Experiences Of Young Adults With Mild To Moderate Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities In Transition Programs, Marjorie Cortico Ramirez

JWU Dissertations & Theses

Difficulties with socialization, obtaining employment, dependency on family, altered levels of stress, and community integration are factors that significantly challenge young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) upon exiting high school, and participating in transition programs (Athamanah et al., 2020; Biggs & Carter, 2016; Foley et al., 2012; Butterworth et al., 2011; Zhang et al., 2023). Transition programs offer young adults ages 18-22 an opportunity to obtain the life skills and vocational training needed to better prepare them for employment, social interactions, and independent living (Curtis et al., 2009). Literature on post- school transition focuses on elevating the voices …

Bachelor Of Science In Professional Management, Nova Southeastern University

Undergraduate Programs Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Ground Testing Of A Magnetic-Electrostatic Separation System For Lunar Regolith Beneficiation, Peter Bachle, Charles Wood, Jeffrey Smith, Fateme Rezaei, David Bayless, William Schonberg, Daoru Han

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The separation of lunar regolith by mineral composition and size category is useful forin-situ resource utilization (ISRU). The research presented herein discusses the designing and development of equipment that has the potential to separate lunar regolith into aluminum, iron-titanium, and magnesium-iron ores. Along with the metal ore separation, this equipment shows the potential to separate regolith by size categories. The combined effect of these separation methods generates output that is valuable to subsequent use in metal and oxygen extraction, additive manufacturing, and regolith sintering processes. The designed equipment uses a dual-strength magnet system with N42 and N52 neodymium magnets for …

Developing Memory And Understanding Skills For Subject-Specific Knowledge Processing And To Face High-Stakes Exams: A Case Study, Jabbar Al Muzzamil Fareen

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

University students possess different levels of language and cognitive abilities in gaining their subject knowledge and face tremendous challenges to get through the exams in distinction. The present education system expects the students to possess excellent subject knowledge and outstanding results in their exams. In light of this context, this paper attempts to address how students are engrossed in learning difficulties while subject knowledge processing and facing their examinations. Qualitative case study approach has been undertaken to analyze the language and cognitive skills of the students in memory processing of their subject knowledge to face the exams. Their language learning …

Not Exactly "Perfect," But Pretty Darn Good: A Review Of Michael Schur's Book- How To Be Perfect: The Correct Answer To Every Moral Question, Justin Pepe

Management Faculty Publications

How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question provides a quick-start guide to addressing ethical challenges by using humor to make complex philosophical concepts accessible. Based on the premise that traditional ethics pedagogy is often stodgy, esoteric, and depressing, the book appeals to students and professionals who find conventional texts unapproachable. By blending humor with moral philosophy, it offers a fresh way to develop ethical reasoning in students and employees. This book can help address the urgent need for managers and professionals to build the ethical capabilities necessary to tackle grand challenges.

Problem-Centered Post-Secondary Computer Science Education: A Study Of The Private Artificial Intelligence Curriculum, Golnoush Haddadian, Prajwal Panzade, Daniel Takabi, Min Kyu Kim

School of Cybersecurity Faculty Publications

In response to the demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) experts, this study introduced a curriculum development initiative. The aim was to design and implement a Private AI curriculum to understand the computer science (CS) students’ evaluations of the curricular activities and their levels of interest and motivation. Twenty-five students, a mix of undergraduates and graduates, were recruited and a scaled-down version of the curriculum was implemented. A parallel mixed-methods approach was employed. The results reinforced the significance of problem-centered curricula in CS context. Students rated the curricular activities highly and demonstrated strong motivation; however, graduates expressed more favorable view of …

Supporting Second-Year College Students In The Murky Middle, Alisha L. Kimble

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study articulates the needs and expectations of an intersectional population of undergraduate college students: second-year students in the murky middle. Nearly half of all student dropouts occur after the first year of enrollment, with more than 45% occurring by mid-performing students. Despite this, institutions, like researchers, do not readily focus on the retention of this population of students; a Noel Levitz study (2013) found a disparity in the prevalence of retention practices for first-year students (94%-98%) and second-year students (20%-29%). This general qualitative study utilized a semi-structured interview protocol with nine participants to gather information about the participants’ needs …

Empowering Former Hispanic Student-Athletes To Become Leaders In College Athletics: An Identity-Specific And Assets-Based Leadership Training Program For Career Advancement, Raquel Orozco

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This work examines the complexities of navigating dual identities as emerging Hispanic women leaders in the spectrum of college athletes, and how Hispanic women can face personal and societal challenges when it comes to transitioning from college and then into the professional world.

By examining multiple assets that are rooted in Hispanic women’s culture, this project presents a leadership workshop by utilizing the ADDIE instructional design model. Each module of the workshop is clearly described, offering community building activities, self-reflections, and the opportunity to complete a leadership profile portfolio.

Effects Of Teacher Reinforcements On Student Outcomes In Adapted Physical Education: A Meta-Analysis, Yaxeny Moreno

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The primary goal is to review the influence of reinforcement strategies in Physical Education (PE) and Adapted Physical Education (APE) settings, focusing on students with disabilities with the ages of 3-22. Reinforcement strategies, such as positive reinforcement/feedback, token economies, verbal praise, tangible rewards, and additional strategies are essential for fostering engagement and skill development. Literature has provided evidence and results to highlight the importance of applying evidence-based reinforcement strategies to which support the behavioral, social, and physical development of students in both Physical Education and Adapted P.E. settings. The purpose of this study was to review and analyze existing literature …

Facilitating On-Task Behavior In Physical Education For Learners With Asd Through Special Interest Modified Materials: Antecedent-Based Intervention, Gary Smith

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are affected in the areas of social skills, communication, and restrictive and repetitive behaviors that can lead to barriers in accessing physical education (PE). School-based PE helps children learn how to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to live physically active lifestyles. The purpose of this current study is to implement an antecedent based intervention using special interest materials to increase on task and engagement in learners with ASD in PE activities. The intervention showed modest to minimal improvements in on-task behavior and performance for two of the three participants, with high variability and …

The Effects Of Chronic Absenteeism On Average Daily Attendance Funding In Humboldt County Elementary Schools, Corabelle A. Esmailian

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Chronic absenteeism is linked to poor academic performance and lower social-emotional skills, both of which can have long-term effects on students and their communities. The California Department of Education uses average daily attendance (ADA) to determine most of the funding that public schools receive. When a student is absent, their school loses a portion of potential funding for that day. This study explores chronic absenteeism’s impact on the funding of Humboldt County’s elementary schools with a sequential exploratory research strategy and critical systems lens. Interviews with elementary administrators were conducted using a phenomenological approach to understand how this affects their …

The Power Of Absence: Using Group Contingent Negative Reinforcement To Boost Attendance, Kinlee Hobbs

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the use of group contingent negative reinforcement on attendance in a college freshman orientation course at Murray State University. Using behavior modification principles, the Fall 2024 course implemented a reinforcement procedure that allowed students to leave class early if the majority had attended four previous classes. Attendance, Canvas engagement (page views and minutes spent on Canvas), and academic outcomes (pass or fail) were compared between the Fall 2023 orientation course where no reinforcement was used and the Fall 2024 class where reinforcement was used. Independent samples t-tests revealed that Fall 2023 students exhibited higher Canvas engagement (page …

Alabama Agriculture Teachers’ Perceptions Toward Compensation And Extended Contracts, Allison Kincer

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to explore Alabama agriculture teachers’ perceptions toward compensation and extended contract grants that the state offers annually. The current study was a microreplication of Still and Solomonson’s (2024) prior study and was conceptually framed by their agriculture teacher compensation model. Using a Qualtrics-based data collection instrument, the researcher used multiple points of contact as recommended by Dillman et al. (2014) and collected usable data from 95 Alabama agriculture teachers. The researcher used descriptive statistics to analyze all data collected as part of the current study. The researcher found that respondents felt they …

Elementary School Mathematics Teacher Perspectives Of Blended Learning, Elizabeth H. Forrester

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored the experiences and perceptions of teachers who utilize technology for instructional purposes, blended learning in elementary school instruction, and the impact of professional development (PD) on blended learning instruction. Guided by the Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge theory (TPACK), research aims to understand teachers' motivation and use of blended learning during instruction and the impact PD has had on teachers’ implementation of blended learning. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews of seven elementary school teachers in grades two through five in the state of Kentucky. Findings revealed that teachers experienced technology integration instruction during their …

Heading For The Hills: An Evaluation Of The Conditions Impacting Teacher Attrition And Retention In Post-Pandemic California Title I Schools, Colin M. Mcinnis

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The low rates of preservice and early in-service teacher retention in California’s Title I schools have been a longstanding concern and contributing factor in the state’s teacher shortage. However, the impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus) pandemic exacerbating teacher attrition creates a concern for how frameworks of new teacher support should be re-examined in post-pandemic classrooms. This study aimed to understand what factors are most important to preservice and early in-service teachers working in Title I schools when deciding to retain or resign from their positions. Additionally, this study examined whether reported factors associated with teacher attrition and retention differ from …

Narrative Inquiry Into The Socio Economic Integration And Resilience Of The Mien Community In The United States, Teresa M. Saefong

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the socioeconomic integration of the Mien community, a refugee minority sometimes overlooked in research and policy discussions, in the United States. Five participants shared their experiences through in-depth interviews and community observations. The study utilizes narrative inquiry and is informed by community cultural wealth and resilience theory. The analysis incorporated restorying, comparative, and performative approaches. The findings suggested that Mien integration depended on intergenerational storytelling, clan-based networks, multilingual skills, and the adaption of traditional practices within U.S. institutions. Community organizations were important for keeping culture alive and filling in the gaps in institutional services by giving …

Serving Special Education Students In Private Schools, Amanda Jo Weddle

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Private schools have been underprepared to welcome and serve students with disabilities. Throughout the years, parents have advocated for change to occur to support their children's diverse needs, but these students are frequently turned away due to the private schools’ inability to change. Many schools blame this on a lack of funds. The reality is private schools can support students with disabilities when proper steps are taken. Through knowledge of special education law, collaborative relationships, cultural changes, instructional opportunities on best practices, and encouragement, private schools can begin to embrace all students. While the changes will take time and effort, …

The Impact Of An Effective Co-Teaching Model For Elementary Students With Disabilities, Emma Y. Carlson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Co-teaching has become a widely utilized practice between a general education and a special education teacher to make inclusive education possible for students with disabilities. This thesis examines the characteristics and impacts of an effectively implemented co-teaching approach on the academic achievement of elementary-aged students with disabilities. The literature review examines the history of co-teaching, describes the components of co-teaching and its various models, and discusses the positive impacts and barriers of co-teaching when the approach is implemented with fidelity. Peer-reviewed journal articles, case studies, and textbooks were utilized to accomplish the literature review and apply the synthesized research in …

Overidentification Of Learning Disabilities Among African Immigrants English Language Learners, Ololade Khafayat Banire

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the over-identification of learning disabilities among African immigrant English Language Learners (ELLs) in U.S. schools, examining both the individual and systemic factors contributing to disproportionality. By reviewing existing literature, the study identified five major factors: assessment and diagnostic bias, teacher knowledge and beliefs, contextual and school-level factors, structural inequities, and evidence gaps in research, revealing that overidentification often arises from the intersection of these factors. The review also highlights evidence-based solutions, including culturally and linguistically responsive assessment, continuous teacher professional development, family and community engagement, structural and policy reforms, and improved research practices. While limited by the …

Contextual Memory Recall: A Novel Metric For Class Incremental Learning, Balasubramanian S, Sai Subramaniam M., Sai Sriram Talasu, Yedu Krishna P., Pranav Phanindra Sai M., Darshan Gera, Ravi Mukkamala

Computer Science Faculty Publications

We propose a novel metric for class incremental learning (CIL) called Contextual Memory Recall (CMR), which evaluates how well a CIL model recalls previously learned classes when given relevant past cues. Inspired by human memory, CMR offers newer insights into continual aspects of a CIL model that were not addressed by previously proposed metrics for CIL. Specifically, the standard metric, average incremental accuracy (AIA), overlooks the quality of evolving feature representations, whereas our proposed CMR accounts for it. As a result, methods using feature distillation perform well under AIA but poorly under CMR, while those without feature distillation excel under …

Exploring Pre-Kindergarten Teachers' Experiences With Engaging Black Boys In Literacy Instruction, Airreia Faith Pierce

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recent studies convey the critical need for teachers to use culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP) to engage Black boys in literacy instruction. The problem was that in the Sunshine School District (SSD: a pseudonym), pre-kindergarten (pre-K) teachers found it challenging to engage Black boys in literacy instruction. Framed by Ladson-Billings’s CRP, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how pre-K teachers engaged Black boys in literacy instruction and how teachers’ instructional practices aligned with CRP. To collect data, a purposeful sample of 11 pre-K teachers from SSD participated in semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis, using open coding, was applied …

Digital Co-Creation For Sustainable Tourism, Jennifer Stewart, Catherine Gorman Dr

Case studies: Digital Education

This project integrated digital education and sustainability literacy in tourism modules, combining classroom-based learning with community engagement in Chapelizod village and Phoenix Park. Thirty-five students explored how digital tools can communicate biodiversity, heritage, and climate issues to visitors. To introduce immersive technology, students first experienced global heritage through Virtual Reality: three Meta Quest 3 VR headsets were used to take students on a virtual tour of Machu Picchu, providing a benchmark for considering how VR can enhance interpretation and visitor experience. Building on this, students worked in groups with local partners to design QR code–enabled walking tours using Fectar, covering …

Letter From The Faculty Editor, Beth Kegley

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Educator Perceptions Of Crisis Frequency And Levels Of Preparedness In Rural Schools, Misty C. Duncan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Recent national trends, particularly in rural education, highlight the urgent need for enhanced crisis prevention and intervention strategies. This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of crisis frequency and preparedness among rural educators. Through a survey, data were collected on participants' perceptions of crisis frequency and preparedness across various crisis areas. Preliminary findings revealed a significant gap between the perceived level of preparedness and the actual needs for school safety. Despite some training, the quantity and quality of training received by rural educators varied widely, impacting their preparedness to respond to crises. Moreover, an alarming percentage of educators reported not …

Transformational Leadership Skills And The Impact Of Retention Practices, Amanda R. Mcdonald

Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) Capstone Abstracts

Defense Date August 28^th, 2025

Candidate Name Amanda McDonald

Personal Email Address [email protected]

First Advisor Dr. Emile Hawkins

Second Advisor Dr. Joshua Henson

Project Type DSL Final Project: Educational Workshop

Project Overview

Transformational Leadership has proven to impact institutional retention at a small Christian College located in the upper Midwest. This project provided support to faculty members who were interested in identifying personal leadership styles and the impact personal leadership has on retention. Faculty gained knowledge supporting the four characteristics of Transformational Leadership: idealized influence, inspirational motivation, individual consideration, and intellectual stimulation

Project Themes

Transformational Leadership Skills and the …

Teacher Attrition During And After A Pandemic: A District’S ‘New Normal’ View, Tammy H. Jacobs

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Teacher attrition has long been a concern in the K-12 educational sector, driven by various factors such as low salaries, lack of administrative support, increased teacher workload and responsibilities, and teacher stress and burnout. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March 2020, these existing pressures intensified. The abrupt transition to remote learning placed additional stress on teachers, who had to rapidly adapt their teaching strategies and engage students in virtual learning environments. As educators faced heightened expectations and were given additional duties, many chose to leave the profession entirely or retire early, exacerbating the ongoing teacher shortage. The combination of …

“Stay Afloat, Stay Alive”: Stories Of The Challenges And Perseverance Of Foster Care Alumni In Higher Education, Marshall S. Parrent

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this critical narrative inquiry was to collect the stories of foster care alumni (FCA) in higher education, and so that we may better understand how FCA describe their experiences and what colleges and universities can do to help FCA achieve their goal of degree completion. This study highlights the need for a culturally responsive and sustaining curriculum in order to create an environment supportive of FCA needs. Undergraduate FCA are considered one of the most underserved student populations in higher education (Johnson, 2021). While 70-84% of FCA wish to attend college and earn a two- or four-year …

Success Is A Journey, Not A Destination: The Student Library Assistants Of Georgia (Slags) At G. W. Carver School In Richmond Hill, Georgia, 1960-1968, Christopher C. Elkins

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation examines two chapters of Black education in Georgia that have been largely ignored in the study of curriculum and educational history, namely the George Washington Carver School located in Richmond Hill, Georgia and the Student Library Assistants of Georgia (SLAGS) that existed statewide in many Black schools. G.W. Carver School, built in 1939 and funded by automaker Henry Ford, is mentioned briefly in multiple works that either relate to Ford or cover the general history of Richmond Hill. Utilizing oral history and archival documents, this study emphasizes the significant contribution the SLAGS program made to students at G. …

Unmasked, Unbroken, And Transgressional: A Womanist Approach To Black Female Educators' Experiences With Intersectionality And Their Quest To Teach For Educational Liberation, Ty-Ria S. Jenkins

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative study examines the experiences of six Black female educators committed to educational liberation, using Baszile’s (2006) Black Self and Beauboeuf-Lafontant’s (2008) politicized mothering as frameworks. Grounded in Black feminist thought (Hill Collins, 2000) and womanist pedagogy (Walker,1983), it explores how these educators navigate race, gender, and systemic barriers in education. Through qualitative interviews and sista circles (Johnson, 2015), participants shared their journeys of self-realization, political clarity, and transgressional teaching practices.

Findings reveal that Black female educators embody three layers of the Black Self—emergence, absence “invisibility” and self-awareness—while also engaging in politicized mothering through maternal care, political clarity, and …

Comparative Analysis Of Eye-Metric Algorithms For Code Comprehension In Introductory Cs Course, Noushin Gauhar

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Eye-tracking technology offers a non-intrusive way to study cognitive processes by tracking where and how long individuals look. In computer science education, it provides valuable insights into how students understand source code—a task that requires intense visual and mental effort. This study investigates how eye-tracking can reveal differences in code comprehension strategies among students in an Introductory Programming course. By analyzing three key metrics—dwell time, gaze entropy, and the K coefficient—the research explores how students engage with code. Dwell time indicates cognitive focus on specific code elements, the K coefficient measures attentional shifts between scanning and focused reading, and gaze …