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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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Full-Text Articles in Education

Early Childhood Directors’ Perspectives Regarding Barriers To Childcare Quality Improvement, Charlotte Richards Jan 2022

Early Childhood Directors’ Perspectives Regarding Barriers To Childcare Quality Improvement, Charlotte Richards

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Early childhood childcare program directors face barriers that impede program quality, but there is a lack of research exploring these barriers. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore perspectives of early childhood childcare center directors regarding barriers they encounter as they attempt to implement quality improvements to rate at the highest, 3-star level in the state quality rating and improvement system (QRIS). This study was grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, which notes the influence of environmental systems on the development of young children. The research question explored the perspectives of early childhood childcare center directors’ regarding …


Professional Dispositions And Perceptions Of Principals About Inclusion In Senior Secondary Schools, Desmond Prince, George Williams Jan 2022

Professional Dispositions And Perceptions Of Principals About Inclusion In Senior Secondary Schools, Desmond Prince, George Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractProviding inclusive education for children with special educational needs and disabilities entails educating these students in general education classrooms. There are no consistent practices or regulations for administering programs for such students in general education classrooms in Sierra Leone. This problem is supported by the lack of literature about administrative inclusive education practices. This basic qualitative study was conducted to explore the professional dispositions, perceptions, and rules or regulations that school principals hold for administering programs for students with special educational needs and disabilities in general education classrooms. The conceptual framework of the study was based on moral leadership and …


Effective Educational Leadership Styles, Capabilities, Best Practices, Capacities, And Sustainable Strategies In Caribbean Countries, Finan Herbert Sabaroche Jan 2022

Effective Educational Leadership Styles, Capabilities, Best Practices, Capacities, And Sustainable Strategies In Caribbean Countries, Finan Herbert Sabaroche

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSecondary school leaders of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, a subgrouping of the Caribbean Community, were concerned with understanding and using effective leadership. The problem was that difficulties persisted in determining and applying the essential leadership features and related factors to influence and improve the learning outcomes. This generic qualitative study aimed to explore the features and leaders’ perceptions to understand and apply effective leadership to influence learning, school climate, and societal development outcomes in three Caribbean countries. The conceptual and empirical evidence and leaders’ perceptions of the features, factors, and archival data helped clarify the problem and guide …


Teacher's Implementation Of Play-Based Learning Practices And Barriers Encountered In Kindergarten Classrooms, Emily Acevedo Jan 2022

Teacher's Implementation Of Play-Based Learning Practices And Barriers Encountered In Kindergarten Classrooms, Emily Acevedo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Play-based learning practices contribute to oral language development, social-emotional development, literacy, and communication skills development in young children. Public schools struggle with the implementation of play-based pedagogy practices to meet culturally diverse students’ academic needs. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how kindergarten teachers implement play-based learning practices and curricula in kindergarten classrooms in a public elementary school in the Northeast United States. The conceptual framework included the situated learning theory and Fullan’s educational change theory. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with nine kindergarten teachers who implemented play-based learning practices and curricula in kindergarten …


Perceptions Of K-12 School Principals Regarding The Use Of Exclusionary Discipline Practices, Shalonda W. Adams Jan 2022

Perceptions Of K-12 School Principals Regarding The Use Of Exclusionary Discipline Practices, Shalonda W. Adams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Exclusionary discipline practices (EDPs), including suspensions and expulsions, are used in public schools, from kindergarten to 12th grade (K–12). Excessive use of EDP can have a negative impact as students face delays in completion of their academic work. The problem of increasing use of EDPs at a suburban public school district located in a southern state was addressed in this study. Hallinger and Murphy’s instructional leadership model was used to examine the perceptions of K–12 school principals regarding their use of instructional leadership practices to reduce the use of EDPs. Purposeful sampling was used in this basic qualitative study to …


Community College Faculty Perceptions Of Online Student Engagement, Teri R. Cruzan Jan 2022

Community College Faculty Perceptions Of Online Student Engagement, Teri R. Cruzan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low student engagement and high attrition rates in online classes were observed at community colleges in a Western U.S. state. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore online faculty members’ perceptions of student engagement and how they described their teaching practices and experiences. The study was grounded in the community of inquiry, a collaborative and constructivist model, which posits that social, cognitive, and teaching presences are critical to engagement and online learning. Data were collected from 10 online faculty members who provided responses to an online qualitative survey. Data analysis involved coding by hand in several stages to …


The Effect Of Parental Socialization On The Postsecondary Plans Of Latino/Hispanic Students, Nilda Ivette Rosario Jan 2022

The Effect Of Parental Socialization On The Postsecondary Plans Of Latino/Hispanic Students, Nilda Ivette Rosario

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Latino/Hispanics are one of the largest ethnic minority groups in the United States, yet they are underrepresented in higher education. Grounded on the social cognitive theory and the Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler model, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between parental expectations, parental involvement, parental self-efficacy, and postsecondary planning of Latino/Hispanic students. The research questions were formulated to determine whether parental factors among Latino/Hispanic parents can predict postsecondary educational outcomes among Latino/Hispanic students. A quantitative correlational research study design was used. The target population was Latino/Hispanic parents residing in the United States with at least one child …


A Meta-Analysis Examining The Efficacy Of Flipped Instruction For Stem Academics, Daphne Marie Gricoski Jan 2022

A Meta-Analysis Examining The Efficacy Of Flipped Instruction For Stem Academics, Daphne Marie Gricoski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractImproving education, particularly for the sciences, is an important and necessary endeavor which can lead to positive social change. Education reform tends to involve updating and aligning curriculum standards without considering methodologies or teaching strategies involved. Identifying evidence-based practices to improve achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) will contribute to improving the education system. Flipped classroom instruction is a pedagogical approach that emphasizes student involvement and engagement in the learning process. There is evidence that active learning strategies improve achievement in STEM academic areas. The purpose of this study was to compare traditional lecture teaching methods to the …


First-Year Mainstream Teachers' Perspectives On Preservice Preparation In English Language Learner Instruction, Sally Hernandez Jan 2022

First-Year Mainstream Teachers' Perspectives On Preservice Preparation In English Language Learner Instruction, Sally Hernandez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although the number of English language learners (ELLs) in mainstream classrooms has significantly increased over the past decade, first-year teachers continue to begin their careers without adequate training in ELL instruction. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore first-year mainstream teachers’ perspectives of their preservice course training and field experiences in ELL instruction. The study site was a small west Tennessee school district where 32 students are currently receiving English as a second language (ESL) services. Supported by Kolb’s experiential learning theory, this study was framed by the concept of hands-on experience for learning, which is used by …


The Perceptions Of Adult Patients Who Experience Needle Fear During Cosmetic Injections, Julia Hoy Jan 2022

The Perceptions Of Adult Patients Who Experience Needle Fear During Cosmetic Injections, Julia Hoy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAdult patients receiving cosmetic injections frequently experience needle fear symptoms which results in patient discomfort, suffering, and poor injection outcomes. The needle fear experience contributes to a decreased quality of life and possible avoidance behaviors involving other medical treatments requiring needles. Researchers have conducted quantitative studies which explored interventions on pain reduction but there are no qualitative studies from the perspectives of adults experiencing needle fear. The purpose of this research study was to explore the perceptions of needle fear in adult patients receiving cosmetic injections in a medical office setting. The interpretative phenomenological approach was used to provide an …


Training And Support On Eportfolio Implementation In Early Childhood Education, Kellina A. Logan Jan 2022

Training And Support On Eportfolio Implementation In Early Childhood Education, Kellina A. Logan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In early childhood classrooms, there is a lack of consistency in training and support in the implementation of ePortfolios, which may lead to frustration, lack of implementation, and improper use of portfolios as an assessment tool. There is a significant amount of research about teachers using ePortfolios from Grade 3 through higher education, but there is a lack of research about how early childhood teachers implement ePortfolios as an assessment tool. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how early education teachers perceive the training and support that they receive regarding the implementation of ePortfolios used as …


Perceptions Of English Language Arts Teachers Related To Low Student Performance On The Parcc Assessment, Melissa Smith Jan 2022

Perceptions Of English Language Arts Teachers Related To Low Student Performance On The Parcc Assessment, Melissa Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe problem explored in this study was the low achievement of third grade students on the English Language Arts (ELA) Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers Assessment (PARCC). The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore teacher perceptions about third grade students in one charter school who were consistently scoring low on the PARCC assessment in ELA. The conceptual framework for this study was Vygotsky's Social Constructivist Theory. Vygotsky's Social Constructivist theory suggests that when learners are engaged in the process of learning, they are able to learn from the person who is presenting the …


Retention Of African American Male Teachers In Elementary And Middle Schools, Marla West Jan 2022

Retention Of African American Male Teachers In Elementary And Middle Schools, Marla West

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe representation of African American male teachers in elementary urban schools has decreased. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate administrators’ and African American male teachers’ perceptions of how administrators are challenged to support the retention of African American male teachers in elementary and middle schools in the focus urban school district. Social, cognitive, and transformational leadership theories were used as a framework to guide the study. Research questions addressed how administrators perceive the ways they support the retention of African American male teachers and how African American male teachers perceive that support. Purposeful sampling was used …


Kindergarten Teachers' Perspectives On School Readiness In Children Who Attended Military Installation Childcare Centers, Juliana Wilson Jan 2022

Kindergarten Teachers' Perspectives On School Readiness In Children Who Attended Military Installation Childcare Centers, Juliana Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Limited literature exists on the effectiveness of prekindergarten programs located on military installations in the United States. The children who attend these programs may not receive school readiness preparation equivalent to that received by their peers who attend community-based prekindergarten programs, which follow different guidelines. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the kindergarten readiness of children who attended preschool on military installations as described by teachers in community-based kindergarten classrooms. Pianta's work on school readiness formed the conceptual framework of this basic qualitative study. The research question addressed how kindergarten teachers describe school readiness in children …


Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence, Mentorship, And Burnout In Nursing Faculty, Jasmine Louis Jan 2022

Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence, Mentorship, And Burnout In Nursing Faculty, Jasmine Louis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nursing faculty early in their careers face challenges involving transitioning into new roles, high workloads, and lack of support, making them vulnerable to burnout. Burnout is a syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment. The purposes of this study, guided by Maslach’s burnout theory, were to determine if there is a relationship between emotional intelligence and mentorship in terms of burnout among nursing faculty who are in their early careers, if there are differences in terms of burnout among these nursing faculty who have received mentorship compared to those who did not receive, and if there is …


Strategies For Attracting And Retaining Highly Skilled It Professionals For The High-Tech Workforce, Mia Gyjuan Moore Jan 2022

Strategies For Attracting And Retaining Highly Skilled It Professionals For The High-Tech Workforce, Mia Gyjuan Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many information technology (IT) managers have experienced challenges retaining high-tech professionals. Organization leaders lose investments of time and money when essential personnel leave. Grounded in the task-technology fit theory and the technology acceptance model, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore technology-focused strategies IT managers use to attract and retain IT professionals. The participants included five IT managers from five high-tech organizations who implemented strategies to attract and retain IT professionals. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and online resources. Thematic analysis revealed four themes: (a) using high-tech tools and alternative methods, (b) employing talent management techniques, …


Evaluation Of An Orientation Program For Graduate Nurses Transitioning Into Professional Practice, Kristy Patrick-Lewis Jan 2022

Evaluation Of An Orientation Program For Graduate Nurses Transitioning Into Professional Practice, Kristy Patrick-Lewis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The transition from student nurse to practicing professional is extremely challenging. The local organization experienced increases in turnover among new graduate hires and determined that adjustments to their orientation program to better meet the needs of new graduates were warranted. The problem that this doctoral project addressed is the lack of evaluation of the effectiveness of the new orientation program. The practice-focused question examined the effectiveness of the new orientation program at reducing turnover and improving satisfaction with the quality of the orientation program among new graduate nurses. The framework used to guide this study was Patricia Benner’s novice to …


Administrators’ Perceptions Of Mindfulness Practices In Southeastern, Racially And Ethnically Diverse Urban Elementary Schools, Sakima Romero-Chandler Jan 2022

Administrators’ Perceptions Of Mindfulness Practices In Southeastern, Racially And Ethnically Diverse Urban Elementary Schools, Sakima Romero-Chandler

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMindfulness practices are increasingly used in schools; however, there is a gap in practice when it comes to their use. The problem investigated through this basic qualitative study was the implementation of school mindfulness practice (SMP) of elementary school administrators in a large, urban area in the southeast United States. The purpose of this project study was to understand urban elementary school administrators’ perceptions of the implementation of SMP in predominantly racially and ethnically diverse, urban elementary schools. The conceptual framework was the instructional leadership model of Murphey, Hallinger, Weil, and Mittman that emphasizes the importance of understanding administrative functions, …


Challenges Faced By Executive Leaders At Schools For The Deaf, Michelle Therese Tanner Jan 2022

Challenges Faced By Executive Leaders At Schools For The Deaf, Michelle Therese Tanner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hiring and sustaining qualified executive leaders at schools and programs for the Deaf continue to be challenging for board members and communities. More information is needed to understand issues contributing to the retention and recruitment of these executive leaders. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand factors that contribute to retention and recruitment in these positions and to learn possible solutions for overcoming challenges. An economic labor market theory for superintendents informed the study. Data were collected via interviews with 11 executive leaders from public and private schools for the Deaf from different regions of the United …


Veteran Social Justice Teacher Challenges And Retention, I'Asha S. Warfield Jan 2022

Veteran Social Justice Teacher Challenges And Retention, I'Asha S. Warfield

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractTeacher attrition disproportionately affects schools that have high populations of students who are socio-economically disadvantaged and/or high populations of students of color. The retention of social justice teachers is specifically important at high-needs schools because these teachers help to address both educational and social inequality. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how experienced teachers who identify themselves as social justice educators describe why they stay in the classroom despite perceived emotional challenges and what supports they recommend to keep social justice teachers in the classroom. The concepts of purpose, identity, and power, culture, and context from Hargreaves’s …


Lived Experiences Of African American Middle School Males Taught By A Different Race, Pamela Lee Ward Jan 2022

Lived Experiences Of African American Middle School Males Taught By A Different Race, Pamela Lee Ward

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractWhile considerable research has explored the effect of teacher’s racial group on educating African American students from the teacher’s perspective, little is known about the students’ thoughts. The purpose of this study was to describe the feelings of African American middle school males who were taught by teachers of a different race. The bases for this qualitative study were critical race theory (CRT) and oppositional cultural theory (OCT). Purposive sampling strategy and snowball sampling were used to recruit seven African American middle school males for in depth semi structured interviews. The responses of the participants were coded, the analysis method …


Emotional Intelligence And Gender As Predictors Of Infidelity Among Heterosexual, Monogamous Couples, Dina R. Schulsinger Jan 2022

Emotional Intelligence And Gender As Predictors Of Infidelity Among Heterosexual, Monogamous Couples, Dina R. Schulsinger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rate of families being impacted by divorce is high. Studies show that infidelity remains the number one cause of divorce or the dissolution of relationships; however, couples with a higher level of emotional intelligence (EI) have demonstrated a higher rate of marital satisfaction.The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental study was to determine if gender, EI, ethnicity, and age, individually or in combination, can adequately predict infidelity among persons in committed, heterosexual, monogamous relationships. EI theory served as the theoretical foundation for this study. Using an online survey methodology, each participant answered four qualifying questions and, when qualified, took the …


Oil Rig Trainees’ Perspectives On The Influence Of Drilling Simulation On Their Learning And Motivation, Adel Mohamed Hassanein Abdelaziz Jan 2022

Oil Rig Trainees’ Perspectives On The Influence Of Drilling Simulation On Their Learning And Motivation, Adel Mohamed Hassanein Abdelaziz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low enrollment levels in vocational drilling training programs in the Arabian Gulf area have resulted in a talent gap, with little success in building and retaining national crews. With current simulation technology, it is believed that trainees' learning, motivation, and achievements will increase; however, further study is needed to determine if these conclusions hold. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how using simulation technologies influences trainees' learning, motivation, and perspectives about completing their education at an oil-field drilling rig’s vocational training facility. Davis’s technology acceptance model concerning user reception of information systems formed the conceptual framework. …


Civilian School Educators’ Perspectives Of Needed Supports For Military-Connected Early Childhood Students, Demetreia D Head Adderley Jan 2022

Civilian School Educators’ Perspectives Of Needed Supports For Military-Connected Early Childhood Students, Demetreia D Head Adderley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The support needed for military-connected children in civilian schools remains a largely unexplored subject. Military-connected children and their families face unique stressors due to the nature of military life and culture. The problem is that civilian educators are often unaware of the presence of military-connected students in their schools and of the academic and behavioral support these students require to be successful. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of educators concerning the support needed for military-connected early childhood students in civilian schools to be successful. The three research questions focused specifically on teachers’ perspectives on …


How College Faculty Adapted Instruction To Online Learning During The Covid-19, Rosie Ah Chee-Toeava Jan 2022

How College Faculty Adapted Instruction To Online Learning During The Covid-19, Rosie Ah Chee-Toeava

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the challenges of the transition of courses to online platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to collect and examine the experiences of XYZ (pseudonym) faculty who transitioned their courses to online learning platforms in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Piaget’s constructivism was the conceptual framework of this project. The research questions examined the experiences of college faculty members about previous knowledge that contributed to the transition of courses using online platforms. Ten research participants were selected using purposeful sampling while conducting semistructured interviews. Content thematic analysis …


Teacher And Administrator Perceptions Of Responsibilities During District-Mandated Changes To Curriculum, Hope Albritton-Terry Jan 2022

Teacher And Administrator Perceptions Of Responsibilities During District-Mandated Changes To Curriculum, Hope Albritton-Terry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Systemic changes to curriculum are an inevitable part of education; however, understanding how teachers and administrators perceive their responsibilities in implementing district-mandated changes to curriculum is unclear. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to determine teachers’ and administrators’ perceptions related to their responsibilities in effective implementation of district-mandated changes to curriculum. The conceptual framework for this study was change theory to explore how teachers and administrators process district-mandated changes to curriculum. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with eight teachers and seven administrators who have implemented district-mandated changes in a public school in the mid-Atlantic region of the …


Effect Of Covid-19 On Comprehensive Predictor Exam Scores And Nursing Program Scores And First Generation College Students, Heather Marie Austin Jan 2022

Effect Of Covid-19 On Comprehensive Predictor Exam Scores And Nursing Program Scores And First Generation College Students, Heather Marie Austin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic forced nursing education programs to change traditional face-to-face teaching to virtual education and simulated experiences. Therefore, research is needed to determine how this change affected nursing students’ academic performance and their performance on standardized exams. The purpose of this three-part study, guided by Knowles’s adult learning theory, was to determine if there was a difference in Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) students’ performance on: (a) Assessment Technology Institute (ATI) Comprehensive Predictor (CP) scores, (b) end of program scores, and for (c) CP scores for first generation students before the COVID-19 pandemic compared with nursing students’ scores …


Teacher Perceptions Of Disproportionate Suspensions Between Minority And White Students, Tanika Rachelle Barr Jan 2022

Teacher Perceptions Of Disproportionate Suspensions Between Minority And White Students, Tanika Rachelle Barr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Throughout public schools in the United States, minority students continue to receive more disciplinary consequences compared to other groups of students. The problem addressed in this study was the persistence of discipline disproportionality between minority students and White students at a public U.S. middle school, even with recent efforts such as the implementation of the positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) framework. Guided by the theory of behaviorism, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate teachers’ perceptions about the persistence of this discipline disproportionality between minority and White students and ways to improve the use of PBIS …


College Students’ Perceptions Of The Importance Of Student Engagement In Online Courses, Alicia Beasley Jan 2022

College Students’ Perceptions Of The Importance Of Student Engagement In Online Courses, Alicia Beasley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have identified high dropout rates in online courses for the past several years with few strategies for improvement. The problem addressed in this basic qualitative study was that peer socialization and engagement are challenges in online courses. The purpose of this study was to understand how far utilizing social media improved student socialization and engagement in online courses thus resulting in increased student success. This study used the conceptual framework of engagement theory, which states that students must be meaningfully engaged in learning activities through interaction with others and worthwhile tasks. The research questions addressed student perceptions about the …


Exploring Student Loan Borrower’S Financial Decisions After Florida Enacted Statute 1009.45, Vijantie Michelle Boodoo Jan 2022

Exploring Student Loan Borrower’S Financial Decisions After Florida Enacted Statute 1009.45, Vijantie Michelle Boodoo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Florida implemented Statute 1009.45 as of July 1, 2017, to require colleges and universities to provide annual student loan debt notifications to students to inform them about their student loan obligations. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine how college students in the State of Florida make financial decisions about their education, focusing on the influence of the notifications and what additional supports would help them improve their decision-making. There was a gap in the literature in identifying what information students were using from the notification. Rational choice and human capital theories were used for the conceptual …