Education Commons^™

Understanding And Engaging In Equity Work: A Phenomenological Action Research Study Of Community College Esol Instructors, Emily E. Packer

Dissertations

Community colleges (CCs) are regarded as accessible and affordable pathways to higher education and financial mobility, offering significant potential to promote educational equity (Fink et al., 2023). These institutions enroll the largest number of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students in adult education; however, CC ESOL students face lower rates of degree completion and transfer compared to their non-ESOL peers (David & Kanno, 2021; Fink et al., 2023; Raufman et al., 2019). While research has examined factors contributing to low CC ESOL student persistence and interventions to improve overall CC student outcomes, research on specific efforts to support …

Liberatory Love: Exploring Educators’ Perspectives In Alternative Education, Kamala J. Mallipudi

Dissertations

Establishing an operational understanding of love is difficult. The struggle is magnified when attempting to create a shared vision of love across a group of educators. As Freire (1970/2005) and Darder (2011) affirmed, academic success is advanced when educators demonstrate love as part of their praxis. Continuation high schools represent a population of at-promise students who stand to gain much when their educators employ liberatory love practices. This study examined how educators’ perceptions about liberatory love are shifted or formed when they read, discuss, and reflect on the topic with their colleagues. This study drew on critical pedagogy and engaged …

Belonging Is Resistance: Illuminating The Power Of Women Of Color Mid-Level Administrators In Higher Education, Rachelle Ann Martinez

Dissertations

Resistance has long been a mechanism through which the dominant norms of society are challenged in the name of social justice. White supremacy, heteropatriarchy, and neoliberalism make it difficult for institutions of higher education to increase diversity, advance equity, and prioritize inclusion. Although these systems of domination adversely impact the belonging of all campus stakeholders, the experiences of mid-level administrators are relatively overlooked, and feeling undervalued and underappreciated is a top reason for many, especially women and people of color, who leave the profession altogether. This qualitative study utilized narrative inquiry to understand how dominant societal norms adversely impact the …

Latinas In Higher Education: Paving & Weaving Wholeheartedly, Ariela M. Canizal

Dissertations

The deficit model in research has often framed Latinas in higher education through a lens of barriers and challenges, reinforcing stereotypes that depict them as unlikely to succeed in academic spaces. However, Latinas are actively resisting these narratives, weaving their resilience into their stories as they navigate the complexities of higher education, culture, and identity. This study examines how Latina students incorporate cultural background, familial support, and personal agency to thrive academically while challenging systemic obstacles and societal expectations. The research question that guided this study is: In what ways do undergraduate Latina students navigate identity as they experience leadership …

Post Racial Reckoning: Montessori Instructors' Perspectives On Teaching Through An Antibias Antiracist Lens, Jasmine E. Williams

Dissertations

Prior to the racial reckoning of 2020, Montessori teacher education programs (MTEPs) have only narrowly focused on social justice education (Aronson et al., 2020; Bartolomè, 2004; Cook, 2015; Cross, 2005; D’Cruz, 2022; King, 1991). Although MTEPs began to respond differently post-reckoning, support for implementing practices like antibias antiracist (ABAR) instruction was often absent. This study sought to understand how the racial reckoning and efforts to include an ABAR lens impacted the teaching practices of instructors in MTEPs. While ABAR-related studies exist in general teacher education (Blanchard et al., 2018; Madkins & Nazar, 2022; Martinez-Alba, Herrera, & Hersi, 2022), few focus …

Hire Outcomes: The African American Educator Experience Of Equity And Diversity In Education, Myeshia Whigham

Dissertations

African American educators have remained significantly underrepresented in U.S. public schools, a reality shaped by systemic racism, exclusionary hiring practices, and the dominance of white cultural norms in education (Anderson, 1988; Farinde-Wu et al., 2020; Fenwick, 2022). These barriers include microaggressions, anti-Blackness, and limited institutional support (Campbell, 2022; Crenshaw, 1994; Ingersoll et al., 2019; Ladson-Billings, 2021a). Despite these challenges, African American educators bring and practice culturally relevant pedagogy, an approach that affirms students’ cultural identities and creates a stronger sense of belonging for educators and students of color (Ladson-Billings, 2021a; Love, 2019a; Paris & Alim, 2017). The purpose of this …

Advancing Equity In Financial Aid For Black Students: A Document Analysis Study Of Student Equity Plans In California Community Colleges, Edwina Williams

Dissertations

This study examined how California Community Colleges (CCCs) constructed financial aid discourse in Student Equity Plans (SEPs) and assessed whether these strategies mitigated or perpetuated racial disparities for Black students. Previous scholarship identified racial inequities in financial aid systems and explored how equity planning documents addressed race; yet, the influence of institutional discourse on financial aid access remained underexamined. This study contributed to the literature by applying critical race hermeneutics (CRH) to examine how SEPs outlined financial aid strategies, with particular attention to the framing of work–study opportunities and the extent to which the SEP intended to employ race-conscious approaches. …

Becoming A Beloved Community: A Restorative Reckoning For A Radical Conversion To Transform Discourse In Higher Education, Latasha Tomay Varlack-Butler

Dissertations

This dissertation critically examines the misappropriation of Restorative Justice Discourse (RJD) within three predominantly white institutions (PWIs), analyzing 59 institutional documents through Critical Discourse Analysis, Relational Critical Discourse Analysis, and Rhetorical Criticism (Fairclough, 1995; Vaandering, 2021; van Dijk, 2008). Tribal Colleges and Universities and South African institutions have emerged as exemplars of authentic RJD, countering co-optation within PWIs. The findings demonstrate that RJD as applied in PWIs is framed in ways that attenuate its transformative potential, perpetuating color-evasiveness (Bonilla-Silva, 2017) and obscuring the intersectional experiences of Black, Indigenous, and disabled communities (Crenshaw, 1991; Million, 2009).

Grounded in decolonial praxis (Smith, …

Walking The Tightropes: Tensions In High School Religious Education, Nicholas Hurt

Dissertations

This qualitative dissertation examined the challenges faced by high school religion teachers in Catholic education through interviews with 16 teachers from nine U.S. dioceses. The dissertation explored four key tensions the literature indicates have emerged in Catholic education since the Second Vatican Council: (1) balancing catechetical and academic approaches, (2) navigating the dual role of educator and minister, (3) reconciling prescribed curricula with diverse student needs, and (4) addressing training disparities and their impact on teacher morale.

Beyond these tensions, teachers identified additional challenges absent from the literature. First, they noted that nurturing authentic faith is difficult when students fear …

Challenging Dominant Mindset Ideologies: Transforming Teaching And Learning That Impact Latinx Students, Francisco Lopez

Dissertations

Teacher identity poses a central connection to social justice education as researchers call for studies to pay attention to the cultural identities of those teaching in our schools when practices like color blindness are a common practice amongst teachers that keeps racial and social power intact. Despite the overwhelming presence of White teachers nationwide, we must pay attention to the specific needs of Teachers of Color in our classrooms. The assumption is often made that teachers of Color already have the knowledge on how to enact culturally responsive pedagogy. This study investigates the relationship between Critical Race Theory (CRT) and …

Restricted Access: Structural Gatekeeping And The Black Student Experience In Accounting Education, Richard W. Hurt Iii

Dissertations

This study explores the experiences of Black accountants as they reflect on their memories of the pipeline to their profession and the affective dimensions of their educational experiences as accounting majors in college. Grounding into Unapologetic Black Inquiry (UBI), a framework rooted in critical race theory, this investigation integrates narrative inquiry as a tool to capture rich descriptions from participant interviews and written reflections. Furthermore, this descriptive qualitative study explores how the structures and values of accounting education are rooted in a form of professionalism that prioritizes technical proficiencies over cultural knowledge, thus ignoring community forms of assets related to …

So Much More Than Summer Camp: The Importance Of Environmental Education At Nature Centers, Olivia Upton

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Education in the U.S. currently faces a deficit in the promotion and proper teaching of climate change curriculum. Obvious gaps are created by a lack of clear teaching standards for environmental education, the American political machine stirring up controversy over the legitimacy of climate change, or teacher preferences. As climate change is considered one of the greatest threats facing humanity today, there is a need to educate people, especially younger generations, in order to navigate future challenges and make informed decisions. Nature centers offer the ideal location for the promotion of climate change education based on their direct connection to …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Chatgpt In Solving Math Problems Across Varying Levels Of Difficulty And Its Implications On Education, Emma Nicol

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

This project aims to make the literature on LLMs, like ChatGPT, more accessible, while also evaluating its effectiveness in solving math problems of varying difficulty. In order to achieve this, I generated and ranked math problems based on their difficulty and the analysis/steps required to complete them correctly. From there, these problems were inputted into ChatGPT to be solved, and patterns of error were documented in order to see what steps or sections of these problems were conducted incorrectly. Additionally, analysis of this information allowed me to determine the benefits of ChatGPT and what areas still need improvement, in terms …

Quest For Purpose In Education: An Autoethnographic Study Of A Chinese Student’S Cross- Cultural Journey Through Logotherapy And Culturally Relevant Leadership, Bingsheng Chen

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

This autoethnography examines a Chinese student's search for meaning while transitioning between Chinese and U.S. academic systems, shaped by the interplay of cultural values, societal pressures, and personal agency. Guided by Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy and Culturally Relevant Leadership (CRL), the study uses reflexive narrative analysis to explore how this personal quest for purpose intersected with institutional structures and cultural contexts (e.g., St. John's College, University of New Mexico). Illuminating profound challenges—including cultural shock, systemic inequities, and the emotional toll of adaptation—the research reveals a transformative journey of navigating dissonance, reframing adversity, embracing a dual cultural identity, and ultimately finding meaning …

Examining Factors That Shape The Perspectives Of Afro-Caribbean Parents On The American Special Education System, Eldine Beaubrun Montauban

Educational Studies Dissertations

Cultural beliefs of disabilities and education can impact parents’ perspectives of special education. There are pertinent concerns over the cultural factors shaping the perspectives of Afro-Caribbean parents on the American special education system. This qualitative case study explored the perceptions of six parents of children with special needs who identify as Afro-Caribbean living in Massachusetts. Applying a theoretical/conceptual framework that includes acculturation, assimilation, social identity, and school family partnership, this study reveals challenges Afro-Caribbean parents and their children encounter in the U.S. special education system. The analysis of the data yielded seven findings. The findings detail parents’ negotiations of their …

Maybe It Really Is Those Damn Phones, Sarah F. Garvin

Honors Projects

Technology is an integral part of modern life and has extended into elementary classrooms where one-to-one device programs have become the norm. While technology can increase accessibility to education, its widespread integration in learning environments raises concerns about its long-term impact on students and teachers. This research critically examines gamified learning applications and technology use in elementary education, questioning whether they enhance learning, curiosity, and problem-solving skills. A qualitative methods approach was employed, using surveys and interviews conducted with educators in Seattle Public Schools to assess the effects of technology-driven instruction. The resulting data were analyzed through thematic analysis to …

Respectability, Code-Switching, And Expression: Examining The Experience Of Black Expressive Arts Therapists Through A Sociolinguistic Lens, Darrien Bush

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review explores how the linguistic phenomenon of code-switching can be applied to expressive arts and expressive arts therapy to describe the experience of Black expressive therapists. The review outlines the evolution of the term, reasons why individuals switch codes, and how this affects their experience. The understanding of code-switching is then examined in expressive arts and the expressive arts therapy field. A history and understanding of code-switching in Black communities is also explored, connecting Black experiences of code-switching and expressive arts therapy programs. A discussion suggests that culturally relevant practices are implicitly discouraged due to dominant expectations. Future …

The Lre Provision Of Idea's Impact On Deaf Students' Socio-Emotional Satisfaction In K-12th Grade Education, Shealyn Junge

Undergraduate University Honors Capstones

The education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students represents a unique challenge in implementing inclusive practices that balance physical integration with meaningful language and communication access. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) provision reflects a federal commitment to educating students with disabilities alongside their non-disabled peers whenever possible. This mixed-methods study examined how mainstream, co-enrollment settings, and Deaf schools shape the socio-emotional development of DHH students, including those transitioning between settings. While participants across placements reported increasing DHH identity pride, their social experiences diverged markedly: mainstream-educated participants universally reported loneliness by high school. Deaf …

Beyond The Exam Score: An Examination Of The Kenyan Education System, Its Reforms, Inefficiencies, And Impact On Individuals And Society At Large, Olivia M. Pederson

Honors Projects

In Kenya, secondary education plays a decisive role in shaping students’ university and career opportunities as well as their social mobility. The national exam, Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), acts as a key gateway to higher education and employment. The quality and accessibility of education for Kenyan youth, however, has been impacted by systemic inefficiencies ranging from underfunding and disparities in resource allocation to an exam-centric curriculum. This study takes a qualitative approach, using both purposive and convenience sampling to gather data through a questionnaire sent to university students and adults that have graduated from a Kenyan secondary school. …

The Impact Of Kinesthetic Attunement On Parents And Their Children With Autism: An Exploration, Ritu Shree

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study explored the impact of kinesthetic attunement as experienced through dance movement therapy (DMT) with parent-child dyads on parental stress, children’s adaptive skills and joint attention. A qualitative reflective account of parents was also studied to understand the depth of parents’ experience of dance movement therapy with their children with autism. The research emphasized the importance of collective parent-child dance therapy sessions, that especially focused on attunement and connection that built its way up from sensory-motor, social-communicative, and relational play and engagement.

A total of six parent-child dyads participated in the study that lasted over eight DMT sessions. Parents …

Perceptions Of Faculty On Trauma-Informed Practices At The American University In Cairo, Marwa M. Emara

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Trauma-informed education is gaining momentum in higher education as a framework that seeks to create learning environments that are safe, inclusive, and responsive to the emotional and psychological needs of students—particularly those who have experienced trauma. This qualitative study, situated at the American University in Cairo (AUC), explores how faculty perceive, understand, and implement trauma-informed practices in a diverse university context that includes refugee and displaced students. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seventeen faculty members from various disciplines and incorporating an autoethnographic reflection. An expert interview was conducted with Dr. Mays Imad, a leading scholar in trauma-informed …

Risky Business For The Almighty Roi: Alternative Assets In Higher Education Endowments, Clayton Ellis

Education Policy and Leadership Theses and Dissertations

Higher education institutions (HEI) are heavily reliant on alternative revenue streams to mitigate rising operational costs. One alternative revenue source is the endowment, an aggegation of assets invested to support the institutional objectives of an HEI through generated income. Before the 21^st century, institutions have typically sought after more conservative investment strategies via traditional asset classes like bonds and equities. The growing financial obligations to educate students has led endowment managers to make a shift in their investment strategies towards alternative assets classes – private equity, venture capital, secondaries – in order to gain advantage in generating alpha (α) …

Implementing A Schematic Word Problem Process In A Fourth-Grade Classroom, Anna R. Vidlak

Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education

Abstract Word problems represent a culmination of mathematical skills which often pose significant challenges for students who struggle with logical reasoning. The purpose of my study was to determine if implementing a word problem process in my math whole group would increase students’ ability to solve multistep math word problems. The word problem process implemented in this study was a schematic process called FOPS. In this process, students learned to identify three word problem types and their respective schematic diagrams in order to organize and solve word problems. This action research took place in a 4th-grade classroom. Students underwent a …

Small-Groups To Enhance Student Achievement And Confidence In Mathematics, Catie Tangeman

Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education

The purpose of this study was to focus on enhancing math instruction for a group of second-grade students. I saw a large gap in students’ skills at the beginning of the year and wanted to identify a way to strengthen instruction for their success. This study specifically focused on implementing differentiated small groups in math instruction to see if student achievement and confidence would increase. Data was collected in these small-groups through a pre/post-test, exit tickets, and surveys. The surveys helped measure confidence. All three methods helped progress monitor and track the effectiveness of small-group instruction for students. When the …

Building Early Phonemic Awareness, Tessa K. Sutfin

Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education

Alphabet knowledge and phonemic awareness skills are strong predictors of later reading ability (Stanley and Finch, 2018). Therefore, phonemic awareness and letter-sound relationships are skills that Kindergarteners have a limited amount of time to master. As a result, educators must think critically about the strategies and forms of assessment implemented to ensure they are setting young readers up for lifelong success in reading. The purpose of my study was to determine if explicit instruction in phonemic awareness and letter-sound correspondence would increase student ability to isolate, segment, blend, and decode grade-level text. Strategies included kinesthetic movements of the hands and …

Fostering Critical Thinking In The World Language Classroom, Madeline Sossi-Jones

Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education

In education, the lack of critical thinking (CT) in students has become increasingly evident in classrooms of all contents. There are a multitude of factors that have contributed to this issue over the last ten years, so just one is not solely to blame. This study examines the prevalence of a CT deficit in world language classrooms. Data from Integrated Performance Assessments (IPAs) and classroom observations proposed a need for students to increase their CT skills in the Spanish language. The study consisted of 21 students in a Spanish 2 course in grades 9-12 throughout 6 weeks. The research analyzed …

Implementation Of Social-Emotional Learning, Jordyn Rippe

Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education

Social-emotional learning has shown distinction as strengthening students' social and emotional competencies, as well as enhancing the academic experience. The purpose of this study was to determine if the implementation of a social-emotional curriculum would improve competencies in social-emotional development and self-regulation skills. Students need adequate social and emotional instruction that will assist in being able to manage relationships, identify emotions, as well as regulate them. The focus of social-emotional learning is to create a fair learning environment for all students (Cipriano et al., 2022). Lack of social and emotional skills instruction in the classroom can severely impact the development …

Teaching Engaging Grammar Instruction In The High School English Classroom, Emily A. Erlbacher

Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education

Grammar is a fundamental component in the content area of English Language Arts. Having a strong foundation in grammar is a critical stepping stone to writing clearly and communicating with success. Despite its importance, grammar is historically not the most engaging topic for high school students. My study, consisting of a seven week action plan involving the ninth graders in an English Language Arts classroom, sought to recognize this disengagement and work to combat it in order to improve students’ writing capabilities. More specifically, the purpose of my action research was to evaluate different grammar instructional strategies recommended in existing …

Introduction: Action Research In The Pk-12 Classroom, Julie Bell, Amanda L. Steiner, Christina L. Wilcoxen

Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education

This is an introduction to the special issue of the Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education on action research in PK-12 classrooms. The editor and guest editors provide commentary and describe each article in the issue.

Diagnostic And Clinical Utility Of Oncoscan Microarray And Ngs-Based Sequencing In Pediatric Solid Tumors: Children’S Mercy Hospital’S Experience, Aravindh Nagarajan, Lisa Lansdon, Midhat Farooqi, Lei Zhang, Elena Repnikova

Research Days

This papers attempts to evaluate the diagnostic and clinical utility of microarray-based OS+ in detecting clinically relevant genetic alterations in FFPE solid tumor samples and to compare the yield of somatic mutation detection by WGS/WES in pediatric solid tumors at Children’s Mercy Hospital - Kansas City.