Education Commons^™

Protecting The Dignity Of The Child: A Study In Trauma-Sensitive Practices And Collective Efficacy In An Alternative Educational Setting, Erin Dessureau-O'Hara

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

This dissertation addresses the issue of ineffective proactive approaches to students' emotional regulation by educational staff, which contributes to a high incidence of punitive discipline. The study aims to increase teachers' trauma-sensitive approaches to students' emotional needs to reduce the use of punitive and exclusionary discipline practices. Using a convergent mixedmethods research design, data were collected through interviews, exit tickets, classroom observations, focus group discussions, student behavior data, and pre-and post-assessments of collective efficacy. Participants included elementary teachers, support staff, and behavioral staff. The findings demonstrate that professional learning focused on trauma-sensitive approaches, the science of emotions and the brain, …

Improving Teacher Capacity To Support Student Wellness In The Classroom, Kelli M. Wedgewood

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

This mixed methods Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP), examined the impact of a social emotional learning (SEL) curriculum, Character Strong, on teacher’s SEL knowledge, belief, and practices. This study, conducted in a rural northeastern state, trained teachers to use Character Strong, a low-burden, high-impact SEL curriculum for six weeks. Participants generated quantitative data via three surveys. Two were administered in a pre and post test format, and the Wilcoxon signed rank test was administered to establish statistical significance. The third survey was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Teacher participants generated qualitative data through interview processes. Qualitative and Quantitative data were …

Expanding The Narrative: Rural Educators' Perceptions Of The Achievement Gap, Erika N. Martin

College of Education

This dissertation explores the perceptions of rural educators in Alabama in relation to the achievement gap. It places a special emphasis on how these teachers understand, articulate, and address the challenges facing rural schools. This study is guided by three research questions: (1) How do rural teachers in the state of Alabama understand and describe the achievement gap, particularly in relation to rural schooling? (2) How do rural teachers in Alabama identify the variables that impede the closing of the achievement gap for rural students and schools? (3) What do rural teachers in Alabama receive as necessary for improving student …

Strengthening Educators' Metacognitive Instructional And Assessment Practices To Support The Academic Achievement Of Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth, Meredith G. Kennedy

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

This mixed methods Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) explored the impact of strengthening educators’ use of metacognitive instructional and assessment practices on lesson planning and delivery to support the academic achievement of juvenile-justice involved youth (JJ youth) in a Juvenile Detention Center School (JDC). During an eight-week intervention, the teaching staff of the JDC participated in professional development (PD) sessions, individual coaching, and classroom observations. The resulting data included exit slips following PD sessions, researcher field notes, the metacognitive observation support rubric, and feedback from a focus group. The results indicate that the JDC educators strengthened their capacity to …

Climate Change In An Urban Catholic School: Taking The Temperature With A Three-Pronged Sel Intervention, Christa Marie Chodkowski

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice examines the impact of a 10-week social-emotional learning (SEL) intervention on school climate at Newberry Catholic Academy, an urban Catholic school with high teacher turnover. The intervention, combining a book study, daily gratitude journaling, and common planning time, aimed to improve collaboration, collegiality, and belongingness among faculty. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, the study assessed changes in teacher perceptions and the effectiveness of each component. Quantitative analysis via the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test revealed significant declines in Professional Learning (p=.01), Feedback and Coaching (p=.03), and School Leadership (p=.01), highlighting a need for further inquiry. Qualitative …

Reviving Baybayin: The Pre-Hispanic Writing System Of The Philippines, And Raising Awareness In The United States, Richana K. Stone

Honors Thesis

Baybayin is an Indigenous system of writing in the Philippines that has been preserved, but has seen rapid decline in usage throughout the centuries. This paper explores the history of Baybayin and the methods of reviving the written script that have been suggested and used to reimplement Baybayin into the daily lives of Filipinos. Furthermore, this paper will look at how Lakota and Peruvian recording systems, the winter count and the khipu, respectively, have been preserved and used in modern times. Viewing the history of these groups and how they preserved these writing systems sparks a potential for the adoption …

Comparing Fastbridge Reading Assessment Scores: Reading Interventionist Vs. Lexia Powerup For Sixth-Grade Students, Amanda K. Boss

Education Doctorate Dissertations

This study investigates the differences in FastBridge reading assessment scores among sixth-grade students at a middle school in Southeast Minnesota. A sample of 266 sixth graders participated in the technology-based intervention program, Lexia PowerUp, while 35 students received additional support from a reading interventionist using the UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Initiative) Foundations curriculum. Employing a quantitative, non-experimental post hoc analysis, the research revealed that both Lexia PowerUp and UFLI: Foundations enhanced FastBridge AUTOreading scores; however, FastBridge aReading scores showed no significant changes for either program. Notably, students utilizing Lexia PowerUp consistently improved throughout the year, whereas those in the …

James Baldwin's Classroom And What He Can Teach Educators About Queer Representation, Matthew Callahan

Honors College Theses

This is an extended analysis of James Baldwin's "A Talk to Teachers" about how to bring representation into the classroom. I use Baldwin's other essays and fiction along with educational research to look into the way Baldwin understands education and the importance of bringing healthy queer representation into the classroom. I provide both theoretical observations along with practical implications of what this means for educators in the classroom and what they can do to help all their students feel seen, represented, and welcome in the classroom.

Mirrors Of Learning: Amplifying Engagement And Retention With Culturally Relevant Teaching In 21st-Century Education, Britney Buckner

Honors College Theses

This research investigates the impact of Culturally Relevant Teaching (CRT) on student engagement and information retention, in alignment with 21st-century learning objectives. CRT, which incorporates educational content reflecting the diverse identities of students, fosters a deeper connection to the material and aligns with the fundamental purpose of education in preparing students for societal and global contexts. By mirroring their realities in the curriculum, students are motivated to learn and retain information, recognizing its relevance to their lives. This increased retention is essential for accurately assessing student knowledge against state and national benchmarks, indicative of successful 21st-century education. Furthermore, CRT supports …

May 2025 Bulldog Alumni & Friends News, Kari Jones, Garrett King

Bulldog Alumni & Friends News

May 9

SWOSU Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Dinner

May 9-10

SWOSU Spring Commencement

June 6-7

SWOSU Football Alumni Weekend

June 19

SWOSU Near You: Elk City

July 16

SWOSU Near You: Amarillo

July 31

SWOSU Near You: Eischen’s

July 28 - August 8

Online SWOSU Athletic Auction

August 8

SWOSU Athletic Hall of Fame

August 9

SWOSU Athletic Auction

A Qualitative Case Study On Administrators’ Leadership Practices To Improve Academic Achievement For African Americans In An Urban Elementary School In The Southeastern United States, Maria Wright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative intrinsic study aimed to understand what leadership practices administrators used to improve African American academic achievement in an urban school in the Southeastern United States. Bandura's theory of self-efficacy offered a structure to address the central research question: What key elements of leadership practices will best improve the academic achievement of African American children in an urban elementary school? The sample included teachers, parents, and administrators in an urban school in the Southern United States. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and questionnaires. A thematic analysis approach was used for data analysis. Data collection yielded the …

Grading Of Discussion Boards In Asynchronous Higher Education Courses And Its Effect On Social Presence: A Causal-Comparative Study, Heather Ann Hanson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative, non-experimental study was to determine if the grading methods of discussion board assignments in asynchronous courses affect the students’ perceived social presence. Social presence is one of the three factors of the Community of Inquiry (COI) that play a role in supporting the learning experience. The target population was graduate students in asynchronous online education courses. A sample of 92 students were surveyed from five institutions using the Community of Inquiry (COI) survey. They were placed in three groups based on the grading methods of discussion board assignments. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) …

Utilization And Perception Of Individual Performance Assessments Among Instrumental Music Educators In Northeastern Pennsylvania, Thomas Bassett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative grounded theory study aimed to develop a theory explaining how secondary instrumental music educators in Northeastern Pennsylvania select, implement, and perceive performance assessments. Teachers need actionable data to determine the next steps in the learning process. The study design included twelve semi-structured interviews of Pennsylvania-certified music educators and a content analysis of any scoring tools or rubrics that they provided. The analysis process included open, axial, and thematic coding with the development of the core category and theory. Despite some prior research into performance assessments in music education, the literature lacked research with explanatory power over teachers’ assessment …

A Phenomenological Study Examining The Experiences Of Instructors Who Teach Undergraduate Students With Disabilities, Nakiya Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to investigate the experiences of instructors who teach undergraduate students with a documented disability and receive accommodations through the Office of Accessibility and Disability. The theory guiding this study was Noddings’ theory on ethical care as it details how caring is an integral part of the role that both online instructors and those who teach in traditional classrooms play in the lives of their college students. This study sought to understand the effect of caring in the retrieval of accommodations for students with disabilities. This qualitative study utilized questionnaires, interviews, and participant …

A Holistic Case Study On Leaders In The Division Of Enrollment Services’ Experiences Implementing Interdepartmental Partnerships In Higher Education, Christopher A. Almond

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this holistic case study was to understand the experiences of higher education leaders in the division of enrollment services at a public research university who experienced departmental realignments or mergers because of performance-based funding initiatives. The study addresses the gap in the literature on the effect of change on interpersonal relationships in higher education. The theory guiding the study is Tierney’s theory on organizational behavior among college employees. The research methodology consisted of three phases. I conducted focus groups, individual interviews, and document analyses. The setting was a large research university in an urban city. There were …

Profilicity And Self-Identity: Finding One’S Authentic Self Within A Social Media-Filtered World, Stacey Renee Meads

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological qualitative case study explored how young Christian adults construct their identities when influenced by external factors such as social media using the theoretical framework of profilicity. The study took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The location was a church setting, the mainstay of the youth adult group activities, and the site was approved to conduct the case study. The participant group was the young adult group. The church is the mainstay for all the participants. Designated rooms were identified to permit anonymity and confidentiality. No other meetings or church activities were scheduled during the allotted times for this case …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Experiences Of General Education And Special Education Teachers Within The Inclusion Classroom: Exploring The Factors And Barriers Of Success, Allison Parks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the inclusion experiences related to self-efficacy and barriers to inclusion for secondary general education teachers and special education teachers at a metro-area high school in Georgia. This study aimed to understand how do general education and special education describe their self-efficacy when teaching in an inclusive classroom? The theory guiding this study was Albert Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy as it explains the confidence levels associated with teachers’ experiences. This qualitative study utilized convenience sampling in a large rural high school setting. Data was collected using one-on-one interviews, participant journaling, …

Exploring Teachers' Experiences Developing Adaptive Learning Systems With High-Stakes Testing Requirements: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Brian J. Le Fevre

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The theory that guided this study was Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, which was utilized to relate to teachers’ beliefs about engaging in behaviors influenced by high-stakes testing. A transcendental methodology was used for the study design as the study aimed to explore teachers’ shared experiences while bracketing my previous experiences. The sample population consisted of second- to sixth-grade teachers who instructed subjects who were assessed by high-stakes testing in the Southeastern United States. Data was collected using interviews, focus groups, and journal prompt responses. Following data collection, the data was coded and analyzed to develop the essence of the shared experiences …

Faculty Perceptions Of Artificial Intelligence As A Teaching And Learning Tool In Higher Education: A Causal-Comparative Study, Elizabeth A. Fitch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine the differences in attitudes, benefits, and threats of using artificial intelligence tools in teaching and learning among community college faculty in Tennessee. The findings of this study are important because faculty acceptance or rejection of emerging technology determines educational innovation. The sample was composed of 211 full-time faculty employed at twelve community colleges in Tennessee. Data were collected using the Attitudes, Benefits, and Threats instrument which was administered by electronic survey. The results of the two-way MANOVA did not find a significant difference among attitudes, benefits, and threats associated with …

Educated And Unemployed: A Case Study To Understand The Challenges Formerly Incarcerated Individuals Face After Release, Joyce Blackmon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative intrinsic case study was to understand the phenomenon of formerly incarcerated individuals who have received a postsecondary degree while incarcerated, yet were unable to obtain employment that was commensurate to the degree earned. Sixteen participants in the United States were recruited for this study. Formerly incarcerated individuals and prospective employers gave insight and examined why formerly incarcerated individuals have an enormous number of issues obtaining employment after reintegration. The Tadros theory of change provided a theoretical lens for this inquiry and gave understanding of the changes that the formerly incarcerated needed while incarcerated to accomplish …

The Use Of An Online Orientation At A For-Profit Higher Education Institution To Support And Retain Online Adult Learners: A Qualitative Case Study, Logan Robb

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative holistic case study was to explore how support staff, faculty, and online adult learners at a FPHEI located in Pennsylvania perceive the use of an online orientation as a proactive institutional support strategy to increase the preparedness of online adult learners and potentially improve their retention rates. The theory guiding this study was Tinto’s theory of student departure. The central research question that was guiding this study was: How do support staff, faculty, and online adult learners at one FPHEI perceive the effectiveness of an online orientation as a proactive institutional support strategy to enhance …

Nursing Faculty Experiences Of Teaching Dementia Care: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jeannie Simpson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of nursing faculty teaching dementia care to nursing students in Texas. The theory guiding this study was Kolb’s experiential learning theory as it offers a structured framework for examining how experiences lead to learning. This theory also introduced the concept of the Experiential Educator profile, specifically delineating the role of educators in facilitating knowledge acquisition (Kolb, 2014). This study bridged the gap in existing literature regarding the experiences of nursing faculty in teaching dementia care to nursing students and provided a comprehensive look at dementia education in nursing schools. …

Development In Comprehensive Onboarding Training And Professional Development For Online Adjunct Faculty, Leslie R. Stover

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Hiring online adjunct faculty in higher education continues to grow, encompassing nearly half of the overall faculty population. As four-year institutions rely on the benefits of adjunct faculty, they must also invest in their orientation and continuous development. Existing literature confirms the varied approaches to supporting adjunct faculty, deficiency in coordinated programming, and reveals a lack of understanding in adjunct faculty's perception of training delivered. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, this study explored the gap between the onboarding and professional development an institution provides and the online adjunct faculty’s perception of its effectiveness. The research questions explored the lived experiences …

The Differences In Emotional Intelligence Within Schools That Have Adopted Glasser’S Choice Theory: A Causal-Comparative Analysis, Leaja Hartman Horne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to determine if statistically significant differences exist in the emotional intelligence (EI) of students in classrooms that have adopted Glasser’s choice theory (CT) compared to schools that have not (NCT). CT, the guiding theory, defines social-emotional learning (SEL) practices and seeks to improve relationships, internal locus of control, and motivation while fostering an engaged learning environment. Research clarifies the need for social-emotional health to support academic achievement; however, the specifics of these relationships require further clarification. The participants were a convenience sample of 59 private and public elementary school students from North …

Teachers' Experiences Implementing Reading Comprehension Strategies With Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Phenomenology Study, Melissa Katherine Mcdermott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This hermeneutic phenomenological study described educators' experiences implementing reading comprehension strategies with elementary school students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in northern Delaware. The theory guiding this study was theory of mind, which addresses higher-order cognitive skills and impairments, evoking challenges for students with ASD regarding their reading comprehension skills. This study sought to answer the following research question: “What are teachers' experiences implementing instructional strategies to develop reading comprehension skills for students with ASD?” A hermeneutic phenomenological research design was used to investigate and understand the lived experiences of 12 educators in elementary schools who provide reading comprehension instruction …

The Lived Self-Care Experiences Of Parents Of Children With Severe Intellectual Disabilities: A Phenomenological Study, Karen Nadine May

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the lived self-care experiences of parents of children with severe intellectual disabilities (CWSID) who attend a special needs school accommodating children with various learning disabilities. Self-care is defined as a deliberate action to control problems that lead to an improved quality of life and good health. The theory guiding this study was the transactional model of stress and coping theory. The study's central research question was, “What are the lived self-care experiences of parents of children with severe intellectual disabilities (SID)?” The qualitative phenomenological design allowed the data to be …

A Phenomenological Study Of String Teacher Perceptions Of Professional Development At Three Career Stages, Michael James Hanf

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This hermeneutic phenomenological study aims to understand the perceptions of elementary and secondary string teachers’ experiences with quality professional development from early-, middle-, and late-career stages. This study analyzes perceptions of quality professional development for music teachers, including content-related, evidence-based, applicable, relevant, collaborative, providing feedback, actively involving teachers in learning, longitudinal, coherent, and allowing for reflection. It follows a hermeneutic phenomenological research design guided by the theory of human motivation and aims to understand how professional development affects teacher needs. Participants include elementary and secondary string teachers across the United States from early-, middle-, and late-career stages. String teachers sampled …

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Post-Graduates Of A Spiritual Direction Training Program Rooted In Ignatian Spirituality: A Phenomenological Study, Traci Arends

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand and explain the lived experiences of the graduates of the Spiritual Direction Training Program at the Ignatian Ways Center for Spirituality (IWCS). The theory guiding this study was Mezirow’s theory on transformative learning as it informs the transformative journey for the graduates. With this in mind, the central research question was, “What are the transformative learning experiences of graduates of the Spiritual Direction Training Program at the IWCS?” This qualitative design was appropriate because it considered the nature of the problem. The study utilized purposeful sampling of the lived experience …

Effects Of Domestic Violence On Third-Grade Students' Academic And Behavioral Performance, Leah N. Gordone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to investigate the relationship between witnessing domestic violence and third-grade students' academic performance and behavioral conduct, with a focus on gender differences. Additionally, the study explored the connection between exposure to domestic violence and English Language Arts achievement. The research involved 280 third-grade students and parents at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in southwestern Georgia. Participants were part of social-emotional learning programs. Data collection included parent observation surveys, end-of-grade test scores (using the Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade assessment), and a child survey (the Violence Exposure Scale for Children – Revised). The …

Exploring Educator Perceptions Regarding Parental Involvement In Inner-City Alternative Schools And Programs For Students With Behavior Challenges: A Qualitative Case Study, Marcia Nicole Waller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative case study explored educators' perceptions of parental involvement in an alternative school and state-run Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support (GNETS) behavior program for students with behavioral challenges in Central Georgia. The problem identified in this qualitative case study was that alternative school students have unique learning and behavioral needs that differ significantly from typically developing peers who attend regular schools requiring a more focused level of communication between parents, teachers, and administrators. The central research question was: What are the perceptions of alternative school or behavior program educators regarding parental involvement in their school setting alternative …