Secondary Education Commons^™

Understanding How Teachers Define And Employ Civics Education In Non-Elective Social Studies Classrooms, Joseph Kyle

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study explored the perceptions of civics and civic education held by secondary school teachers of non-elective social studies classes in four schools within the same school district. Using a qualitative approach, this study examined how veteran teachers understood and defined civics, the ways in which they employed civics education in their teaching methodology and daily lessons, and the challenges or obstacles they perceived, if any, incorporating lessons reflecting a progressive experimentalist methodology. The study was undertaken in response to popular and governmental rhetoric reflecting a lack of civil discourse and alleging a lack of civics in public education, as …

Defying The Catholic Secondary School Enrollment Decline: A Case Study Exploring Strategic Enrollment Management Practices In An All-Boys Catholic High School, Traci A. Koval

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Catholic secondary schools in the United States continue to face persistent enrollment decline, closures, and consolidations, creating an urgent need for sustainable and mission-centered strategies. This qualitative case study examined Hillcrest Catholic High School, an all-boys Catholic secondary school in the Mideast region, as a best-practice model for enrollment resilience. Guided by Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Theory, the study explored how SEM principles were operationalized across eight pillars: mission and branding, institutional strategy, culture and belonging, programs and outcomes, family engagement and retention, tuition and financial strategy, marketing and recruitment, and selection and onboarding. Data were collected through interviews, focus …

The Impact Of Participation In Career And Technical Education (Cte) On High School Graduation, College-Going Status, And Entry Into The Workforce, Paul Wambugu

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examined the relationship between high school students' participation in Career and Technical Education (CTE) and three postsecondary student outcomes using the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09). CTE participation was measured by the number of Carnegie credits earned in CTE. Three student outcomes were analyzed: on-time high school graduation, college enrollment, and workforce entry. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multivariate logistic regression models were estimated while controlling for socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, sex, disability status, and academic performance indicators. Results indicated that CTE concentrators who earned 3 or more Carnegie credits in CTE had higher odds of graduating …

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 …

Secondary Educators’ Knowledge And Perceptions Of Their Own Self-Efficacy As It Relates To 504 Plan Accommodations For Students Diagnosed With Adhd, Anne Richardson

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study investigated the role of Section 504 accommodations in meeting the needs of secondary students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the United States. While legislation requires equitable education for students with disabilities, gaps remain in understanding how educators perceive their own abilities in implementing Section 504 plans for students with ADHD. The study used a qualitative research design to explore the academic and organizational challenges faced by secondary school students with ADHD, specifically examining the knowledge, perceptions, and self-efficacy of secondary educators regarding ADHD strategies and 504 plan accommodations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom with 11 educators from …

Joy In Lifelong Learning: An Introduction To Planning For Learning Disabilities In Museum Education, Elaine L. Davis

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

For over a century, the role of museums as learning institutions has been considered alongside that of schools. However, special education practices are rarely adapted for museum education, requiring educators in museum contexts to undertake extra work to accommodate those with learning disabilities. This thesis used Qualitative Comparative Analysis and Textual Analysis to review pedagogical white papers and academic research on museum programs aimed at neurodivergent audiences. The findings were used to create a professional development guide for museum educators at a range of different types of museums.

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

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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

The Influence Of A Supplemental Mathematics Course To 9th Grade Algebra 1 Students In A Medium Suburban K-12 School District In New Jersey, Jacob Cavins

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Math performance became an increasing concern in the United States after the launch of Sputnik in 1957. This concern began with attempts to prescribe mathematical standards in the United States to improve student mathematics preparation. When the COVID pandemic began in 2020, policies on quarantining and remote learning were implemented, resulting in increased education gaps. The most contemporary NAEP report shows the first decline in math scores in the United States since the inception of the NAEP. Districts are looking for solutions. Districts are exploring intervention options, including Multi-Tiered Support Systems and Response to Intervention initiatives. They hope to reduce …

Parents' Reasons For Choosing To Enroll Their Child In Private High School, Terry Kung

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe parents’ reasons for choosing a competitive, private high school (National Association of Independent School (NAIS) member school), over available free, public options. Independent schools have long held a strong presence in the nation’s educational landscape. However, as more families consider how they will pay for college, independent schools are facing new realities and challenges. This study expands upon previous research, which predominantly focused on school choice, by examining a less studied sample–the private school parents. What are parents' reasons for choosing to send their child or children to a NAIS …

Recruitment Barriers For Minoritized Females That Limit Access To Higher Education, Tya Miles

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Minoritized Black students who are average academic performers have often been overlooked as a targeted group in empirical studies that look at barriers and other limitations for minority students (Rodriguez, 2015; Stewart, 2013). This study seeks to identify the practices that higher education institutions are currently utilizing to recruit underprivileged minoritized girls who are not high performers or athletes, the effectiveness of those practices, and what changes could potentially be made to improve overall access to college for these students. The qualitative ethnographical study was comprised of semi structured interviews of seven high school personnel, which included high school counselors, …

Testing Accommodations Decision-Making Policies And Procedures At New York Area Independent Schools: A Qualitative Study, Scott Wilson

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this study was to better understand educators’ perceptions of testing accommodations decision-making practices at New York area independent schools. Through the analysis and coding of questionnaires, interviews, and documents, this study explored perceptions and descriptions of testing accommodations decision-making procedures as reported by learning specialists, administrators and psychologists employed at 20 independent schools in the greater New York City area. Several significant findings emerged. The study’s interview participants, in contrast to their public-school counterparts included in previous research studies, feel like they have the training and support necessary to make or contribute to decisions. The study also …

To Teach Or Not To Teach: A Qualitative Study Of Pre-Collegiate Grow Your Own Teacher Programs And The Perceptions Of Alumni, Current Staff, And Former Staff, Natasha T. Pitt

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The teaching profession is in peril. Teacher recruitment and teacher retention are issues that have compounded the teacher shortage crisis, particularly in Black and Latinx communities. Research has demonstrated that there are a plethora of academic and socio-emotional benefits when Black and Latinx teachers are educating Black and Latinx students. The lack of Black and Latinx people choosing to pursue the profession is especially glaring. American public schools are becoming more racially diverse; however, the teaching force does not mirror the racial diversity of the students. While this issue of a lack of teacher racial diversity must be addressed with …

Analyzing The Cognitive Complexity Of The Questions Contained On Assessments Of College And Career Readiness For Grades 6-12, Sean D. Cronin

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This convergent, parallel, mixed-methods study with qualitative and quantitative content analysis methods was conducted to identify what type of thinking is required by the College and Career Readiness Assessment (CCRA+) by (a) determining the frequency and percentage of questions categorized as higher-level thinking within each cell of Hess’ Cognitive Rigor Matrix and (b) determining in what ways are the skills identified as essential for success in the workplace by global organizations assessed on the CCRA+? The qualitative method consisted of a content analysis of the language of the analyzed assessment prompts, followed by deductive coding, and culminated with categorizing the …

Striving For Success: Educators' Perceptions On How A Small Learning Community Impacted The Academic Achievement Of African American Males, Laura Satterfield - Mathieu

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This qualitative study examines educators’ perspectives on how a small learning community impacted the academic achievement of African American males. This study examined a long-standing small learning community (XYZ) located in a suburb in northern New Jersey. This study identified common themes among the perceptions of educators employed at XYZ, regarding the academic achievement of African American males. This study pinpoints how XYZ educators define achieved success for African American male students and their perceptions regarding XYZ's influence on the academic success of African American males. This study focused solely on the educators' perceptions regarding African American male students, who …

Exploring Associations Between Self-Concept, Ideal Self, And Assessment Practices Of High School Science Teachers, Jeffrey Celebre

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Despite being faced with major barriers to overcome, local school districts and teachers must work to align their instructional practices in science and their assessment practices to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Science (NJSLS-Science). As described in the literature, a three-dimensional approach to assessment design is one of the qualities considered the model for a true and authentic measurement of student aptitude in science. As teachers work to understand NGSS alignment and their ability to meet alignment standards as an assessor while designing and implementing NGSS-aligned assessments, they will undoubtedly encounter …

A Quantitative Study On The Relationship Between Students' Perceptions Of School Safety And Academic Outcomes In New York City High Schools, Candyce Edwards-Allen

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the 2019 New York City school climate mean safety scores and high school students' academic achievement as measured by the New York State Regents exam mean scores for the 2019 academic school year. This study was conducted utilizing a non-experimental, cross-sectional, explanatory design with quantitative methods to examine the relationship between perceptions of school safety and academic achievement while controlling for the school-level demographics of race, gender, students with disabilities (SWD), English Language Learners (ELL), and the Economic Need Index (ENI) as defined by New York City.

This study …

The Relationship Of Instructional Time On High School Students' Mathematical Achievement In The State Of New Jersey, Natalie Diaz

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This non-experimental quantitative study sought to analyze the relationship between instructional time and high school students' mathematical achievement as measured by the 2019 New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) for Algebra 1. In addition to determining to which extent the district factor groups (DFGs) affect the relationship between instructional time on the performance of high school students on the 2019 New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) for Algebra 1 when controlling for staff, student, and school variables. The 2018–2019 NJDOE Performance Report provided the variables used in this study. The unit of analysis was public high schools in New Jersey …

Understanding High School Assistant Principals’ Perspective Of Standardized Testing Policy For English Language Learners In Maryland, Jae Won Hwang

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Given federal and state mandates, school administrators in the United States are often held responsible for enacting standardized testing policies in their school settings. Standardized testing requirements apply for all students attending school including ELL (English Language Learner) students. However, a review of the literature finds that standardized testing for ELL students is problematic when schools interpret testing scores as some indication of content knowledge mastery. At the current time, content-area standardized testing policies and practices in public schools are not consistent with what we know about second language development. What is missing in the existing research is an examination …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Undergraduate Debt And Graduate School Enrollment For Stem And Business-Related Fields, Stephanie Mayer

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

There is a major limitation in this field of literature with limited studies conducted on the factors influencing graduate school enrollment for STEM and business fields after the 2008 Great Recession. During the Great Recession of 2008, approximately 2.8 million students decided to go back to school and pursue a master’s degree. Since then, the cost of a four-year college degree increased by 25 percent and student debt increased by 107 percent (NCES, 2019). STEM and business fields increased by 15 percent during the Great Recession of 2008 in graduate degree programs, graduates, and workforce demand (Anderson, 2013; Okahana & …

The Association Between Participation In Extracurricular Activities And Adolescent Mental Health, Michael Gottfried

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

A growing number of adolescents are affected by depression, anxiety, and suicide each year, with females experiencing higher rates than males. Meanwhile, the demand for students’ time is increasing, and many participate in more extracurricular activities. This study will help answer the questions, “to what extent does participation in school-sponsored extracurricular activities impact an adolescent’s mental health?”, “to what extent does this impact vary by the type of activity?”, and “to what extent do these outcomes vary by gender?” While other studies have considered each of these variables, none look closely at all three (participation, gender, and type of activity) …

The Impact Of High School Career Academies On Student Academic Achievement And Engagement, Daisy Rodriguez

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of high school career academies in comparison to the traditional, comprehensive high school educational program with respect to student academic achievement and student engagement in one large urban high school in Central New Jersey. It is the intent of this researcher to determine if either of the educational structures and approaches significantly impacts the achievement and engagement levels of students in the high school under investigation.

Student math and ELA state test scores and student engagement scores were analyzed using quantitative methods. To ascertain the degree of effectiveness this reform …

Test-Optional Policies: Implementation Impact On Undergraduate Admissions And Enrollment, Christina Pellegrino

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examines national colleges and universities that have de-emphasized or eliminated standardized test scores and have implemented test-optional policies for undergraduate admissions. The phrase “standardized test(s)” in this study refers to the ACT and the SAT examinations. The study investigates the test-optional admissions trend and provides a “pre-post" quantitative analysis of test-optional policy effects on the number of admitted students, applications, acceptance rates, and the enrollment of Pell Grant recipients and underrepresented minority groups. The study also includes a qualitative summative analysis pertaining to the institutional framing of test-optional policies. The quasi-experimental research design utilizes difference-in-differences regression of cross-sectional, …

Mentoring As A Pathway To Addressing Chronic Absenteeism In Urban High School Academies, Tyeshia A. Hilbert

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Chronic absenteeism is a rising concern for schools across the country. There are a host of reasons why students miss school: internal factors that can push students out of school and external factors that can pull students out of school. Districts have been mandated to implement strategies and supports that will combat this issue by increasing student attendance and decreasing chronic absenteeism.

The concept of mentoring has been around for centuries and recently has been associated with improvement in the attendance of chronically absent students. This dissertation intended to examine attendance and chronic absenteeism rates of students in two urban …

Teacher Perceptions On Awareness And Compassion Among Students Following A Human Rights Education Professional Learning Community, Anthony J. Casella

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examines the perceptions of a faculty after the interdisciplinary implementation of a human rights education platform in the context of moral efficacy in the student body. The teachers participated in a year-long professional learning community (PLC) focused on bringing human rights issues into regular classroom dialogue, modeled after the United Nations human rights education effort. This study considers the following questions: (1) How do teachers perceive the implementation of human rights discussions into their curriculum influences their students’ awareness of human rights issues? (2) In what ways, if any, do teachers perceive a difference in their students’ empathy …

The Effect Of Organizational Commitment On Teacher-Coach Burnout, Matthew O'Brien

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this investigation was to explore the levels of burnout and organizational commitment within teacher-coaches, and additionally, to explore the degree to which organizational commitment mediated the relationship between teacher-coaches and burnout. The data was analyzed with quantitative analyses including multiple regression analysis and mediation analysis. Survey data was collected through the use of the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Educators Survey (Maslach, 1986) and the Meyer, Allen, and Smith’s (1993) Revised Three-Component Model (TCM) Commitment Survey. In total, 42 teacher-coaches and 21 teachers from Orange County, NY were eligible for the study, and thus, 63 total sets of …

Sustainability Of Catholic Secondary Schools In The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area From 2003–2016, David Gardiner

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Since 2003, Catholic school enrollment has decreased nationally creating closings, mergers, and consolidation of many Catholic schools. This study sought to understand how a subgroup of Catholic secondary schools managed to navigate the external forces distressing Catholic secondary schools nationally. This study will define what enrollment management practices were used in the Washington, D.C. area that sustained and even grew this subgroup of Catholic secondary schools. This study is vital to Catholic education because it will define what enrollment practices work best, thus, helping Catholic schools globally. This study investigated Catholic secondary schools and secondary school administrators in the Washington, …

Exploring Learning Style Preferences Of College Age Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (Adhd), Denise Nash-Luckenbach

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

ADHD is a persistent neurobehavioral disorder in children with a prevalence rate of 5-10%. Symptoms of the disorder include inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity behavior. These symptoms are believed to have a great impact on the child’s cognitive and academic functions and children with ADHD are believed to have difficulty mastering basic academic skills. Historically, ADHD was believed to be a disorder only observed in children, however, it is estimated 66% of children with ADHD continue to be symptomatic as they enter adulthood. Students with a diagnosis of ADHD have higher dropout rates, lower standardized math and reading tests scores, and …

The Influences Of The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) And Law Enforcement Against Drugs (L.E.A.D) Programs On Middle, Intermediate, And Upper School Students In The State Of New Jersey In The 2016-2017 Academic Year, Renzo Accursio Trapani

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Research on the effectiveness of the two most widely utilized school-based prevention programs in the state of New Jersey, Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) and Law Enforcement Against Drugs (L.E.A.D.). Research was conducted using the New Jersey Department of Educa- tion School Violence, Vandalism and Substance Abuse Reports for the 2016-2017 academic year to measure the influences of either program on students in public school districts throughout the state. Using District Factor Groups A-J, three-hundred four middle, intermediate, and upper schools using either programs were analyzed, with the only statistically significant variable was a relationship between enrollment and the variables …

The Story Of Growth: A Case Study Of New Jersey Underperforming Underprivileged High School, Michelle L. Shelton

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Socioeconomics has been a factor that exposes the disparities in student achievement across communities within the state of New Jersey, and as a result of the disparities, in 1985, the Education Law Center filed the first ruling of Abbot v. Burke; this case ruled that significant funding be provided in an effort to ensure that underprivileged students within these underperforming districts receive public education in accordance with the state constitution. However, despite the funding efforts, since 1985, (87%) of the 31 school districts identified as Abbott not only remain underprivileged, but they also remain underperforming. Therefore, to remedy the underperformance …

Understanding High School English Learners’ Chronic Absenteeism, Patricia A. George

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Chronic absenteeism has significant implications for both the individual student and society at large and has been receiving attention for over a century. Every school day counts. Regular attendance provides students with opportunities to learn and has a strong link to achievement. Conversely, poor attendance has serious implications for high school students. For each subgroup of students there is a similar pattern: the likelihood of chronic absenteeism increases as students progress through high school. Notably, the U.S. Department of Education found English learners experience higher chronic absenteeism than their non-English learner peers when they reach high school. Furthermore, compared to …