Education Commons^™

The Academic-Athletic Playbook: A Guide To Maximizing Benefits For All Students, John Gebell

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

In America, it is difficult to get people to agree about anything, especially when it comes to the public school system. One nearly universal belief among parents and educators is that after-school sports are beneficial for their high school aged children. This paper will not be looking into whether or not after-school sports teams are good for kids. Instead, it will explore what aspects contribute most effectively to their academic success. In short, the guiding question for this capstone is: What specific components of after-school sports contribute most effectively to the academic success of high schoolers, and how could they …

Supporting Independent Readers In The Middle School English Classroom By Visiting Their Local Library, Jennifer Murray

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

When students engage in independent reading, which is reading a book of your choice for pleasure, they do better in school. Many studies have positively correlated independent reading with higher grades, higher graduation rates, and more advanced reading and writing skills. The challenge for teachers is to nurture joy in reading, as this does not come naturally for all students. Some of the proven ways to foster independent reading for students, specifically middle school students, is to teach them about different types of books, give them a variety of books to choose from for independent reading, give them time to …

Enhancing School-Home Communication Through High-Quality Translations For Somali Parents With Lep, Abdiqadir Dahir

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The central research question guiding my capstone project is: How can professional development for school translators be enhanced to improve the quality of translated communications from schools to Somali parents with Limited English Proficiency (LEP)? This study explores how professional development for school translators can be enhanced to improve the quality of translated communications delivered to Somali parents with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Effective communication between schools and families is essential for fostering student success, yet language barriers often lead to misunderstandings and disengagement. This project draws on best practices in translation training, cultural responsiveness, and meaning-based communication. It develops …

How Can Teachers Effectively Integrate Social-Emotional Learning In A Third-Grade Classroom?, Hilary Turpin

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone project presents a thoughtfully developed professional development course to facilitate the effective integration of social-emotional learning (SEL) within educational environments. By emphasizing the importance of social and emotional competencies, this initiative seeks to enhance the overall educational experience and foster an inclusive and productive atmosphere that benefits educators and students alike. Each session is carefully structured to establish a solid foundation for educators, empowering them to weave SEL strategies into their teaching practices seamlessly. The project underscores the importance of social-emotional learning for students and educators, acknowledging that nurturing these skills in teachers is crucial for them to …

A Phenomenological Study Of School Staff Perceptions Of The Threat And Prevention Of School Violence, Rebecca Linton

Dissertations

My study addressed the issue of school safety and student mental health in schools in the United States. The purpose of this study was to identify the concerns staff members had about the system and procedures used to track students’ mental health and how staff and students are kept safe within the school environment. The overarching research question for my study was: What are the perceptions of school staff regarding school safety and the support students with mental health issues receive? I used a quantitative research method for my study, collecting data through surveys of teachers and administrators. The survey …

A Review Of The National Partnership For Student Success (Npss) Voluntary Quality Standards: A Resource For Community-Based Organizations In Southern Nevada, Benita R. Brooks, Omolola A. Odejemi,, Carolina Clavel, Amy Wolfe

National Institute for the Advancement of Education (NIAE)

This literature review examined how three nonprofits—Saga Education (high-impact tutoring), MENTOR (high-quality mentoring), and Communities In Schools (wraparound/integrated student supports)—aligned their programs with the National Partnership for Student Success (NPSS) Voluntary Quality Standards. By leveraging empirical research and data analysis, these organizations have developed evidence-based practices that improve academic outcomes, enhance student well-being, and create more supportive learning environments. The review evaluated the impact of each program on student outcomes, offering insights into how research-driven approaches in tutoring, mentoring, and wraparound student support contribute to student success. The NPSS initiative and its Voluntary Quality Standards provide a comprehensive framework for …

An Elementary Review Of Multi-Tiered System Of Support, Zachary R. Ernst

Dissertations

This research aimed to review how a large unit school district can differentiate the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework specifically for the elementary level to increase the growth and achievement of all elementary students within the district. A deep dive into publicly available student achievement data for Parkside School District was completed as part of the research and data collection. Additionally, school and district staff were given an in-depth survey about different aspects of the MTSS framework in Parkside School District. All of this data was analyzed and interpreted. The results showed that there is a need for the …

Testimonios Of Antiracist School Social Workers: Advancing Professional Equity And Updating The School Social Work Model, Leticia Villarreal Sosa, Christy Mccoy, Laurel E. Thompson, Stephanie Ochocki

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

During a modern era of rising white nationalism and racial reckoning, the opportunity to reimagine the national model for school social work practice was explored in partnership with practitioners, scholars, researchers, and leaders of the profession. It sparked a parallel process of engagement that required the critical analysis of the systemic and structural racism impacting not only our educational communities, but also the historical influences shaping the school social work profession. Like the many antiracist efforts that have come before, the revision process was impacted by a pervasive culture of white supremacy, yet what emerged was an equity-centered model to …

Experiences And Perceptions Of Latina Leaders In Higher Education: A Regional Study, Marlee R. Stephenson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focused on and discussed the experiences and perceptions of Latina women in senior level leadership positions within higher education. The problem of this study was the continued underrepresentation of Latina women in senior roles, and this was seen within the overall low percentage of women in senior roles like president, the absence of women mentorship at senior levels, and the continued barriers women face in senior-level positions. The purpose of this study was to understand how the mentoring relationships, backgrounds, and leadership experiences impact or influence the careers of Latina women leaders in higher education within the Southwest …

The Influence Of Leadership Behaviors On School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists' Perception Of Burnout, Emily Lambert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Current research on burnout and attrition of school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) focused on the reason for attrition, which has remained relatively consistent across time. Despite identifying the factors contributing to attrition, minimal research has focused on how SLPs can prevent burnout or how to improve SLP retention rates in schools. Self-determination theory, fulfillment of competence, autonomy, and relatedness increase intrinsic motivation. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify how SLPs employed in Texas school districts described the factors contributing to their resilience in remaining employed in the schools. Fifteen SLPs participated in semistructured interviews about their perception of …

A Narrative Inquiry Regarding The Influence Of University Leadership On The Success Of First-Generation College Students With Financial Need, Jordan W. Jones Sr.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

First-generation college students experience unique challenges related to their journey in higher education. These challenges include a lack of knowledge of college resources, adapting to college expectations, and integration into college social systems. Additionally, when factoring in the financial challenges that present at a higher rate with first-generation college students, this population is faced with significant barriers that limit their ability to be successful in college without the support of leadership to help them be successful. Leadership influences the success of students in college through the development of strategic initiatives, programs, and services that address the needs of their students. …

Internal Communication And Organizational Culture: A K–12 District Office Phenomenological Study, Jessica Coleman Scogin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study utilized motivating language theory to explore the experiences that K–12 district office staff had with internal communication. The purpose of the study was to find how these experiences impacted an employee’s feelings of safety, value, and positive emotions in the workplace. The lens of motivating language allowed for a view of how empathetic language, meaning-making language, and direction-giving language shaped experiences for employees. Communication is an integral part of the culture of an organization; yet it is often overlooked as an influencing factor in job satisfaction and well-being. In fact, poor internal communication can lead to negativity …

Teaching Art Beyond The Hierarchy: How “Big Ideas” Combat Cultural Appropriation, Carlie Pearson

Institute for the Humanities Master's Papers, Projects, and Capstones

[First paragraph] As an art educator who has worked with children aged 5-18 in the public-school setting, I find myself constantly assessing and reevaluating my practices. When I was in high school and falling in love with the world of visual art, I had a teacher who introduced me to the beautiful and sacred art of mandala making. We learned about how Buddhist Monks create massive works with colorful sand, and I was shocked to hear that the pieces are traditionally swept away upon completion. When I started my first full time teaching position seven years ago at a high …

Ready, Set, No: Why Not All Successful Dual Credit High School Graduates Matriculate To Postsecondary Education, Jessica Deckard Mann

Dissertations

Dual-credit programs that allow students to earn college credentials in high school have become commonplace in the United States. Early College High Schools (ECHSs) were specifically developed to support equitable access to these programs, targeting groups that are historically underpopulated in postsecondary education (PSE). ECHSs aim to close the achievement gap, increase the number of college credentials earned by high school students, better train the workforce, and improve the life-time earnings potential of a diverse population.

The purpose of this nonexperimental quantitative study was to gather data from graduates in one Midwestern state who earned a college credential in high …

Upper-Level Undergraduate Pre-Healthcare Students’ Journeys To Graduation And Health Professional Graduate Programs, Holly L. Sisson

Dissertations

Despite decades of research on undergraduate student retention and persistence, only a handful of researchers, such as Dumke et al. (2018) and Stull et al. (2021), have looked specifically at pre-health students preparing for graduate health professional programs and the complex challenges these students face while trying to achieve their goals. Very little research focused on upper-level undergraduate students pursuing graduate health professional programs, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, or similar graduate health professional programs excluding medical school. To help fill this gap, my study focused on the experiences of pre-healthcare students as they navigated their undergraduate …

Student Veterans And Uniformed Military Students In Online Undergraduate Degree Programs: A Phenomenological Study On The Transition From Military To University Student Life, Misty Leigh Tom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The transition from military to university student life for student veterans and uniformed military students is complicated and burdensome due to the vast differences between military and university student lifestyles. This unique population typically comprises nontraditional-aged students pursuing online degree programs, which come with challenges complicated by military experiences. Higher education institutions have historically provided support for in-person learning environments with traditional-aged college students. The gap in the literature has an evident and critical missing perspective: the experiences of student veterans and uniformed military students enrolled in online undergraduate degree programs. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological qualitative research study …

Exploring The Role Of Artificial Intelligence In Higher Education: A Comparative Study On Grading Methods And The Technology Acceptance Model, Roberto Bello

AMTP Proceedings 2025

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT has transformed higher education, offering innovative solutions for personalized learning and grading. This study investigates students’ perceptions and acceptance of AI-assisted grading compared to traditional teaching assistant (TA) grading using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The research explores how grading methods and exam formats influence key TAM constructs such as perceived usefulness, ease of use, and behavioral intentions. Findings suggest that mixed exam formats (70% multiple-choice, 30% short-answer) yield the highest acceptance rates for AI-assisted grading, emphasizing the importance of balanced assessment structures. The study highlights the …

Understanding Undergraduate Aspirations For Law Enforcement Careers And Motivation In The Classroom, Gabriella N. Burt

Honors Thesis

This study investigates the factors shaping undergraduate student interest in law enforcement careers. By surveying students from various Midwestern universities, this research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between social influences, gender, and curricular exposure in shaping law enforcement career aspirations. Specifically, it examines how motivations for pursuing a public service career, external influences, and background characteristics shape career interest overall. The study also examines how these factors shape career interest between men and women and overall motivation to engage with specific law enforcement course topics. Findings inform policy and curriculum design.

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of Wellbeing Of An International Student With Depression And Suicidality From A Coping Perspective, Rumiko Nakano

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

2025 April, Morehead State University. Office Of Communications & Marketing.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for April of 2025.

A Look At Improving Independent Reading: Introducing Concept Mapping Into Sustained Silent Reading To Improve Comprehension, Shawn Reagan

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

Reagan, S. (2025). A Look at Improving Independent Reading: Introducing Concept Mapping into Sustained Silent Reading to Improve Comprehension

This thesis explores how integrating concept mapping into a sustained silent reading (SSR) program affects middle school students’ reading comprehension. Motivated by personal experiences as a reader and educator, and shaped by literacy research and the Science of Reading movement, this study investigates strategies to increase student engagement and comprehension through intervention within independent reading programs. Conducted at a K–12 charter school in Minneapolis, the quasi-experimental study involved two sixth-grade English Language Arts classes over nine weeks. One class (experimental group) …

Ells’ Voices: Their Experiences About Wida Access Testing And Ways To Support Them, Maricris Treuenfels

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the lived experiences of 15 English Language Learners (ELLs) in relation to the annual WIDA ACCESS assessment. Using a mixed-methods design, the research combined quantitative survey responses with qualitative interview data to gain a more complete understanding of how students perceived the test and the supports provided to them. Findings revealed that participants often experienced anxiety before the test, felt confident during the test, and became nervous afterward. They expressed a need for clearer instructions, more practice opportunities, and a preference for paper-based testing. The study also emphasized the importance of culturally responsive instruction, consistent preparation, and …

Outside Accessibility For All, A Look At Universal Design Within The Rugged Outdoors For Individuals With A Physical Disability, Emily Woll

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This land and its wild outdoor recreation spaces “were made for you and me” as the old Woody Guthrie song goes (Guthrie, 1944). When I find peace and joy in the rugged national parks, I would like to share it with all my friends, able bodied and not. It is for this reason I explore a thesis topic of accessibility within the rugged outdoors. Therefore my guiding thesis question was: How do our natural outdoor recreation spaces in the USA offer full accessibility for individuals with a physical disability? While completing the literature for this capstone thesis, several key influences …

Smu Wins Prestigious The Awards Asia 2025: Teaching & Learning Strategy Of The Year, Singapore Management University

SMU Press Releases and News

Singapore Management University (SMU) is proud to announce that it has been named Winner in the ‘Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year’ category at the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2025. The accolade was awarded in recognition of SMU-X, the University’s flagship industry project-based experiential learning.

Education As Cultural Diplomacy: Examining International Student Experiences At A Public University In The Southeastern United States, Sydney A. Wilson

Senior Theses

This thesis explores how the lived experiences of undergraduate international students at a public university in the Southeastern United States (US) reflect and contribute to the practice of cultural diplomacy. While the existing literature on international education as an instrument of soft power tends to focus on overtly state-sponsored programs such as the Fulbright, this study is centered around exchange students specifically participating in independently coordinated partner programs. Drawing on influential political science figures such as Joseph Nye and Milton Cummings’ conceptualization of the terms ‘soft power’ and ‘cultural diplomacy,’ this research highlights the important role informal and interpersonal interactions …

The Reality Of Including Preventive Education Concepts To Reduce Risks And Crises In Social Studies Textbooks In The Sultanate Of Oman For Grades (3-12), Saif Nasser Al-Maamari, Awadh Al-Nassri, Muna Rashed Al-Na'aimi

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

The study aimed to identify the reality of including preventive education concepts to reduce risks and crises in social studies textbooks for grades from the third basic to the twelfth for post-basic education in the Sultanate of Oman. Use the descriptive analytical approach by following the content analysis method. The study included all social studies textbooks scheduled for the academic year (2023-2024). A list of preventive education concepts for risk and crisis reduction was prepared, which included five areas: concepts (causes, effects, prevention, recovery, management), which included (143) sub-concepts. Based on it, a comprehensive content analysis card was designed. After …

The Level Of Reading Pedagogical Knowledge Among First Three Grades Female Teachers In Jordan, Mohammed Ali Alkhawaldeh, Ahed Ahmad Al-Abood

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

The aim of this study was to investigate the level of reading pedagogical knowledge among first three grades female teachers in Jordan, and determine whether there are statistically significant differences in their knowledge level attributed to variables of qualification, years of experience, and enrollment in the RAMP course. To achieve the objectives of the study, the descriptive method was followed. The study sample consisted of (295) first three grades female teachers from schools affiliated to the Directorate of Education in Jerash Governorate. To achieve the study's objectives, the researcher prepared an objective situational test consisting of (32) multiple-choice questions, equally …

The Prevalent Mindset Pattern (Deliberative-Implemental) As A Predictor Of Positive Thinking Among University Students, Susan Rasim Khalil Arafa, Thaer Ahmad Ghbari

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

The study aimed to identify the prevailing mindset (deliberative-implemental) among university students and its ability to predict their positive thinking, as well as to determine whether there were statistically significant differences in mindset (deliberative-implemental) according to gender and faculty variables. To achieve the study objectives, data were collected using two research instruments: the Deliberative-Implemental Mindset Scale, which consists of two dimensions— deliberative mindset and implemental mindset—and the Positive Thinking Scale, which includes 25 items distributed across five dimensions: optimism and general satisfaction, emotional regulation and emotional intelligence, acceptance of others and personal responsibility, forgiveness and self-acceptance, and love of learning …

Stress Related To Traumatic War Events Caused By The Israeli Aggression On The Gaza Strip And Its Relationship With Identity Resilience Among Palestine Polytechnic University Students, Mohammad Khallaf Arjan, Khalid Ibrahim Qtoof

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

The study aimed to identify the prevailing mindset (deliberative-implemental) among university students and its ability to predict their positive thinking, as well as to determine whether there were statistically significant differences in mindset (deliberative-implemental) according to gender and faculty variables. To achieve the study objectives, data were collected using two research instruments: the Deliberative-Implemental Mindset Scale, which consists of two dimensions— deliberative mindset and implemental mindset—and the Positive Thinking Scale, which includes 25 items distributed across five dimensions: optimism and general satisfaction, emotional regulation and emotional intelligence, acceptance of others and personal responsibility, forgiveness and self-acceptance, and love of learning …

A Family Counseling Program To Enhance Cyber Psychological Security Among Couples Using Social Media Networks In Gaza Governorates, Abdullah Abdulhadi Alkhatib

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a family counseling program in improving cyber psychological security among spouses who use social media networks in the Gaza Strip. A quasi-experimental approach was adopted, involving a sample of 40 spouses divided into two groups: an experimental group of 20 spouses and a control group of 20 spouses, ensuring homogeneity between them in terms of cyber psychological security levels. The study utilized the Cyber Psychological Security Scale, developed by the researcher, which included dimensions such as cyber psychological awareness, self-protection and privacy empowerment, cyber challenge management, cyber psychological safety, cyber psychological and …