Education Commons^™

Variation In Blood Culture Testing And Outcomes In Children Hospitalized With Three Common Infections., Smit Shah, Jessica L. Markham, Jennifer Goldman, Matt Hall, Jillian Cotter, Samantha A. House, Matthew J. Molloy, Michelle Polich, Michael J. Steiner, John R. Stephens, Michael J. Tchou, Ronald J. Teufel Ii, Irma Ugalde, Andrew Yu

Research Days

Background: Prior studies of blood culture (BC) testing in uncomplicated community acquired pneumonia (CAP), skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), and urinary tract infections (UTI) have demonstrated low utility of routine testing given similar rates of pathogen versus contaminant detection and little effect on clinical management. Understanding patterns and outcomes of BC testing can identify opportunities to curb unnecessary testing.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to: 1) Evaluate BC testing trends over time for children hospitalized for CAP, SSTI, and UTI; and 2) describe differences in clinical outcomes between hospital groups with low, moderate, or high testing rates. …

Association Between Neighborhood Opportunity And Youth Mental Health Emergency Department Visits, Shelby Chesbro Md, Henry T. Puls, Adrienne G. Deporre, Molly Krager, Laura Plencner, Shayla Sullivant, Matthew Hall Phd

Research Days

Background: Youth mental health emergency department visits are increasing and are a burden on the health care system. Prevalence of mental health disorders may be influenced by the neighborhood youths live in.

Objectives/Goal: Determine differences in rates of youth mental health ED visits across zip code levels of neighborhood opportunity.

Methods/Design: We performed a cross-sectional study using the Hospital Industry Data Institute dataset identifying ED visits with a primary mental health diagnosis in Kansas and Missouri for youths aged 5-19 years in 2022-2023. Mental health ED visits were then categorized at the zip code level by neighborhood opportunity using the …

Reducing Vancomycin Use In The Cicu, Karoline Krzywda, Ali Taber, Lauren Johnson

Research Days

Background/Aim Statement: In the CICU empiric vancomycin is frequently prescribed. This practice occurs without broad knowledge of the actual rates of methicillin resistant staph aureus (MRSA) and methicillin resistant staph epidermidis (MRSE) infections. Given the potential for harmful side effects of vancomycin as well as concern for growing antibiotic resistance, we sought to better characterize local unit prescribing practices and MRSA/MRSE infection rates to guide our QI project with an aim of reducing vancomycin use in the CICU.

Methods (include PDSA cycles): Patient data from January 2021 to January 2023 was analyzed. The number of monthly days spent on vancomycin …

A Risk Score To Predict Recurrent High Intensity Inpatient Resource Utilization For Children With Medical Complexity., Charles Maloy, Matthew Hall, Jessica L. Bettenhausen, Yui-Yee Chan, Leah Jones, Kathryn Kyler, Laura Plencner Md, Jessica Markham, Jacqueline M. Walker, Smit Shah, Sîan Best, Jonathan Ermer, Shelby Chesbro, Maria Newmaster, Henry T. Puls

Research Days

Background: Children with medical complexity (CMC) use a greater amount of inpatient resources and stand to benefit from unique care models and coordination. However, hospital resources can be limited, and a better understanding of which CMC are high resource users could improve hospital and staff planning.

Objectives/Goal: To develop a risk score predictive of recurrent high intensity inpatient utilization among CMC.

Methods/Design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children <18 years old with ≥3 complex chronic conditions (CCC) discharged from one of 48 children’s hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System during 2021 and 2022. To reflect CMC typically cared for by a general medical service, children with cardiac procedures, dialysis, oncology, or transplant CCCs, and index hospitalization mortality were excluded. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine factors present on the index hospitalization associated with ≥5 hospitalizations or ≥3 hospitalizations with one lasting ≥25 days within any 365-day period (high inpatient utilization) in 2021-2023. We developed risk scoring system using model coefficients and defined the optimal risk score cutoff to maximize sensitivity and specificity. We then applied the risk score cutoff to children discharged to determine (a) ratio of predicted:actual CMC with recurrent high resource use and (b) the total predicted daily volume on 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile days for each hospital.

Results: Of 44,432 included children, 9,596 (21.6%) had high inpatient utilization (Table). Children under 1 year of age had the highest odds of high inpatient utilization (OR 2.26 [95% CI: …

Failure To Launch: Pediatric Colorectal Surgery Center Utilization By Patients Over 18 Years Of Age, Vatche Melkonian, Andres Gonzalez Salazar, Cory Nonnemacher, Seth Saylors, Margaret Martin-Mclain, Iris Lim-Beutel, Rebecca Rentea

Research Days

Background: As patients with childhood colorectal diseases transition into adulthood, many continue to seek care at pediatric colorectal centers rather than transitioning to adult hospital systems. This preference often stems from a sense of comfort and familiarity with their pediatric care teams. Additionally, patients often perceive inadequacies in adult healthcare systems in managing their specific conditions. As these numbers of patients continue to grow, pediatric colorectal centers may face increasing demands on their resources, potentially diverting attention away from pediatric patients.

Objectives/Goal: The objective of this study was to assess the utilization of our pediatric colorectal center by patients aged …

Patterns And Growth Of A Dedicated Pediatric Coagulation Consult Service In A Freestanding Children's Hospital, Nicole Demarco, Shannon Carpenter, Brian Lee

Research Days

Background: Hospital-acquired thrombosis remains a significant concern in pediatric care, contributing to morbidity and extended hospital stays. At Children’s Mercy, a dedicated inpatient coagulation consultation service has existed for many years. Efforts have been made to implement prophylactic measures aimed at reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired thrombosis. With the recent COVID pandemic we saw an influx in prophylactic anticoagulation due to recommended guidelines.

Objectives: To characterize the impact increased efforts in thromboprophylaxis during and after the COVID-19 pandemic on care delivery and the development of thrombosis among pediatric hospitalized patients.

Methods: This retrospective review included all pediatric inpatients with a …

Multi-Omic Analysis Of Kmt2a-Rearranged Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia Reveals Novel Pathways Of Interest, Trenton Edwards, Irina Pushel, Thomas Gremminger, Lisa Lansdon, Byunggil Yoo, Michaella Rekowski, Michael Washburn, Midhat Farooqi

Research Days

Objectives/Goals

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is the second most common leukemia among pediatric populations. Approximately 15% of pediatric AML cases have KMT2A gene rearrangements (KMT2A-r), which carry a worse prognosis. Our goal is to better characterize the biologic landscape of KMT2A-r pediatric AML. We hypothesize that a multi-omic approach will reveal mechanisms underlying the aggressive nature of KMT2A-r AML.

Methods/Study Population

This study makes use of deidentified peripheral blood and/or bone marrow samples banked in the Children’s Mercy Tumor Bank Biorepository. For this study, we used samples at diagnosis and remission from four KMT2A-r pediatric AML …

No Suspicion For Nocarh: A Cautionary Tale Of Anchoring Bias, Nicole Demarco, Shannon Haines, Julia Allyson Hays, Bonnie Sullivan, Michael Price, Kimberly A. Horii

Research Days

Neonatal onset of cytopenia autoinflammation rash and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis syndrome (NOCARH), a subset of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), is a rare and life-threatening condition characterized by uncontrolled immune response. It presents a diagnostic challenge in neonates due to the overlap of clinical features with other conditions, particularly congenital infections.

Nrp And Pals In Icu Code Events At A Quaternary Care Pediatric Hospital: A ‘Compressed’ Analysis, Deepa Kumar, Mitch Kinkor, Stephen Pfeiffer, Allison Taber, Janelle R. Noel-Macdonnell Phd, Jessica Brunkhorst, Danielle Reed

Research Days

This is a retrospective observational study comparing code events in children less than 18 months of age who were resuscitated in the NICU, PICU, and CICU using neonatal resuscitation program (NRP) and pediatric advance life support (PALS).

Navigating The Ai Frontier: Challenges And Opportunities For Academic Libraries, Zachary Newell Phd, Christine I. Dulac Jd, Mlis, Jill Piekut Roy, Anna Faherty, Benjamin Barton, Alex Elliott

USM Faculty Teaching Symposium

Academic libraries stand at a pivotal juncture, grappling with the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence. Our presentation will address the practical, ethical, and social implications caused by the integration of AI into the work of academic libraries. Ethical considerations are paramount. Algorithmic bias threatens equitable access, while privacy and data security demand robust safeguards. The rise of AI-generated content necessitates a reevaluation of academic integrity and copyright law. Practical challenges include data quality and system integration. AI implementation requires substantial investment and specialized expertise, necessitating staff upskilling and training. Socially, building user trust through transparent communication is crucial. Libraries must …

Being In Community With Children And Engaging Their Full Range Of Civic Capabilities. A Response To "Learning To Talk And Listen In Elementary Social Studies: Exploring A Third-Grade Teacher’S Decision To Use Classroom Talk For Community Building", Katherina A. Payne

Democracy & Education

Early childhood social studies should open opportunities for children to make sense of their social world; the civic question of how we live together is central to the social world. Elementary classrooms are uniquely positioned to support democratic civic education given the amount of time children and adults spend together, the emphasis placed on cultivating a positive classroom community, and children’s capabilities to cultivate relationships full of care and concern for people from outside their close familial relations. In response to Lo’s (2025) examination of a third-grade teacher’s use of discussion to engage in contentious topics while cultivating a sense …

The Roles Of Productivity, Emotions, And Identities In Classroom Discourse. A Response To "Productive Discussion Across Political Differences: Understanding Students’ Experiences With Comfort And Discomfort Within Structured Discussions Of Public Policy Issues", Anne-Lise Halvorsen, Thomas (Tomás) Aviles

Democracy & Education

“Productive Classroom Discussion across Political Differences: Understanding Students’ Experiences of Comfort and Discomfort within Structured Discussion Strategies” offers a fresh perspective on high school classroom discussions by centering the role of emotions–in particular comfort and discomfort–and their relationship to students’ identities. In this response, we describe how this perspective on emotions and identities is vital and humanizing. We then build on the study’s considerations of emotions and identities in discussion, particularly for students from marginalized backgrounds, and offer additional perspectives about the purpose, format, and framing of these kinds of discussions.

Toward Discussion Facilitation That Enacts Collective Care. A Response To “Teaching Dobbs Where Divisive Concepts And Abortion Are Restricted”, Jenni Conrad

Democracy & Education

For both teacher candidates and teacher educators, facilitating discussions of contested issues in hyper-polarized climates remains a heavy lift. This response to “Teaching Dobbs…” celebrates the successes apparent in Geller’s team’s work and identifies key features that supported it. While cautioning readers against adopting avatar rehearsals elsewhere, I distill four themes of planning and enactment that show clear promise for broad transference in teacher education. Drawing from research exploring the interfaces of justice-oriented, practice-based, and democratic social studies scholarship, I offer pedagogical and logistical considerations for other teacher educators and researchers engaged in this ambitious and necessary work to sustain …

Learning To Talk And Listen In Elementary Social Studies: Exploring A Third-Grade Teacher’S Decision To Use Classroom Talk For Community Building, Jane C. Lo

Democracy & Education

With mounting polarization in the political arena and media sources, trust of one’s neighbors and of teachers are facing increasing strain in the United States. Furthermore, teachers continue to struggle with how to teach high-quality, nuanced, social studies, especially in the elementary setting, where time and resources for social studies has been depleting for decades (e.g., Fitchett et al., 2014; Heafner, 2018). Within this context, this study presents a case of a third-grade teacher who chooses to use discursive talk as a way to support high-quality social studies and to build community in her classroom. Findings suggest that classroom talk …

Productive Discussion Across Political Differences: Understanding Students’ Experiences With Comfort And Discomfort Within Structured Discussions Of Public Policy Issues, Gregory E. Mcavoy, Paula Mcavoy, Rachel Waltz, Emily Grace

Democracy & Education

This study investigates the effectiveness of two pedagogical strategies—deliberation and debate—in fostering productive political discussions among high school students, with a focus on overcoming affective polarization. Paying attention to students’ comfort, engagement, and willingness to participate, this study employs a mixed-method approach using data from surveys, observations, and interviews with students participating in a civic immersion program in Washington, DC. Using deliberative theory and the concept of “productive classroom discussion across political differences,” the research explores the extent to how students perceive each strategy as productive, as well as their experiences of comfort and productive and unproductive discomfort. Additional attention …

Teaching Dobbs Where Divisive Concepts And Abortion Are Restricted: Teacher Learning, Controversial Issues, And Mixed-Reality Technology, Rebecca C. Geller

Democracy & Education

Though scholarship has long championed the positive impacts of classroom considerations of controversial or difficult issues, teachers have often hesitated to broach divisive topics for numerous reasons, including legislation purporting to limit controversy in classrooms and, often, that they had limited or no preparation to teach controversies, especially not politically contentious sociopolitical contexts. I worked with a research team to use a mixed-reality teaching simulation of a controversial issue discussion as a low-stakes learning context for developing skills for collective pedagogical reasoning. The teaching simulation centered on Dobbs v. Jackson, the 2022 Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. …

Fostering Open-Minded Political Engagement Through Online Interscholastic Discussions: Toward Reducing Affective Political Polarization, Brett L. M. Levy, Alina Lewis

Democracy & Education

This study explores how political discussions among diverse youth can support students’ open-minded political engagement. For this study, we collaborated with two teachers to adapt and enact instruction aimed at supporting students’ discussion of controversial issues across political, geographic, and cultural boundaries. During an instructional unit exploring various ways to strengthen our election system, students engaged in discussions with their classmates and with peers from another school via an online video discussion board. We collected data through observations and interviews. Our findings indicate that the instruction enhanced students’ understanding of their political bubbles and their motivation to engage in boundary-crossing …

Beyond “Yelling At Them”: Exploring The Impact Of A Political Simulation In Polarized Times, Jeremy Stoddard, Jais Brohinsky, Jason A. Chen, Derek Behnke, M. Shane Tutwiler, Janice Robbins

Democracy & Education

This paper explores how PurpleState, a political simulation designed to foster skills and knowledge for informed civic participation, develops students’ abilities to counter or resist the effects of political polarization and partisanship. Throughout the simulation, which has been implemented in Virginia and Wisconsin, students are asked to analyze, reason with, and communicate using evidence on a state policy issue (e.g., gun control) with a particular focus on local context. They are also asked to reflect on how what they are learning helps them understand the political information environment and their role in it. Student participants from focus groups (n=32) consistently …

How Open Source Digital Repositories Increased Visibility Of Coursework Worldwide, Ashanthi Maxworth Phd

USM Faculty Teaching Symposium

I started teaching ELE 452 Antennas course for engineering undergraduates in the spring of 2022. As a strong advocate of active learning techniques, I was incorporating antenna simulations using a software called ANSYS-HFSS. HFSS has a lot of moving parts hence I needed a method to make sure the students follow the steps correctly, so I created worksheets with step-by-step instructions. Since I put a lot of time and effort into creating these worksheets, I published those as an open source digital collection via the USM Libraries. Currently, the readership of these worksheets is almost 4000 worldwide.

Backed by this …

Exploring The Relationship Of Program Type On Multilingual Learners Students’ English Growth And Promotion In Secondary School, Simone M. Wilkinson

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study explores the relationships between tenure as Multilingual Learners (MLs), English proficiency, academic performance, and promotion among middle and high school students. This study is grounded in Bourdieu’s (1967, 2018) theory, which emphasizes that schools perpetuate cultural norms by limiting ML’s language access and post-secondary success. Also informed by Krashen’s (1982, 1985, 2003) theory of Input Hypothesis, this study investigates how meaningful interaction is key for language learning. The primary research questions explore: (1) Is there a relationship between students’ tenure as a ML, English proficiency, and promotion through secondary school? (2) Is the EL program type for MLs …

I Knew You Were Trouble When You Walked In: The Negative Effects And Shortcomings Of United Nations Peacekeeping Efforts, Andrea G. Heredia-Ortiz

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

The purpose of this paper is to look at peacekeeping operations done by the United Nations. In specific the efforts in Haiti, the former Yugoslavia, and Israel. In each of these operations the United Nations created more instability or left the country in the same or worse state than it was when it came in. In the case of Haiti there was sexual exploitation of the citizens and the cholera outbreak of 2010. In Israel, the peace operation has been ongoing since 1947, conflict in the Middle East does not seem to be coming at an end anytime soon. Additionally, …

May 14, 2025 Blazer Weekly, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

Blazer Weekly (student newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Data In The Classroom: The Impact Of A Data-Centric, High School Program To Motivate Career Interest In Stem Fields, Tyler Stabiler

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation proposes to analyze the importance of introducing data-centric STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) studies at the high school level. In today's digital age, the importance of studying data-centric STEM in high school cannot be overstated. This dissertation looks to discover educational capabilities of high school students in various grade levels by understanding their drive, desire, and ambitions in a different STEM course than what is currently offered at the high school. Finally, the study analyzes the students’ participation in lectures, laboratory environment, and model/simulations to identify the significance in high schools adding data-centric curriculums to their academic …

Teachers’ Beliefs About Asl And Its Impact In The Classroom, Cecilia Echevarria

Honors Scholar Theses

This study explores American Sign Language (ASL) teachers’ beliefs and experiences, and how they influence their instructional approaches and goals for their students. Despite ASL’s growing presence in education as a world language, minimal research has examined ASL teachers’ perspectives and how they shape classroom practices. Through semi-structured interviews, six ASL teachers – three Deaf and three hearing – this research identified four major themes: challenges teachers face in the classroom, cultural takeaways, best teaching practices, and persistent systemic issues affecting ASL’s status in education. Findings suggest that regardless of hearing status, teachers prioritize cultural awareness and respectful engagement with …

Perceptions Of Artificial Intelligence In Higher Education, Kelly Freeman

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED), is a growing field of research and practice in higher education. AIED is increasingly permeating the student journey, from admissions through graduation, and is affiliated with tools such as early alert systems, adaptative tutoring, predictor systems, and language learning chatbots. These emergent technologies provide previously unforeseen opportunities to advance student success, such as widespread individualization, yet pose challenges related to technical literacy and ethical and safety concerns. After the initial excitement surrounding AI chatbots in 2022, catalyzed by the introduction of ChatGPT, the pace of technological innovation continues to accelerate, with …

A Narrative Study On Board Members' And Superintendents' Perceptions Of Their Relationship And Its Impact On District Governance In Public Schools Across Morris County, New Jersey, Michael J. Fetherman

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This qualitative study investigates the perceptions of members of the board of education and superintendents regarding their professional relationship, aiming to evaluate its influence on district governance. The research uses interviews and surveys to examine how these relationships shape decision-making processes within a governance framework that defines distinct roles and accountabilities.

Additionally, the study highlights the increasing complexity of board-superintendent interactions, emphasizing the importance of effective collaboration, mutual trust, and a shared vision for success. The findings underline the need for clear communication, respect, and role alignment to navigate conflicts and ensure positive outcomes for students, staff, and community stakeholders. …

Joy In Lifelong Learning: An Introduction To Planning For Learning Disabilities In Museum Education, Elaine L. Davis

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

For over a century, the role of museums as learning institutions has been considered alongside that of schools. However, special education practices are rarely adapted for museum education, requiring educators in museum contexts to undertake extra work to accommodate those with learning disabilities. This thesis used Qualitative Comparative Analysis and Textual Analysis to review pedagogical white papers and academic research on museum programs aimed at neurodivergent audiences. The findings were used to create a professional development guide for museum educators at a range of different types of museums.

The Cost Of Leadership: Giving Voice To The Experiences Of Student Leaders Of Color At Predominantly White Institutions, Gustavo F. Burkett

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

The Cost of Leadership: Giving Voice to the Experience of Student Leaders of Color at Predominantly White Institutions

August 2025

Gustavo F. Burkett, B.S., The University of Maine

M.Ed., The University of Maine

Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Boston

Directed by Professor Tara Parker

The way many predominantly white institutions (PWIs) have positioned cultural student organizations as representations of campus diversity, often disguises the complex, racialized burdens carried by the organization’s student leaders. Leadership roles held by students of color are embedded in administrative structures not built with their identities in mind. This study explored the intersection of race, institutional culture, …

Higher Education Leaders’ Perspectives Regarding Faculty Attrition, Alexandria Angel Draper

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Perceptions of higher education leaders (HELs) regarding faculty attrition and effective strategies to help manage challenges associated with voluntary and involuntary resignations were unknown. Guided by Bush’s educational management theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore HELs’ perceptions regarding faculty attrition. Research questions investigated perceptions of HELs regarding faculty attrition and how they perceived faculty attrition in their institutions. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 HELs, including academic deans, vice provosts, department chairpersons, program directors, and board of regents members. Thematic analysis was conducted using open and axial coding of the interview data. Themes included provision …

The Impact Of Race-Corrected Spirometry Results On Eligibility Into An Asthma Clinical Trial, Carina H. Perdew, Bridgette L. Jones, Wumi V. Akinjole

Research Days

BACKGROUND: Spirometry is a widely used pulmonary function test that assesses lung function by examining airflow and capacity. Spirometry measurements assist in the diagnosis, severity classification, and management of asthma, and can affect one’s eligibility into various events (e.g., clinical trials, high-risk jobs, sports). Reference equations are used to establish predicted values to account for biological variables such as age, sex, and height; however past clinical guidelines recommended utilizing race-correction. The incorporation of race may negatively impact people of color due to misrepresentation of one's lung function, consequently impacting future medical management. OBJECTIVES: To characterize differences in spirometry values across …