Education Commons^™

An Exploration Of Educator Experiences Making Data-Driven Decisions Within A Multi-Tiered System Of Support, Jennifer L. D'Angelo

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

School districts across the country often face challenges using data to implement a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) to meet the needs of all learners through high quality educational opportunities. This qualitative investigation explored how educators in a public school district in the northeastern United States experience the collection and analysis of data to inform decision-making within a MTSS. Guided by the theory of planned behavior and employing a phenomenological analysis, this study addressed the inconsistencies in educator training along with a lack of existing literature focused on the foundational elements of data literacy. The research questions focused on understanding …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Purpose Of Traditional Grading And The Influence Of Established School Or District Grading Cultures, Guidelines, And Policies In Connecticut Public Middle Schools, Matthew D. Prukalski

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine how public middle school teachers in Connecticut described their perceptions of the purpose of traditional grading and the influence of school or district grading cultures, guidelines, and policies. The research explored the problem of standards-based grading reform due to teachers’ grading perceptions. The literature reviewed includes the challenges of traditional grading and its effect on students, standards-based grading reform, and the challenges associated with successful standards-based grading reform. Data for this qualitative study was collected through semi-structured interviews with eight participants who had experience as middle school teachers using a traditional …

The Perceptions Of Secondary Education Guidance Counselors Regarding The Scholastic Aptitude Test And Its Relationship To College Admissions For Low Socioeconomic Students, Lamont M. Vines

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

Established test score qualifications are experienced by low socioeconomic status (LES) students as a large impediment to college admission. The problem this transcendental phenomenological qualitative study explored was that the established SAT assessment methods and strategies used for secondary students are inundated with data relevant to only students who are in a high socioeconomic demographic. The purpose of this study was to explore the examined perceptions of guidance counselors working in urban school districts within Michigan LES communities regarding barriers and challenges created for students by the SAT and its relationship to college admissions. Purposeful sampling was used with semi-structured …

Sharing Stories Of Development: How School Leaders Perceive Developing A Trauma-Informed School, Mandy L. Cyr

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This narrative inquiry explored how educational leaders perceive the development of a trauma-informed school. A trauma-informed school acknowledges the impact of trauma and responds by integrating effective practices, programs, and procedures to build resilience. The problem addressed by this study is, with rising numbers of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), school staff lack targeted skills to help students mitigate trauma. Further, this qualitative study fills the gap in literature by providing the lived experiences of educational leaders in developing trauma-informed schools. Through narrative research, semistructured interviews which lasted up to 60 minutes were individually conducted with five educational leaders who …

The Experience Of Knowledge Workers In Remote Environments During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Dale F. Knapp

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

When regional quarantine restrictions were rapidly implemented in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, knowledge workers were forced to vacate their traditional shared office spaces and transition to remote work environments. This unprecedented mass exodus from traditional in-person physical workplaces was facilitated by existing and new software and technology that allowed workers to remain connected and working. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences and perceptions of knowledge workers who experienced this transition to a full-time remote work environment. The study also examined how knowledge workers perceived work performance relative to their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were …

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of Inner Speech Used As A Self-Help Tool Among Adult Remote Workers, Jennie Yeung Dr., Jennie Yeung Dr.

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shift to remote work emphasized the importance of maintaining the well-being of adult remote workers. The problem studied was the awareness, understanding, and acceptance of inner speech/self-talk among adult remote workers. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of adult remote workers regarding their use of inner speech/self-talk. Inner speech/self-talk is an innate ability of higher mental functions that include reasoning, problem solving, planning and plan execution, attention, and motivation. Data collection involved the purposeful sampling of 10 participants who were adult remote workers. The semistructured interviews were …

Public Elementary Teachers' Experiences With Explosive Student Outbursts: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Sarah G. Young

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

The problem explored in this qualitative phenomenological study was the adverse effects on elementary school teachers resulting from experiencing students’ explosive outbursts (Bostic et al., 2021). The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of public general education elementary teachers who experienced explosive student outbursts at school. Two research questions guided this study: How do public general education elementary teachers describe their lived experiences with explosive student outbursts at school? How do public general education elementary teachers describe the outcomes of explosive student outbursts? The theoretical framework was based on Lazarus and Folkman’s (1984) transactional theory of …

Medical School Middle Managers Learning To Successfully Work With Leadership To Navigate Organizational Change, Elizabeth G. Smith

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

There is a lapse in research exploring middle managers at medical schools during an organizational change. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the perceptions of middle managers during an organizational change to mitigate burnout and build resilience. The literature reviewed explored how stressors from organizational changes may impact medical school middle managers, leading to feeling less secure about their position and increasing middle managers’ stress leading to burnout. For an organizational change to be successful, middle managers must build trust with their staff, communicate with middle managers, and engage middle managers in the change process. Burnout …

Perceived Influence Of Career And Technical Student Organizations On Postsecondary Choices, Deborah K. Marshall

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

The purpose of this basic qualitative research study was to explore the perceptions of former career and technical student organization (CTSO) members’ postsecondary choices relative to their involvement in CTSOs in a midsize city high school. The research question that guided this qualitative study was:

How do former participants in CTSOs describe the student organization’s influence on their postsecondary choices?

Thirteen former CTSO members participated in this study through semistructured individual interviews. Four themes emerged from the data: (a) use of soft skills, (b) engagement with others, (c) participation in conferences, and (d) leadership preparation. Through data analysis, the themes …

Digital Journeys: A Narrative Inquiry Into The Experiences Of Third- Grade Through Fifth-Grade General Education Teachers Implementing Instructional Technology In Northern California, Erin Layng

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

The problem studied was the utilization of instructional technology in elementary classrooms, from third-grade through fifth-grade, and how teachers experience the use of technology in teaching methods and student learning. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to understand the experiences of third-grade through fifth-grade teachers regarding the implementation of instructional technology in their classrooms. The study's timing captured teachers' views on technology before, during, and after the 2020-2021 academic year, which was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and distance learning. Qualitative narrative inquiry allowed for a rich exploration of the teachers' experiences, with results of the study …

Lived Experiences Of Primary And Secondary Teachers At One State-Approved Private Special Education School In Connecticut Regarding Disparities Among Racially And Ethnically Diverse Students In Special Education, Keumok Heo

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

The problem explored in this qualitative phenomenological study was the need to understand the lived experiences of primary and secondary teachers at one state-approved private special education school in Connecticut regarding disparities among racially and ethnically diverse students with emotional or learning disorders in special education (Cavendish et al., 2018; Jackson et al., 2016; Leung, 2021; Lhamon et al., 2019; Skrtic et al., 2021). The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of primary and secondary teachers at one state-approved private special education school in Connecticut regarding disparities among racially and ethnically diverse students with emotional or …

Exploring Public School K-12 Educators’ Experiences With The Special Education Eligibility Process For African American/Black And Hispanic/Latino Students In Rural Communities, Debra R. Gately

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

Rural school districts often face unique challenges such as limited resources, attracting and retaining qualified teachers, and varied offerings of professional development opportunities and training. This study substantiated these challenges and revealed the challenges presented when educators do not consider the cultural and linguistic factors that exist among the student population when considering academic and behavioral interventions. This qualitative investigation explored how general education teachers in a public school district in the northeastern United States experienced the special education eligibility process for African American/Black and Hispanic/Latino students in a rural community. Guided by the theories of intersectionality and systems view …

An Exploration Of Leadership And Management Challenges Among Center-Based Early Childhood Education Directors, Yeni Portillo-Lemus

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

Managing early childhood education (ECE) programs is intricate, with directors facing challenges in organizational leadership, business management, and meeting pedagogical standards. Early childhood education directors are vital as they play a crucial role in ensuring quality education and care. Despite the importance, research on leadership and management, especially through a gender lens, is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to explore the leadership and management challenges Los Angeles County based, private-for-profit, single-center early childhood education directors experience in their leadership and management roles. Six participants who self-identified as ECE directors completed semi-structured interviews over Zoom. These …

Exploring The Experiences Of Adjunct Clinical Dental Hygiene Faculty With Peer Mentorship As They Transition From Clinician To Educator, Rosalie Forrester

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

The work-role transition from clinician to educator involves the dental hygienist creating a new identity as a dental hygiene educator. Insider guidance through peer mentorship may help support and acclimate new faculty during this work-role transition. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to explore the experiences of adjunct clinical dental hygiene faculty with peer mentorship as they transitioned from the role of clinician to educator. Five participants who met the criteria for this study completed semi-structured, virtual interviews via Zoom. These interviews were restoried into narratives, categorized, and then manually coded into themes. The categories included development of …

Perceptions Of Secondary English Teachers On Using English Curriculum To Meet Social And Emotional Learning Goals, Emilie B. Throckmorton

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore secondary public school English Language Arts (ELA) teachers’ perceptions of implementing ELA curriculum as it may relate to social and emotional learning (SEL) goals. The problem explored was the rise of adolescents’ mental health concerns (CDC, 2019) and the role of secondary schools in attempting to address these concerns. The literature on this topic explored the mental health crisis for adolescents, the history and philosophy of SEL, and how secondary schools are integrating SEL, and how the ELA curriculum may be effective at meeting SEL goals. Six secondary public ELA teachers …

The Perceptions Of Elementary Educators Regarding Mathematical Discourse Utilization In The Classroom: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Christina Anderson

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

Given the lack of proper utilization of mathematical discourse in public elementary settings and the stagnation of mathematical proficiency, the purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of public elementary K-5 educators regarding the use of mathematical discourse as a pedagogical strategy. Because research indicates there are benefits to facilitating mathematical discourse, this study sought to understand the perceptions of public elementary K-5 teachers regarding the use of mathematical discourse as a pedagogical strategy in the classroom, their perceptions of different pedagogical strategies for facilitating mathematical discourse, and their perceptions of students engage in mathematical discourse …

The Shared Experiences Of Educators In Grades 7–12 Who Implement Lessons In Social–Emotional Learning Curriculum, Heathre C. Palige

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

Social–emotional learning (SEL) is used in public school classrooms throughout the United States. The problem that this researcher addressed in this study was that minimal understanding exists of the lived experiences of teachers who implement SEL in Colorado public schools in Grades 7–12. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore and to provide a clearer understanding of the lived experiences of six educators who implement SEL in Grades 7–12 in Colorado public schools. The study fills a gap in literature in understanding the experiences of teachers who use SEL in middle and high school. The literature review …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Public K-12 General Education Teachers With Research-Based Frameworks And Strategies For Students With An Emotional Disability, Denise Arnauckas

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of public K-12 general education teachers with research-based frameworks and strategies for students in the classroom who are identified with emotional disability. The following questions were used to guide this study: (1) How do public K-12 general education teachers describe the use of research-based academic management frameworks and strategies in the general education classroom for students identified with an emotional disability? (2) How do public K-12 general education teachers describe the use of research-based classroom management frameworks and strategies in the general education classroom for students identified …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Dental Hygiene Faculty Using Simulation With Dental Manikin Head Devices To Teach Local Anesthesia, Allison Castro

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

This study employed a qualitative phenomenological methodology to explore the lived experiences of dental hygiene faculty using simulation with dental manikin head devices to teach local anesthesia. This study aimed to address the gap in the literature given the lack of discussion regarding dental manikin head simulation use in teaching local anesthesia within dental hygiene education. The purpose extended to explore if educators could guide students and ease anxieties by incorporating simulation in the development of treatment skills on a manikin before applying these skills to real-life interactions. John Dewey’s (1938) concept of interconnectedness between education and experience and David …

Urban Elementary Teachers’ Experiences In Maine Managing The Paradoxical Tension To Both Deliver Grade-Level Instruction And Customize Support: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Laura Graves

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

ABSTRACT

To address historic levels of students’ unfinished learning, teachers must balance two competing objectives: maintaining grade-level instruction so that students do not fall further behind, while simultaneously customizing support so that students can rise to grade-level. This complex instruction is particularly important for teachers serving students from communities under pressure who were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and historic barriers to education. The problem addressed in this study was the lack of understanding of urban elementary teachers’ experiences as they managed the paradoxical tension to deliver grade-level instruction to the entire class while customizing support according to individual …

Perspectives Of First-Year Internal Medicine Residents On Evaluating Medical Students, Whitney Harper

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

As physicians-in-training transition from medical school to residency, they must quickly adapt to new environments, systems, and roles in the clinical education setting. Many are tasked with teaching and evaluating their near-peer medical students as early as the first day of residency training, yet they are often uninformed on teaching practices and assessment strategies. This basic qualitative study explored first-year medical resident perceptions of the influence of evaluating medical students on their transition from medical student to first-year resident. Nine first-year internal medicine residents participated in this study through semi-structured individual interviews. Four themes emerged from the data: 1) feeling …

Exploring The Experiences Of Black, Brown, Indigenous, And People Of Color In High School Concert Bands And Orchestral Ensembles, Matthew J. Smith

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

The traditional concert band/orchestra model in many public high schools often passively presents content regarding Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). BIPOC students in these ensembles bring a wealth of experience from their communities. Meanwhile, BIPOC face barriers including invalidation and a diminished sense of representation in these ensembles. This qualitative investigation explored how BIPOC students in a public 9-12 high school district experienced social, pedagogical, curricular practices in their school’s concert band/orchestra. Guided by critical race theory and culturally responsive pedagogy, and employing interpretive phenomenological analysis, this study addressed the lack of inclusivity and representation experienced by BIPOC …

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of Former Maine Adult Education Students Who Successfully Earned A High School Credential, Kayla Sikora

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

Students who unenroll from traditional high school often seek a nontraditional pathway to earn a high school credential. Maine adult education programming provides a nontraditional pathway to a high school credential for high school non-completers. This qualitative phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of former students who obtained their high school credential through a Maine adult education program. Through one-on-one semi-structured interviews, eight participants shared their lived experiences working with Maine adult education programming to obtain their high school credential. Two themes emerged in this study: The significance of self-motivation and the importance of support. The significance of self-motivation was …

Burnout And Job Satisfaction Of Behavior Technicians Working In Public Schools: A Quantitative Correlational Study, Sara B. Dougherty

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to determine if the characteristics of burnout predict job satisfaction of behavior technicians in public schools. There was a need to examine if the high levels of burnout and low job satisfaction experienced by teachers and paraprofessionals that have resulted in high rates of attrition also impact behavior technicians in public school settings (Madigan & Kim, 2021; NCES, 2022; Sims, 2020; Skaalvik & Skaalvik, 2020). An online survey was created using REDCap consisting of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educators Survey (Maslach et al., 1996), the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire short form (Weiss et al., …

A Phenomenological Study On The Lived Experience And Leadership Of Project Managers In An Agile Transformation, Randall Hopkins

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

This study employed a phenomenological methodology to investigate the shared experiences of project managers of corporations in the United States during a transition to agile project management methodologies. The project managers’ transformation was noteworthy because agile introduces a change in work structures, processes, and leadership. This study sought to understand how eight project managers described their lived experience and leadership during the transition to agile methodologies. Interviews with project managers uncovered identity facets that evolved with their understanding of leadership. The traditional project managers’ common-sense approach to work served as both a barrier and enabler of a change. Project managers …

Perceptions Of Organizational Learning Culture In The Aerospace Industry, Derek J. Collins

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

The aerospace industry operates in a dangerous and unforgiving environment. Building organizations that understand the environment and learn from successes and failures becomes critical to success. Creating a culture of organizational learning then becomes essential. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore perceptions about organizational learning culture held by professionals in the aerospace industry. Eleven individuals participated in structured, written interviews that provided the participants with an open forum for others to understand their experiences in organizational learning cultures in the aerospace industry. These interviews were evaluated and then manually coded into themes. The developed themes included …

Perceptions Of Elementary School Principals Regarding Strategies To Build Trust Among Staff To Support Positive Change, Laurel Cole

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

Trust is essential between elementary school principals and teachers, for it is a necessary ingredient in well-functioning organizations, especially schools. The problem addressed in this phenomenological study was the lack of practical strategies for principals to build trust with teachers effectively and efficiently to facilitate positive change and, ultimately, to support student achievement. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand how elementary school principals can quickly build trust with their teachers to facilitate positive change. Through the literature review, the researcher examined historical definitions of trust and early trust studies, the creation of trust and strategies for …

Family Member Experiences With Augmentative And Alternative Communication Systems Used By Nonspeaking Autistic Individuals, Christina M. Wotton

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

Nonspeaking autistic individuals who have no way to communicate cannot share their thoughts, dreams, or desires. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to explore the experiences of family members of nonspeaking autistic individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. This study documented family members’ experiences of identifying, learning, and implementing two types of AAC: Rapid Prompting Method and Spelling to Communicate. Through one-on-one interviews, five participants shared their lived experiences. Three themes emerged from the data. The first theme was an increase in well-being for the entire family. All five participants described transformations and improvements in …

The Role Of School Leadership In Preparing High School Teachers To Engage In Restorative Practices, Margaret Chmura

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

In schools across the United States, student discipline policies have traditionally been punitive, removing students from the educational. Researchers have shown that punitive consequences are often assigned inordinately to subgroups of students (e.g., Black or Brown students and special education students). Restorative practices are an alternate approach to punitive consequences and are transforming student discipline in schools across the country. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to discover types of support that are needed from school leaders in transitioning teachers to the use of restorative practices in the high school setting. Five teacher participants engaged in the study …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Impact Of Administrators On The Social And Emotional Health Of Teachers And School Climate: A Qualitative Case Study, Allison Breen

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

This intrinsic, qualitative single case study took place at a suburban, public elementary school in Massachusetts with teachers from second through fifth grade. The study addressed the importance of administrative support and engagement on teachers’ social and emotional health and sustaining a positive school climate. The study aimed to help stakeholders understand the perceptions of teachers regarding the perceived impact of administrators’ support and engagement on teachers’ health and well-being. The online survey used convenience sampling that included seven topics from a pre-existing instrument. The semi-structured interviews were based on purposive sampling and included open-ended questions. A total of 16 …