An Ecological Systems Perspective On Chronic Absenteeism: The Role Of Family Engagement In Virginia Secondary Education, Jenna Conlee, Joel W. Fravel, Bryan M. Hannun, Imani K. Hinson, Erika R. Napolitano

Doctor of Education Capstones

Chronic absenteeism has emerged as a significant challenge for schools across the United States, particularly following disruptions associated with the COVID-19 global pandemic. This capstone project examined how school leaders in Virginia understood and navigated the relationship between family engagement and chronic absenteeism. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, the study addressed two research questions focused on identifying family engagement practices perceived as effective in improving attendance and examining the barriers schools encountered when engaging families to address chronic absenteeism. Data were collected through nine semistructured interviews with school leaders and observations of two high school attendance team meetings. Using …

"Where The Grass Is Greener": Youth Participatory Action Research Examining The Lived Student Experience Through Cross-Campus Shadowing, Justin Matthew Antos

Dissertations of Practice

This Youth Participatory Action Research study examined how alumni perceive student experiences related to school culture and climate, classroom learning environments, and equity of opportunity and resources across three sister high schools within a single district. Six alumni, all recent graduates, participated in a three-day, cross-campus shadowing experience, observing classrooms and school environments, and reflecting on key similarities and differences across campuses through focus groups. Findings indicated that climate, engagement, and equity are shaped not only by curriculum, but by the interaction of policies, relationships, physical spaces, and consistency of expectations. Classrooms emphasizing interaction, relevance, and structure fostered higher engagement, …

Preparing Students For What Comes Next: A Qualitative Study Of District Approaches To Postsecondary And Career Readiness, Amanda C. Pelsor

Dissertations of Practice

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR WHAT COMES NEXT: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF DISTRICT APPROACHES TO POSTSECONDARY AND CAREER READINESS

This qualitative study examines how Illinois school districts support students’ readiness for postsecondary success and career planning and exploration. Despite longstanding state and federal efforts to improve college and career readiness, many students continue to face challenges after high school, including lack of workforce readiness, underpreparedness for postsecondary education, unclear career pathways, and difficulty navigating complex transitions. Using semi-structured interviews, this study explores how districts conceptualize and implement career readiness frameworks, the ways readiness work is embedded within district systems, and the barriers …

Ai Policy In Virginia Public Schools: A Comparative Analysis, Jesse Senechal, Jamelle Simmons, Jonathan D. Becker, Melissa Ware, Michael Broda, Kindy Anderson, Eric Byers, Kiana Bradford, Thea Racelis, Meleah Ellison

MERC Publications

This MERC research and policy review explores policy implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in Virginia public schools. It is part of a two part series with a companion report focused on AI implications for PK-12 teaching and learning. The report has two parts:

1. A review of the AI policy landscape around PK-12 education
2. Virginia AI policy analysis

It concludes with a series of key takeaways and recommendations for PK-12 policy and practice.

Ai In Pk-12 Education: Implications For Teaching And Learning, David Naff, Meleah Ellison, Casey Bailey, Tzu-Wei Wang, Kiana Bradford

MERC Publications

This research and policy review from the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) explores the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for teaching and learning in public PK-12 education. It is part of a two part series with a companion report focused on AI implications for PK-12 policy. The report explores two questions:

1. How is AI shaping teaching and instructional practice?
2. How is AI shaping student learning and development?

It concludes with a series of key takeaways and recommendations for PK-12 policy and practice.

The Teacher Shortage Crisis: How Workplace Relationships Influence Retention, Attrition, And The Education Labor Market, Jeremy Brooks

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study took a closer look at how high school teachers perceive the ongoing teacher shortage, with particular attention to how workplace conditions and the broader school climate impact whether they choose to stay in the profession. Special focus was given to teachers in their first five years, a group especially vulnerable to early attrition. As the conversation around teacher turnover grows louder, this research seeks to better understand what’s driving teachers’ decisions from their own perspectives, not just policy data or administrative assumptions.

The study used a basic qualitative research design, relying on one-on-one, in-depth interviews to gather insights …

Implementing Restorative Practices For Girls In Elementary School Classrooms: A Participatory Action Research Approach, Mellissa Douglas

Dissertations of Practice

This participatory action research study examined how varying approaches to implementing restorative practices, together with teacher collaboration and influence, support resilience, enhance communication, establish healthy boundaries, encourage accountability, and build confidence among elementary school girls ages 8–10. Two third-grade teachers, three fourth-grade teachers, and three fifth-grade teachers in a midwestern elementary school implemented restorative practices through proactive circles or conferences over the course of forty school days. The eight teacher participants recorded the implementation of restorative practices in an action research journal, field notes, and photographs, and they collaborated to discuss strengths, areas in need of support, and next steps. …

Catholic Solidarity In American Jesuit Education Through The Radical Kinship Of Fr. Greg Boyle: A Conceptual Analysis, Sajit U. Kabadi

Journal of Catholic Education

This is a conceptual analysis that examines how American Jesuit secondary education can pursue greater Catholic solidarity in a polarized world through a framework of radical kinship, as espoused by Fr. Greg Boyle. Boyle is the founder of Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang rehabilitation program, in the city of Los Angeles. The purpose of this conceptual analysis is to delve deeper into Boyle’s conceptual framework of radical kinship in the context of American Jesuit secondary education. This conceptual analysis will use Catholic Social Teaching, Biblical references, and the values of the Jesuit mission.

Ucf Center For Community Schools Research Citations, Ucf Center For Community Schools

Community Schools Research

This scholarship examines community school implementation, partnerships, student and family outcomes, organizational conditions, and the broader systems that support community-centered approaches to education. By connecting research with practice, UCF CCS seeks to deepen the evidence base and advance knowledge that can inform educators, practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders.

This collection provides an evolving resource for exploring the research behind community schools and the lessons emerging from their implementation across Florida and beyond.

Gender Inequality In Afghanistan's Public Schools: Provincial Disparities Amid Historical And Political Change, 2002-2021, Enayatullah Nasir

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This dissertation examines the persistence and spatial concentration of gender-based educational inequality in Afghanistan's public school system from 2002 to 2021–– a period spanning post-2001 reconstruction, the expansion of the Republic era, and the reversal under the second Taliban regime. Despite substantial international investment and two decades of repeated commitments to gender parity, access to and progression through public schooling remained profoundly uneven across the country’s thirty-four provinces. The Gender Parity Index values differ sharply between provinces, and those with the lowest overall enrollment tend to exhibit the widest gender gaps. Existing scholarship has concentrated on the national level, obscuring …

Brewing Black Girl Magic: From Hush-Toned Kitchens To Educational Spaces: A Narrative Inquiry Into The Inherited Wisdom, Radical Resilience, And Professional Becoming Of Black Women, A Three-Paper Dissertation, Sheryl Patterson-Coulibaly

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines how racialized and gendered expectations shape the professional experiences of Black women in predominantly white educational spaces. Drawing on a three-article format, this study investigates how Black women navigate institutional conditions that depend on their labor yet fail to provide adequate support. Grounded in Black Feminist Marxist Thought and emerging Black Womanist Theory, the study centers the emotional, relational, and spiritual dimensions of Black women’s labor, extending traditional analyses of work, leadership, and resilience.

Of Fire and Fabrication: A Systematic Review on the Myth of Strength and Erasure of Black Women in White Educational Spaces reveals that …

College Vs. Career School Counseling: How Role Differentiation Shapes Student Postsecondary Expectations And Outcomes, Sam Luby

Journal of College Access

This study examines how high school counselor role differentiation, specifically college preparation and workforce readiness, relates to students’ postsecondary expectations (2012) and early outcomes (2016) using nationally representative data from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09). Multinomial logistic regression models controlling for academic achievement and socioeconomic factors indicate that the presence of college-preparation counselors significantly reduces the likelihood of students entering the workforce without postsecondary enrollment.

Workforce-preparation roles show no statistically significant association with postsecondary outcomes, though they are more common in schools serving higher-need populations. Academic performance and poverty status remain strong predictors across models. Findings underscore …

A Mixed-Methods Study On The Relationship Between Athletic Coaching Effectiveness, The Coach-Athlete Relationship, And Student-Athlete Academic Outcomes, Tabithia Graves, Angeline Hale, Megan Holloway

Student Scholar Symposium

With discussions about education focused on student achievement and school accountability, it is important to understand what factors influence student persistence and success in a variety of environments, including school athletics. Student athletes are expected to dedicate significant time to their sport while also maintaining academic expectations. The researchers of this mixed-methods study seek to explore the relationship between coaching effectiveness, the coach-athlete relationship, and student-athlete academic outcomes. Through the lens of established motivational theories, this study examines how coaches’ autonomy-supportive behaviors can impact student-athletes' intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. Specifically, the study investigates whether motivation from athletic coaches relates to …

Chronic Absenteeism: A Case Study In A Central Virginia High School Investigating Student Habits And Potential Interventions, Ronald R. Proffitt

Graduate Dissertations and Theses

Abstract

The purpose of this single case study was to discover and determine the contributing factors for chronic absenteeism for high school students at a rural Central Virginia high school in order to discover potential solutions to increase attendance and to combat chronic absenteeism. An additional factor considered was habits that may have formed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have led to an increase in chronic absenteeism rates. The theory that guided this study was Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) Ecological Systems Theory, as it directly addressed how a child relates and reacts to their environments based upon their interactions. The participants …

Practices To Possibility: A Narrative Inquiry Examining Practices Supporting Post-School Outcomes For Students With Disabilities, Joshua Reese

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to examine how educators in high-performing districts that met or exceeded state targets for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) post-school outcomes implemented and sustained evidence-based practices to support successful transitions for students with disabilities. Despite decades of legislative mandates and educational reforms, students with disabilities continue to experience disproportionately lower rates of employment, postsecondary education, and independent living compared to their peers. This study sought to identify not only which practices are effective but also how they are operationalized and maintained within school systems.

Two Tennessee districts identified by exemplary performance …

Program Evaluation Of The Effects Of Principals On The Success Of Charter School Dropout Prevention High Schools, Rachel Maldonado

Dissertations

The role of school principals in dropout prevention high schools is critical to enhancing federal cohort graduation rates. This study examined how principals in one dropout prevention high school organization influenced graduation rates. The purpose of this research study was to investigate the perceptions of stakeholders (including principals) on the relationship between principal influence in dropout prevention school success, as measured by federal cohort graduation rates, and to identify the strategies the principals used. Overarching research questions were developed to determine stakeholders' perceptions regarding the effectiveness of principals and their impact on the success of dropout prevention high schools. This …

College Ready Or Not? Exploring Undergraduate Perceptions Of Their High School College Preparation, Charles M. Morgan Iii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine undergraduate students’ perceptions of their high school preparation for college. Rather than relying on institutional measures like test scores or course completion, the study focused on how students themselves described their readiness and the supports they received in high school. By highlighting student voice, the research aimed to reveal strengths and gaps in current approaches to preparing students for higher education.

The study was grounded in Educational Equity Theory (Darling-Hammond, 1997), which emphasizes that fairness in education requires supports tailored to students’ individual needs. A qualitative, phenomenological design was used. Undergraduate participants …

Secondary Special Education Teachers: Perceptions On Burnout Since The Start Of Covid-19, Regina Perez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined burnout among secondary special education (SPED) teachers following the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly disrupted education and intensified teacher stress. Burnout, defined by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, has been linked to teacher attrition and decreased student achievement. The problem addressed was the increased levels of burnout and stress among SPED teachers and the lack of sufficient administrative support to mitigate these effects. The purpose was to explore SPED teachers’ perceptions of burnout since the pandemic and identify the supports needed to reduce it. Using a qualitative case study design grounded in Maslach’s burnout theory, the …

Investigating The Relationship Between Noun Classes And Plant Folk Taxonomy In Chasu Language Of Kilimanjaro Region In Tanzania, Peter Rabson Mziray

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study investigates the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu (G 22). The study focuses on two objectives: the first objective is to describe the plant folk taxonomy in Chasu and the second objective is to determine the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu. Data were collected from rural villages in Same and Mwanga districts by using free listing, field interviews (jungle-walk-and-identify), and written texts containing Chasu plant names. The findings reveal that Chasu folk taxonomy reflects different ethnobotanical categories; including a unique beginner which is mmea/mimea ‘plant(s)’, and three life …

Measuring Student Growth To Support Organizational Learning Using The Academic Progress Indicator (Api): An Evaluation Of Chicago Public Schools’ New Student Progress Metric, Benjamin Boer

Reports, Analyses, and other Publications

A report on early implementation of the Academic Progress Indicator (API), a student progress measure developed by Chicago Public Schools (CPS) as part of its new Continuous Improvement and Data Transparency (CIDT) system. The API represents a significant step forward in how schools and communities can use data to understand and support student learning.

Texas School Social Workers: Job Barriers, Supports, Satisfaction And Preparation Programs, Astrid Gandaria, George Padilla, Velma D. Menchaca

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

A study examined the job barriers, supports, satisfaction, and preparation programs of Texas school social workers (TSSW). The study used a convergent parallel mixed method design to compare and discuss quantitative and qualitative data obtained through a survey emailed to 476 Texas school social workers. Data was gathered from 250 social workers. The findings highlight the need to better understand the role of TSSWs and improve university social work preparation programs. The implications of this study’s findings on TSSW work barriers and supports and preparation programs can create major improvements to the preparation, job definition, and work environment of TSSWs, …

The Fear Factor: Exploring The Experiences Of Fear Of Secondary School Teachers, Kelly J. Raines

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Fear can be a powerful catalyst for cognitive potential, or a potent agent of havoc. This descriptive (transcendental) phenomenological study aimed to understand the phenomenon of fear experienced by teachers in public and private secondary schools in Central Florida. Semi-structured interviews collected data from the purposive sample, and the data were thoroughly analyzed using Colaizzi's (1978) model. The emergent essence of the lived experience of teachers identified the phenomenon of fear as the inducement of a debilitating sense of powerlessness that diminishes self-confidence and self-efficacy, resulting in emotional, cognitive, and/or physical impairments that directly affect the metacognitive potential of teachers. …

Digital Leadership: Secondary Education Principals’ Perceptions And Change Competencies Toward Implementing Digital Citizenship Curricula, Waylon M. Randolph

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Secondary education public schools are increasingly being confronted with student misuse of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Students are using these technologies to engage in disruptive and harmful behaviors like cyberbullying and sexting. As a result, some public school districts have responded by banning the use of ICTs in the classroom, while others have turned to teaching digital citizenship through a dedicated digital citizenship curriculum. However, effectively implementing such a curriculum remains a significant challenge. According to the literature, the best way to implement a digital citizenship curriculum is by fostering a positive school culture where stakeholders model and support …

From Belief To Practice: Building A Culture Of Disciplinary Literacy, Bradley Stabler, Ruth Poulos

Michigan Reading Journal

This article tells the story of how Pontiac High School began building a stronger focus on reading, writing, and thinking in every subject. The work started with a few shared questions, not a detailed plan. A small group of teachers and coaches came together to figure out how to help students think more deeply and express their ideas more clearly. Over time, they led staff-wide efforts that included planning lessons together, visiting each other’s classrooms, and trying out new teaching moves. Feedback from students and staff helped guide the work. Along the way, teachers began to shift their instruction, and …

State Of Illinois Model Programs Of Study Companion Guide, Education Systems Center

Reports, Analyses, and other Publications

This resource is intended to enhance the use of the State of Illinois Model Programs of Study Guides by focusing on the development and implementation of high-quality college and career pathways. Grounded in the state’s vision for equitable access to meaningful postsecondary opportunities, this resource supports educators, CTE directors, and administrators in designing programs of study that align secondary education with postsecondary credentials and careers. By bridging academic instruction, work-based learning, and student supports, this guide helps ensure that all learners are on a clear and unambiguous path to success after high school.

Exploring The Experiences Of Women Of Color High School Principals - An Investigation Into The Factors That Influence Their Longevity, Carmen Morales

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The underrepresentation of women of color in high school principal positions remains a persistent issue in educational leadership. This qualitative multi-case study explores the lived experiences of veteran women of color high school principals in northern New Jersey, investigating the factors that contribute to their longevity in the role. Through semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and observations, this study examines the intersectionality of race and gender in leadership, the barriers these women have encountered, and the strategies they have employed to sustain their leadership over time.

The findings highlight key themes, including the influence of mentorship and professional networks, the role …

Parliamentary Procedure Interactive Notebook: Newly Revised, P. Troy White, Amie Carter

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Faculty Publications

An interactive notebook for teaching fundamentals of parliamentary procedure. Over 120 pages of content to help teach correct principles of this critical organizational management skill. P. Troy White is a Professional Registered Parliamentarian and a Certified Parliamentarian, ensuring that the content included follows the 12th Edition of Robert's Rules of Order.

Studying The Impact Of Co-Teaching On Students With Disabilities Self-Efficacy In An Algebra 1 Course., Shannon E. Sharkey

All Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Students with disabilities (SWD) at Large High School in Rural School District have consistently underperformed in Algebra 1 as compared to their non-disabled peers and SWD across South Carolina. This performance gap contributes to the school’s designation as an Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) site, putting it at risk for state intervention. This dissertation investigates whether implementing a co-teaching model in Algebra 1 can positively impact SWD students’ self-efficacy in mathematics, with a secondary focus on potential gains in academic performance in Algebra 1 on the state End of Course (EOC).

Grounded in improvement science methodology, the study …

From Perception To Retention: The Influence Of Campus Culture And Climate On Teacher Attrition, Stephany D. Brown

Education Theses and Dissertations

This improvement science dissertation in practice investigated the influence of leadership support, collaboration, and recognition on teacher attrition. The study occurred over the course of two years on two suburban secondary campuses, in neighboring independent school districts. Voluntary participants included certified teachers, administrators and counselors. The two-phase, Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles involved the collection of quantitative and qualitative data emphasizing teacher perceptions through surveys and focus groups to evaluate campus culture and climate before and after implementation of the intervention. Phase two incorporated the targeted intervention; focused on public recognition of teachers within the school setting; specifically examining whether public recognition …

Artificial Intelligence And Transformative Curricula Practices In Africa For Educational Development, Ibiwumi Abiodun Alade, P Mthetwa

International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education : VISIONARIUM

Industrial revolutions in the world have orchestrated numerous innovations, and the impact on educational landscape in different countries do not leave the society to remain static. However, with the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the fourth era of industrial revolution, the structural shift and the effect it might significantly cause in transformative educational and curricula practices deserve attention. This paper therefore, explored “artificial intelligence and transformative curricula practices in Africa for educational development” In the paper, a review of the transformative era of the Four Industrial Revolutions (4IR) within which artificial intelligence emerges has been explored, Also, an …