Education Commons^™

Economic Capital And Hispanic Economically Disadvantaged Student Persistence At A Hispanic-Serving Institution, Griselda C. Castilla

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between college persistence and family income, parental education level, and type of financial aid for first-time, full-time Hispanic economically disadvantaged students selected from a South Texas Hispanic-serving institution. The dependent variable, college persistence, was measured by completed college credit hours per academic year. Predictor variables included family income, collected from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and parental education level, collected from the FAFSA for Parent 1 and Parent 2, as provided, indicating level of schooling received. Type of financial aid was the category of aid received, such …

A Critical Content Analysis: Representation Of The Experiences Of Emergent Bilingual Mexican American Children In Literature, Cynthia Villarreal Cantu

Theses and Dissertations

This critical content analysis utilized the children's books Efrén Divided, The Distance Between Us: Young Readers Edition, and They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid’s Poems. As I read the literature, I documented how children's literature can accurately influence the representation of emergent bilingual Mexican American children in literature. This qualitative study demonstrated the need for authentic children’s literature that embraces a culturally sustaining pedagogy (CSP). After analyzing the books, I realized that the power of literacy and language could help students form connections to their identity, agency, and power. Educators, administrators, and the community can include literacy in the …

Parental Engagement Of Families Living In Colonias: Engaging In Their Children’S Education, Eugenia Hernandez-Moreno

Theses and Dissertations

Parental engagement has been identified as a factor that influences the academic achievement of elementary children. Colonias are low income neighborhoods who lack the infrastructure and whose residents struggle with the accessibility of every day necessities to survive. Parents living in colonias are faced with unique challenges that influence the extent of their parental engagement in their children’s education. The purpose of this study is to examine the extent of parental engagement of families living in colonias in elementary children’s education in a school district in South Texas. Interviews, observations, and documents will be analyzed to determine the different factors …

Pláticas With Women In The Rio Grande Valley: Defining U.S. Citizenship On My Own Terms Using Chicana Feminist Epistemologies, Ana Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

This study addresses common assumptions about women of the borderlands while embracing a transformative consciousness in understanding, making, and reclaiming the meaning of citizenship for Mexican American women from the Rio Grande Valley. This critical ethnography recognizes Chicana Feminist epistemologies as a form of knowledge. Therefore, this space is dedicated to learn, explore, and discuss how Chicana Feminist epistemologies (CFE) shape and support citizenship among young Mexican American high school graduates from the Rio Grande Valley? Based on Gloria’s Anzaldua’s (1987) Borderlands/La Frontera, Rio Grande Valley is a geographical, historical, and symbolic piece to this study; at the same …

Examination Of 21st Century Organization Development: An Ethnography Of A Distance Learning Support Department At A Hispanic Serving Institution Of Higher Education, Bobbie Myatt

Theses and Dissertations

This study used an ethnographic lens to examine the historic organizational development of a distance education support department within a Hispanic-serving institution of higher education. The Borderlands University (BU; pseudonym) Online Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center (OTLT) is representative of the structure and culture of a successful distance education support department for the 21st century. Through qualitative ethnography, this research study examined the development of cultural and structural components necessary for the success of this organization. This includes the internal community of support departments housed within institutions of higher education. Technologically raised generations emerging from traditional schools, “digital natives,” are …

Understanding The Intersectionality Of Bilingual Identities: Language And Biliteracy In Emergent Bilinguals, Natalia Carrillo

Theses and Dissertations

Cummins (2018) argued that “emergent bilingual students struggle, often unsuccessfully, to escape from the externally imposed identity cocoon within which they find themselves” (p. x). This struggle leads to negative views and deficit thinking approaches to educating these students. In today’s educational context, meeting the cognitive needs of bilingual students is not sufficient. Schools must provide learning opportunities to affirm their identities to support their academic success. Research indicates that we must develop a deep understanding of the intersectionality of language, students’ identity construction, and language use (Norton, 2010; Potowski, 2007; Poza, 2016).

This study aimed to examine …

Discourses Surrounding Specific Learning Disability In Reading: An Exploration Across Special Education Policies, Martha M. Briseno

Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with disabilities have been subjected to deficit models that have led to unfair treatment, exclusion, and an unfitting education for years. Historical factors have informed policies toward the educational treatment and rights of individuals with disabilities in the United States since the 1600s. Before the enactment of The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) in 1975, it was common practice for children with disabilities to be segregated, excluded, and given an unsuitable education in comparison to their nondisabled counterparts. Throughout history, the language used in legislation and educational documents have compartmentalized students with disabilities based on …

Exploring How Latinx Gender And Sexually Diverse Youth In The Rio Grande Valley Experience And Confront Homophobia: A Qualitative Study Of Alumni Community Leaders/Advocates, Heraclio Flores Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Framed by queer theory, this qualitative study seeks to better understand the unique experiences of homophobia that occur amongst Latinx gender and sexually diverse youth (GDSY) in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). Latinx GSDY in the Rio Grande Valley are less likely to be in schools that adopt affirming policies and are therefore more likely to experience homophobia. It is also likely that their social, emotional, physical, and academic wellbeing are impacted negatively. The study collected written journal responses from nine Latinx gender and sexually diverse alumni of RGV schools (including the researcher) that presently serve as community leaders …

Exploring Parent Perspective On Classroom Placements Of Twins, Bereniz Delgadillo

Theses and Dissertations

The early childhood years are crucial for children’s cognitive development and school achievement. Experiences during these years are also influential for their social and emotional development and personality growth. During the early years children benefit from experiences that impact all areas of development. The focus of this literature review is to explore the impact of early school placement. Parents and early childhood educators need to be aware of consequences regarding the impact of school and classroom placement of twins. In addition, parents’ and school staff’s perceptions regarding twin classroom placement in South Texas will also be reviewed. …

What Are The Testimonios Of Immigrant Students In A South Texas Middle School And How Do Their Narratives Of Schooling Emerge In Their Stories?, Jessica Marie Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

This research follows the tenets of qualitative-interpretivist research. The study focused on the following question: What are the testimonios of immigrant students in a middle school and how do their narratives of schooling emerge in their stories? The stories of immigrant students’ educational experiences attending U.S. schools, in particular South Texas Middle School, and their parent’s discourses on border crossings were taken via testimonio. The methodology was constructed from the theoretical frames of four emancipatory types of frameworks used, that consisted of Critical Race Theory, Latino/Latina Critical Theory, Subtractive Schooling, and Funds of Knowledge. …

A Case Study On Critical Consciousness In Dual Language Bilingual Education, Caroline A. Hesse

Theses and Dissertations

This ethnographic case study explores how dual language bilingual education (DLBE) educators understand, enact, and acquire their perceptions of and tools to educate for critical consciousness, especially in relation to culturally and linguistically diverse students who are often labeled as “emergent bilinguals”, “native Spanish speakers” and/or “ELLs”. The present study responds to Cervantes-Soon’s (2014) call for attention to critical consciousness in DLBE. Hence, the purpose is to gain insight into the role of critical consciousness in DLBE educators’ work. The findings inform practitioners’ as well as scholars’ work, and lend insight for those who study critical consciousness, …

A Narrative Study Of Secondary After-School Robotics Experiences In The Rio Grande Valley: Empowering Students' Academic And Life Skills Through A Constructivist Approach, Lorena Cristina Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

This narrative study investigated the experiences of three Hispanic students in South Texas who participated in after-school robotics programs in secondary school and discover the role these experiences had on their academic and life skills. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews with one female participant and two male participants in the Rio Grande Valley. The data were analyzed using the NVivo software to identify patterns and themes amongst the participants followed by a narrative analysis of the participants’ stories, which was guided by the emerging themes.

The findings showed that the secondary after-school robotics programs played a role in …

A Study Of Self Efficacy, Grit, Persistence, And Professional Development Of Select Texas Public School Principals Participating In The Principal Pipeline Program, M. Veronica Garza-Kortan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine if a relationship existed between the self-efficacy and grit of selected principals; the differences in self-efficacy and grit among the principals who did and did not participate in a principal development program; and the differences in self-efficacy, grit, and persistence in the job role of the selected principals with varying years of experience. The study focused on Texas public school districts in the Principal Pipeline program and included 101 principal responses. Data collection occurred via an electronic survey. In this quantitative study …

School Leadership That Impacts Student Achievement In Blue Ribbon Schools In The Rio Grande Valley Of Texas, Sonya Y. Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to determine the leadership actions, behaviors, and practices of effective school leaders in Blue Ribbon Schools in South Texas who resulted in the schools receiving the distinction by the U. S. Department of Education of being a Blue Ribbon School. Data were collected through a series of interviews with principals and teachers from the selected sample of Blue Ribbon Schools in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using inductive coding to determine themes.

Developing A Resilience Program For Occupational Therapy Students, Sienna Guzman, Jenna Lazo, Rachel Thompson, Madisson Walker

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Developing resilience in healthcare students is recognized as a valuable endeavor and programs at the university level exist for students in healthcare fields including medicine and nursing; however, there are no current programs for occupational therapy students (Delany et al., 2015). Research has shown that occupational therapy students experience high levels of stress that can lead to burnout (Everly et al., 1994). To address this programming gap, we developed and piloted a resilience program for occupational therapy students at Dominican University of California consisting of three components: 1) a self-compassion workshop, 2) a resilience website, and 3) a community building …

Exploring Associations Between Self-Concept, Ideal Self, And Assessment Practices Of High School Science Teachers, Jeffrey Celebre

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Despite being faced with major barriers to overcome, local school districts and teachers must work to align their instructional practices in science and their assessment practices to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Science (NJSLS-Science). As described in the literature, a three-dimensional approach to assessment design is one of the qualities considered the model for a true and authentic measurement of student aptitude in science. As teachers work to understand NGSS alignment and their ability to meet alignment standards as an assessor while designing and implementing NGSS-aligned assessments, they will undoubtedly encounter …

A Quantitative Study On The Relationship Between Students' Perceptions Of School Safety And Academic Outcomes In New York City High Schools, Candyce Edwards-Allen

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the 2019 New York City school climate mean safety scores and high school students' academic achievement as measured by the New York State Regents exam mean scores for the 2019 academic school year. This study was conducted utilizing a non-experimental, cross-sectional, explanatory design with quantitative methods to examine the relationship between perceptions of school safety and academic achievement while controlling for the school-level demographics of race, gender, students with disabilities (SWD), English Language Learners (ELL), and the Economic Need Index (ENI) as defined by New York City.

This study …

Investigating Psychological Capital As A Moderator In The Relationship Between Incivility And Stem Students' Major Embeddedness, Kristen Denae Eggler

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Increasing the number of students who graduate from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors is a national priority in the United States as there is a need for more STEM employees in the labor force. However, less than half of students who initially declare a major in STEM graduate college with a STEM degree, in part because of the unwelcoming climate in STEM. The aim of the current study was to understand how incivility may undermine a student’s embeddedness within their undergraduate major and whether the individual difference of Psychological Capital could assuage the undermining effects. The presence of …

Addressing Imposter Syndrome Among First-Generation College Students, Ana Gomez Salvatierra

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The transition to college may be challenging for first-generation college students (FGCS). FGCS are individuals whose parents did not have the opportunity to pursue their bachelor's degrees. Therefore, FGCS may not have enough knowledge of the expectations of college. As a result, they may experience imposter syndrome, family achievement guilt, and not have enough social support to guide them through their college journey. This capstone paper focuses on the experiences of FGCS who have encountered imposter syndrome, family achievement guilt, and how social support can provide them with the reassurance that they do belong in the spaces they are in. …

Intervention Program To Increase Preparedness For Life After High School, Melisa Garcia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In Monterey County, too many skilled-labor positions are not filled by local youth, negatively impacting long-term well-being, stability, and success. This capstone project was implemented at Learning for Life Charter School (LFLCS), an alternative middle and high school for at-risk youth. There is a lack of preparedness among LFLCS seniors for postsecondary life. This is an intervention program aimed to increase preparedness among graduating seniors. Participants are expected to identify a post-graduation plan; the intermediate and long-term expectations are that more LFLCS graduates will pursue their identified plan, increasing individual and community well-being, stability, and success. Of 50 LFLCS seniors, …

Cultivating A Safe Environment For Students In Middle Childhood To Learn About Healthy Lifestyles, Rocio Carranza Pineda

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper attempts to educate children in middle childhood about three different elements of healthy lifestyles: nutrition, physical activity, and rest. This project also serves to nurture children's curiosity and accountability for their own physical well-being as well as how it can impact their cognitive and/or emotional development. This paper uses the Bronfenbrenner's ecological system theory to support their claims.

Exploring Perceptions Of Math Instructional Practices In Preparation For High-Stakes Testing, Rachel M. Green

Dissertations

In all things, I give my God glory; He is my strength and comforter. To my mom, thank you for giving me life and choosing to love me relentlessly. You are, to me, an inspiration and a warrior for Christ. To my mother-in-law, my first classroom teacher, completing this project could not have happened without you. Its success is just as much yours as it is mine. Thank you for giving me my best friend and biggest supporter. To my Joe, the wind beneath my wings and protector of my heart, you have been with me through every season of …

Beyond The Hijab: Lived Experiences Of Female Hijabi Muslim International Students At A Southern California University, Suzy Abdelrahman Sharweed

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This study explored the lived experiences of female Hijabi Muslim international students at a local Southern California university. A qualitative phenomenological design was implemented to explore from the students' perspective and in their voices; a reporting of what they encountered as they navigated the campus communities they must also learn to negotiate. Considering both the historical and current push for internationalization in higher education settings, coupled with the national climate of fear concerning Muslims within the United States, a Postcolonial framework was used to examine students' daily interactions, engagement, sense of belonging and inclusion, and campus "intellectual practices" with …

Interdisciplinary Studies Masters Degree In Anthropological & Science Based Education, Robert Porter

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The goal of this project is to develop anthropological and science-based curricula that will emphasize a place-based approach while actively engaging students in their education. I developed two curricula for elementary aged students in San Bernardino. The first curriculum was based anthropologically on the local history of indigenous groups and early San Bernardino history. The second was based on paleontology here in California with a focus on dinosaurs and fossils.

To improve and validate the curricula I sent the examples to educational experts and had them critique the lessons and information provided. Then I used their input to improve the …

Accessibility Of Mental Health Resources In Schools, Zitlaly Lizeth Cruz-Roman, Vianney Consepcion Sandoval

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study aimed to examine parents’ and staff’s perception of the accessibility and awareness of mental health resources in school. Mental health resources are made available in school settings; however, not all families and students are aware of the resources being provided. To address the accessibility of mental health resources, research needs to take place to understand why these resources are not being utilized. Individuals’ mental health will improve by creating awareness of the resources since they will be aware of the resources and use them based on their needs. The research project utilized quantitative research methods and descriptive research …

Food Insecurity Among Students In Alabama's Black Belt, Brandon Craig Renfroe

College of Education

Food insecurity is a multifaceted problem. Though it involves lack of access to sufficient nutrition for an active, healthy life, it frequently portends more. Food insecurity negatively impacts academic performance, mental and physical health, and social/emotional well-being. It is particularly detrimental for rural adolescent students, who experience food insecurity at higher rates than their urban and suburban peers. Especially is this true for minority students, whose food insecurity rates are more than twice the national average. In the Black Belt region of Alabama, levels of food insecurity among high school adolescents, as perceived by those adolescents ( as opposed to …

Developing And Piloting A Design Guide For Outdoor Classrooms In Utah, Derek Jenson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Studies nationwide suggest that the use of outdoor classrooms in education benefits both students and teachers. In response, the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation (OOR) established a grant to help fund the implementation of outdoor classrooms across the state of Utah. Interested schools and non-profit organizations may apply for this grant to fund outdoor classroom projects that will help transform their properties into outdoor learning environments.

One requirement for the application is to submit a site plan for the proposed outdoor classroom space. However, many interested applicants have little to no experience with landscape design and may struggle knowing how …

Pragmatics In Game Activities, Humor, And Technology In Second Language Learning, Zachary Brandon Brown

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This portfolio compiles work the author explored and developed during the Master of Second Language Teaching (MSLT) program at Utah State University (USU). It encompasses a range of experiences from teaching abroad and at USU, insights from the observation of other classrooms, and reflections from studies in the MSLT program.

Three distinct sections comprise the portfolio: teaching perspectives, research perspectives, and an annotated bibliography. The teaching perspectives detail beliefs regarding games, computer technology, humor, and pragmatics and how they influence second language learning based on the author’s personal experiences. The research perspectives and annotated bibliography elaborate further on those topics …

Analyzing The Effectiveness Of Different Media To Enhance Mathematical Discourse, Kyle Och

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This qualitative and quantitative study compared the effect of paper-pencil work in a mathematical discourse with problems and prompts presented virtually through various technological tools. The participants of this study were ninth and tenth grade students in two separate blocks of geometry class. These classes consisted of predominantly White students split into class sizes of 26 and 21. Since students were separated into two different geometry classes, one class was given paper problems and discussion prompts while the other received problems and prompts through Desmos Classroom Activities. This way, a quantitative analysis of three data points could be compared between …

Light & Faith: May 2022, Taylor University

Light & Faith

No abstract provided.