Do You Feel The Power? Affinity Spaces For Black Male Principals, Wallace Cobbs

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This qualitative study explores the experiences of Black male principals by examining how affinity spaces provide essential support in facing the challenges of school leadership. Using semi-structured interviews and a focus group, the research investigates how these spaces influence principals’ self-efficacy as they manage racial microaggressions, systemic barriers, and professional isolation. The findings show that affinity spaces help build confidence, encourage professional growth, and support personal well-being. By connecting self-efficacy theory to the real-life experiences of Black male principals, this study adds to the conversation on equity in education and the need for meaningful, culturally-relevant support systems.

The Influence Of Using Bibliotherapy And Cinematherapy Interventions On The Social-Emotional Competencies Of Middle School Students Identified As Gifted, Debra P. Wallace

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ABSTRACT

Adolescents encounter many stressors in their lives and need resources to help them navigate their challenges. Access to books and movies may help gifted middle school students find ways to cope with various stressors characteristic of gifted students. Bibliotherapy and cinematherapy interventions effectively offer gifted students emotional support for their mental, social, and academic struggles, since gifted students tend to avoid asking for help. In a rural southeastern town, a 2-month improvement science study included a Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle with gifted eighth graders. From December 2024 to January 2025, gifted students participated in an intervention program using bibliotherapy and cinematherapy …

Virtual Coaching: Ushering In A New Era In School Improvement, Tygere Alisha West Charles

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This research study examined virtual coaching as a vehicle for principal professional development. The study focused on coaching a principal in a rural, low-performing, high-poverty South Carolina school district to improve support for teachers and students. This study explored virtual coaching and is rooted in improvement science as measured by plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles (Bryk et al., 2017). It explored how virtual coaching supported a rural principal’s professional development needs.

Principals must be transformational leaders who balance their support needs and accountability while meeting the needs of the diverse stakeholders they serve. Ongoing professional development is an essential component in helping …

The Impact School Leaders Have On Special Education Teacher Retention: A Cross-Case Analysis Of Two Elementary School Leaders, Nancy S. Bowers

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School leaders shape school culture and job satisfaction, impacting teachers’ decisions to remain or exit schools. The demand for special education teachers has continued to increase. I studied the impact school leaders have on increasing special education teacher retention by answering the following research question: How can school leaders increase the retention rates of special education teachers? This qualitative case study was guided by two theoretical frameworks, transformational leadership theory and critical disability theory, which informed the research design. I conducted the research at two public elementary schools in a suburban community in South Carolina. The findings revealed school leaders …

Bringing Life To Our Mission And Vision: A Problem Of Practice, Jessica Preisig

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This study leveraged principles of improvement science and a mixed methods approach to evaluate the impact of an intentionally designed professional learning cohort for teachers. The intended aim of this study was to equip teachers with the knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy necessary to effectively utilize instructional technology to meaningfully engage all learners. As one part of a collaborative dissertation in practice, this study explored the broad impact of teachers’ participation in a cohort implementing the seven elements of effective professional development (Darling-Hammond et al., 2017) and framed around the ISTE Standards for Educators (Crompton, 2017). The companion study (Britton, forthcoming) …

Improving Reading Proficiency Through A Structured Mtss Framework: Bridging The Gap Between Evidence And Practice, Meghan N. Greer

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This dissertation, Improving Reading Proficiency Through a Structured MTSS Framework: Bridging the Gap Between Evidence and Practice, investigates the efficacy of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) in enhancing reading proficiency among students. Despite extensive research supporting the effectiveness of targeted reading interventions, a gap remains between these findings and their practical implementation in diverse classroom settings. The Reading Wars—a longstanding debate between whole language, balanced literacy, and phonics-based instruction—have significantly influenced reading instruction in the United States. A growing body of research supports explicit, systematic phonics instruction as a critical component of early reading development (Foorman et al., 2016; …

Using Parent Empowerment Groups To Increase Academic Success In Kindergarten Multilingual Learners, Sarah C. Deloach

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This study examined how parent empowerment groups influence the academic success of kindergarten multilingual learners. With increasing immigration across the United States, schools need to work with families to ensure students develop the skills required for academic achievement at each level. The identified problem is that the current multilingual learner program at Boyd Matthews Elementary does not adequately meet parents’ needs in building a strong home-school connection, placing the full responsibility of learning on the school and leaving students without critical academic support at home. Parent empowerment groups were held with multilingual kindergarten parents to share practical strategies for supporting …

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

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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 …

Bringing To Life Our Mission And Vision: The Role Of Professional Development In Instructional Technology, Katherine I. Britton

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Despite improved access to digital tools and increased demand to prepare students for the 21st-century workforce, K-12 educators still have difficulty balancing technology, pedagogy, and content in the classroom. In the rural school district of Pleasant County, there is variation in the utilization of instructional technology to engage students as content creators, collaborators, critical thinkers, and communicators. This problem was substantiated as evidenced by the study of the Effective Learning Observation Tool, which identified the domain of engaging, learning-centered instruction as an area of opportunity for the district, with the lowest score in digital learning (Cognia, 2023). In this study, …

Tiered Structured Intervention Program To Prevent Student Pushout In High School, Toshawnka T. Mahone

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High school dropouts remain a challenge in the United States Educational System, particularly among students impacted by chronic attendance issues, academic struggles and persistent behavioral issues. This Dissertation in Practice (DIP) examines the implementation of ELEVATE3, an intervention program designed to prevent student pushout by addressing distinct at-risk factors: attendance, behavior and academic retention. Framed by pushout theory and grounded in goal-setting and self-efficacy literature, this study investigates how targeted structured supports influence students' motivation, academic achievement, and self-regulation. This mixed-methods research used student academic records and staff interviews to determine the impact on a rural Title 1 high school. …

Are They Ready? Impacting Kindergarten Readiness Through The Science Of Reading, Traci T. Boyles

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The purpose of this research study was to investigate how Science of Reading (SOR) professional development for preschool teachers, implemented through collaborative teaching and assessment cycles, influences the kindergarten readiness of preschool students.

Students from impoverished families start kindergarten at a considerable disadvantage regarding literacy. Literacy-focused curricula and professional development for teachers strongly affect reading outcomes. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) provides a systemic framework for data-based problem solving and decision-making. The MTSS framework aligns literacy interventions with tiered supports to ensure all students receive the assistance they need to achieve reading proficiency.

The South Carolina Child Early Reading Development …

Improving Rural Students’ Career Readiness Through Implementation Of A Work-Based Learning Career Mentoring Program, Celeste D. Bearden

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ABSTRACT

This Improvement Science research study examined the implementation of a Work-Based Learning (WBL) Career Mentoring Program designed to improve career readiness and career decision self-efficacy among high school seniors in a rural South Carolina school. Rural students often face barriers such as limited exposure to career pathways and fewer employment and training opportunities (Klar & Huggins, 2020). These challenges can negatively impact students’ career decision self-efficacy and preparation for post-secondary life.

Guided by Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory, this intervention used the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model to design and assess a program that included individual, small group, and whole group mentoring and …

An Examination Of The Lived Experiences Of Black Women Instructional Coaches (K-12), Courtney Tate

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The underrepresentation of Black women notably impacts the landscape of educational leadership as a result of a predominantly White workforce within the teaching profession (N. N. Johnson & Fournillier, 2021). This inequity not only highlights systemic inefficiencies as evidenced by worsening educational experiences for African American students following Brown v. BOE but also underscores the silence within studies exploring the experiences of Black women faculty in instructional leadership roles (Brown, 2005; Foster, 2005; N. N. Johnson, 2024; N. N. Johnson & Fournillier, 2021). The role of instructional coaches in shaping teacher practice positions them as integral to instructional leadership; it …

Grossly Misunderstood: How Two Low Socioeconomic Black Parents In The Rural South Perceive Their Involvement In Their Children's Education, Diana Carver

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ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of low-socioeconomic Black parents living in the rural South regarding education. The study was designed to amplify the voice a marginalized community that is misunderstood regarding their children’s education. Using a detailed narrative design, I interviewed two single-parent families living in a Section 8 apartment complex to capture their perceptions of their children’s education.

In this study, the participants were single mothers who expressed their desires and goals for their children. In addition, these mothers shared their backgrounds and experiences growing up and attending school, which shaped and molded …

Teacher Support And Professional Development Needs In A New Virtual Academy, Joshua Young

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ABSTRACT

As the need for virtual learning options for K-12 public students rapidly grew in large part as a response to COVID-19, Foothills Virtual Academy^[1] (FVA) has developed as an option for online learning for students enrolled in the School District of Foothills County^[2] (SDFC), a district of approximately 16,000 students located in South Carolina. This educational program offers families the option for their students to become full-time virtual students while still remaining enrolled as a student in SDFC. This program features instructional programs specifically tailored for each age and grade level and features a mixture of synchronous …

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

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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, …

An Analysis Of Principal Influence On Teacher Retention In A Rural School District: An Exploratory Qualitative Study, Stephanie Davis

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Research shows that nearly one-third of novice teachers leave the profession before their third year, and almost half leave by their fifth year, with turnover rates remaining steady. Teacher job satisfaction and dissatisfaction are influenced by various factors, with administrative support playing a key role. This exploratory qualitative study examined how principals' leadership behaviors affect teacher retention. Through surveys and interviews with principals and teacher representatives from nine schools, the study found that positive principal leadership significantly influences teachers' decisions to stay in their schools. Principals actively engage in behaviors, both direct and indirect, that help retain teachers. The study …

The Administrators’ Role In Teacher Retention And Their Role On Teachers’ Perceptions Of School Climate At An Exemplar Title I School: A Qualitative Study, Stephen W. Brown Iii

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This study looks at how principals affect teacher perception of school climate and teacher retention at Title I schools. While teacher retention and school climate have historically been issues at Title I schools, the issue has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study explored an elementary school in South Carolina through the lens of Critical Systems Theory. According to publicly available data, this school was an anomaly among Title I schools regarding the climate and teacher retention, with both measures being extremely high. To explore these phenomena, semi-structured interviews were conducted with both the teachers and administrators at …

Unveiling Barriers And Breakthroughs: A Qualitative Exploration Of Women In Educational Leadership Roles, Tara Grudzielanek

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This study explores gender disparities in educational leadership, focusing on the experiences of five women who successfully transitioned from teaching to principal roles. While women represent the majority of the teaching workforce, they remain underrepresented in leadership positions, facing unique barriers shaped by gendered expectations, cultural stereotypes, and institutional biases. This research investigates the challenges and breakthroughs encountered by these women, offering insights into how they navigated their journeys to leadership.

Guided by critical feminist theory and transformational leadership, this study explores how gendered power structures and inclusive leadership practices influence the paths of women in educational leadership. Critical feminist …

Ensuring Successful Bond Referendums In Rural South Carolina School Districts: Key Strategies Employed By Superintendents, David Fallaw

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The purpose of this study was to develop a better understanding of the strategies of superintendents that lead to the successful passage of referendums within small, rural districts in South Carolina. Federal, state and local revenue streams make up the majority of funding for operating expenses for districts in South Carolina. For capital projects, however, the majority of districts must rely on local funding. The primary method to acquire the needed revenue is through a referendum which can be a costly and time-consuming process that moves the focus of school and district leadership from teaching and learning to pursuing funding …

"Don't Put Me Here To Meet A Quota": A Qualitative Descriptive Study Of Black Male Teacher Retention, Latresha Drummond

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The national teacher shortage has reached a fever pitch and can be accurately described as a crisis. Teacher vacancies in South Carolina (SC) have reached an all-time high since the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and advancement began tracking the teacher shortage in 2001. Further, the phenomenon surrounding the exodus of Black teachers is understudied. Currently, no agency or organization tracks demographic turnover among the teacher workforce in South Carolina.

I utilized a qualitative descriptive design informed by an improvement science framework to identify motivating factors for teacher mobility among current and past Black male educators in SC public schools. …

Barriers To Postsecondary Education Of Latinx Students Using Future Time Perspective Theory, Clayton Porter

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The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate how future time perspective influences high school Latinx’ seniors’ beliefs and access to postsecondary education through a case study approach. Future time perspective, the extent to which individuals anticipate and plan for the future, is examined in relation to the students’ educational aspirations and barriers. This study used a combination of surveys and semi-structured interviews to collect data from Latinx high school seniors. Interviews were conducted with eight high school seniors who identified as Latinx, and also were actively working towards graduation and application to a postsecondary institution. The data from …

Getting Out Of The Starting Blocks Well: Analyzing The Impact Of An At-Risk First-Year Mentoring Program At A Rural High School In The Southeastern United States Of America., Jeffrey Duncan

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As the US educational system recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, school districts around the country search for ways to help students who have struggled to have academic success. Navigating the transition from middle to high school is critical for reaching on-time graduation for at-risk first-year high school students. A critical step in graduating is ensuring students feel that school is where they belong. Building relationships with a trusted adult on campus through weekly mentoring sessions is a strategy that can impact student academic outcomes. This dissertation uses the methodology of education improvement science through a Plan Do Study Act cycle …

Can You Hear Me Now? An Improvement Science Study On Policy Change In Public Schools, William G. Rhoden Jr.

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The purpose of this study was to discover what the perceptions of music teachers, specifically high school band directors in upstate South Carolina (S.C.), on their ability to affect meaningful policy change in SC public schools and what roadblocks exist or remain in the way of affecting policy change. Using improvement science as the methodology, this study employed the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycle to discover the effectiveness of this study, make recommendations for future research, and plan for future PDSA cycles. This study used interviews to collect initial data on the participants’ perceptions on their abilities to affect …

Improvement Cycles In The Wake Of A Crisis: A School Leadership Team’S Approach To The Unknown, Andrew S. Brandt

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Organizational leaders frequently face challenges when navigating crises or unexpected problems. In such situations, leaders often rely on unbending emergency plans that lack the necessary flexibility, learning opportunities, and effective communication strategies to address the complexities of a crisis. This failure can result in repeated adverse outcomes the next time a crisis surfaces. This qualitative case study examined one high school leadership team’s use of PDSA cycles and the improvement science framework to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and emerging problems. Principles of the improvement science framework and chaos theory were applied to the collection and analysis of data. The …

The Game Is The Game: Othermothering And Hbcu Student Affairs Job Burnout: A Quantitative Study, Adolphus A. Mcdonald Iii

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This study investigated the use of othermothering as a relationship building approach in student affairs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and its association with job burnout outcomes in HBCU student affairs professionals. Job burnout outcomes affect job turnover intention decisions (Michaels & Spector, 1982); therefore, this quantitative study investigated whether othermothering and additional demographic factors were a root cause to job burnout and job turnover intention among HBCU SAPs. The review of literature provides knowledge on the foundation of othermothering which began as a term to describe Black slave women caring for children displaced and separated due to …

Getting Better Faster: An Examination Of Instructional Specialist Role Clarity And Efficacy, Jasmine J. Scott

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An instructional specialist, sometimes also known as an instructional coach or curriculum specialist, plays a pivotal role in improving the quality of education. To fulfill the role of an instructional specialist, the educator must understand the expectations of their role and have the capacity to coach teachers. Effective coaching can play a significant role in leveling the educational playing field. Equitable instructional support requires acknowledging and addressing teachers' diverse needs and contexts (Desimone, 2009). This study is designed to capture and quantify the effectiveness of instructional specialists. This study addresses missing data gaps by providing data from instructional specialists on …

Lab To Leadership: How Do Women College Stem Students’ Classroom Experiences Inform Their Leader Identity Development?, Meredith Mcdevitt

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This dissertation is an exploration of leader identity development and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) college academic classrooms. While there continues to be research promoting diversity in STEM professions, women remain underrepresented in STEM disciplines, leadership positions, and for this specific study, the college academic classroom. This dissertation represents an opportunity for women in STEM college students to reflect on their experiences in STEM academic spaces and communities, while self-exploring factors that shape their leader identity development. The research utilized a basic qualitative research design to understand the participant’s authentic experiences within the academic environment. Conducting semi-structured …

How School Leaders Can Increase Teacher Satisfaction In A Rural Fringe High School In South Carolina, William T. Dyer

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Unfilled teaching positions are rising in South Carolina, increasing year over year. To combat this problem of practice, I conducted an improvement science study to understand factors that impact teacher satisfaction levels aimed to raise teacher retention rates. The study aimed to allow teachers to identify areas that school administrators can target to positively affect teacher satisfaction levels. I created a change idea based on this teacher feedback to impact their retention decisions. As an educator, I have identified three major themes in this area. First, influence over their profession impacts teachers' decision to return to their position each year. …

Opportunities To Learn In Rural South Carolina Schools: Rurality, Place, And Passion, Grig Sawyer

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High school principals can change the status quo of the current iniquitous disparities in the education system between South Carolina’s rural high schools and their more populated and affluent suburban schools. Using a non-standard structure and the resources in their control, these school leaders can find solutions so schools can offer rural students advanced math and science programs. Yet, there is a paucity of studies examining how small rural school principals make advanced math and science courses available to their students, particularly in rural South Carolina. Thus, studies must examine how South Carolina school leaders successfully offer advanced math and …