Higher Education Commons^™

Crisis Fiscal Y Diáspora Docente: Un Análisis De Las Políticas De Austeridad Y Su Impacto En La Emigración De Maestros Puertorriqueños A Estados Unidos (2017-2024), Melissa Lamboy Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

Esta disertación aplicada examinó cómo la crisis fiscal en Puerto Rico ha influido en la emigración de maestros hacia los Estados Unidos entre 2017 y 2024. Utilizando un enfoque cualitativo de tipo fenomenológico, se entrevistaron maestros puertorriqueños que migraron recientemente al continente estadounidense. Los hallazgos revelan que factores económicos, profesionales y sociales impulsaron esta diáspora educativa. Entre ellos destacan los bajos salarios, la inestabilidad laboral, la falta de desarrollo profesional, el deterioro de la infraestructura escolar y la presión de políticas de austeridad.

A través del marco teórico de los factores de empuje y atracción, se analizaron las razones detrás …

Efectividad De La Educación A Distancia Usando La Plataforma Del Microsoft Teams Entre Los Maestros De Las Escuelas Intermedias De Puerto Rico, Minelly Irizarry Echevarría

Theses and Dissertations

Este estudio examinó cómo los docentes de las escuelas intermedias de la zona sur de Puerto Rico aplicaron la educación a distancia utilizando la plataforma Microsoft Teams, implementada por el Departamento de Educación de Puerto Rico. A través del aprendizaje colaborativo, el aprendizaje significativo y las tecnologías de la información y comunicación, se identificaron las áreas de necesidad y oportunidad de los docentes al implementar dicha plataforma. El objetivo fue establecer la efectividad que presentó el educador al momento de lograr un proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje efectivo en los educandos.

El soporte teórico de esta investigación se fundamentó en las teorías …

Competencias Docentes Para La Implementación De Inteligencia Artificial En La Educación, Betsy I, Berríos Zayas

Theses and Dissertations

Esta disertación aplicada examinó las competencias docentes necesarias para integrar de manera efectiva la inteligencia artificial (IA) en el contexto educativo del nivel primario. El estudio se llevó a cabo en una escuela Segunda Unidad del municipio de Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, donde se identificó la necesidad urgente de fortalecer las destrezas tecnológicas del profesorado para responder a los retos de la educación digital contemporánea. La investigación se enmarcó en un diseño cuantitativo, utilizando cuestionarios dirigidos a docentes para explorar su nivel de familiaridad, habilidades, actitudes y percepciones sobre el uso de IA en el currículo.

Los hallazgos revelaron brechas significativas …

The Investigating Factors Affecting Teacher Retention In Rural Areas, Lajada Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigated the factors influencing teacher retention in Mississippi's rural communities. The purpose of this study was to identify the specific variables that contribute to teacher retention in rural areas within Mississippi and to investigate strategies for improving teacher recruitment, retention, and job satisfaction. A mixed-methods research design was utilized, which included quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with teachers, administrators, and education stakeholders in rural Mississippi.

By conducting a mixed-methods research design incorporating quantitative and qualitative interviews, the study sought to collect comprehensive data from teachers, administrators, and education stakeholders in rural Mississippi. The study explored key factors such …

Factores Motivacionales, De Aprendizaje Y De Enseñanza Que Median En La Elaboración De Un Rediseño Instruccional Para Un Curso Práctico A Nivel Doctoral De Evaluación Cognitiva, Carlos F. Sellas-Hernández

Theses and Dissertations

La impartición de cursos de Práctica en Evaluación Cognitiva representó un desafío pedagógico, principalmente por la amplitud y complejidad de los contenidos que deben abordarse en un marco temporal limitado. Esta investigación exploró los factores motivacionales y las estrategias de aprendizaje y enseñanza que median en el diseño instruccional del curso integrando la estrategia del Aula Invertida como enfoque metodológico.

El estudio se enmarcó en un enfoque de métodos mixtos con un diseño tipo paralelo convergente. Se condujo un análisis de necesidades con estudiantes que estuvieron o hayan tomado el curso utilizando el Cuestionario de Motivaciones y Estrategias de Aprendizaje, …

The Lived Experiences Of Hispanic Women In The Workforce: The Journey To Leadership And Leadership Styles, Ileana Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of Hispanic women in leadership positions within the United States workforce. Grounded in Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the study examined how Hispanic women interpreted the challenges and opportunities associated with their intersecting identities as both Hispanic and female leaders. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight Hispanic women currently serving in leadership roles across diverse industries.

Findings revealed that participants encountered persistent systemic barriers, including underrepresentation, intersectional discrimination, limited access to mentorship and leadership networks, and pressures to conform to dominant workplace norms through code-switching. These challenges were cumulative and embedded within …

Implementación De Estrategias En La Enseñanza De Los Números Reales A Estudiantes Con Formación Deficiente En Matemática, En Un Instituto Técnico Superior Comunitario De La República Dominicana, Antonio Manuel Rojas Taveras

Theses and Dissertations

Este estudio abordó la problemática del bajo rendimiento en la enseñanza y aprendizaje del conjunto de los números reales en estudiantes de un instituto técnico superior de la República Dominicana que presentaron una formación deficiente en matemáticas. Se observó que los métodos de enseñanza tradicionales, basados en la memorización y la repetición, no son efectivos para abordar las necesidades de estos estudiantes, lo que genera desmotivación y un serio obstáculo para la finalización de sus carreras. Además, factores como el contexto sociocultural, la falta de recursos didácticos, la escasa capacitación docente y los desafíos estructurales del sistema educativo dominicano contribuyeron …

Impact Of Single-Gender Education On Academic Performance, Stacey Wilcher

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the performance of middle school students Grades 6–8 in single-gender versus coeducational schools in a large urban district in the southeastern United States. It evaluates whether single-gender education leads to better academic outcomes and higher engagement, offering important insights for educational leaders and policymakers.

The study utilized Social Cognitive Theory and gender segregation theory through a mixed-methods approach, collecting quantitative data from standardized assessments (2021-2025) like the GMAS and MAP. Statistical analyses, including t-tests and ANOVA, were used to assess academic performance. Qualitative data from interviews and focus groups explored classroom engagement and teaching practices.

Participants included …

Educación Financiera Y Adquisición De Vivienda En Adultos Mayores: Desafíos Y Estrategias En El Condado De Dade, Florida, José Rafael Torres Arocha

Theses and Dissertations

Esta disertación examinó la influencia de la educación financiera y legal en la adquisición y mantenimiento de vivienda en adultos mayores de 55 años en el Condado de Dade, Florida. El estudio surgió ante el incremento sostenido de los costos de vivienda, la limitada asequibilidad habitacional y la persistente brecha de conocimiento financiero y legal que afecta a esta población, condicionando su capacidad para tomar decisiones informadas.

Se adoptó un enfoque cualitativo mediante un estudio de caso instrumental, que permitió comprender en profundidad las experiencias vividas de cinco participantes que habían atravesado recientemente procesos de adquisición de vivienda. La recolección …

The Perceptions Of Parents, Teachers, And Administrators On The Transition Of Latino Migrant Students Into Colleges, Sylma Samuel Ferreira

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study examined the perceptions of Latino migrant parents, teachers, and school administrators regarding barriers affecting Latino migrant students’ transition to higher education in rural Mississippi Delta schools. Guided by achievement goal theory and culturally responsive pedagogy, the study explored how structural, cultural, and institutional factors shape students’ educational pathways. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 participants, including parents, teachers, and administrators.

Findings revealed that Latino migrant students face interconnected barriers to higher education, including financial constraints, language barriers, family responsibilities, and limited access to college preparation resources and transportation. Participants emphasized the influence of family …

Percepción De Los Profesores Especializados En Música General Vocal De La Región Educativa De Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Sobre El Uso Del Software Sibelius Como Recurso Para La Enseñanza Coral, Juan D. Irizarry Quiles

Theses and Dissertations

El propósito de esta investigación fue determinar la percepción de los profesores de música sobre los atributos, ventajas y desventajas del editor de partituras Sibelius como herramienta en la enseñanza de la música coral. Para cumplir con este propósirto se llevó a cabo un estudio que tuvo un enfoque cuantitativo y un diseño por encuesta. Los 30 participantes que completaron la encuenta se seleccionaron mediante una muestra no probabilística, por conveniencia. Los participantes eran profesores de música con especialidad en música general vocal y con formación en dirección coral, los mismos pertenecian a la Región Educativa de Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. …

Effects Of Mental Health Services On Adolescents’ Mental Health-Related Behavior Problems And Academic Performance, Marsha Bernard

Theses and Dissertations

The problem to be addressed in the research study was that students who are marginalized and racially profiled exhibit behavioral problems in school and lack the resources to understand and manage their emotional behaviors. The purpose of the study was to determine how mental health counselors in schools and in the community can assist marginalized families with adequate mental health services. The study sought an understanding of the underlying causes of disruptive behaviors and miscommunication between students and administrators. Overall, the study revealed that mental health has an impact and plays a critical role in the day-to-day experiences of marginalized …

Conocimientos Sobre La Transición Postsecundaria De Estudiantes Del Programa De Educación Especial De Undécimo A Duodécimo Grado En Una Escuela Secundaria Pública En Puerto Rico, Nancy L. Ortiz Rivera

Theses and Dissertations

El propósito de este estudio fue determinar el nivel de conocimiento que poseían los estudiantes del Programa de Educación Especial sobre el proceso de transición postsecundaria. La investigación se desarrolló mediante un enfoque cuantitativo con un diseño descriptivo, considerando la transición como una etapa determinante en la vida académica y personal de los estudiantes con discapacidades, por su influencia en la preparación para la educación universitaria, la inserción laboral y el desarrollo de la vida independiente.

El estudio se llevó a cabo en una escuela secundaria pública de Puerto Rico e incluyó una muestra de 21 estudiantes del Programa de …

Teacher Perceptions Of Social-Emotional Learning On Student Academic And Behavioral Performance, Kayla Zucco

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored teacher perceptions of the impact of social-emotional learning (SEL) on students’ academic and behavioral performance. Guided by two research questions examining how teachers perceive SEL influences academic outcomes and behavioral development, data were collected through open-ended interview questions among seven participants. The study aimed to better understand how educators conceptualize and implement SEL within classroom settings and how these practices are perceived to affect student success.

Thematic analysis of participant responses revealed several consistent findings. All participants (100%) reported a strong understanding of and confidence in their SEL knowledge, suggesting a shared sense of competence in this …

Teacher Perceptions Of Social-Emotional And Behavioral Factors That Impede Preschool Adjustment, Allease J. Glamore

Theses and Dissertations

Children with behavioral and social-emotional challenges struggle to adjust to the preschool environment which places increased demands on preschool teachers to implement effective strategies. The purpose of the study was to assess teachers’ perceptions regarding social-emotional and behavioral factors implicated for successful preschool adjustment. The theoretical framework guiding this study is grounded in the integration of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, social-emotional learning theory, and behavior theory. A case study design was used to examine the perceptions and use of social-emotional and behavior interventions and supports by four early childhood teachers across two programs.

Data were collected using qualitative in-depth one-on-one …

Mixed-Methods Study Of High School Teachers’ Perceived Training, Self-Efficacy, And Assessment Competencies In Online Courses, Chantell Radford

Theses and Dissertations

The problem in this study was that, in a large urban school district in South Florida, the online high school teachers’ training, self-efficacy, and assessment competencies in courses required enhancement. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of high school teachers on their training, self-efficacy, and assessment competency in online courses.

Twenty high school online teachers participated in the study. Recruitment occurred through a link posted on Facebook and LinkedIn. The design (sequential explanatory mixed-methods design) aligned with the five research questions. Two instruments (survey and questionnaire) were used to collect data. Quantitative data analyis occurred with …

Examining Reframing Behavior Implementation: Teacher Perspectives And Discipline Patterns In Middle School, Francisco J. Hidalgo

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation examined teacher-reported implementation of the Reframing Behavior (RB) Initiative at a middle school in North Central Florida. The districtwide training occurred in the 2024-2025 school year. The RB Initiative provides educators with opportunities to reframe how they address disruptive behaviors among students perceived as problematic, who may receive numerous disciplinary actions. Disciplinary actions can affect students’ academic and social lives. Using a convergent mixed methods design, the study addressed four research questions and examined implementation fidelity, teacher perceptions, school-wide discipline patterns, and teacher experiences with RB implementation.

The researcher surveyed 19 teachers and interviewed four teachers. The …

Manejo De Oportunidades En Tiempos De Crisis: Liderazgo Y Cambios En Una Organización -Estudio De Caso, Maria Valente

Theses and Dissertations

Esta disertación aplicada fue diseñada para proporcionar informaciones relevantes sobre situaciones de crisis que amenazan la supervivencia de las organizaciones. Además, busca comprender los fenómenos que desarrollan las crisis y explorar los resultados significativos del liderazgo en tiempos de crisis.

Se empleó un diseño de investigación cualitativa. Los elementos descritos en esta investigación cualitativa evalúan el impacto de las situaciones de crisis, describiendo cada etapa y factores intrínsecos y extrínsecos que son responsables por la desestabilidad en la organización.

En este estudio se identificaron las prácticas de liderazgo y los proyectos estratégicos que permiten planificar oportunidades de cambio en el …

How Leadership Styles Can Effectively Alleviate Some Of The Organizational Stressors Of Food-Plant Workers, Latarshe Mccuthin

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to investigate how leaders in the food processing industry perceive their management style and how they may alleviate some job related employee stress. There was no management training at the organization; the only training provided was for food safety for certification and licensure procedures. Once a year, the company listed a management course, but the supervisors had to pay for it without reimbursement. Further, although the course was available, most supervisors did not know of it.

The researcher developed semi-structured, in-depth interviews to answer the research questions regarding how supervisors perceived leadership styles, strategies, and …

A Qualitative Study Of Teacher Perceptions Of Reading Proficiency, Latia Tyler

Theses and Dissertations

This applied qualitative dissertation was constructed to provide insight into the experiences of teachers who provide reading instruction for third grade students at the target school. Seven teachers engaged in semi structured interviews that sought to examine their perceptions on their abilities in teaching reading instruction, their perception on school supports, their perceptions on reading proficiency and factors that contribute to it. Additionally, comprehensive reading plans, published by the state of Florida, were examined to further understand the perceptions of teachers alongside district intended approach for reading instruction.

Thematic analysis of data revealed eight key themes including gaps in foundational …

Competencias De Los Líderes Escolares De Un Sector De Las Escuelas Públicas En Puerto Rico En La Provisión De Servicios A Estudiantes De Educación Especial, Zuleira Franco Olivo

Theses and Dissertations

La siguiente disertación aplicada indagó acerca de las competencias que exhiben los líderes escolares en un sector de las Escuelas Públicas en Puerto Rico y cómo estas influyen en los procesos de provisión de servicios a los estudiantes participantes de Educación Especial. Desde una mirada del liderazgo distribuido se buscó conocer cómo al aplicarlo en el escenario educativo en conjunto con las competencias exhibidas por los directores escolares, promueve el funcionamiento y la provisión de los servicios del programa en cada escuela de los directores participantes.

Trabajado mediante un enfoque de investigación mixta con un diseño descriptivo fenomenológico, se emplearon …

Estrategias De Enseñanza, El Rol De Los Padres Y El Logro De Los Objetivos De Aprendizaje De Los Alumnos Del Cuarto Año De Una Escuela Alternativa De Puerto Rico, Marangely González Tavárez

Theses and Dissertations

Se examinaron las características de los docentes, el rol de los padres y el logro académico de los estudiantes de cuarto año en alcanzar sus metas de aprendizaje en la escuela alternativa ASPIRA de Puerto Rico. Estas instituciones buscan atender a jóvenes de 14 a 21 años que han dejado o están en riesgo de deserción en la escuela tradicional, ofreciendo un currículo flexible, atención personalizada y apoyo psicosocial. La investigación se fundamentó en la necesidad de generar evidencia sobre las competencias docentes y la percepción estudiantil en contextos educativos no tradicionales, dado que la literatura existente se ha centrado …

The Continuity And Fluidity Between Emergent Literacy Skills And Literacy Acquisition, Shiesha D. Otokina

Theses and Dissertations

This research study was undertaken because emergent literacy skills are crucial in helping children develop their reading abilities. Research suggests that early intervention is a key strategy for closing the achievement gap, and that early literacy skills develop as early as when children begin to communicate verbally and nonverbally. Studies show that the larger a child's vocabulary is, the quicker they learn to read.This study examined the significance of reading development and a child’s ability to acquire reading skills across the stages of reading acquisition.

This study compared student scores in the experimental and control groups to determine whether the …

Designing Classroom Routines To Reduce Math Anxiety: A Growth Mindset And Productive Struggle Toolkit For Middle Schoolers, Heather Carey

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Math anxiety is an evident barrier to the success of students in middle school mathematics which often leads to decreased confidence, lower achievement overall, and avoidance of more challenging tasks. Research in mathematics education advocates that the instructional approaches that are more grounded in growth mindset and productive struggle can positively influence students’ attitudes toward learning and their engagement with solving more complex problems.

This project examines how researched-based strategies can be rendered into practical classroom applications. Using a qualitative design-based approach, this study integrates math anxiety, growth mindset, and productive struggle existing literature to inform the development of instructional …

An Ethical Analysis Of International Graduate Student Workers' (Igsws) Employment Vulnerability, Adeola F. Oladeji

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

International graduate student workers (IGSWs) occupy a distinctive position within U.S. higher education as students, employees, and temporary visa holders. Their academic progress, financial support, and legal authorization to remain in the United States are often closely intertwined, creating dependencies that heighten their vulnerability to exploitation, unequal treatment, and institutional power imbalances. Although previous scholarship has documented these challenges from empirical, legal, and policy perspectives, comparatively little attention has been given to universities' ethical responsibilities toward IGSWs.

This dissertation examines how U.S. higher education institutions should fulfill their ethical responsibilities to international graduate student workers. Grounded in Dewey's pattern of …

Exploring The Influence Of A Longitudinal Small-Group Mentorship Course On Occupational Therapy Graduates’ Professional Identity Formation, Tosh Whitley, Lovejot Mangat, Susan G. Rappolt, Daniela Testani, Siobhan Donaghy, Lynn Cockburn, Sylvia Langlois, Ruheena Sangrar, Eric Lee, Rachel Roby, Erin Knobl, Susan Hannah, Anne Fourt, David Gerstle, Naomi Davids-Brumer, M. Shone Joos

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Professional identity formation is a critical aspect in facilitating the transition of healthcare professionals into entry-level practice. Previous literature has highlighted the benefits of mentorship in shaping professional identity formation among healthcare learners. However, few studies have explored longitudinal small-group mentorship courses on professional identity formation in entry-level occupational therapists. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of graduates on whether pre-certification mentorship influenced their professional identity formation. Online surveys, comprising open-ended and fixed-choice questions, were collected from graduates of a professional Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MScOT) program across four cohorts (2020-2023) who completed a …

Emotional Labor, Well-Being, And Community Care In Student Conduct Administration, Tiffany M. Shierling, Kelly A. Burlison

College of Education Faculty Publications & Presentations

This explanatory sequential mixed-methods study examined emotional labor, stress, and coping among student conduct administrators (SCAs). SCAs work in emotionally intensive, high-stakes environments that require balancing student development, institutional risk management, and legal compliance. Despite clear parallels to other helping professions, the emotional toll of student conduct work remains underexamined. Grounded in self-compassion theory and resilience theory, this explanatory sequential mixed-methods study examined the emotional labor demands, stressors, and coping strategies experienced by SCAs in higher education. Quantitative (n = 101) findings revealed strong relationships among stress, burnout, and anxiety, while individual self-care practices offered limited protection without institutional support. …

Identifying The Knowledge And Skills That Students Enrolled In Agricultural Systems Technology Degree Programs Need: Perspectives From University Faculty, Jerry Blake Kennedy

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

National trends have highlighted the need for a knowledgeable, skilled workforce in advanced agricultural systems. University-level Agricultural Systems Technology (AST) undergraduate degree programs and closely-related degree programs are vital to equipping the agricultural workforce with the knowledge and skills needed to support the industry. Ensuring that AST curricula are relevant and appropriate is vital to equipping undergraduate students in such programs with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the modern agricultural workforce. This study sought to identify the essential knowledge and skills needed by undergraduate AST degree program students from the perspectives of university-level faculty across the …

Evolving Legal Issues In Higher Education: Introduction To The Higher Education And The Law Symposium, Patricia E. Salkin

Touro Law Review

The Touro Law Review could not have selected a better time to highlight many of the evolving legal issues in higher education. It can be both an exciting time to practice law in this space and one that challenges the creative problem-solving skills of lawyers and their clients. This issue of the Law Review highlights a number of key developments and trends.

Loper Bright Enterprises V. Raimondo And The Prospect Of “Management By Judiciary”, Rodger D. Citron

Touro Law Review

In January 2025, Touro University, Touro Law Center, and Touro Law Review held a wide-ranging conference on higher education in the 21st century. The timing could not have been more apt. We were days away from the inauguration of Donald Trump’s second term as President. The ferment in higher education would continue, only more so. In addition, in its 2023-24 term, the Supreme Court had decided a number of important administrative law cases, none more significant than Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo (“Loper Bright”). Although I did not speak at the panel session on “The Changing Regulatory Landscape in Higher …