Educational Leadership Commons^™

Authentic Leadership’S Impact On Black Student-Athletes’ Identity And Persistence, Edward Raimundi Iii, Chanel M. Bradden, Erika Stanley Wesley

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

This mixed-methods study examined the role of authentic leadership in shaping the identity development and persistence of Black student-athletes within collegiate athletic programs. Despite growing research on student-athlete experiences, a critical gap remains in understanding how leadership characterized by transparency, self-awareness, and ethical behavior influences Black athletes’ self-perception, resilience, and ability to navigate academic and athletic challenges. Drawing on surveys (Authentic Leadership Questionnaire) and semi-structured interviews with sports administrators and student-athletes, the study identified key themes: the importance of consistent communication, ethical decision-making, and holistic mentorship in fostering trust and empowerment. Findings revealed that while authentic leadership enhances athletes’ resilience …

Letter From The Editors, Jennifer Butcher, James Wiser, Cicely Ward

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

No abstract provided.

Arts-Based Sustainability: From New York To Malawi, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Recognizing that libraries serve multiple constituencies and subject areas, this chapter documents and advocates for development of transdisciplinary arts-based research (ABR) and culture-related projects linked to environmental challenges. Libraries contribute collections and spaces, as well as the research of library and information scientists. Libraries are currently among invisible contributors to sustainability planning and services. The chapter will link this invisibility to the value of what visual arts refer to as negative space elements in subjects ranging from traditional ecological knowledge to environmental science. Library collections, projects, and research contribute to education for sustainable development (ESD) as required to achieve the …

Brief Insights, June 2025: Learning And Leading Together: Highlights From A Multilingual And Mathematics Focused Research, Practice, Policy Partnership, Magaly Lavadenz Ph.D., Elvira G. Armas Ed.D., Linda R. G. Kaminski Ed.D., Kaivan Yuen Ed.D., Miguel Valencia, Teacher Researchers, Montebello Unified School District

Education and Policy Briefs

The Center for Equity for English Learners (CEEL) at Loyola Marymount University collaborated with Montebello Unified School District (MUSD) leaders and teachers in a Research, Practice, Policy Partnership (RPP) to investigate Spanish oral language production in TK to 2^nd grade students enrolled in three Dual Language Immersion Academies providing Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) in mathematics. Teacher researchers collected pre- and post-video samples of students explaining their CGI Counting Collections strategy. After establishing inter-rater reliability, MUSD teachers and the CEEL Research Team individually and independently analyzed characteristics of students’ academic Spanish oral language production using two focal California Spanish Language …

Uncovering Best Practices For Professional Learning: A Focus On Dialogic Discourse, Belinda Jaquez

Dissertations

The education system rests in a paradox with an ever-changing world and classrooms frozen in time. Though technological advancements, societal changes, and policy reforms are continuously reshaping the world, classrooms have remained anchored in traditional teaching and learning practices. This study examined the relationship between professional learning programs and the quality of classroom instruction with a focus on implementing more collaborative and dialogic approaches to both student and professional learning. This research involved a multifaceted program evaluation of the learning environment centered on the learning experiences of both students and teachers. A utilization-focused evaluation approach was implemented to ensure the …

Understanding And Engaging In Equity Work: A Phenomenological Action Research Study Of Community College Esol Instructors, Emily E. Packer

Dissertations

Community colleges (CCs) are regarded as accessible and affordable pathways to higher education and financial mobility, offering significant potential to promote educational equity (Fink et al., 2023). These institutions enroll the largest number of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students in adult education; however, CC ESOL students face lower rates of degree completion and transfer compared to their non-ESOL peers (David & Kanno, 2021; Fink et al., 2023; Raufman et al., 2019). While research has examined factors contributing to low CC ESOL student persistence and interventions to improve overall CC student outcomes, research on specific efforts to support …

Examining Factors That Shape The Perspectives Of Afro-Caribbean Parents On The American Special Education System, Eldine Beaubrun Montauban

Educational Studies Dissertations

Cultural beliefs of disabilities and education can impact parents’ perspectives of special education. There are pertinent concerns over the cultural factors shaping the perspectives of Afro-Caribbean parents on the American special education system. This qualitative case study explored the perceptions of six parents of children with special needs who identify as Afro-Caribbean living in Massachusetts. Applying a theoretical/conceptual framework that includes acculturation, assimilation, social identity, and school family partnership, this study reveals challenges Afro-Caribbean parents and their children encounter in the U.S. special education system. The analysis of the data yielded seven findings. The findings detail parents’ negotiations of their …

A Tale Of Two Organizations: San Francisco & Tokyo, An Analysis Of Urban Youth Poverty In The Developed World, Arturo Paredes

Master's Projects and Capstones

This study analyzes the experiences of low-income youth in terms of their access to educational opportunities in connection to their social mobility, the study focuses on two highly prosperous cities: San Francisco and Tokyo specifically dwelling into some affected population groups and overall neighborhoods where low-income populations are clustered in. The study delves into youth poverty as a complex phenomenon facing communities and its direct implications for the lives of youth in the context of educational experiences and its connection to socio-economic outcomes. By focusing on two organizations addressing this issue in each of the contexts, the study highlights interventions, …

Administrators’ And Teachers’ Perceived Importance Of The Holistic Framework For Professional Development Elements: Survey Research, Adrianna Cate

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This study researched the six elements of the Holistic Framework for Professional Development (HFPD) to understand administrators’ and teachers’ perceived importance and how demographic variables impacted those perceptions. This was done to contribute to the current gap in the literature regarding how to design and carry out effective professional development. The quantitative survey research utilized exponential, non-discriminative snowball sampling to recruit participants. Fifteen administrators, 64 teachers, and six participants working in ‘other’ roles in their school participated. These participants were citizens of fifteen different countries and worked across eleven countries worldwide. Even given this diverse sample, the results of this …

The Role Of School Leadership In Promoting And Supporting Cultural Diversity And Inclusion In The Classroom: A Grounded Theory Approach, Matuor Dot Alier

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This study addresses the pressing issue of how school leadership influences the promotion and support of cultural diversity and inclusion within classrooms. Despite growing demographic diversity in educational settings, many schools fail to adequately prioritize cultural inclusion, leading to inequities in educational opportunities, social isolation, and discrimination for students from diverse backgrounds. School leaders are uniquely positioned to create inclusive environments, yet there remains limited research on how they implement and sustain effective diversity practices. This qualitative study explores the experiences and strategies of school leaders who have successfully fostered inclusive educational environments. Grounded in a constructivist paradigm and employing …

The Lasting Impact Of Belonging: Exploring The Relationship Between Undergraduate Experiences And Black Alumni Contributions, Kauna Greene

Graduate Theses & Dissertations

Black alumni at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) remain underrepresented in alumni engagement and philanthropic research, despite a long and well-documented tradition of Black philanthropy. This qualitative, phenomenological study examines the relationship between undergraduate experiences and the post-graduation engagement of Black alumni from a private PWI in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Guided by Strayhorn's (2019) theory of sense of belonging, the study investigates what motivates Black alumni to contribute financially, non-financially (through mentorship, event attendance, and volunteering), or not at all, and how undergraduate feelings of belonging shape those decisions. Data were collected through an anonymous online survey …

Exploring The Relationship Of Program Type On Multilingual Learners Students’ English Growth And Promotion In Secondary School, Simone M. Wilkinson

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study explores the relationships between tenure as Multilingual Learners (MLs), English proficiency, academic performance, and promotion among middle and high school students. This study is grounded in Bourdieu’s (1967, 2018) theory, which emphasizes that schools perpetuate cultural norms by limiting ML’s language access and post-secondary success. Also informed by Krashen’s (1982, 1985, 2003) theory of Input Hypothesis, this study investigates how meaningful interaction is key for language learning. The primary research questions explore: (1) Is there a relationship between students’ tenure as a ML, English proficiency, and promotion through secondary school? (2) Is the EL program type for MLs …

Seeking Sustainable Tutoring Programs: A Case For Supplemental Instruction For The Success Of Middle School Students At The Sj Davis Campus In San Antonio, Texas, Charles Mazuca

Theses & Dissertations

Seeking Sustainable Tutoring Programs: A Case for Supplemental Instruction for the Success of Middle School Students at the SJ Davis Campus in San Antonio, Texas

Charles Andrew Mazuca

University of the Incarnate Word, 2025

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to implement a pilot tutoring program on the campus of a public middle school in San Antonio, Texas, that supports improved math performance of under-performing students on the state mandated standardized test known as the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exam; broadly speaking, the study posed the question “How might a school community create a sustainable …

Mi Testimonio: The Beginning Of My Healing Journey, Maria A. Vega

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

My testimonio, presented as my dissertation, is a deep and personal reflection on my experiences as an immigrant and multilingual student. I share my story by trenzando—braiding—lived experiences, critical analysis, and relevant research on immigration and trauma, language and identity, and the links between multilingualism and academic success. Through deep reflection and analysis, I draw on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (1943), Giles and Johnson’s Ethnolinguistic Identity Theory (1981), and García’s (2009) translanguaging framework to explore the following questions:

1. How does the oppression of one’s linguistic and cultural practices affect identity development?
2. How does my story—my testimonio—empower the mother, …

Am I Woke Enough To Serve In Healthcare: A Secondary Analysis Of Pre-Health Students’ Personal And Professional Growth By Engaging In Cultural Competency Assessments, Harolynn Williams

All Dissertations

Healthcare providers must be equipped to serve an increasingly diverse population, yet cultural competence remains underemphasized in undergraduate pre-health education. This study explored how embedded cultural competency training influences undergraduate pre-health students’ perceptions of personal and professional growth. Using a qualitative descriptive design, the research incorporated intercultural assessments, the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), and the Global Competence Certificate (GCC), along with qualitative reflections from students enrolled in three versions of a cultural competence course: a year-long course, a semester-long course, and a short-term study abroad immersion six-week course. Findings revealed that students demonstrated measurable growth in cultural awareness, knowledge, communication, …

“I Have Returned Home”: Understanding The Re-Entry Experience Of Saudi Female Scholars After Completing Their Doctoral Studies In The United States, Hajer Asiri

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The experiences of Saudi female scholars returning from abroad remain underexplored. This study investigates how Saudi women in higher education institutions readjust and reintegrate into professional and cultural environments after completing doctoral studies in the United States. Using a narrative approach informed by transformational learning theory (TLT), it examines reverse culture shock and the coping mechanisms employed by these women. Five female participants from various Saudi institutions were interviewed in semi-structured sessions lasting 30 to 60 minutes. Thematic analysis revealed five key themes: Cultural Readjustment, Professional Reintegration, Family and Social Dynamics, Personal Transformation, and Coping Strategies. The findings underscore the …

Ethnic Studies Pedagogy: Professional Development And Its Relevance To Student Achievement, Gabriel A. Orosco Dr.

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

As Ethnic Studies becomes a graduation requirement across all public schools in California, the importance of Ethnic Studies professional development cannot be understated. This is a tumultuous time in our world today. Multiple world conflicts are happening today, and many governments are facing challenges to their very existence. Ethnic Studies programs and classes challenge dominant narratives and close the opportunity gaps for historically marginalized communities.

This study examines the impact of Ethnic Studies (ES) professional development on student achievement within California’s public high schools, where ES has been mandated as a graduation requirement through Assembly Bill 101. The research emphasizes …

Non-Esl High School Teachers’ Instructional Training And Professional Development Needs And Their Emergent Bilingual Student Classrooms, Brynn E. Caddell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. emergent bilingual student population continues to grow and is projected to increase nationwide. The growing population of students has specific academic and social needs that need to be addressed and provided for emergent bilingual students to be successful. This qualitative case study examined the instructional needs of high school non-English as a second language (ESL) teachers who serve emergent bilingual students and how the district can support the instructional practices of high school teachers in an urban school district in Texas. The problem addressed in this study was the lack of instructional training and professional development for secondary …

Reducing Barriers To Entry: Enhancing Inclusivity And Engagement In Elementary School Extracurricular Programs, Katie A. Monahan

Education Doctorate Dissertations

This mixed-methods action research study explores the barriers and strategies related to developing inclusive extracurricular programs in an urban elementary school. Through stakeholder surveys, interviews, and archival data, the study investigates how extracurricular activities support student engagement, social-emotional learning (SEL), and a sense of belonging, particularly for students from marginalized backgrounds.

Findings highlight persistent barriers, including funding limitations, staffing shortages, logistical challenges, and the absence of a centralized system for tracking participation. These issues disproportionately impact students with disabilities, English Language Learners (ELLs), and those from low-income households. The study also identifies key supports, such as community partnerships and culturally …

The Causes And Effects Of Procuring A Culturally Relevant And Sustaining Educational Pedagogy, Lauren Mcneil

Education Doctorate Dissertations

This study investigates the causes and effects of educators adopting a Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education (CR-SE) pedagogy within our educational system. Three qualitative data collection and analysis pathways are used: thirteen participants are surveyed and interviewed, a policy analysis occurs, and an autoethnographic journal is analyzed. This research explores how cultural conflicts, deficit mindsets, and at-risk labeling contribute to systemic inequities, leading to social suffering for both students and educators. The research examines how educators who develop a critical consciousness navigate these challenges, often experiencing moral injury as they advocate for equitable educational practices. Through qualitative inquiry, this study …

Environmental Education Professionals And K-12 School Counselors: Collaboration For Engaging The Conservation And Natural Resources Workforce Of The Next Generation, Brent M. Erb

Education Doctorate Dissertations

Environmental education (EE) professionals often fail to reflect the diverse, intersectional identities of the students and communities they serve. As frontline professionals among the conservation and natural resources (CNR) professions, addressing this requisite and urgent disparity is vital for fostering equitable teaching and learning environments that are safe, welcoming, accessible, and inclusive. EE professionals play a pivotal role in filling knowledge gaps, fostering ecological literacy, and introducing students to CNR careers, just as K-12 school counselors play a meaningful role in helping students expand upon their interests and acquire experience and skills to cultivate self-efficacy to support the belief in …

Bridging The Gap Between Muslim Students And School Leadership In The United States, Sahar Khawaja

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Entering the third decade of the 21st century, the political landscape in the United States presents a challenging environment for Muslims, mirroring the global trend of oppression and discrimination faced by this community (Neptune, 2021). Despite being the fastest-growing demographic in the nation (Lipka, 2017), Muslim Americans increasingly encounter discrimination. By actively addressing and dismantling these stereotypes, educators can cultivate an inclusive environment where the needs of Muslim students are understood and respected. Understanding the stories and experiences of these students is vital for school leaders, as it enables the creation of an environment where every student feels a genuine …

Maintaining Well-Being: Coping Strategies For Prolonged Traumatic Experiences From The Stories Of Ukrainian Educators During The Wartime, Natalya Rakevich

Educational Studies Dissertations

This qualitative, phenomenological study aimed to better understand how and whether educators can maintain well-being during prolonged trauma. This study examines the experiences of Ukrainian educators living in non-occupied territories during wartime. The following research questions guided the study: What coping strategies do educators use to take care of themselves? What coping strategies do educators use with their students? How do educators perceive mindfulness and storytelling? A conceptual framework was created to better understand the topics of stress, trauma, being, well-being, surviving, suffering, and coping mechanisms through a literature review. Data collection occurred in February and March 2024, two years …

Persistence, Mentorship, And Educational Achievement: Exploring The Daca Student Experience, Patricia F. Mejabi

Education Doctorate Dissertations

The study aimed to understand demographic, cultural, and ecological factors, as well as supportive assets like mentorship on the academic persistence and educational achievement of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students. DACA protects qualified individuals who arrived in the United States as children from deportation and grants them lawful permission to seek employment and educational opportunities.

Interviews of DACA students, and mentors and advocates of DACA students, were conducted to identify similarities, differences, and common themes. Despite DACA protection positively impacting the students' financial and academic success, limited socioeconomic conditions created a need for guidance or mentorship to help …

Instructional Decisions Of Elementary Principals For Implementing Dual Language Programs For Emergent Bilinguals, Susana M. Arredondo, Michelle H. Abrego, Velma D. Menchaca

School Leadership Review

This study explores the instructional decisions made by elementary principals in implementing dual language programs, with a focus on the choice of language for state reading assessments. Utilizing a qualitative phenomenological approach, the research examines the lived experiences of eight principals in a South Texas school district, offering insights into the challenges of maintaining program fidelity while meeting state accountability demands. Key findings highlight the tensions principals face in balancing the integrity of the dual language model with the pressures of standardized testing. The study underscores the need for flexible district policies and enhanced leadership training, advocating for a leadership …

Digital Vs. Non-Digital Interventions: A Study Of Intervention Types To Reach Fluency In Operations With Integers In Seventh-Grade Mathematics, Kathleen Brad

Education Doctorate Dissertations

Students in junior high school are struggling with mathematics (U.S. Department of Education, 2023). Mathematical fluency—the automatic and accurate recall of facts—is critical to mathematics learning. There is limited research on junior high school general education students and how we can help them master the foundational concepts. Without fluency, students rely heavily on their working memory to learn new mathematics skills. Fluency in operations with integers is one of those foundational topics of junior high school. With many new digital tools available, are digital interventions more effective than the methods teachers have been using? The researcher compared three intervention styles: …

Brief Insights, March 2025: Expanding Educational Opportunity: Highlights From A Multilingual/English Learner-Focused Research, Practice, Policy Partnership, Magaly Lavadenz Ph.D., Elvira G. Armas Ed.D., Linda R. G. Kaminski Ed.D.

Education and Policy Briefs

The Center for Equity for English Learners (CEEL) at Loyola Marymount University collaborated with Camino Nuevo Charter Academy (CNCA) in a Research, Practice, Policy Partnership to investigate problems of practice and enhance literacy leaders’ focus on supporting classroom teachers to meet the needs of multilingual/English learners (ML/EL). The research question for this study focused on literacy leaders’ perceptions about how the revised Planning-Observation-Debrief (POD) cycle tools support teachers’ focus on scaffolding ML/ELs’ access to reading and writing complex text. Emerging findings emphasize the valued partnership between literacy leaders and the teachers they coach, as well as the importance of building …

No. 15, March 2025: California’S Treasures: Supporting Superdiverse Youth Through Research, Policy And Practice, Magaly Lavadenz Ph.D., Linda R. G. Kaminski Ed.D, Elvira G. Armas Ed.D., Dayna Mitchell Ed.D.

Education and Policy Briefs

This research and policy brief provides an overview of the Center for Equity for English Learner’s Superdiverse Adolescent Multilingual Learners Resource Guide. The publication follows the Global California 2030 call to recognize and promote the home languages and cultures of English Learners as valuable resources to increase multilingualism within the state. The term “Superdiverse” is used to acknowledge the many facets of diversity that make up the identities of English/Multilingual Learners in addition to the breadth of linguistic diversity encompassed within their language journeys. Twenty-six English/Multilingual Learners between grades seven and twelve were interviewed about their school experiences as culturally …

Cultural Inclusion: Experiences Of Somali Parents In The Pbis System, Destiny R. Stampley

Doctorate in Education

In an effort to support student achievement and decrease disruptive behaviors, many schools have implemented the Positive Behavior and Supports and Intervention (PBIS) framework. Two critical aspects of this framework are cultural inclusion and family engagement, which are used to promote equitable and responsive practices and policies. However, research on the effectiveness of PBIS in diverse schools focuses primarily on what schools do and fails to examine the perspective and experiences of parents. This is especially true for the Somali diaspora in Minnesota, the state with the largest Somali population in the United States. This qualitative study examined the experiences …

Teacher Retention And The Future Of Learning: Alarming Concerns About Preparing The Next Generation Of Citizens, Dejuanna M. Parker, Barbara D. Holmes

Journal of Research Initiatives

Research is robust in detailing the various reasons teachers leave the profession. There is scant literature on why teachers stay and what should be done to improve teacher retention. Teacher retention is a primary concern nationally and internationally. The inability to retain teachers has resulted in a teacher shortage and significantly affects student learning. Sorenson and Ladd (2020) This study yielded three emergent themes related to integral factors of teacher retention: changing attitudes on administrative support, workplace collegiality, and persistence of passion and purpose. Recommendations offered include encouraging administrators to leverage the passion and commitment of the educators to create …