Education Commons^™

Antecedents Of Trust: Emotional Intelligence And Organizational Justice As Predictors Of Faculty Trust In Principals, Brandon Wolf

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Trust between school principals and faculty is critical to school effectiveness, influencing teacher job satisfaction, engagement, and ultimately, student achievement. While the importance of trust in educational leadership is well-documented, limited research exists on the specific practices that cultivate this trust. This study examines two potential antecedents of faculty trust in principals: Emotional Intelligence and Organizational Justice. Emotional Intelligence, encompassing self-awareness, empathy, and relationship management, is hypothesized to enhance faculty perceptions of a principal’s benevolence, reliability, and openness - all components of trust. Organizational Justice, which reflects fairness in decision-making and resource distribution, is expected to strengthen faculty trust by …

Navigating Faith And Duty: A Phenomenological Study Of Christian Leadership In Public Schools, Rett Asbury

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Christian K–12 principals in public schools who encounter expectations and practices incongruent with their beliefs. The problem addressed was the limited empirical understanding of how faith‑motivated leaders navigate ethical tensions in secular educational environments and how these tensions affect their leadership and school communities. Guided by one primary research question and three sub‑research questions, the study examined (a) the challenges and ethical tensions principals face, (b) the strategies they employ to navigate value discrepancies between their Christian convictions and diverse school communities, and (c) the impact of these dynamics on leadership effectiveness, …

A Quantitative Analysis Of The Relationship Between Mentoring And Professional Development Outcomes Of Public Senior High School Teachers In Ghana’S Central Region, Frank Ayim

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study examined the relationship between mentoring and teacher professional development among public senior high school teachers in Ghana’s Central Region. Although mentoring is widely promoted as a strategy for strengthening instructional quality, limited empirical research has investigated how specific dimensions of mentoring influence in-service secondary teachers within Sub-Saharan African contexts. Grounded in social cognitive theory and adult learning theory, this study addressed that gap by differentiating among structural participation in mentoring, duration of mentoring involvement, and mentorship participation intensity. A correlational research design was employed using validated instruments measuring mentoring engagement, instructional effectiveness, and classroom management. Data were …

Examining Any Differences Between Genders’ Activity Levels During Recess, Kara M. Wells

2026 Honors Symposium

Physical activity in children is significant for all aspects of their development, including cognitive, physical, emotional, and social aspects. Recess is important for children to be given a designated time to exercise and get physical activity. For some children, recess is the only time they get to exercise in a day. This study aims to examine differences in activity levels between genders at Leverett Elementary School. It is important to know if there is a disparity between boys and girls at recess, so that educators, parents, and administrators can work to bridge any gaps and ensure that all kids are …

Becoming An Effective Literacy Educator: A Qualitative Study In Elementary Education, Lillian Petry

2026 Honors Symposium

Background: This thesis explores the personal journey of one childhood education teacher candidate becoming an effective teacher through both childhood experiences and formal preparation through an elementary teacher preparation program within a R1 University in the Southeastern United States. Arkansas continues to face literacy challenges making it significant to understand how future teachers can be better prepared to face the diverse needs of students in the classroom. Purpose: This research was based on the question: How do pre-service teachers’ childhood reading experiences, combined with their literacy instruction during teacher preparation, contribute to their development as effective literacy educators? Existing research …

Phonetic Attrition As An Outcome Of L1-L2 Phonetic Interaction: Effects Of L2 Exposure In Arabic-English Bilinguals, Dema Smadi

Linguistics & TESOL Dissertations

This dissertation investigates how length of second language (L2) exposure shapes the phonetic relationship between the first language (L1) and the L2 in adult Arabic-English bilinguals. Focusing on the production of voiced stops /b/ and /d/, the study examines how L1 Arabic and L2 English interact within a shared phonetic system and how this interaction develops as a function of increasing L2 exposure. Building on the Speech Learning Model and its revised version (SLM, SLM-r), the study adopts a relational perspective in which L1 and L2 are not treated as independent systems, but as dynamically interacting components of a shared …

Improving Early Detection And Response To Clinical Deterioration Among Nurses Through Competency-Based Interventions, Courtney E. Miller

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: Clinical deterioration among hospitalized patients remained a significant contributor to preventable morbidity and mortality, often due to delayed recognition and response in general care settings (Choi et al., 2025; Chung & Jung, 2024).

PICOTS: For registered nurses working on a general level of care inpatient hospital unit (P), how did a competency-based training program bundle incorporating didactic educational intervention of learning how to use technology, machine learning (ML) based early warning system (EWS) of trends and patterns to identify at risk patients, and low-fidelity simulation-based education (SBE) (clinical readiness to improve confidence with education and coaching) (I), …

Adolescent Relationships With Digital Actors And Their Influence In A Classroom Setting: An Interpretive Case Study, Kerry A. Hancock

Theses and Dissertations--Curriculum and Instruction

In this post-COVID-19 society students are strongly influenced by their use of digital text and electronic devices. The assumption of the study was that if students spend time with devices and digital text that it might be possible for them to develop relationships with the non-human actors that exist as part of the learning environments in schools. This  interpretive case study rooted, in Posthumanist ideology, used Latour’s Actor Network Theory to approach data collection.

A comparative approach was adopted for this interpretive case study research and data were collected in three stages: initial classroom observation and analysis to determine the …

A Qualitative Study Of Undergraduate Underrepresented Minoritized Students’ Online Learning Experiences, Susanne Morris

Theses and Dissertations--Curriculum and Instruction

This dissertation reports a qualitative secondary analysis of 37 semi-structured interviews with 40 undergraduate underrepresented minoritized (URM) students. Guided by social constructionism and intersectionality, the study explores how students make sense of online learning as a sociomaterial environment, attending to perceptions of constraints, affordances, and missing or misaligned signifiers. Interviews were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic Analysis to examine how institutional norms and course design shape what students experience as doable, safe, and meaningful. The study offers insight relevant to research and practice in equity and online learning.

Industry To Classroom: The Role Of Academic Program Consultants In Building Self-Efficacy Among Occupation-Based Career And Technical Education Teachers, Erica L. Settelen

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

Occupation-based career and technical education (CTE) teachers bring industry expertise to secondary classrooms but often begin teaching without traditional pedagogical preparation or familiarity with public school systems. In Kentucky’s New Teacher Institute (NTI), academic program consultants (APCs) provide program-area support to strengthen induction. Using the framework of self-efficacy and guided by Ivankova’s mixed methods action research (MMAR) framework, this study examined how occupation-based CTE teachers perceived APC engagement during induction and how APC-created asynchronous supports were experienced.

In the Reconnaissance Phase, a sequential Quantitative → Qualitative design included an initial survey followed by interviews. Survey results indicated midrange familiarity with …

Problem-Based And Practice-Driven: Designing For Engagement In An Online Educational Leadership Program, Owens G. Saylor

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

Virtual professional learning has emerged as a flexible and scalable solution for developing educational leaders, particularly those navigating demanding roles and geographic barriers. However, these benefits often come at the cost of diminished engagement, interaction, and practical application to real-world leadership challenges. Without intentional design, virtual sessions risk becoming passive and disconnected, undermining their professional development value. This study responds to these challenges by exploring how a problem-based learning (PBL) approach can improve engagement in the virtual component of the Kentucky Leadership Rising (KLR) Aspiring Superintendent Workshop Series.

This mixed methods action research (MMAR) study examined participants’ perceptions of engagement …

From Trauma To Triumph: The Relationship Between Psychological Resilience And Academic Resilience In Graduate School Students With Adverse Childhood Experiences, Jade Gingue

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

This dissertation investigated the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), psychological resilience, and academic resilience among graduate students. Grounded in resilience theory and interpreted through a trauma-informed, strengths-based lens, the study examined whether psychological resilience functions as a buffering moderator or as a direct protective factor among graduate students.

Using a quantitative design, data were collected via Qualtrics from graduate students (n = 391). This study used three previously validated instruments, including the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-10), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25), and the Academic Resilience Scale (ARS-6), along with demographic measures. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted …

Recruitment Messaging, Authenticity, And Representation: A Mixed Methods Action Research Study In A Public School System, Chavis A. Sims

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

This study employed a Mixed Methods Action Research (MMAR) design to examine recruitment communication within a public school system facing persistent underrepresentation of minority educators.  Recruitment prototypes were developed in collaboration with district leadership and evaluated in a formative pilot involving 15 educators who provided Likert-scale ratings and written feedback on clarity, cultural relevance, persuasiveness, and engagement.  Quantitative findings indicated that messaging emphasizing professional purpose and pathways into teaching was perceived as clear and engaging.  In contrast, cultural relevance consistently received the lowest ratings across prototypes.  Qualitative responses revealed that reliance on non-local and AI-generated imagery weakened perceived authenticity and …

Responding To The Needs Of First-Generation Students: An Action Research Study Of Professional Development Opportunities For Faculty And Staff, Kyle G. Phillips

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

First-generation college students have historically been considered marginalized in institutions of higher education, with diminished success rates and disproportionately higher incidents of imposter syndrome. This Mixed Methods Action Research study assessed the extent to which faculty and staff are able to recognize and implement research-based best practices to improve the support system surrounding this student demographic. In particular, it assessed current levels of preparation to support first-generation students and sought to identify and implement an appropriate professional development program as part of the study's intervention. The efficacy of the intervention was then assessed, with the result delineated in this dissertation. …

The Development Of Self-Efficacy Among New Residence Life Professionals, Kenyatta S. Jeter

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

New professionals in student affairs, particularly those working in housing and residence life, face complex job responsibilities that demand a high level of confidence and preparation. The purpose of this study was to increase resident directors’ sense of self-efficacy as they transition into their new role. This study employs a mixed methods action research (MMAR) design to explore the development of an effective onboarding and training framework to support housing and residence life professionals in successfully transitioning new resident directors into their roles.

An intervention plan was developed in collaboration with key stakeholders to increase resident directors’ sense of self-efficacy …

Enhancing International School Implementation Capacity: Supporting Contextualized Learning At An International Baccalaureate School In China, Christopher J. Hayden Iv

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

International schools allocate substantial resources to implement progressive curricular innovations; however, the advantages offered by these developments are contingent on their effective execution within classroom settings. This mixed methods action research (MMAR) study examined the implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Global Context (GC) Strategy in the Middle Years Programme (MYP) at an international school in China and asked how the school might strengthen its capacity to enact this and similar innovations. Following a sequential MMAR design, a reconnaissance phase combined a whole-staff survey (n=87) with qualitative interviews to diagnose the individual, organizational, and contextual factors shaping implementation. Analyses identified …

Unveiling The Shadows: An Exploratory Study On Ghostwriting, Gray Markets, And The Ethics Of Contract Cheating, Micah Crawford

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation

Contract cheating has become an increasingly complex challenge for higher education, particularly as digital platforms, global academic labor markets, and generative artificial intelligence reshape the production and detection of academic work. While much of the existing literature examines contract cheating from the perspectives of students, faculty, and institutions, less attention has been given to the individuals who produce ghostwritten academic work. This dissertation addresses that gap by exploring how shadow scholars understand their roles, ethical boundaries, and participation within the academic integrity ecosystem.

Using an exploratory qualitative design, this study draws on twelve semi-structured narrative interviews with six freelance academic …

Leadership Perceptions In Mid-Major Ncaa Athletics: Exploring Women's Teams Head Coaches' Experiences With Athletic Department Senior Staff, Sydnie A. Steele

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

Leadership practices within NCAA Division I athletic departments can shape the professional climate, well-being, and stability of the coaching staff. Yet, limited research has explored how senior administrators influence the experiences of coaches who lead women’s teams at mid-major institutions. This phenomenological inquiry study explored how head coaches interpret their interactions with senior athletic department staff and how these relational dynamics inform perceptions of support.

Twelve Division I head coaches participated in semi-structured Zoom interviews about their experiences at former institutions. The interview protocol integrated the LMX-7 framework with open-ended questions to capture the significance of the head coaches’ lived …

Effects Of Yoga And Mindfulness On Emotional Regulation, Behavior, And Teacher Burnout, Sara E. Smith

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

This dissertation comprises three studies that examine the effects of physical activity, yoga, and mindfulness interventions on students' emotional regulation, behavior, and academic outcomes in rural Kentucky schools. These studies as a whole contribute to understanding how movement-based and mindfulness practices can enhance social-emotional and academic well-being in schools.

The first study describes the effects of classroom-based physical activity on student achievement and social-emotional well-being. Forty-five elementary students participated in a 6-week intervention with two 7-minute movement breaks per day. Results indicated statistically significant improvements in Reading (t(44) = 2.55, p < .001, d = .38), Math (t(44) = 4.63, p < .001, d = .69), and social-emotional competence (t(44) = 3.67, p < .001, d = .55). These findings demonstrate that brief, structured physical activity can meaningfully enhance academic and emotional outcomes when implemented by classroom teachers.

The second study shows the effects of a five-week …

Are Multiple-Choice And Open-Ended Assessments Consistent In Predicting Science Achievement? Multivariate Multilevel Evidence From Chinese Students And Schools, Quan Wu

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

A multivariate multilevel model was developed and applied to secondary data from a large-scale science assessment of Grade 8 students in China to examine the consistency between multiple-choice and open-ended formats of assessment in predicting science achievement at the student and school levels. The sample included 44,534 students from 159 schools across two regions. Multivariate multilevel results indicated a moderately positive consistency between the two formats at the student level and a strongly positive consistency at the school level; these consistencies were stable across regions and did not depend on student and school characteristics. The findings have important practical implications …

From Mandate To Meaning: Designing Implementation Supports For Organizational Readiness In Behavioral Health Service Planning, Lauren K. Mergen

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

Behavioral health agencies often struggle to translate the Transformational Collaborative Outcomes Management (TCOM) framework into practice when implementation is externally mandated. This study examined how educational leaders can support meaningful use of TCOM tools under a Midwestern state’s October 2024 requirement that behavioral health providers use the state Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths assessment in service planning.

Using a Mixed Methods Action Research design, the study progressed through six phases: Diagnosis, Reconnaissance, Planning, Acting, Evaluation, and Monitoring. The Diagnosis Phase identified a knowledge-to-practice gap and weaknesses in implementation support infrastructure. Practitioner surveys administered immediately after training and six months …

The Association Between Learned Helplessness And Future Outlook And The Mediating Effects Of Parental Support, Engagement, And Closeness, Allison N. Loosle

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

The present study examined the direct and indirect associations between learned helplessness and future outlook among emerging adults, with parental support, engagement, and closeness as potential mediating factors. Using data from 375 participants drawn from G3, Wave 4 of the Youth Development Study, two path analytic models were tested: one including a composite measure of learned helplessness and one examining its components (contingency, cognition, and behavior) individually. Results indicated that higher levels of learned helplessness were associated with a less positive future outlook. When separated, the cognition and behavior components were negatively associated with future outlook, whereas contingency was not …

Breaking The Cycle: Financial Abuse And Mental Health Outcomes Among Women Survivors Of Intimate Partner Violence Through The Abc-X Model Of Family Stress, Angel Martinez-Johnson`

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

The present study examined the relationship between financial abuse and mental health outcomes among women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) with particular attention to the roles of perceived financial knowledge and resilience. Guided by the ABC-X Model of Family Stress, this study explored whether these perceived resources function as mediators in the association between financial abuse and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Findings indicated that financial abuse was significantly associated with increased psychological distress across all three outcomes. Although perceived financial knowledge and resilience were significantly related to certain mental health outcomes, analyses did not …

Between The Rails: Experiential Education And Its Impact On Compliance And Consistency In Racetrack Surface Management, Heather Mackenzie

Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development

Recent regulatory requirements within the Thoroughbred racing industry have increased expectations for consistent collection and reporting of racetrack surface data. Despite clear standards, implementation in daily operations remains inconsistent, highlighting a gap between regulation, knowledge, and practice. This study examined the impact of an experiential education curriculum on racetrack personnel’s self-efficacy and reporting consistency.

Using a quantitative design, data were collected through pre- and post-surveys measuring self-efficacy and records of the number of days surface data were entered. Descriptive statistics, paired-samples t-tests, and effect size analyses were used. Results showed a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy (p < .001) with large effect sizes, indicating meaningful gains in confidence and comfortability. Reporting consistency did not show a statistically significant change (p = .885).

Overall, experiential education …

The Impact Of Test-Optional Policy On Private College Admissions During The Covid-19, Anna Kye, Meng-Jia Wu

Journal of College Access

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many aspects of higher education, including college admissions processes. Since 2020, numerous universities and colleges have adopted test-optional policies, allowing applicants to decide whether to submit standardized test scores. Although such policies have been in place at some institutions since 1998, research on their associations with student diversity and enrollment patterns has produced mixed findings. The widespread adoption of test-optional policies during the pandemic presents an opportunity to further examine their role in admissions. This study draws on admission data from a four-year, nonprofit, private university in the Midwest and uses logistic regression to explore patterns …

Decolonizing Teacher Mindsets With Precolonial Worldview Precept Reflection And Transformation, Gabriela Armendariz

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Colonial education systems, rooted in Western epistemologies, have perpetuated a legacy of settler colonialism that continues such problems as environmental disconnection, inequality, and power dynamics that disadvantage marginalized and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities. While decolonizing education has generally been about critically examining how entrenched colonial practices shape curricula, teaching methods, and institutional policies, the emphasis of my proposed study is a focus on contrasting precolonial (Indigenous) worldview precepts, using the contrasting but non-dualistic worldview chart created by Four Arrows and Darcia Narvaez (Wahinkpe Topa [Jacobs], 2024). In partnership with K-12 educators from major school districts across the …

“They Don't Care If I'M Here Or Not”: The Impact Of Exclusionary Discipline On Black Boys In Elementary Schools, Arielle Gulley

DSW Capstone Projects

Disproportionate and exclusionary school discipline practices continue to affect African American boys as early as elementary school, with significant implications for their mental health, academic engagement, and long-term educational trajectories. This capstone project examines how racially biased discipline contributes to disparities in belonging, emotional well-being, and student-teacher relationships, and advances the need to reframe discipline as a site of mental health intervention rather than punishment.

The systematic literature review synthesizes peer-reviewed research to examine the relationship between exclusionary discipline and mental health outcomes among African American boys in elementary settings, with particular attention to patterns emerging in early educational environments. …

Exploring Engagement With The Ecoschools Platform: An Interactive Display Board Exploratory Evaluation, Kaitlyn E. Ashmore

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This study explores strategies to enhance engagement with EcoSchools Canada, an online sustainability platform used across Canada. Through an exploratory case study involving two Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) schools, the research evaluates the effectiveness of interactive tools such as an Interactive Display Board (IDB) and action cards in fostering student engagement, self-efficacy, and action competence in sustainability initiatives. Through examining user experiences and feedback from Eco-teams and staff, the findings aim to identify if and how these interventions serve as valuable complements to EcoSchools activities. Although not a standalone solution, these tools facilitate deeper involvement when integrated within …

Basc-3 Adolescent Version For American Indian / Alaska Native (Ai/An) Adolescents With Learning Difficulties: Identifying Comorbidities, Benjamin L. Shannon

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Deficiencies in cultural sensitivity among popular psychological assessment instruments can have significant consequences for diverse test takers, leading to inaccurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and intervention. The present study aimed to explore possible differences in mean raw scale scores between an AI/AN adolescent sample and BASC-3 SRP-A and TRS-A normative sample data, as well as to establish preliminary evidence to suggest an increased prevalence of social/emotional dysfunction for AI/AN adolescents diagnosed with multiple specific learning disabilities (SLDs). Archival BASC-3 SRP-A and TRS-A data, collected from students and teachers at a residential school for American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN) adolescents from …

Culturally Responsive Retelling Practices In Fourth Grade, Jennifer L. Ippolito

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This action research study examined whether culturally appropriate, relevant materials could improve fourth-grade students' retelling skills. The study implemented four well-structured strategies over a nine-week intervention, involving fifteen students (five males and ten females) from an Indigenous reservation. The primary goal was to improve their retelling scores, which would, in turn, enhance their overall reading scores. Beginning-of-year data showed that students struggled to achieve passable reading scores, with retelling as a primary hindrance. Students were strategically paired to build reading skills and encouraged to collaborate effectively to improve comprehension, fluency, and retelling. Data were collected throughout the nine weeks using …