undergraduate students that focused on their experiences with RDCS and semi-structured interviews with administrators that focused on the organizational infrastructure and campus digital culture, findings revealed a complex understanding of campus ecology when reflecting on issues around race. I introduce Augmented Reality …


Early Childhood Educators’ Perceptions Of How Leadership Relates To Their Workplace Well-Being, Joanna Skourletos Sep 2024

Early Childhood Educators’ Perceptions Of How Leadership Relates To Their Workplace Well-Being, Joanna Skourletos

Dissertations

The early childhood workforce faces many unique challenges which have exacerbated educators’ already high levels of workplace stress and turnover. Despite such system-wide issues, there are many thriving early childhood programs that cultivate environments that promote positive professional well-being for early childhood educators. This mixed methods sequential explanatory study examined the experiences and elevated the voices of early childhood educators to explore their perceptions of how their administrators relate to their workplace well-being. Using an online survey and semi-structured interviews, findings indicated that teachers’ perceptions of administrators’ leadership style, trust level and congruence to ideal relate to educators’ workplace stress …


An Autoethnography Of A Social Justice-Minded Teacher In Corrections, Graciela Rubalcaba-Munoz Aug 2024

An Autoethnography Of A Social Justice-Minded Teacher In Corrections, Graciela Rubalcaba-Munoz

Dissertations

ABSTRACT The incarceration of women has increased 93% in the last fifty years. This impacts marginalized communities at disproportionate rates. Although the provision of education in corrections became federal law in 1952 as a means to rehabilitate inmates, women’s facilities currently do not receive equitable resources to support education, which puts additional pressure on the educational staff. The legal requirement for education includes county jails, the transitory facilities that house inmates while they await court or transfer to prison. The jail educational system is volatile, making it difficult to engage students when there are constant interruptions, unexpected incidents, lockdowns, and …


A Daca Initiative: Transformative Organizational Change At The School Of Medicine, Cynthia Chaidez Aug 2024

A Daca Initiative: Transformative Organizational Change At The School Of Medicine, Cynthia Chaidez

Dissertations

The purpose of this revelatory case study is to explore how the DACA Initiative (DI) transformed the School of Medicine (SOM) beyond just changing student demographics. In this research, I specifically explored if, through the DI, SOM organizationally changed enough to be considered transformative change in its efforts to enhance the acceptance and support of DACA medical students. In addition, I looked at the evolution of the financial operations at SOM to support DACA medical students. The research questions that guided this study were: As a result of the DI, did the organizational changes implemented by SOM to accept and …


Perceived Factors Impacting Teachers’ Pedagogical Decision-Making Pertaining To The Use Of Pbl In The Classroom: A Dissertation, Amanda Slaughter Aug 2024

Perceived Factors Impacting Teachers’ Pedagogical Decision-Making Pertaining To The Use Of Pbl In The Classroom: A Dissertation, Amanda Slaughter

Dissertations

There is a consistent body of research evidence citing the potential of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) as a viable instructional tool to raise student engagement with challenging content (Saye & Brush, 2017; Strutchens and Martin, 2017; Wynn, 2015). According to the National Council for the Social Studies, “The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world” (NCSS, accessed 2023, March 1, para. 2). Scholars like Engle (1960) called for instructional strategies that raised the …


Teacher And Student Perspectives Of Technology Use In Elementary School Classrooms, Anthony Oskar Alvarado Aug 2024

Teacher And Student Perspectives Of Technology Use In Elementary School Classrooms, Anthony Oskar Alvarado

Dissertations

This study explored student and teacher perspectives of technology use at Franklin Elementary School in South San José, CA, using qualitative, quantitative, and observational methods, including interviews, observations, and surveys. Thirteen teachers responded to a survey on educational technology use. Among this group, eleven provided interviews, and nine invited classroom observations from 1st through 6th grades. Additionally, sixty-nine 3rd to 6th-grade students were surveyed about their views on technology use. The study found that technology use in teaching is widespread and integral, not just an add-on. Observations and teacher interviews showed high engagement and interest in technology tools, primarily supporting …


What Can We Do To Help? Understanding Policies And Practices Of Schools Related To Unexcused Absences, Shelly K. Masur Aug 2024

What Can We Do To Help? Understanding Policies And Practices Of Schools Related To Unexcused Absences, Shelly K. Masur

Dissertations

School absences figure prominently in student success. It makes sense that students who are in school have a better chance of learning and growing and when they aren’t there, they don’t benefit from what schools have to offer. But when absences are marked unexcused the consequences could be significant, further hindering school success for students. Looking at racial dimensions of attendance could provide an important element to our understanding. This study reviews the literature on student attendance, the history of attendance policy, racial and ethnic dimensions of student attendance policy and how it is applied, and the impact of leadership …


Embracing Mindfulness-Based Professional Development In Early Childhood Education, Drew Giles Aug 2024

Embracing Mindfulness-Based Professional Development In Early Childhood Education, Drew Giles

Dissertations

There is a growing need for school districts to identify additional strategies to support the work-related stress and emotional labor ingrained in an early educator’s career. By orienting early childhood education (ECE) staff to mindfulness practices, education leaders may identify new approaches to assist early childhood educators’ well-being, building healthy work atmospheres, and activities to shift the culture in early childhood settings. This study employs a qualitative exploratory research design, specifically video documentary methodology to better understand how early childhood educators experience a mindfulness-based professional development (MBPD) program designed for ECE staff, explore what they say education leaders should know …


Measuring Critical Mentoring: Understanding How Differences In Staff Beliefs Affect Peer Mentoring Implementation In The Csu, Lauren E. Reagan Aug 2024

Measuring Critical Mentoring: Understanding How Differences In Staff Beliefs Affect Peer Mentoring Implementation In The Csu, Lauren E. Reagan

Dissertations

Self-reported positive effects of peer mentoring for mentors and mentees have included enhanced academic performance, greater sense of belonging, and retention, among other widely accepted benefits of the intervention. However, minimal quantitative or mixed methods research has focused on mentoring staff who design, implement, and therefore heavily influence these programs. This mixed-methods study sought to articulate which factors relate to staff beliefs on peer mentoring in California’s largest public higher education system, the California State University. The first purpose of this study was to articulate which facets relate to or contribute to beliefs on a spectrum of mentoring perspectives, from …


Leading With An Intercultural Mindset: Leadership Development Programs For International Students, Keri A. Toma Loehrer Aug 2024

Leading With An Intercultural Mindset: Leadership Development Programs For International Students, Keri A. Toma Loehrer

Dissertations

This mixed methods study explored co-curricular student leadership development programs that included intercultural learning and were designed for international students studying at higher education institutions in the United States. The study aimed to better understand: (a) common program characteristics; (b) program administrator perceptions; and (c) the international student experience. Data was collected in a two-phase explanatory sequential design, involving surveys and semi-structured interviews. Six main content areas across all programs were identified: (a) diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); (b) global engagement; (c) intercultural learning; (d) leadership development; (e) personal and professional development; and (f) supporting the international community. Administrators generally …


Con Respeto Y Dignidad: Transforming Educational Experiences For Students Of Color By Addressing Disproportionate Discipline Practices, Selene Munoz Aug 2024

Con Respeto Y Dignidad: Transforming Educational Experiences For Students Of Color By Addressing Disproportionate Discipline Practices, Selene Munoz

Dissertations

Discipline practices wield significant influence over the social dynamics within educational settings and profoundly impact students’ ability to attain academic and social gains crucial for their success. The racialization of school discipline has been linked to negative effects on student’s academic trajectories and life outcomes. Consequently, school administrators can play a crucial role in effecting cultural change within their organizations to support disciplinary practices that uphold students’ educational dignity. This study looked at the strategies employed by secondary level administrators to shift their school cultures aimed at addressing disproportionate disciplinary practices. Using a mixed methods approach, this study draws upon …


History Education: Learning History From Community College Students’ Perspectives, Mylinh V. Pham Aug 2024

History Education: Learning History From Community College Students’ Perspectives, Mylinh V. Pham

Dissertations

Given the current political climate of division, the study of history is important now more than ever, but the value of the study of history has been marginalized. This study used student focus groups to understand ways in which history could be taught in such a way that its importance is emphasized through relevance and connection to current social and political issues and through student-centered learning. This study also determined how history could help students evaluate and think critically about historical content. This study drew on the experiences of community college students who have taken a higher education history course …


Methods And Metacognition: Teaching An Historically And Culturally Responsive Holocaust Unit, Katie Sluiter Aug 2024

Methods And Metacognition: Teaching An Historically And Culturally Responsive Holocaust Unit, Katie Sluiter

Dissertations

While at least forty-seven states have legislation around teaching the Holocaust and/or genocide to secondary students (grades 6-12), this curriculum is typically housed in the social studies departments of most districts; however, there are many English language arts teachers who either choose to teach Holocaust literature alongside their social studies counterparts, or create stand-alone Holocaust units around both informational texts and literature.

This study centers around the author’s own Holocaust unit taught to eighth-grade honors ELA students in an urban, Title I school district. The unit is used as an artifact to examine two aspects of a successful unit on …


Examining Novice Teacher’S Perspectives On Mentoring Programs And Their Influence On Attrition, Lakeisha Ector Aug 2024

Examining Novice Teacher’S Perspectives On Mentoring Programs And Their Influence On Attrition, Lakeisha Ector

Dissertations

This qualitative study examines the perspectives of novice teachers on mentoring programs and their influence on attrition. Mentoring programs present opportunities for skilled educators to teach, sponsor, encourage and advise novices, improving their personal and professional development. The research determines whether mentoring and induction programs strengthen teacher efficacy and their influence on attrition rates. The study is rooted in constructivism, which seeks to develop an understanding and knowledge of individuals through their experiences and reflection. The research employs an inductive and deductive approach, facilitating pattern and theme identification. The study involves nine participants – novice teachers – from Martin-Ellison County …


Reading Comprehension Interventions For Students With Autism, Mary Andrews Aug 2024

Reading Comprehension Interventions For Students With Autism, Mary Andrews

Dissertations

Research focused on reading comprehension interventions for students with autism is limited. Available research focuses primarily on the impact of single intervention methods, whether teacher-led or technology-based. Research on intervention methods paired with technology is limited. The researcher conducted a survey of 51 special education teachers to identify what interventions, whether teacher-led or technology-based, are most frequently and effectively utilized within the classroom, as well as what methods teachers prefer to utilize within the classroom. The researcher also interviewed a sample of 5 teachers and conducted a thematic analysis to identify factors that teachers identify as most important in teaching …


Exploring The Relationship Of The Noncognitive Variables Of Grit And Mindset In Baccalaureate Nursing Students And Their Impact On Academic Success, Alecia Hollis Aug 2024

Exploring The Relationship Of The Noncognitive Variables Of Grit And Mindset In Baccalaureate Nursing Students And Their Impact On Academic Success, Alecia Hollis

Dissertations

The study aimed to evaluate how the noncognitive variables of grit and mindset could impact the academic success of baccalaureate nursing students. With the present and growing shortage of nurses, attrition within nursing programs is cause for concern. Attrition is a multifaceted problem; however, academic failure is one contributing factor. While cognitive factors, such as the standardized aptitude test (SAT), pre-nursing science GPA, pre-nursing GPA, and standardized entrance exams (Al-Alawi et al., 2020; Chisholm-Burns et al., 2021), have traditionally been used for admission criteria, increasing evidence suggests that noncognitive factors, like grit and mindset, play a crucial role in academic …


A Mixed Methods Comparative Analysis Of Missouri Public Charter Schools’ Performance Vs Traditional Public Schools Of Similar Demographics And The Correlation Between Their Performance And Funding, Dearon M. Mckinney Aug 2024

A Mixed Methods Comparative Analysis Of Missouri Public Charter Schools’ Performance Vs Traditional Public Schools Of Similar Demographics And The Correlation Between Their Performance And Funding, Dearon M. Mckinney

Dissertations

This dissertation presents a comprehensive investigation into the performance of public charter schools in Missouri compared to traditional public schools with similar demographic profiles. The study employs a mixed-methods research design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches to gather and analyze data. The primary objectives include assessing academic outcomes, examining demographic characteristics, and exploring the relationship between school performance and funding allocation.

The quantitative phase involves a large-scale statistical analysis of academic achievement data, such as standardized test scores and other relevant metrics obtained from both charter and traditional public schools. A careful matching process ensures that demographic factors such …


A Design Thinking Mixed Method Study On Social-Emotional Learning Lessons For Early Elementary Learners, Emily Woodall Aug 2024

A Design Thinking Mixed Method Study On Social-Emotional Learning Lessons For Early Elementary Learners, Emily Woodall

Dissertations

Social emotional learning (SEL) had largely been absent from early elementary curriculum, despite research which indicated the need for specialized SEL curricula for unique groups, especially students identified as gifted and talented, exceptional students living in geographically isolated areas, and unidentified gifted students from historically disadvantaged minority groups, including African American, Latinx, and Native American. The researcher proposed an SEL pilot in early elementary grades, including pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, may create a scaffolded approach to SEL curricula throughout the students’ educational experiences with a focus on scaffolding to specific subgroups, such as gifted and talented students with unique SEL needs. …


Review Of Transition Programs For Autistic Students From Pre-K To Elementary School And Elementary School To Middle School In A Midwest Suburban School District, John J. Harrington Iii Aug 2024

Review Of Transition Programs For Autistic Students From Pre-K To Elementary School And Elementary School To Middle School In A Midwest Suburban School District, John J. Harrington Iii

Dissertations

This study is in place to identify what needs to be outlined within an IEP transition plan, so that students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can experience success during their educational careers. The study will review results based on teacher-provided surveys to identify how high-quality transition plans impact the student’s educational success when transitioning from early childhood education to elementary and elementary to middle school. The transition process plan is designed to provide the needed student information from one educational entity to another. The goal is to reduce the amount of time to get the student what the student needs …


Understanding The Barriers And Contributions To Success Among African American Graduate Students Pursuing Doctorate Degrees In Clinical Or Counseling Psychology: A Comparative Analysis Of Predominantly White Institutions And Historically Black Colleges And Universities In The U.S., Chelle' Thomas Aug 2024

Understanding The Barriers And Contributions To Success Among African American Graduate Students Pursuing Doctorate Degrees In Clinical Or Counseling Psychology: A Comparative Analysis Of Predominantly White Institutions And Historically Black Colleges And Universities In The U.S., Chelle' Thomas

Dissertations

This study investigated the barriers encountered by African American students in earning doctorate degrees in clinical or counseling psychology at Predominately White Institutions (PWIs) compared to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This study aims to elucidate the challenges encountered by African American graduate students in their pursuit of doctoral degrees in clinical or counseling psychology. The study focused on analyzing the obstacles and positive impacts experienced by African American graduate students as they strive to obtain doctorates in clinical or counseling psychology. Multiple challenges and contributions have been identified in this a phenomenological qualitative study. The qualitative results indicate …


Breaking Boundaries: A Qualitative Exploration Of Scientific Motivation And Persistance From The Perspectives Of Arab Women Undergradute Students In Stem In The Us, Fadwa Hamad Aug 2024

Breaking Boundaries: A Qualitative Exploration Of Scientific Motivation And Persistance From The Perspectives Of Arab Women Undergradute Students In Stem In The Us, Fadwa Hamad

Dissertations

There is a lack of information regarding the motivational experiences of Arab women undergraduate students in STEM fields in the US and the factors that contribute to their engagement and persistence in this field. This is because of their categorization as white on census documents, which renders them invisible. Research has shown that motivational beliefs are effective predictors of students' persistence especially for women from minority groups. Thus, it is important to understand the motivational experiences of Arab women students as part of the minority women in STEM in the US. Using an intersectionality framework, and a multi-component motivational model, …


Perceptions Of The Differing Preparatory Needs Of Teacher Leaders And Educational Leaders, Kimberly Green Aug 2024

Perceptions Of The Differing Preparatory Needs Of Teacher Leaders And Educational Leaders, Kimberly Green

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the differing preparatory needs of teacher leaders and educational leaders through a phenomenographic approach, identifying unique and overlapping elements of these two leadership domains. Grounded in Adult Learning Theory, the study emphasizes self-directed learning and practical knowledge for professional development. Thematic findings reveal that Teacher Leadership Preparation Programs are primarily research-based on the practitioner’s perspective, offering insights grounded in classroom experience, while Educational Leadership Preparation Programs focus on developing supervisory skills for school and district leadership roles. This highlights the different focal points in leadership training, with teacher leadership prioritizing mentorship and educational leadership focusing on supervision. …


Emailed Prompt Package To Increase Alternative School Educators’ Use Of Behavior Specific Praise, Chelsea Johnson Jul 2024

Emailed Prompt Package To Increase Alternative School Educators’ Use Of Behavior Specific Praise, Chelsea Johnson

Dissertations

Alternative school educators are often placed in alternative education settings with minimal training or support to manage disruptive behaviors in the classroom. To combat this, school-based consultation may be provided to assist alternative school educators with classroom management strategies. However, face-to-face consultation may be limited due to the numerous responsibilities placed on school-based consultants. Behavior specific praise (BSP) is a strategy that is recommended, but often provided at low rates. To address these barriers, previous literature has examined the use of emailed prompts to increase treatment integrity, feasibility, and acceptability of a variety of evidence-based interventions. A concurrent multiple baseline …


Beyond The Classroom Walls: Examining Educational And Social Outcomes Of Cross-Curricular Peer Observation In Secondary Schools, Jacinda Miller Jul 2024

Beyond The Classroom Walls: Examining Educational And Social Outcomes Of Cross-Curricular Peer Observation In Secondary Schools, Jacinda Miller

Dissertations

This qualitative case study involved a sample of middle school teachers participating in a cross-curricular peer observation of teaching (POT) program. The study aimed to explore the experiences of these teachers in the POT program, focusing on its impact on teaching pedagogy and partner relationships. Data collection methods included a demographic questionnaire, writing prompts, feedback forms, observation of feedback meetings, interviews, and a researcher journal. The findings demonstrated that cross-curricular peer observations are perceived as an effective form of professional development among this group of middle school teachers, benefiting both the observer and the observed. Participants acquired and implemented new …


An Analysis Of Teachers’ Viewpoints From Public, Private, And Charter Schools On Effective Lesson Planning And Instruction, Samone Smith Jul 2024

An Analysis Of Teachers’ Viewpoints From Public, Private, And Charter Schools On Effective Lesson Planning And Instruction, Samone Smith

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the perspectives of elementary school educators in St. Louis, Missouri, regarding impactful lesson planning and instruction across public, charter, and private school settings. Drawing on existing literature and empirical data, the study seeks to unveil the approaches and perceptions teachers hold towards lesson planning, shedding light on essential characteristics for effective teaching. The introductory chapter sets the stage by presenting the significance and purpose of the study, framing research questions, and outlining the methodology. The following chapters explore the theories, review the literature, and analyze collected data to help us understand lesson planning practices in modern education. …


A Case Study Of Educational Context Influencing High School English Teachers’ Knowledge, Perceptions, And Uses Of Technology, Alicia Curles Jul 2024

A Case Study Of Educational Context Influencing High School English Teachers’ Knowledge, Perceptions, And Uses Of Technology, Alicia Curles

Dissertations

One-to-one programs are being implemented in schools and districts to improve and increase students’ learning opportunities. This qualitative case study aimed to examine high school English teachers’ perceptions, knowledge, and contextual uses of one-to-one technology devices in a unique context after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study consists of a single case study in a large South Georgia district that is a combination of rural, urban, suburban, and island communities. This research study was guided by Brianza et al.’s (2022) extension of the technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge framework, XTPACK, and was informed by a social constructivist approach. Qualitative data from …


Special Education Preschool Teachers’ Perspectives, Attitudes, And Self-Efficacy Towards Inclusive Education, Mieke Kramer Tavares Jul 2024

Special Education Preschool Teachers’ Perspectives, Attitudes, And Self-Efficacy Towards Inclusive Education, Mieke Kramer Tavares

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the perspectives of special education preschool teachers in California regarding the inclusion of children with disabilities in general education preschool classrooms. Furthermore, the study examined the self-evaluation of these teachers regarding their abilities to support children with disabilities in general education classrooms. Last, the study aimed to identify additional factors that impact the attitudes of teachers towards including children with disabilities in general education preschool classrooms.

Methodology: A mixed methods nonexperimental descriptive, sequential, convergent research design was employed. Data collection tools included surveys (quantitative) and interviews (qualitative). In Phase 1, dependent …