Education Commons^™

Phenomenological Inquiry: High School English Language Arts And Reading Professional Development Design And Delivery, Michelle Jestice

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, phenomenological inquiry aimed to understand the overall essence of public high school English language arts and reading professional development design and delivery from an inclusive, sociocultural, responsive theoretical lens. The lens extended previous scholarship, combining six educational concepts and theories to develop an ideological framework for high school English language arts and reading professional development design and delivery. They include Vygotsky’s (1978) sociocultural theory, Knowles’ (1978) andragogy, Shulman’s (2013) content-pedagogy-curricular contextualization, Hammond’s (2015) culturally responsive teaching, Bennett’s (1986) intercultural competencies, Smale-Jacobse and others’ (2019) and Tomlinson and others’ (2003) concepts of differentiation: referred to as SACReD. A central …

Infographic: Pisa Insights - Students' Mathematics Anxiety, Dominique Russell

Teacher infographics

Each cycle of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) includes a student questionnaire. One topic – mathematics anxiety – is characterised by feelings of tension, fear or apprehension when a person is faced with mathematics-related tasks. Today’s infographic provides useful prompts for teachers when considering their own students.

Paving The Way: Cultural Relevance In College And Career Readiness Programs, Jacqueline Turner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Students of color face persistent educational and systemic barriers that impact their success in college and career readiness (CCR) programs. Standardized approaches to CCR often fail to address the cultural identities, lived experiences, and needs of diverse learners (Castro, 2013; Malin et al., 2017; Welton & Martinez, 2014). Guided by the theoretical framework of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, with the extension of Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy, this instrumental case study investigates how one CCR initiative—the Legacy Scholars Program (LSP), implemented by a Western Urban School District—integrates culturally responsive practices to better serve students of color. Through interviews, observations, and artifact analysis, this …

Peering Into The Past And Future: Connection, Challenge, Growth, And Rural Peer Mentors, Tinker Elizabeth Jacobs Duclo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Peer mentoring is a recognized strategy for supporting student success, academic persistence, and belonging in higher education. However, while mentee benefits are well-documented, the long-term effects on peer mentors (PMs) remain underexplored, particularly at Rural-Serving Institutions (RSIs). My evaluation bridges that gap by examining the lasting impact of PM service through a qualitative evaluation of the Rifle Colorado Mountain College (CMC) Peer Mentor Program. Guided by Rural Cultural Wealth (RCW) theory and using the Most Significant Change (MSC) model within a constructivist framework, my evaluation centers alumni PM voices, gathering their reflections on the significant changes and impacts of their …

Home Bound: Explaining The Neoliberalization Of Regional Public University Districts Through An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Design, Becket C. Duncan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

I examined housing costs in neoliberalized consumer spaces (Cunningham, 2016; Saunders & Ramírez, 2017) in regional public university (Orphan, et al., 2022) districts. I use geographic methods (Jonas, et al., 2015; Daché-Gerbino, 2018) with an explanatory sequential mixed methods design and a complex case study approach (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018). Results from my spatial analyses showed that residents who live within one-half mile of universities spend more on monthly housing costs ($1,331) than those who do not ($1,227) except in the case of regional public universities ($1,184). Results from a regression analysis demonstrated that eight institutional variables predicted 33.2% …

Survival Guide For Queer Families In Heteronormative Healthcare: Liberatory Consciousness And The Paradox Of Dependent Healthcare, A Critical Policy Discourse Analysis, Dwenna A. Holden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this study I explored and analyzed how the queer experiences of an anonymous higher education institution in the western United States’ self-identified queer faculty and staff intersected with the discursive framing of the college’s dependent healthcare structure and documents. Within a critical paradigm I designed research around a high-density theoretical approach to weaving various branches of queer theory together with critical theory around policy and law in relation to queer bodies and hostile heteronormative policy environments. I arrived at solutions based in complaint, survival, and transformation. I used critical policy discourse analyses to interrogate the college’s dependent healthcare documents …

Stewards Of Place, Stewards Of Democracy: The Role Of Regional Public Universities In Rural Political Well-Being, Katie Kleinhesselink

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative embedded single-case study explored how a rural-serving regional public university (RPU) contributed to the political well-being of its politically polarized service region ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Guided by the stewardship of political place theoretical framework, which integrates rural consciousness, the Community Capitals Framework, and the stewardship of place framework for RPUs’ public engagement, the study utilized policy discourse analysis to examine regional residents' and internal constituents' perceptions regarding WPU’s role in promoting regional political well-being. Data collection included semi-structured interviews, direct observations of campus civic engagement events, and institutional document reviews.

The study demonstrates that regional …

Chingonas In Charge: A Phenomenological Study Of Latina Educational Leaders In Colorado, Paulina Yvette Lerma-Banuelos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite comprising 76% of the U.S. teaching workforce (2017−2018), Latina women held only 8.5% of principal roles and 2.7% of superintendent positions. In places such as Colorado, where Latinos make up 15.1% of the population, this inequity highlights the pressing necessity for better representation. The present study used a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore the fundamental essence and attributes of leadership among Latina K−12 administrators in Colorado, with a focus on the concept of “chingona” and its transformative significance in their professional journeys. The name “chingona” was historically rejected by young Latina women because of connotations to being aggressive or …

From Deficit To Asset: Developing An Equitable Early Warning System For Ninth Grade Success, Stephanie Mann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

I explored the design and implementation of an asset-based Early Warning System (EWS) to support ninth-grade students at The Academy, a PK-12 charter school, during their critical high school transition. Using Practical Action Research, I addressed the question: How might a comprehensive EWS leverage student assets and systemic support to ensure success? Over one academic year, the study unfolded in two phases: Phase I employed qualitative methods—interviews, focus groups, and data reviews—to identify gaps, while Phase II developed an enhanced EWS, integrating map and street data for richer student profiles and staff collaboration. Findings underscore a human-powered EWS rooted in …

Cultivating Resilience In The Anthropocene: Evaluating A Gssw Ecological Justice Curriculum, Windy Selig

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This Dissertation in Practice evaluated the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) Ecological Justice Pathway to examine how resilience is conceptualized and cultivated within the curriculum. Grounded in a constructivist paradigm and guided by an ecological justice framework, this evaluation explored the pedagogical and curricular strategies designed to prepare social work students for the emotional, ethical, and professional demands of practicing in the Anthropocene—a time marked by ecological degradation, climate crisis, and compounding social inequities.

Through qualitative methods, including faculty interviews and curriculum document analysis, the evaluation identified both explicit and implicit components that foster student resilience. …

Language Style Evaluation Validation For Implementation On Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Augmentative And Alternative Communication Devices, Meghan A. Hunter

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored various methods of evaluating language style for integration into prompts designed for a sophisticated augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. A total of 395 individuals without a language disorder were recruited via a crowdsourcing platform to complete five surveys. The initial four surveys were designed to assess individuals' language style using different approaches (questionnaire developed with ChatGPT, self-written, questionnaire developed by Hartman and McCambridge, and choosing tags). Following the completion of these four surveys, a fifth survey was dynamically created based on the responses in the previous four surveys. Each possible response in the fifth survey was …

A Toolkit For Improving School Climate: Lessons Learned From Action Research In A Network Of 16 Charter Schools, Grant E. Erwin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Educators today face daunting challenges, especially in addressing persistent gaps in outcomes for historically underserved students from low-income and minority backgrounds. Practitioners often cite school climate as a key barrier to student success—an assertion supported by research linking school climate to students’ academic and personal outcomes. This study sought to improve school climate across 16 urban middle and high schools within one charter network. Using a mixed methods Collaborative Action Research (CAR) design over multiple years, the study triangulated academic research, external resources, and on-the-ground lessons to provide practical guidance for other educators. Data were collected from multiple stakeholders and …

Elevating After-School: Addressing After-School Program Quality Through Improvement Design, Kate Marie Vincent

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how Pathfinders After School, a national after-school provider can improve program quality amid rapid expansion. As enrollment has grown, program quality has declined, evidenced by decreasing net promoter scores (NPS), rising student behavior incidents, and terminated district partnerships. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory (1979), this mixed-methods study uses improvement science methodology to test systemic interventions that empower key user groups and enhance program effectiveness. An improvement team, composed of crossfunctional organizational members, conducted root-cause analysis to identify primary drivers of after-school program quality. Core focus areas included staff training, student engagement, feedback mechanisms, and implementation fidelity. …

Marketing Management Of Cemetery-Based Religious Sites To Improve The Economic Level Of Society, Dian Mohammad Hakim, Imam Wahyudi Karimullah, Winarto Winarto, Maskuri Maskuri

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This study discussed the potential of cemetery-based religious tourism as an economic development strategy, with the Sunan Ampel Cemetery in Surabaya, Indonesia, as a case in point. By analysing its marketing management strategies, the study demonstrates that successful tourism development requires more than just pulling in tourists; it requires an integrated approach that includes infrastructure and technology development, stakeholder collaboration, and local community involvement. With close to two million visitors each year, Sunan Ampel is an excellent example of the huge economic gains from successful religious tourism efforts. This paper emphasises the need to convert historical religious sites from passive …

Perceptions Of Exclusionary Discipline In Inclusive Classroom: A Phenomenological Study Of Middle School Co-Teachers’ Experience With Special Education Students Of Color, Tino Tomasi

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

Exclusionary discipline practices in public middle schools disproportionately impact students of color in special education, disrupting their academic progress and social development. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how public middle school co-teachers in inclusive classrooms perceive the use of exclusionary discipline for special education students of color. The study explored the lived experiences of eight public middle school co-teachers through three research questions: (1) How do public middle school co-teachers in inclusive classrooms perceive the use of exclusionary discipline for special education students of color? (2) How do public middle school co-teachers in inclusive classrooms …

The Write Time For An Autoethnography: How Writing Project Has Shaped My Understanding Of Professional Learning In Community, Tracy Brosch

Dissertations

This study critically examines the cultural and societal phenomenon that comprises the National Writing Project (NWP), specifically reflecting on my experiences of re-designing Gateway Writing Project professional learning experiences as a leader in the organization. I reflect on my encounters, collaborations, and decisions as an Institute instructor and analyze them within the theoretical framework of Communities of Practice using autoethnography as my research methodology. This autoethnographic narrative documents my analysis and understanding of NWP’s framework of social practices, chronicling my journey from participant to advocate and from organizer to leader. Employing the autoethnographic method enabled me to illuminate my own …

Exploring K-12 Educators Remaining In The Profession In Louisiana Public Schools: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Brittany Benoit

Student Theses and Dissertations

School systems across the United States and worldwide face significant challenges due to a shortage of qualified teachers. These conditions negatively affect student outcomes and place additional financial burdens on school systems. Teacher shortages often lead to larger class sizes and increased workloads for existing educators, further exacerbating the issue. Addressing teacher retention is crucial to improving educational quality and stability within school systems. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the experiences and perceptions of relationships that influenced K-12 Louisiana Public School educators to remain in the profession. Guided by Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, the research emphasized intrinsic factors that contributed to …

Closing The Learning Gaps: When Special Education Students Receive Grade Level Content Through Inclusionary Practices, Shaun Ross

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the academic outcomes of special education students receiving core instruction in an inclusionary model compared to those receiving their instruction in a resource classroom. The research problem addressed the achievement gap between the two instructional approaches and how they impact student academic performance. The findings are relevant to educators, school administrators, and policymakers looking to improve instructional strategies for students with disabilities. The purpose of this quantitative correlational research study was to determine whether inclusionary based instructional practices led to higher academic achievement than the traditional pull-out model. Grounded in the theoretical framework of Positivism, the study …

Exploring The Elements Contributed By School-Level Administrators That Influence Teacher Retention, Summer Craddock

Student Theses and Dissertations

Teacher shortages and high attrition rates challenge educational systems, impacting instructional quality, school culture, and student outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to examine how school-level administrators influenced teacher retention among K-5 public elementary teachers in a rural South Carolina school district. Guided by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory, the research explored how administrators meet teachers’ needs and how fulfilling these needs motivates them to stay. A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used, with semi-structured interviews conducted with eighteen certified K-5 teachers with at least five years of experience and actively employed in the district. The first research question examined teachers’ experiences …

Building A Collaborative Culture Among A Remote Staff In K-12 Virtual Schools, Jamie L. Droegemeier

Student Theses and Dissertations

The rise of full-time virtual K-12 schools presents unique challenges for administrators in cultivating a collaborative staff culture among remote staff members. Collaboration among educators is essential for trust, professional development, and student achievement; however, existing research primarily focuses on traditional school settings. The problem addressed in this study is the difficulty K-12 virtual school administrators face in fostering collaboration among staff who work in different locations, potentially affecting instructional quality, job satisfaction, and student outcomes. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to identify the best practices K-12 virtual school administrators had implemented to build a collaborative culture …

Effectiveness Of Online Math Interventions On Middle School Student Math Achievement, Joshua Brandon Goodman

Student Theses and Dissertations

Tennessee middle school math students have come to a critical juncture in their mathematics education. State test scores have shown a decrease over several years due to an increase in the rigor of the content being taught, a shortage of teachers and teacher assistants, and other mitigating factors faced within public education. The need for alternative solutions to combat these issues came in the form of online math intervention programs. This study explored the effectiveness of two of those programs: Khan Academy and Study Island. A quantitative causal-comparative study was conducted to determine each program’s significance, as well as the …

Examining Teachers’ Perceived Effectiveness Of Marzano’S Teaching Strategies For Enhancing Student Engagement In Secondary Level Ela Classes, Casey Chantel Grinder

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured interview questions and a teacher questionnaire to explore 10 secondary ELA teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of Marzano’s strategies on student engagement. Participants included experienced teachers with a minimum of five years of classroom instruction—who had received formal training in the Marzano framework provided by their school district. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory, the study examined five central themes: implementation of Marzano’s strategies, impact on student academic competence, student engagement and motivation, challenges and barriers, and support mechanisms used by educators. These themes provided a comprehensive lens to better understand how the Marzano …

Enhancing Student Engagement For African American Students In High School English Through Culturally Responsive Teaching, Dominique Leonardo Woodard

Student Theses and Dissertations

Culturally responsive teaching is essential in ensuring that teaching and learning allows all students to feel seen and heard thus giving them a voice to have in their educational experiences. This qualitative case study aimed to explore teachers’ perceptions of culturally responsive teaching (CRT). In this exploration, the study focused on teacher knowledge of CRT, curriculum and materials that reflect CRT, and instructional strategies teachers perceived engaged CRT. This study lends itself to the theoretical framework of culturally responsive teaching (Geneva Gay) and culturally relevant pedagogy (Gloria Ladson-Billings). These frameworks guided the study in understanding what is needed from teachers …

Examining The Influence Of Departmentalization On Elementary Teachers' Efficacy In Teaching Mathematics: A Qualitative Case Study Of First Grade And Second-Grade Elementary Teachers, Juasita Sherelle Patterson

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine five elementary teachers’ perceptions of teaching mathematics within a departmentalized classroom organizational structure and its influence on their teacher efficacy in teaching mathematics at the elementary level, how teacher preparation programs have prepared elementary teachers to implement instruction in a departmentalized structure, and how they perceive their efficacy when teaching mathematics in a departmentalized classroom versus a self-contained classroom. This qualitative case study applied the theoretical framework of Frederick Taylor’s Scientific Management Theory and Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory to assess the impact of departmentalization on teachers' self-efficacy in mathematics …

Perceptions Of Teacher Recruitment And Retention Programs That Focus On Financial Incentives In Rural Georgia School Systems, Ronald Hill

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the perceptions of teacher recruitment and retention programs in rural Georgia, emphasizing the role of financial incentives. Rural school districts face persistent challenges in maintaining a stable educator workforce, largely due to low retention rates. Using Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, this study examines how salary as a function of job satisfaction influences teachers' decisions to enter and remain in the profession. Through a qualitative case study, interviews with 24 rural Georgia educators, document analysis, and member checking were conducted to assess perceptions of recruitment and retention. The findings highlight the critical impact of salary, with competitive pay being …

College And Career Readiness Of Students With Autism In The Dallas/Fort Worth Metropolitan Area, James Daniel Hobbs

Student Theses and Dissertations

Autism is a spectrum disorder involving individualized disabilities in social interactions, self-expression, and behavior control. Those diagnosed typically exhibit challenges in at least two of these areas. Many individuals with autism are identified through evaluations in public schools. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, public schools must provide disabled students with a free and appropriate public education through special education. In Texas, autism is one of 13 disabilities that qualify a student for special education services. Once in special education, students receive an individualized education plan, which includes goals for life after high school. The Texas Education Agency tracks …

Impact Of A Dance Education For Secondary School Students, Kimeka T. Williams

Student Theses and Dissertations

As the education system has grown, so has arts education, but not with great ease (Fegley, 2010). Dance education and associated curriculums are designed to allow students an opportunity to express themselves through creative movement. The Kennedy Center stated that arts integration is “an approach to teaching in which students construct and demonstrate learning through an art form. Students engage in a creative process which connects an art form and another subject area meeting evolving objectives in both” (Silverstein & Layne, 2014). Kassing (2013) states that today, the dance scene is quite different from how it was a century ago. …

Self-Efficacy Of Kindergarten, First, And Second Grade Educators Teaching Students With Behavioral Issues In South Carolina Public Schools, Kathryn Sommer-Gough

Student Theses and Dissertations

Teaching students with behavioral challenges can impact elementary school teachers’ self-efficacy. This study examined the perceived lack of preparation among educators in managing such students. Guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, this qualitative phenomenological study explored the experiences of kindergarten through second-grade general education teachers. Ten South Carolina teachers participated in three Zoom interviews each, discussing their self-efficacy and administrative support. Analysis revealed five key themes: self-efficacy, training, effects of students with behavioral issues, support, and frustrations. Teachers reported increased confidence after developing classroom management strategies, though these techniques were largely self-taught rather than formally provided. Future research should examine the …

Exploring Consequences Of The Double Empathy Problem Across The Autistic Trait Spectrum: First Person Accounts, Cammy C. Peck

Theses and Dissertations

Historically, individuals on the autism spectrum were believed to have deficits in empathy. However, recent research suggests that empathy-related issues occur on both sides of the communication dynamic. This concept known as the Double Empathy Problem (DEP), posits that the perceived lack of empathy is not exclusive to autistic individuals; rather, neurotypical (NT) individuals also experience difficulty empathizing with autistic individuals (Milton, 2012). Milton et al. (2022) describes this as a "breakdown in mutual understanding". Such mutual misunderstanding can have adverse consequences for both autistic and neurotypical individuals. To our knowledge, no studies have directly examined these consequences in relation …

The Effect Of Personalized Profiles On Generating Customized Content In Artificial Intelligence Augmentative And Alternative Communication Devices, Rachel Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), several augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices have begun incorporating AI with the purpose of accelerating and improving message transmission for users. The results have shown that AI can significantly reduce a user's keystrokes, but the generated responses may lack personalization. The objective of this study was to investigate whether integrating a personalized profile containing user information enhances the perceived accuracy and personalization of AI generated messages. Various methods of collecting profile information and differing levels of information within the profile were evaluated. One hundred eighty-one neurotypical English-speakers with no history of language disorder …