Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

From Passive To Active Learning: How Building Thinking Classrooms (Btc) Strategies Shape Teacher Perceptions Of Student Social-Emotional Development, Diane Maria Leja

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

This qualitative Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice examined how Building Thinking Classrooms for Social-Emotional Learning (BTC-SEL), an instructional approach adapted from Liljedahl's (2021) mathematics framework, could strengthen SEL instruction in Connecticut elementary schools. The study addressed a persistent problem of practice in which traditional SEL delivery fails to engage the students most in need of support, particularly Black and Hispanic/Latino students, students with disabilities, and students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Grounded in engagement theory, cognitive load theory, and social constructivism, the three-month intervention supported six elementary teachers across three Connecticut districts, including schools from District Reference Groups I and D …

Evidence In Action: Community Schools, Volume 1, Ucf Center For Community Schools

Community Schools Research

No abstract provided.

Measuring Administrative Hiring Confidence Of Music Teachers In The Context Of Shallow Hiring Pools, Aaron M. Strum

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify and measure the confidence of K-12 administrators in hiring music faculty. This study also aimed to analyze administrators’ perspectives and confidence in key stages of the hiring process, including defining job expectations, posting, advertising, interviewing, and selecting highly specialized music teachers in K-12 settings. Confidence of K-12 administrators can be gauged through their understanding of how well an applicant aligns with the specific needs of the school’s program. Three research questions guided this investigation: (1a) How confident are K-12 administrators in their understanding of music teaching pedagogy when interviewing music teacher candidates …

Disruption, Recovery, And Divergence: How Prepandemic Achievement Levels Shaped Learning Loss, Recovery, And Spending Efficiency In Tennessee Public High Schools, Wilson Boyd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant and uneven learning loss in Tennessee public high schools. The statewide ACT composite average fell from 20.2 in 2019 to 19.1 in 2021. By 2024-2025, it recovered only to 19.3. During the same period, Tennessee received approximately $3.86 billion in additional federal funds and $1.15 billion in new state funding. This ex post facto quantitative study examined whether prepandemic achievement levels predicted learning loss severity and recovery patterns of a census of 322 Tennessee public high schools from 2018-2019 through 2024-2025.

The study used two theoretical frameworks. Baumol's cost disease theory predicted that structural productivity …

Unlocking Potential: How High-Fidelity Plcs Protect First Graders From Over-Identification In Tiered Placement, Tomeka D. Love

All Dissertations

Nationally, the demand for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has reached an unprecedented peak, serving 7.5 million students (representing 15% of all public school students) in the 2022–23 school year. While national academic discussions regarding socioeconomic hurdles and systemic inequities frequently center on urban environments, minoritized students in rural communities face a persistent and disproportionate over-representation in special education. This trend is driven by complex intersections of geographic isolation, systemic resource allocation issues, and cultural misalignments in assessment practices.

At the local level, Love and Logic Elementary School [pseudonym], a rural K-5 institution, faces …

From Referral To Results: Strengthening Mtss Pre-Referral Practices To Improve Special Education Referral Decision-Making, Capricia K. White

All Dissertations

The steady rise in special education identification rates continues to outpace overall U.S. public school enrollment trends, raising important questions about how students are identified, labeled, and referred for services. Despite South Carolina's MTSS mandate under Act 213, implementation remains inconsistent across schools. As a result, referral decisions may be based on limited evidence of student response to targeted general education supports.

The purpose of this Dissertation in Practice was to examine how a school-based improvement initiative, Project FOCUS (Fidelity, Outcomes, Collaboration, and Unified Support), strengthened MTSS pre-referral practices to support special education referral decision-making. Guided by Improvement Science, the …

Using Assessments Intentionally With Consideration For English Language Learners, Elizabeth Ropp

Masters Projects

Assessment systems in the United States are failing English Language Learners (ELLs), and it has become apparent that action must be taken to try and right this injustice. There is a wide achievement gap between native English speakers and non-native English speakers when it comes to performance on state, local, and classroom assessments. Unfortunately, many teachers report that they do not feel adequately prepared to support ELLs both on classroom assessments and on mandatory state or local tests. With an ever-growing increase in ELL enrollment in American schools, it is imperative that teachers are given tools to help them better …

Do You Use Chatgpt? A Technology Acceptance And Segmentation Study Of Chatgpt Use Among Students At A South Texas University, Brian F. Waltman

Theses & Dissertations

Do You Use ChatGPT? A Technology Acceptance and Segmentation Study of ChatGPT Use Among Students at a South Texas University

August 2026

Brian F Waltman, Doctor of Philosophy in Education

The study investigates the integration of ChatGPT in academic settings, focusing on validating the TAME-ChatGPT instrument for a small private university in South Texas. This research aims to assess students' attitudes towards ChatGPT and identify the factors influencing its adoption and perceived usefulness. Previous studies have indicated ChatGPT's broad applicability across various sectors, including business, healthcare, and law, but its role in academia remains under-explored, particularly within the United States. …

The Stories Of College Faculty Navigating Student Trauma Disclosures: A Narrative Inquiry, Samantha Daluz

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this narrative inquiry was to understand how faculty who navigate student trauma disclosures construct stories about themselves as educators and how those stories shape their understanding of teaching and learning. Although the literature has increasingly focused on trauma-informed approaches to teaching and learning, little research has explored how faculty navigate student trauma disclosures or how those experiences shape their understanding of teaching and learning. This study sought to better understand those experiences and provide institutional leaders with insight into how faculty experience student trauma disclosures within higher education. Narrative inquiry was employed using Mahayana Buddhism as the …

An Action Research Study Of Kindergarten Educators’ Literacy Assessment Practices In International Schools In Brazil, Giselle B. Casagrande

Multidisciplinary Studies Theses

This action research study explored how Kindergarten educators assess foundational literacy skills, identify learning gaps, and use assessment data to inform instruction in two international schools in Brazil, where English is the primary language of instruction and most students are second-language learners. Using a qualitative design, data were collected from seven Kindergarten educators through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and assessment samples. Data were analyzed using descriptive summaries and thematic analysis to identify patterns across participants' responses. The findings revealed that educators rely on a combination of standardized assessments, teacher-created tools, and ongoing classroom observation to evaluate foundational literacy skills, particularly phonological …

Educator Experiences Of Schoolwide Pbis Discipline Implementation: Exploring School Culture In Private Pk–12 Schools, Jessica L. Guarneri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore educators’ lived experiences implementing schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) discipline systems and to understand how those experiences influenced school culture in private PK–12 schools. Historically, PBIS focused on specific outcomes, such as reductions in discipline referrals, suspensions, and behavioral incidents. Though these indicators are critical, they do not consider in what way educators experience disciplinary systems, nor how their lived experiences affect routine interactions with students. Educators play a key role in implementing PBIS; their experiences foster consistency, trust, and sustainability. The participants included certified educators and administrators employed …

The Ilese Project: Building An Evidentiary Database About Students' Use Of Learning Environments, W. Imms, J. E. Morris, K. Day, C. Bradbeer, L. Lockhart-Barker, C. Campbell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper presents the progress of a unique study of significant scope. The industry-funded innovative Learning Environments and Student Experience (ILESE) study asked two questions: In what ways has more than two decades of learning spaces research culminated in readily used evidence that meets the needs of those involved in providing innovative education infrastructure? Second, based on perceived strengths and gaps, how do we design research to address identified gaps? This paper reports on the findings to these questions. It draws on the results of a large-scale Scoping Study that sought perspectives from experts equally distributed across (1) industries providing …

Impact Of Covid-19 Pandemic On Mathematics Achievement And Problem-Solving Ability: Insights From Secondary Schools In India, Laishram Nirtish Singh, Anand Jyoti Sanasam, Jocyline Thokchom, Ningombam Cha Cogent, Laisom Sharmeswar Singh

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted students’ engagement with mathematics. This study aims to contribute to our understanding of the extent of this disrupting by examining differences in mathematics achievement and problem-solving ability between adjacent cohorts who learned Class 8 under different schooling conditions in India: Group A (pandemic-exposed Class 8 cohort) and Group B (post-reopening Class 8 cohort). Using a descriptive design in a natural setting, we selected a stratified sample of 1,200 students from Class 9 and Class 10 across 21 secondary schools in Manipur, India. The sample was stratified by gender, family type, school type, and locality to ensure …

A Systematized Review Of The Effectiveness Of Sbirt On Reducing Adolescent Substance Use In School Settings, Mallory L. Mcivor

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

As substance use remains a pressing public concern for adolescents, the academic, social, and neurological consequences are extensive. Schools are uniquely situated to support large populations of youth during their critical developmental periods, and schools act as the ideal location for substance use prevention and intervention. This study explored the prevalence and influence of substance use on adolescents, the role of school climate in prevention and intervention efforts, and assessed the model Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) as a suitable framework for school-based interventions. Following a structured search across two databases, 20 studies met inclusion criteria and …

Training Needs And Preferences Of Small-Scale Farmers In Maryland, Lila B. Karki, Prem Bhandari, Enrique N Escobar

Journal of Extension

This study examined small-scale farmers' (N = 124) current needs, emerging priorities, and training preferences from a Farmers' Needs Assessment in Agriculture. They reported marketing agricultural products as the most important activity for building capacity, followed by certification for good agricultural practices; low-volume, high-value crops; agribusiness and enterprise development; specialty and ethnic vegetable production; and developing value-added products. The most preferred educational materials were hands-on exercises and digital learning videos. They preferred weekend programs over weekdays (afternoon, evening, and virtual) and shorter sessions over daylong sessions to benefit most from the educational events.

An Exploration Of Extension Professionals' Evaluation Experiences In Indigenous Contexts, Sara M. Tomis, J.C. Bunch, Amy Harder, T. Grady Roberts

Journal of Extension

Extension professionals evaluating programs that engage Indigenous youth face unique opportunities and challenges. The purpose of this study was to explore these professionals' evaluation experiences, with a focus on culturally responsive practice. We conducted a focus group comprised of professionals associated with the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP). Study findings revealed a need for enhanced support for FRTEP professionals conducting evaluations of programs for Indigenous youth audiences, as well as for more culturally responsive practice within the Cooperative Extension System.

The Legacy, Importance, & Impact Of Lend: Evidence And Personal Stories, Emily Zalimeni, Emma Stone, Alexa Fortier, Leia Getchell, Nataliya Kloyzner, Asha Abdullahi, Elizabeth Barkoudah, Meghan Chapman, Meredith Close, Heather Engholm, Melissa Levin, Aanchal Sharma, Sarah Sparks, Patricia Rissmiller, Amy Szarkowski, Jason M. Fogler

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) programs offer an interdisciplinary/interprofessional training opportunity for medical and allied health professionals, and individuals impacted by disability, including family members and self-advocates. Toward the aim of advocating for the enduring need of LEND and similar training programs, this article centers the voices of a subset of our alumni who have advanced the rights and improved the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These stories are intended to illustrate the key lessons and principles of LEND training, including attending to disability issues in education, growing skills within and between individuals working …

Determinants Of The Abuse Of Artificial Intelligence For Academic Purposes Among Nigerian University Undergraduates, A.M. Adegbore, Solomon Oluwaseun Ojedeji, Ihezie Donatus Ukpabi, Taofeek Gbolahan Muibi, Bamikole Abel Fashogbon, Adebola Kehinde Ojo

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

Rationale

The misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming prevalent in academia, particularly among undergraduates. This situation could undermine the main objective of education at the university level, which is aimed at building future professionals for general development. This study examined the determinants of the abuse of artificial intelligence (AI) for academic purposes among Nigerian university undergraduates, with particular focus on federal universities in Southwestern Nigeria.

Material and method

A descriptive survey of the correlational type was adopted. The population comprised 233,454 undergraduates, from which a sample size of 1,593 students was selected using a multi-stage sampling technique involving …

Best Practices For Classroom Seating Arrangements: A Narrative Literature Review, Sophia M. Williams

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Every K-12 classroom has a unique dynamic produced by students and managed by its teachers. The relationships between peers, as well as the relationships between students and their teacher play an integral role in how students work and behave each day. An important aspect of the classroom dynamic that teachers’ control is seating arrangements. Indeed, extant research has debated on the best practice for seating arrangements in classrooms to create optimal learning environments that benefit both pupil and teacher. Some studies suggest that students work better when they are working with people that they have positive relationships with. Contrarily, others …

Assessment And Evidence Practices In Cybersecurity Education: A Systematic Review (2015–2025), James K. Mayberry

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

This study presents a PRISMA-based systematic review of 412 cybersecurity education intervention studies, coding assessment methods, evidence types, claimed outcomes, use of established assessment instruments, and artifact availability. Despite frequent claims of skill development and workforce preparation, 45.4% of studies reported no identifiable assessment. Knowledge tests appeared in 11.4% of studies, while performance assessments appeared in 10.2%. From 2015 to 2025, assessment practices remained dominated by post-only designs or no assessment, with no statistically detectable increase in pre/post-capable designs. Use of established assessment instruments was rare, with 94.2% of assessed studies using ad hoc measures or not identifying an established …

Understanding Transgender And Gender-Nonconforming Students’ Experiences In Precollege Engineering Education: A Latent Profile Analysis, Jialing Wu, Medha Dalal, Rachel Figard, Adam R. Carberry

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Promoting gender equity and inclusion in STEM education remains a central priority, yet empirical research inclusive of transgender and gendernonconforming (TGNC) students is limited, particularly in precollege engineering contexts. This study leverages social cognitive career theory (SCCT) to identify latent profiles of students’ engineering-related beliefs while examining how TGNC students are represented across these profiles relative to their cisgender and gender nonreporting peers. The study draws on four years (2019–2023) of repeated cross-sectional survey data from a national precollege engineering initiative involving 75 high schools across 20 US states. Seven SCCT-related constructs were measured and used as part of latent …

Generative Ai Adoption And Perceived Academic Impact Among Undergraduate Students: A Cross-National Study In Indonesia, Tajikistan, And The United States, Vyacheslav Dushenkov, Ernawati Sinaga, Astri Rozanah Siregar, Alamkhon Akhmedov, Saidbeg Satorov

Publications and Research

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming higher education, yet comparative evidence from diverse international settings remains limited. This cross-national study examined undergraduate students’ adoption and perceived academic impact of generative AI tools at institutions in Indonesia, Tajikistan, and the United States. A harmonized online survey was administered to 584 undergraduates during Spring 2026 (Indonesia n = 235; Tajikistan n = 226; United States n = 123). The survey assessed AI familiarity, adoption patterns, frequency and purpose of use, perceived academic impact, and factors encouraging AI engagement. AI adoption differed significantly across sites, with the highest adoption observed in Indonesia …

Listening To Learn: Preservice Teachers’ Voice On What Matters Most In Their University Preparation Programs, David Wolff, Scott Klimek, Elizabeth Y. Dale

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

This study explores the perspectives of preserviceteacher candidates on the topics in education they perceive as the most important and urgent as they prepare for their first year of teaching. Utilizing quantitative methodology, the study aims to identify and prioritize educational topics sixty (n = 60) preservice teacher candidates believed were critical to their professional development. Participants are asked to rate the topics based on two criteria: urgency and importance. Each topic is rated on a scale from 0 to 5, where 0 indicated unfamiliarly with the topic, 1 indicated low urgency or importance, and 5 indicates high urgency …

Embedding Evaluation For Continuous Improvement In A Cohort-Based Doctoral Residency Model: Evidence From An Ed.D. Program, Monica J. Weir

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership Program at Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) includes two required summer residency weeks that serve as signature components of the doctoral experience. Given their central role in supporting academic milestones and scholarly community, program faculty have embedded systematic evaluation into residency design to support continuous improvement. This article describes a multi-phase, utilization-focused evaluation framework examining residency preparation, implementation, and participant experience. The evaluation designer collaborated with program faculty to design pre- and post-residency week instruments that elevate doctoral student voice and support faculty-led reflection. Preliminary findings indicated strong value placed on peer …

Preparing Teachers To Read The Data: Strengthening Data Literacy For Early Literacy Decision-Making, Tevia Q. Strand

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

Teachers are increasingly expected to use literacy screening and benchmark data to guide instruction, identify student needs, and participate in multi-tiered systems of support. However, pre-service and early-career teachers may enter the profession without sufficient preparation to interpret assessment data or connect benchmark patterns to instructional action. This white paper examines the gap between teacher preparation and the realities of K-12 data use, with particular attention to early literacy decision-making. Drawing from Bradbury’s discussion of teacher preparation and the changing realities of education, this paper argues that data literacy is an essential part of preparing teachers for equitable classroom practice. …

Cipropad Learning Model To Improve Elementary School Students’ Hots In Geometry, Ria J. Salman, Heris Hendriana, Masta Hutajulu

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The latest digital technology developments demand innovative learning models that are able to integrate active learning approaches, problem-solving, and digital collaborative platforms. This study aims to develop a CIPROPAD (Circuit Learning, Problem-Based-Learning, Padlet) learning model designed to improve students' HOTS. This study uses the Borg and Gall R&D method which includes the stages of needs analysis, model design, initial product development, expert validation, limited trials, revisions, and field trials. The research subjects consisted of 74 elementary school students divided into experimental and control groups. The research instruments used included expert validation sheets, HOTS tests, student activity observation sheets, and student …

The Role Of Perceived Academic And Peer Support In Mitigating Imposter Syndrome Among Adhd Students, Eden Morley Dr

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in higher education is associated with significant executive functioning deficits and performance inconsistencies. These challenges, alongside heightened rejection sensitivity, may predispose students to the Imposter Phenomenon (IP)—the persistent belief that one’s success is undeserved. While social and academic supports are known to buffer psychological distress, their specific role in mitigating IP within the ADHD student population remains under-researched.

Objectives: This study investigated the severity of IP among undergraduate students with ADHD and examined the protective roles of Perceived Social Support (PSS) and Perceived Academic Support (PAS), while exploring gender as a potential moderator.

Methodology: A cross-sectional …

Ohio Beef Quality Audit – 2021: Survey Of Carcass Characteristics Related To Quality Attributes And The Investigation Of Meat Processor Needs, Bo M. C. Garcia, Benjamin M. Bohrer, Stephen Boyles, Joy N. Rumble, Alejandro E. Relling, Lyda G. Garcia

Journal of Extension

While beef quality audits have been conducted on a national level in the United States every 5 years since 1991, state-level audits are uncommon. Our team believed that Ohio beef producers would benefit from a state-level audit, so in 2021 we developed and conducted an Ohio Beef Quality Audit, evaluating Ohio meat processing facilities and assessing Ohio meat processors' needs and views on factors that influence meat quality. This paper details the results of that audit, which demonstrated that Ohio beef quality was similar to national beef quality; our audit also highlighted the need to increase fundamental meat science education …

Occupational Therapy Holistic Admissions At A Public, Urban Research University: Process, Outcomes, And Transitions, Ashley Stoffel, Dalmina Arias, Toni Van Denend, Caitlin Smith, Jenica Lee, Maria Larson, Gail Fisher

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Implementing a holistic admissions process reflecting the mission of the university provides the means to expand enrollment of students from diverse backgrounds who have life experiences and values that are well matched to the communities they serve. This article explores the historical significance, outcomes, and transitions of a holistic admissions process in a public, urban research university.

The holistic admission process outlined in this article offers a balanced and equitable approach to student selection by considering a broad array of backgrounds, experiences, and attributes beyond traditional metrics, such as grades. With a commitment to inclusivity, access, and belonging, the department …

Accreditation In Hospitality And Tourism Administration/Management: A History, Robert H. Bosselman

ICHRIE Research Reports

Accreditation in hospitality and tourism administration/managment education has a complex history. The current manuscript provides background on how accreditation was established in the field. The role played by International CHRIE and its members was reported as was the origin of the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration. The manuscript provides suggestions for future direction of accreditation in hospitality and tourism administration/management education.