How Does R.I.S.E. Arkansas Address The Reading Needs Of Students In The Delta Region Of Arkansas Public Schools?, Kristy Brasfield

Student Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study examined the impact of the Reading Initiative for Student Excellence (R.I.S.E.) Arkansas on reading achievement in grades 3–10 across Arkansas public schools from 2015 to 2023, with particular attention to high-poverty districts in the Delta Region. Using ACT Aspire Summative Assessment data, the study employed independent samples t-tests, paired-samples t-tests, repeated measures ANOVA, and multiple linear regression to analyze trends in student performance, subgroup disparities, and district-level variation. Results indicated incremental statewide gains in reading, with the most significant improvements occurring in early grades. However, schools with 70% or higher National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participation showed …

Exploring Novice Teachers’ Perceptions Of A Core Competency Within A Beginning Teacher Assistance Program: A Phenomenological Study, Alayna Roller

Student Theses and Dissertations

Novice teachers often begin their careers without sufficient preparation in classroom management and community building, core competencies critical to creating structured, supportive learning environments. These gaps can hinder teacher self-efficacy, affect student engagement, and contribute to high attrition rates. In a single Southwest Missouri school district, the Beginning Teacher Assistance Program (BTAP) was designed to support new teachers in developing these competencies. However, little is known about how novice teachers perceive their experiences within this program. The purpose of this study was to explore how novice teachers interpret their experiences related to classroom management and community building through their participation …

Comparing Standards-Based Grading And Traditional Grading Practices: The Influence Of Two Grading Practices On State-Standardized Test Scores And High School Grades, Brooke Daugherty

Student Theses and Dissertations

Standards-based and traditional grading practices were compared in this research by the analysis of state-standardized test scores and classroom grades. The problem described in this quantitative comparative study is that state-standardized test scores do not always match a student’s knowledge. Students, teachers, and parents are affected because learning must be communicated to all parties. The purpose of this study is to compare state-standardized test scores through traditional and standards-based grading practices in elementary and high school mathematics. Using the four stages of Kolb’s experiential learning theory, the grading experience was examined. Approximately 700 students’ state-standardized test scores and 350 classroom …

K-6 Teacher Perspectives Regarding Pre-Covid-19 Digital Competencies Professional Development And Teaching During The Pandemic, Melissa Kay King

Student Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the impact of pre-pandemic digital competencies training on K-6 teachers’ preparedness for the rapid shift to remote and hybrid teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the sudden transition to online education, teachers, particularly those with limited technological experience, faced challenges in adapting to new digital environments. The purpose of this study was to explore how pre-pandemic training influenced teachers’ ability to effectively teach in these novel settings and identify the strategies they employed to overcome obstacles. The study was guided by sensemaking theory, which posits that individuals interpret new experiences based on their prior knowledge and existing …

Beyond The Numbers: How Elementary Principals’ Beliefs, Experiences, And Contexts Shape Their Descriptions And Perceptions Of Effective Data Use As Instructional Leaders, Brett Lobben

Doctorate in Education

Effective data use informs next steps in student learning and drives school improvement and systemic change, making it a critical factor in school success. Principals play a critical role in creating the conditions necessary for data use to thrive (Park & Datnow, 2009; Keuning et al., 2017; Schildkamp et al., 2019; DuFour et al., 2016; Albiladi et al., 2020). This study explored how elementary school principals describe and perceive effective data use within the context of their instructional leadership, and how these perceptions are shaped by personal beliefs, past experiences, and the educational contexts in which they lead.

This qualitative …

Leading Through Crisis: Lessons In Leadership From New Jersey Administrators During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Alicia Subervi

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

ABSTRACT

This qualitative comparative case study examined the lived experiences of building- and district-level administrators in a single New Jersey school district as they navigated the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study explored how administrators perceived and responded to disruptions, how responses evolved over time, lessons learned, and the ways these insights are being applied in schools today. Data were collected from demographic and technology surveys, two rounds of semi-structured interviews, and a targeted review of district documents. Analysis was conducted using a combination of a priori and emergent coding to identify 27 codes organized into nine overarching …

2025-09-18 Faculty Senate Newsletter, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate newsletter from September 18, 2025.

2025-09-18 Faculty Senate Scoop Newsletter, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate Scoop newsletter from September 18, 2025.

2025-09-18 Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate meeting minutes from September 18, 2025.

Promotion And Tenure Workshop 2025, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Workshops

Presentation slides from the Promotion and Tenure Workshop held on September 17, 2025.

Self-Authorship And Student Outcomes – A Mixed Methods Study, Rue Ratray

Educational Studies Dissertations

There are a relatively small number of schools in Massachusetts that produce strong growth in student outcomes in a given year. Having a clear understanding of the characteristics of these schools allows other schools to improve outcomes for all students. The purpose of this research study was to identify the characteristics of these schools with a specific focus on the schools that produce strong gains in student growth with large percentages of students who are designated as low income. A mixed methods study, which combined secondary data analysis and a case study was used. Secondary data analysis was used to …

B. Hooks Elementary School’S Commitment To Inclusion: A Single Instrumental Case Study, Sadie Childs Cora

Educational Studies Dissertations

This study contributes to understandings of inclusive school reform by examining one school’s efforts to create a more equitable educational experience for all students. Despite widespread advocacy and legal mandates for inclusion, segregation of students with dis/abilities persists, along with significant achievement and opportunity gaps. Inclusion is one possible solution that is consistent with democratic values. This single instrumental case study was guided by three research questions focusing on how educators conceive of their efforts toward the inclusion of students with dis/abilities, changes made to support inclusion, and how educators define the success of inclusion efforts. Drawing on multiple data …

2025-09-08 Provost's Pac-22 Response To Questions, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Responses given by Provost Chris Schroeder to questions sent by Faculty Senate President Annie Adams regarding the revisal of PAc-22 on September 8, 2025.

Preparation And Support For Leadership Role In A Jamaican University, Tracy-Ann Keisha Dacres

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study is that academic leaders receive limited preparation and support at a Jamaican university, which poses challenges to effective leadership, teaching quality, and institutional success. Based on Katz’s three-skilled model, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore academic leaders’ perceptions of their preparation and support to carry out their leadership roles in a Jamaican university. Semistructured interviews were conducted with eight purposefully selected academic leaders with a minimum of 4 years of experience. Through axial and thematic coding, the following nine themes emerged: (a) leaders rely on different pathways for …

The Sacrifice Gap: Examining The Influence Of Family Expectations And Institutional Barriers Impacting Women's Leadership In Higher Education, Tara K. Shollenberger

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

Despite constituting the majority of mid-level academic professionals and outpacing men in educational attainment, women remain significantly underrepresented in senior leadership roles across higher education. This mixed-methods (n=20) study explores the “sacrifice gap”-the disproportionate personal, professional, and economic costs women bear to reach leadership positions-by centering the lived experiences of women leaders navigating the intersection of family expectations, institutional barriers, and identity-based discrimination. Quantitative survey data from women in higher education leadership reveal that caregiving roles such as motherhood, partnership, and household management are perceived as moderate but persistent hindrances to career advancement, with these roles functioning as interconnected, systemic …

Framework Integration In Academia: Moving From Theory To Practice, Lori B. Doyle, Kara S. Bratton, Timothy Young, Catherine Webb, Cari A. Chittick, Heather L. Vezner, Rebecca A. Stanton, Tanya M. Tarbutton

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

Character education has been a point of focus and research in K-12 education dating back to the 1990s. The work of integrating a character-forward framework in higher education is now considered a beneficial and impactful practice. One university has successfully completed the initial work of integrating a servant leadership framework in the School of Education using an approach in line with the community of practice model. The authors of this paper work together and have each played a key role in not only the early stages but the ongoing phases associated with maintaining and improving. This theory-to-practice article begins with …

A Preliminary Assessment Of Educational Leaders’ Knowledge About School Counseling, Russell A. Sabella, Onder Koklu, Ann L. Tilman, Krista Bixler, Maureen Ungarean

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

The roles and responsibilities of school counselors have rapidly evolved, especially over the last three decades. During this time, the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has published many documents, including a program framework, standards, position statements, tools, and training materials to help school counselors fulfill their responsibilities. In particular, the ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs was developed to guide school counselors in defining, managing, delivering, and assessing a comprehensive school counseling program (CSCP) that aligns with educational goals and addresses the needs of students. Educational leaders who understand the nature of a CSCP stand to hire, …

Effects Of Elementary And Secondary School Emergency Relief Grants On Math And English Language Arts Standardized Test Scores In Connecticut, Zoe Robinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through this study was the decrease in proficiency levels in math and English Language Arts (ELA) of 3rd- to 8th-grade students on standardized tests following the COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut (CT). The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the difference between the mean change in math and ELA standardized test scores for Grades 3-8 for 4 years before and 4 years after the introduction of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grant funding in CT, while controlling for all other funds received. The theory that supported this study was Lezotte’s school effectiveness and …

2025-09-04 Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate meeting minutes from September 4, 2025.

2025-09-04 Faculty Senate Scoop Newsletter, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate Scoop newsletter from September 4, 2025.

2025-09-04 Faculty Senate Newsletter, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate newsletter from September 4, 2025.

A Tale Of Two Schools: A Comparative Case Study Demonstrating Organizational Pathways To Educator Collaborations, Michael W. Valenti Ph.D., Duhita Mahatmya, Elizabeth Levine-Brown, Karen Celedonia, Tracy Sweet

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

Effective staff collaboration in schools maximizes educators’ collective capacity, improves educator and student outcomes, and facilitates school-wide improvement efforts. Yet, many school team members struggle to collaborate effectively. Previous studies have demonstrated individual and school-level factors that influence school-based collaborations. This study expands former research by comparing the varying administrative and environmental tools employed by two schools to shape relational networks and foster interpersonal capital. Specifically, this case study explores how school-level factors shape the development of school social networks and staff collaborative behavior. We use comparative case study analysis to explore how differences in individual-level and system-level factors influence …

Copyright Information

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Publication rights to works is granted to Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities, however, full copyright for works published in this journal is retained by the author(s). The author(s) may post their works online in an institutional repository, on their University departmental website, or on their own personal websites.

Award-Winning Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Missouri Leadership Development System’S Principal Competencies As A Factor In Teacher Retention, Shelly Parks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative descriptive study addressed low teacher retention in the U.S. state of Missouri, where ineffective school leadership is often noted as a primary cause for why teachers leave the profession despite the existing Missouri Leadership Development System (MLDS) principal training. Guided by the job demands-resources theory, the purpose of this study was to explore award-winning teachers' perceptions of MLDS principal competencies as an influence on retention and gather suggestions for refinement. Phase 1 involved surveying 82 award-winning Missouri teachers on the appropriateness of the 41 principal competencies for retention where teachers ranked each competency. Survey data were analyzed to …

Multi-Generational Biases Perceived By Women To Senior Leadership Positions In Non-Profit Higher Education, Regina Watkins, Deanna R. Davis

Journal of Research Initiatives

Women remain underrepresented in senior leadership in both public and private industry and in non-profit postsecondary education. One reason that has been identified for the gender disparity in senior leadership positions is second-generation or implicit biases. The problem addressed in this study was the existence and persistence of second-generation biases that contribute to the lack of active senior women mentors, potentially inhibiting junior women from Generation X and millennials from achieving senior leadership status in non-profit higher education. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study was to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of perceptions of second-generation biases, …

Evaluation Of Achievement Change In Egypt Using Pirls Data, Harry Anthony Patrinos, Maciej Jakubowski, Tomasz Gajderowicz

Education Reform Faculty and Graduate Students Publications

This study analyzes Egypt's exceptional reading achievement gains during the COVID-19 school closures, a period when most countries experienced declines. Drawing on data from the 2016 and 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), we find a 48-point improvement-equivalent to two years of learning-with notable gains among boys. Using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and projected trend models, we confirm the significance of this rise. Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition attributes only one-third of the improvement to observed factors. The study finds that Egypt's progress likely reflects systemic reforms, but more research is needed to confirm that.

How Graduates Of Color Developed Marketable Skills As On-Campus Student Employees, Christopher A. Burnett, Z.W. Taylor

Journal of Research Initiatives

Research on how students of color are employed in on-campus student affairs positions and the development of their marketable skills for post-graduation employment is limited. To address this gap, this study examined the experiences of 12 students of color in student affairs roles. The goal was to understand how these students benefitted from their on-campus employment, developed valuable skills, and secured job opportunities after graduation.

The findings indicate that students of color were able to readily identify and communicate the marketable skills they acquired during their time as students. These skills include management, teamwork facilitation, digital literacy, and the ability …

Stand For Support, Shatter The Silence: Administrative Approaches To Eradicate Bullying In Higher Education, Elaine M. Mora, Shawn P. Saladin

Journal of Research Initiatives

Bullying in higher education has become a widespread and complex issue that affects staff, faculty, and students worldwide, causing a detrimental impact on both psychological health and academic achievement. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the phenomenon, encompassing all its manifestations, underlying causes, and significant consequences. The study, which draws on academic literature, outlines the various forms of bullying, including cyberbullying, mobbing, microaggressions, and social exclusion, and highlights the adverse effects these behaviors have on both individuals and academic communities. The research emphasizes how critical it is to comprehend the power relationships that exist in higher education settings and …

Impostor Phenomenon, Psychological Safety, And The Intent To Leave Of Novice Pa Faculty, Barbara J. Quillin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The growing healthcare demands of the aging population in the United States, along with the growth of physician assistant (PA) educational programs, has created a pressing need for qualified PA educators. This study examined the role of impostor phenomenon and psychological safety in shaping PA faculty members’ intent to leave. Grounded in the job demands-resources framework, the research explored how individual psychological experiences and perceptions of the organizational climate relate to faculty turnover intentions in PA education. This study aimed to provide PA program administrators with information that may reduce faculty attrition and improve the overall well-being of novice faculty. …

Differences In Peer Social Connections Between Traditional And Online Nurse Residency Programs, Tatum Leonard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The anticipated retirement of baby boomer nurses by 2030 will intensify the global nursing shortage, a crisis that demands innovative strategies for onboarding and retaining new graduate nurses. Nurse residency programs (NRPs) are designed to ease the transition from student to practicing nurse, reduce turnover, and foster professional resilience. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many NRPs rapidly transitioned from traditional, in-person seminars to synchronous, online formats. This study explored differences in peer social connections between traditional and online NRPs, focusing on three constructs: sense of community, collaborative learning, and peer social support. Using a quasi-experimental, mixed methods approach, this secondary data …