Education Commons^™

Fcrh Honors Program: Fall 2025 Program Highlights, Fcrh Honors Program

FCRH Honors Program Newsletters and Reports

No abstract provided.

Navigating Towards Sustainability: The Case Of Ateneo De Manila University, Ma. Assunta C. Cuyegkeng, Abigail Marie T. Favis, Emmanuel D. Delocado

Reports

This case study shows how Ateneo de Manila, a private Philippine university, began its sustainability journey in 2008, maneuvered barriers to introduce collaborative academic programs in sustainability in 2015, and continues with its aspirations through committing to be a Laudato Si’ University in 2022. Stakeholder engagement and sustainability leadership were big factors in raising awareness, changing institutional practices, embedding sustainable technologies, and generating sustainability reports during the first seven years. The next seven years were influenced by increasing demand from industry to understand sustainability due to government requirements, which led to the introduction of new academic programs as well as …

Easing The Limits Of The Statute Of Limitations: A Path To A More Equitable Idea, Sarah Shepley

William & Mary Law Review

Part I of this Note discusses the special education framework, outlining the rights and obligations of parents and school systems created by the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). Part II evaluates the IDEA’s statute of limitations as the gatekeeping instrument of the due process complaint system and discusses the Third Circuit’s reconciliation of the seemingly conflicting statutory provisions of the IDEA in G.L. v. Ligonier Valley School District Authority. Part III situates the implications of the Ligonier decision within the broader special education landscape, discussing other courts’ adoption of or deviations from the Third Circuit’s interpretation, interpretations …

Teachers' Competence In Teaching Twice- Exceptional Students In The Sultanate Of Oman, Ahmad “Mohammad Jalal” Al-Fawair

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

The current study aimed to determine the level of teachers’ competence in teaching twice-exceptional students in the Sultanate of Oman. To achieve this aim, a Teachers’ Competence Scale for Teaching Twice-Exceptional Students was developed. The study sample included (150) teachers who teach twice-exceptional students. Results revealed that the overall level of teachers’ competence in teaching twice-exceptional students in Sultanate of Oman was moderate, as well as in the dimensions of collaboration and teaching strategies, while it was low in the dimensions of interaction and classroom management. Results also indicated that gender had no significant effect on teachers’ competence levels neither …

The Relative Contribution Of Career Sustainability To The Psychological Well-Being Of Teachers In Syrian Refugee Camps In Light Of Some Variables, Ahmad Mohammad Sulieman Bani Khalid, Omar Atallah Ali Al-Adamat

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

The study aimed to identify the level of both Career Sustainability and psychological well-being among teachers in Syrian refugee camps, and the relative contribution of Career Sustainability to psychological well-being. The study sample consisted of 282 teachers (138 males, 144 females) from the Syrian refugee camp in Jordan, selected by convenience sampling. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researchers used (Chin et al., 2022) scale of Career Sustainability and (Anyamesem-Poku & Parmar., 2024) scale of teachers’ psychological well-being after ensuring reliability and validity. The results of the study indicated that the overall level of Career Sustainability was (high) …

The Role Of Scientific, Critical, And Creative Thinking Skills In Equipping Students With Problem-Solving Skills: A Field Study Among A Sample Of Sultan Qaboos University Students, Noureddine Chebbi, Wafa Al Mamaria, Suleiman Zakaria

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

The ability to think scientifically, critically, and creatively is essential for students to meet the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The current study sought to assess the sources and level of acquisition of scientific, critical, and creative thinking skills by Sultan Qaboos University students, and to determine the impact of these skills on their problem- solving abilities. The study random sample consisted of 384 male and female students selected from all colleges of Sultan Qaboos University. Study data was collected automatically via an electronic platform specifically developed for the study. Descriptive and correlational analyses were used to assess skill …

The Predictability Of Demographic And Job-Related Factors On The General Perceived Self-Efficacy Among High School Counselors, Labryant Benjamin

Dissertations (2016-Present)

The purpose of this study was to examine the predictability of demographic and job-related factors on the General Perceived Self-Efficacy scores among high school counselors in the state of Texas. This study was concerned with the predictability of “demographic factors”, specifically age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, years of experience, degree format, degree level, and “job-related factors”, including type of workload, caseload, support system, role clarity, and school classification, on the general perceived self-efficacy among high school counselors. A predictive correlational research design was utilized in this empirical study. The researcher used a correlational research design to investigate the relationship between …

Are We Expert Enough? Confronting Self-Doubt Through Critical Friendship., Kristen Gregory, Mark Diacopoulos

Open Educational Resources - Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Building Fluency: A Toolkit For Supporting English Learners In Reading, Monica Turner

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Many multilingual learners in US schools face significant hurdles in reading achievement, especially in rural and under-resourced districts. This capstone project addresses the question, How can a teacher-created toolkit enhance existing curriculum to improve reading fluency for English learners? Reading fluency, which serves as a bridge between decoding and comprehension, is an essential component of the science of reading. This project focuses on designing a research-based reading fluency toolkit that supports the Geodes® curriculum through hands-on activities that strengthen accuracy, speed, expression, pacing, prosody, word recognition, and comprehension. While the toolkit has not yet been formally implemented, analysis will include …

Culturally Sustaining Practices For Advanced Multilingual Adult Esol Students, Benjamin F. C. King

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

King, B. (2025)

Culturally Sustaining Practices for Advanced Multilingual Adult ESOL Students

Advanced multilingual ESOL learners need safe and positive learning environments that are responsive to their needs. This project seeks to answer how an adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) curriculum can be adapted using an emergent curriculum approach to be more culturally sustaining. As a white teacher with many privileges, I know the content and language skills I teach will never perfectly match the interests, desires and needs of all my students. Nonetheless, through the process of investigating culturally sustaining pedagogy (CSP), I have identified …

Media Literacy: Course Content Framework And District Proposal, Cameron Schwichtenberg

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone project examines how to effectively teach media literacy in a middle school environment. Grounded in both research and personal teaching experience, it responds to the growing need for earlier, more intentional instruction as students develop digital habits long before high school. The project proposes a seven-week Media Literacy course that integrates critical evaluation, ethical participation, and media creation within an inclusive, developmentally responsive framework. Through designing this course, I discovered that media literacy is not only about verifying information but about helping students understand their roles and responsibilities within digital culture. Implementing this instruction early can strengthen critical …

Changing Mindsets, Changing Classrooms: Translanguaging Strategies For Teacher Growth And Student Success, Joy E K Kamano

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Kamano, J. (2025). Integrating Translanguaging into TRTW: A Professional Development Series for K-5 Teachers

The research question addressed in this capstone project is: How can translanguaging strategies be used in mainstream elementary classrooms to support the literacy development and cultural identity of multilingual learners? This capstone examines research on translanguaging pedagogy, multilingual identity, literacy development, and oral language scaffolding to identify practices that expand access for multilingual learners. Drawing on this literature, the project includes the creation of a three session professional development series designed to introduce teachers to translanguaging as a pedagogical stance, along with six structured Talk-Read-Talk-Write (TRTW) …

Threading Hmong Culture Into Math: Supporting Hmong Elementary Students Through Integrative Practices, Lisa Vang

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question answered in this capstone paper is: “How can educators integrate Hmong culture into their math instruction in ways that support both academic growth and cultural identity?” This paper focuses on the need for culturally responsive teaching in mathematics for elementary Hmong students and the convergence of cultural identity, student engagement, and meaningful learning experiences. This capstone paper includes a literature review that explores culturally responsive pedagogies and practices in classrooms, the importance of cultivating mathematical identity in Hmong students, and the integration of Hmong culture into elementary math instruction. The results of this capstone paper lead to …

Utilizing Best Practices In The Classroom In Regards To Technology Use, Kathryn Robinson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this capstone project is: “In what ways do best practices in technology use in the classroom support teachers and students?” During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools were forced to shift online to protect student health. As schools have returned to in-person learning, the influx of technology has not decreased. Studies show that technology use, whether it be social media, screen time, TV, or videogames can be detrimental to brain development. Because of this, it is crucial that there are guidelines for best practice when using technology in the classroom. Further, healthy habits surrounding technology use outside …

Supporting Adult Language Learners Through Interactive Routines And Trauma-Informed Engagement, Andrew J. Francis

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Francis, A. (2025) Supporting Adult Language Learners Through Interactive Routines and Trauma-Informed Engagement

This capstone project investigates the impact of trauma-informed routines on reducing anxiety and enhancing relationships within adult English language classrooms, with a particular focus on refugee learners who frequently experience elevated stress responses that can impede both their participation and cognitive processing. Drawing on neuroscientific research that illustrates how trauma affects memory, emotional regulation, and executive functioning, the research highlights the importance of an instructional approach that emphasizes psychological safety, predictability, and supportive relationships as essential components of effective language learning. Utilizing frameworks from trauma-informed education, this …

The Role Of Gamified Learning In Developing Math Confidence And Procedural Fluency, Celeste Nosow

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone project sought to answer: In what ways might a gamified math fluency resource focused on increasing math confidence facilitate learning for preadolescent students struggling in math? Research into game-based learning, motivation, and mindset revealed that students can benefit from engaging, collaborative, and low-stakes learning experiences that build fluency through games. Additionally, the environment should foster math confidence and competence in preadolescent learners. The project culminated in the development of a website offering free, low-preparation math games appropriate for grades 3–5. Designed for teachers and substitute educators, the learning materials provided emphasize social interaction, inclusivity, and equitable access. This …

Strategies To Help Older English Learners Succeed In An Adult Classroom Setting, Juana M. Matos

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Matos, J. (2025) Strategies to help Older English Learners Succeed in an Adult Classroom Setting

There are older English language learners who experience difficulties advancing to the next level of instruction. This project is about how to help these older learners. The project has the objective of finding solutions to the research question: Which contextual factors for learning can best support teachers to help older adult ESL learners to retain content to acquire a second language? Through a review of literature, I found information about characteristics of older learners, strategies and accommodations for supporting older learners, and technology that teachers …

Ethical Considerations, Determinations, And Suggestions For Implementation Of Generative Artificial Intelligence In The Classroom, Becky Molin

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this capstone project is: “How can students and educators ethically use Generative AI in the classroom?” This paper, created for the benefit of general education classroom staff, details the creation of a professional development intended to inform educators about the pros, cons, and possible implementations of Generative AI in secondary and tertiary classrooms. The six key topics covered in the capstone are: Defining Generative AI, Ethics of Generative AI, The Effects of Generative AI on the Human Brain, Perception of Generative AI in Education, and finally Monitoring, Teaching About & Handling Generative AI in Schools. …

Plants, Land, And Ojibwe Nations In The Adult English Language Classroom, Azul Kmiecik

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

As an English language teacher in Minnesota, I have had many immigrant and refugee learners express a desire to understand the peoples, cultures, and histories of their new homes. As a settler colonist in Minnesota, I have an ethical obligation to counter the erasure of Indigenous peoples within our educational institutions and to grapple with the legacies of settler colonialism. These two threads come together in a project designed to respond to the question: How can land-based education and centering the voices of Native peoples be used to design lessons that foster adult ELLs’ reflection on Ojibwe nations’ unique relationships …

Teaching Holistic History With Purpose: Developing A New Curriculum For A Unit On The World Wars, Brandon R. Katzung Hokanson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone project addresses problematic elements of high school World History education, specifically textbook-centrism and the exclusion of marginalized voices. The current pitfalls of textbook-centered history often include a perpetuation of a narrow, Eurocentric narrative that fails to represent communities of color. Textbook-centrism in history classes has also contributed to student disengagement with the historical past and offers few opportunities for students to practice desperately needed critical thinking skills. The central research question addressed in this capstone is: How can we teach high school history classes using diverse perspectives and primary sources to develop students’ critical thinking skills? The final …

Scaffolding Social Studies Texts For Below Grade-Level Readers To Promote Literacy Growth And Student Engagement, Brendan Maloney

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this capstone project is: How can I scaffold fifth grade social studies texts for immigrant students who are far below a fifth grade reading level to maintain content standards, student engagement, and promote literacy growth? The capstone paper documents multiple approaches to fostering student engagement and effective ways to grow literacy skills in learning spaces. The document also follows the creation of a unit of curriculum to foster student engagement and literacy growth, targeting Latin American immigrant students whose reading levels are below grade-level. The unit topic focuses on Central and South American Native civilizations …

How Can We Use Cross-Curricular Work To Promote Argument Writing Techniques In Middle School Students?, Taylor Krassas

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Argumentation is an important skill to help students develop their own perspectives and their places in the world around them. Currently much interdisciplinary work in middle school settings is focused on student discipline rather than curriculum alignment. Research indicates that interdisciplinary collaboration can and should be used to strengthen curriculum across content areas. This capstone project uses a combination of articles, case studies, surveys and assessments within interdisciplinary work to answer the question: How can we use cross-curricular work to improve argument writing techniques in middle school students? The project synthesizes research and tangible classroom examples. The intended impact of …

Effective Genre-Based Pedagogy In Co-Taught Literacy Classes For Dual-Identified Students, Khaulah Nik Rushdi

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project is : “How can multilingual teachers successfully co-teach with special education teachers in delivering effective genre-based pedagogy in literacy?” This capstone project addresses the critical educational gap facing dual-identified students–English learners (ELs) with significant disabilities–who require specialized support for both language development and disability-related needs. Despite federal mandates requiring both services, over 832,000 dual-identified students enrolled in U.S. public schools often fall through academic gaps due to fragmented services and deficit-based approaches that fail to recognize their intersectionalities. Teachers report feeling underprepared at ensuring these students have equal access to classroom curriculum. The …

Establishing Healthy And Sustainable Esl-Mainstream Co-Teaching Partnerships, Gina Dabruzzi

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

As the number of English Language Learners continues to increase, the need for successful co-teaching practices between English as a Second Language (ESL) and mainstream teachers has become a necessity. Yet, despite this high demand, there continues to be a lack of training around co-teaching, and inadequate consideration and support in creating and fostering strong co-teaching partnerships. Aside from the challenges of co-teaching, such as compatibility and power dynamics, the partnership with ESL teachers adds another dimension to the challenge of co-teaching: that being, the misconception that ESL as strategies based rather than a content, and insufficient training around explicit …

Teaching With Nature: Place-Based Learning And Outdoor Education Toward Healing In The K-2 Setting, Isaac Hart

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Outdoor education and place-based learning hold rich histories and futures. This project at large set out to explore the stories and possibilities of outdoor education and place-based learning within the K-2 landscape. The research question being addressed in this project is: How can we use meaningful place-based learning and outdoor education in the K-2 setting as a means of healing relationships with schooling and with the rest of the natural world? Through personal and professional framing, an exploratory literature review, an educator resource toolkit project, and a reflective conclusion, this work presents outdoor education and place-based learning as having myriad …

Advocating For Social Justice In 4th Grade Ela Curriculum And Standards: Culturally Responsive Fidelity Frameworks For Leadership And Educators, Sélah F. Mcclain

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This Capstone Project examines how the alignment of Minnesota English Language Arts standards and curriculum merged with a culturally responsive teaching fidelity framework will influence student engagement, academic rigor, and intentional academic discourse among Black fourth-grade scholars in an urban learning community. It is grounded in Ladson-Billings’(1995) and (2009) culturally relevant pedagogy, Hammond’s (2021) culturally responsive teaching with connection to the science of learning and development, as well as Falk and Blumenreich’s (2005) theory regarding cognitive constructivism. This research explores the role of leadership and educators in the implementation of culturally responsive pedagogy with fidelity to create coherence between standards, …

State Standards For The Outdoors: A Curriculum Guide For Middle School Life Science In An Outdoor Classroom, David Soltero

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This project examines the idea, Can integrating an outdoor learning experience into every aspect of a Middle School science curriculum enhance learning outcomes? The curriculum is focused on Minnesota's 7th grade life science standards and adapts course and content requirements so that all class instruction and assessment may be done outdoors or within the outdoor classroom. Additionally, it offers examples of summative assessments that are closely aligned with Minnesota's state standards and the next generation science standards. In the literature review, strong support was found for the many benefits of spending time outdoors. The literature also discussed the importance of …

Restorative Justice: How Can It Be Effectively Implemented In Schools To Resolve Conflicts And Improve Student Behavior And School Culture?, Aaron Melander

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Schools have addressed student misbehavior and conflict resolution in many ways. Historically, many interventions have been punitive and have done little to help students develop healthy conflict resolution skills. Restorative justice is an approach that seeks to empower students to participate constructively in the conflict-resolution process. This capstone project is a professional development series that addresses the research question: Restorative Justice: How Can It Be Effectively Implemented in Schools to Resolve Conflicts and Improve Student Behavior and School Culture? Research concludes that restorative justice can benefit students, teachers, and school communities by actively teaching skills such as reflection, empathy, self-awareness, …

Supporting Somali- And Hmong-Speaking English Language Learners’ Acquisition Of Morphological Awareness, Danna Bergantine

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Education research has consistently found that supporting students’ understanding of morphology leads to positive literacy outcomes. Students who are English Language Learners may need differentiated support than their English-only peers in this area. Currently, the majority of resources for morphology instruction with ELL students reference Spanish-speakers and rely on cognates between Spanish and English. After Spanish, Somali and Hmong represent the next largest language groups of Minnesota’s ELL population and it is difficult to find resources to support speakers of these languages’ understanding of morphology. Research was conducted to find morphology best practices which do not rely on cognates and …

Outdoor Trail Use At Woodland Elementary School For Student Engagement With Mn Life Science Standards, Barbara Walswick

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This paper examines use of the unpaved trails at Woodland Elementary School for student engagement with the third grade MN life science curriculum standards. At this time, the nature resource behind the school is underused. Research on benefits of outdoor learning for elementary students and staff was conducted and noted, resulting in the Woodland Trail Guide project. It serves as a life science curriculum companion for educators to easily take their students on the trails for increased student engagement. It gives educators experience and confidence to optimize the trails in teaching their science lessons and serves as a catalyst to …