Secondary Education Commons^™

The Impact Of Dual Enrollment On Educational Aspirations Of Traditionally Underrepresented Students In Community College, Wayne Carter, Carol Gruber

Inquiry: The Journal of the Virginia Community Colleges

This research study examined the difference in academic motivation and academic self-efficacy of traditionally underrepresented students in community college who previously participated in high school dual enrollment programs versus their comparable peers without dual enrollment experience. This is important given the socio-economic disparities between the various student groups participating in this selective college preparatory program. Historically, traditionally underrepresented students have yet to participate in dual enrollment programs commensurate with their non-minority and affluent peers. By examining the difference between these two specific student subgroups, the researchers addressed what types of motivation and self-efficacious behaviors affected these college students who opted …

Number Talks To Promote Discourse In The Algebra 1 Classroom: A Number Talk Curriculum Development For A Unit On Quadratic Expressions, Lindsay C. Borger

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

This project sought to develop a curriculum of Number Talks for use at the secondary level, specifically in an Algebra 1 class as a supplement to a unit on quadratic expressions. The project begins with a look at existing research on constructivism and social constructionism as well as the reforms in mathematics education informed by those learning theories. It then looks at calls for more discourse in the mathematics classroom as a part of these reform efforts, and the part Number Talks play in fostering discourse and mathematical thinking for students. The Number Talk curriculum includes a guide for implementing …

Motivation Generation: An Ai's Strength And Student Engagement In The Alternative-Setting Science Classroom, Matthew Scotkovsky

Graduate Research - College of Education

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that continues to become increasingly more prevalent, for better or worse, in the classroom. One such way that it has seen use in the classroom is in the generation of lesson plans by teachers who use AI-driven large language models (LLMs) such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. To see if these LLMs are, or could be, a reliable way to craft lessons as the technology continues to improve, the purpose of this study is to determine if a correlation exists between the strength of these different LLMs (measured in “parameters”) and the levels …

How New Mathematics Teachers Develop Teacher-Student Relational Pedagogy, Dustin Kinser

Dissertations

This study investigated the support structures implemented with new mathematics teachers to help them build relational pedagogy with their students to determine their effectiveness. The literature review examines topical research, gaps in literature and theoretical frameworks to justify the study. The case study investigated new math teachers and their processes of building positive teacher-student relationships using the support structures that they were taught on their way to becoming a teacher. Math teachers were interviewed to find any common themes across the study and find out what is truly working or not working so that the process can be improved. Another …

Intersectional Predictors Of Early Mathematics Identity Among Underrepresented Engineering-Interested Students, Douglas D. Havard, Adriana Quirós-Arauz

Education Faculty Articles and Research

This study examines the intersectional factors influencing early mathematics identity development among underrepresented secondary students (grades 9-10) with aspirations in engineering. Mathematics identity is a well-established predictor of long-term persistence in engineering, making its early formation critical to understanding student retention in the engineering pipeline. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner's bioecological framework, this study situates learning within nested layers of influence. Using data form the nationally representative High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09), which includes over 23,000 9th-graders, a hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted. The analysis examined intersections of race and gender identity across 16 variables spanning individual, micro-, meso-, …

Opening Access To Advanced Placement English, Tabitha J. Evans

Dissertations

The goal of this study was to examine the growth trend in enrollment into AP over Honors English courses in secondary students across six high schools in the same school district over the past eight years and to determine how that enrollment impacted exam performance. Both a student survey and district demographic and exam performance data was pulled across the six high schools for all AP English Language and Composition (AP Language) and AP English Literature and Composition (AP Literature) courses over the course of time under study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze trends in enrollment growth, AP scores, …

Breaking Barriers: An Educator's Pursuit To Provide Equity In Student Achievement, Christina L. Korsun

Dissertations

There is a sense of urgency to address the widening achievement gaps among minority students, students with disabilities, and English-language learners. This makes immediate school action necessary to create a more equitable learning environment. Without strategic interventions, including improved teacher retention efforts, stronger student support systems, and effective leadership, these challenges will continue to hinder student success and overall school performance. The purpose of this project is to find solutions for schools to institute to narrow the achievement gap by ensuring all students receive the support needed to succeed. Schools can respond to the learning gap by promoting equitable learning …

Analysis Of Industry Recognized Credentials That Lead To Quality Employment For High School Graduates, Teri L. Harris

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify to what extent industry recognized credentials (IRCs) earned in secondary school lead to high quality employment for students after high school and which specific IRCs should be integrated into career and technical education (CTE) courses. This author sought to explore if CTE courses in high school could be the vehicle for students to earn IRCs that led to higher quality jobs, higher pay, and a job to support a family. The researcher gathered empirical evidence using existing data from a survey of business leaders in each of the nationally recognized 14 Career …

The Impact Of School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports On Middle School Behavior Outcomes In A Post-Covid Educational Environment, Breann N. Hulford

Education Dissertations

This study is a program evaluation utilizing a causal-comparative pre/post design to assess the impact of School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) on behavioral outcomes in a post-COVID middle school. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, behavioral challenges, including classroom disruption and violence, increased, intensifying the need for structured behavior management systems. SWPBIS provides a framework for promoting a positive school culture through structured behavior expectations and reinforcement strategies. Grounded in behaviorism, social learning theory, and Response to Intervention (RtI), SWPBIS contrasts with zero-tolerance policies and restorative practices, which are also examined for their impact as alternative behavior management approaches. Empirical …

Ready, Set, No: Why Not All Successful Dual Credit High School Graduates Matriculate To Postsecondary Education, Jessica Deckard Mann

Dissertations

Dual-credit programs that allow students to earn college credentials in high school have become commonplace in the United States. Early College High Schools (ECHSs) were specifically developed to support equitable access to these programs, targeting groups that are historically underpopulated in postsecondary education (PSE). ECHSs aim to close the achievement gap, increase the number of college credentials earned by high school students, better train the workforce, and improve the life-time earnings potential of a diverse population.

The purpose of this nonexperimental quantitative study was to gather data from graduates in one Midwestern state who earned a college credential in high …

Understanding The Adoption Of Virtual Labs In Rural Secondary Schools: A Descriptive Analysis Of Perceived Usefulness, Ease Of Use, And Behavioral Intentions, Brian Shambare, Thuthukile Jita

The Rural Educator

Despite the promising advantages of cutting-edge technologies like virtual laboratories (VL) for enhancing science education, a significant gap remains between their theoretical benefits and practical application, particularly in rural schools in the Global South. This article argues that the effective integration of VL is largely dependent on teachers’ perceptions of the technology. Research suggests that user acceptance issues, especially related to teachers’ views, are critical when introducing new technologies, including VL, into educational settings. This study presents data from a quantitative survey of 186 life science teachers in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Using Davis’s technology acceptance model …

Rooted Writing: The Role Of Place In Rural Writing Identities, Layne Elise Ilderton

The Rural Educator

This article investigates the intricate dynamics of writing relationships among rural students, highlighting the profound impact of place and identity on their writing experiences. Using a mixed methods approach, the study explores how rural settings influence students’ self-perceptions, apprehensions, and preferences in writing, as observed through a survey administered in three rural high schools. Central to the findings is the observation that students demonstrate a notable decrease in writing apprehension when engaging with topics rooted in their personal and rural experiences. They also have auditory and social preferences for writing environment and feel restricted with stringent grammar requirements in writing. …

How Do College Students’ Regulatory Focus Shape Their Behavioral Outcome Towards Institutes Of Higher Education? The Role Of Cognitive Flexibility And Social Perceptiveness, Saurabh Singh, Sarath Nonis

AMTP Proceedings 2025

Colleges and Universities across the United States are witnessing a decline in overall freshman enrollments. The latest data suggests that in 2023 there was an overall decline in enrollment of 5% among first year incoming freshman students across the country (Wood, 2024). To generate favorable attitude among current or potential students, institutions of higher education have adopted the use of social media channels for communication with students (Perera et. al., 2023). Through this paper, we address the critical question of how institutes of higher education can maximize students’ commitment, sense of belonging, as well as positive word of mouth intentions …

A Phenomenological Study Of School Staff Perceptions Of The Threat And Prevention Of School Violence, Rebecca Linton

Dissertations

My study addressed the issue of school safety and student mental health in schools in the United States. The purpose of this study was to identify the concerns staff members had about the system and procedures used to track students’ mental health and how staff and students are kept safe within the school environment. The overarching research question for my study was: What are the perceptions of school staff regarding school safety and the support students with mental health issues receive? I used a quantitative research method for my study, collecting data through surveys of teachers and administrators. The survey …

A Wildfire Of A Thousand Words: Teaching Students How To Combat Pseudoscience In 2025, Michael Koperski

Honors Projects

When it comes to the modern age classroom, the world which both the students and teachers live in is filled to the brim with misinformation. Particularly, this misinformation comes in the form of pseudoscience, which showcases wrongfully applying scientific evidence to nonscientific phenomena. At the same time, there seemed to be a lack of understanding revolving around how this information could be wrong, especially given it has a basis in and can be spread further by the misuse of artificial intelligence. However, this project serves as a step stone towards potentially finding the means to help teach students the issue …

An Investigation Into The Effectiveness Of High School Models Of Instruction In English Language Arts For Exceptional Education Standard Diploma Students, Lori A. Rath Minton

Dissertations

This study examined the effectiveness of high school instructional models in English Language Arts (ELA) for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students pursuing a standard diploma. The purpose was to compare self-contained and inclusion models within the framework of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), emphasizing Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). The research was conducted in a medium-sized rural district high school.

The overarching research question was: Based on student test scores, ESSA data, surveys, and interviews with content area teachers, ESE teachers, paraprofessionals, support facilitators, and administrators, how effective are self-contained and …

The Urgency Of Instituting Systemic Cybersecurity Curriculum Within Stem At Secondary Educational Levels In Preparation For Postsecondary Institutions., Robert Spencer

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Over the last 20 years, many secondary institutions have made advances developing curriculum defined as “STEM (Science, Engineering and Mathematics)” in order to ensure secondary students are eligible to apply as well excel in technology degree programs at the college and university levels. Although various initiatives exist, there are studies however, which allude to a great possibility that there will be a lack of cybersecurity professionals filling present day and anticipated future positions. Despite a large number of federal and educational enhancements there is need for additional research regarding instituting overall systemic processes and curriculum which supports secondary student transition …

Literacy For All: A Phenomenological Study On The Application Of Massachusetts Informational Reading Standards In Massachusetts Public High School Content-Area Disciplines, Abby S. Gillis

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to describe the lived experiences of Massachusetts public high school content-area teachers with applying Massachusetts informational reading standards in their instructional practices to support reading development for all students. This qualitative study utilized data collected from six Massachusetts public high school content-area teachers through one-on-one semi-structured interviews. The literature review applied the theoretical framework of SFL which focuses on the practice of studying texts through the social and cultural context of the text, in this case, in content-area curricular texts and resources. Themes focused on national and local informational reading standards, reading …

Cultivating Community: A Mixed-Methods Study Examining Community Literacy Practices In The Secondary Ela Classroom, Anna Heilers

Undergraduate Theses

Past research on the relationship between community literacy and schooling has emphasized how educators can use community-based prior knowledge to teach students the privileged literacies associated with academia. Some researchers have discussed the potential for university-community partnerships that are mutually beneficial, but few have explored possibilities for change in the high school setting. Utilizing 24 survey responses and 2 interviews, this study sought to answer the following questions: Do high school class experiences have any impact on students’ community literacies? If they do, do they support or hinder their growth? I analyzed data using a combination of correlational analysis, axial …

Constructivism Made Easy Using The Consider, Construct, Confirm Learning Cycle, Timothy E. Goodwin Ed.D

Essays in Education

Shifting from didactic, teacher-led instruction to a student-centered, constructivist classroom is often a daunting task for teachers. The Consider, Construct, Confirm Learning cycle is a framework for teachers to organize their planning—be it individual lessons, units of study, or whole courses. The CCC Learning Cycle framework shifts the format of a typical lesson from didactic instruction leading to short-term renting of knowledge through memorization, to student-centered, lived experiences resulting in students owning their new knowledge.

The Impact Of Educators’ Perceptions Of Neurodivegence On Their Self-Efficacy In Teaching Middle And High School Students With Adhd And Autism In Rural Minnesota, Nicolle D. Bettcher Erickson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to explore how we can best support our teachers in matching our ever-changing educational landscape, specifically our neurodivergent learners. When educating neurodivergent students (students with autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), we must understand how to teach these creative, sometimes misunderstood individuals and unleash their full potential. To do so, we need educational practitioners who have healthy perceptions of what it means to be neurodivergent and educators who understand both the talents and hurdles that being neurodivergent may entail. This study examined how non-special education teachers' perceptions of neurodivergence correlated with …

Finding “Heart, Hope, And Humanity” At The 2024 Ncte Annual Convention, Hermione Dewitt, Ellie Fisher, Zoe Mcdowell, Kaleigh D. Phelps, Liz Shanks, Haley Smiley, Mark A. Lewis, Melanie Shoffner

Virginia English Journal

Six teacher candidates from James Madison University’s secondary ELA teacher education program reflect on their take-aways from the 2024 NCTE Annual Convention through the lens of the convention theme: Heart, Hope, and Humanity.

Mapping Food-Energy-Water Nexus Education In K-12 Settings: A Systematic Review Of Practices, Kyungsun Lee, Hui Hui Wang, Shondricka Burrell, Neil A. Knobloch, Rudan Wang

National Collaborative for Research on Food, Energy, and Water Education (NC-FEW)

This systematic review examines the current state of Food-Energy-Water (FEW) Nexus education in K-12 settings, following PRISMA-P guidelines. By analyzing peer-reviewed literature published before 2024, this study investigates how FEW Nexus concepts are implemented in K-12 education, focusing on systems thinking approaches and integrated knowledge areas. Initial database searching identified 693 articles, which are currently under review for inclusion. This analysis will provide insights into effective practices for integrating FEW Nexus concepts in K-12 education

Classroom Teachers' Approaches To Values Education: Exploring Explicit And Implicit Strategies For Teaching And Modeling Values, Maria Ukamaka Clare Okeke

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

Abstract This study explores the approaches Nigerian secondary school teachers in Anambra State use to teach values through explicit and implicit methods. Recognizing the need to understand how values are effectively communicated in the classroom, this research delves into the dual strategies employed by educators and their impacts on student moral development. The research used a qualitative interview study approach, which included semi-structured interviews with ten experienced secondary school teachers and a document analysis of teaching resources. This method allows one to investigate the explicit instruction and implicit modeling strategies applied in values education in depth. Findings reveal that teachers …

Domino Effect: A Case Study On The Impact Of Education Legislation On The Emotions, Self-Efficacy, Job Satisfaction, And Retention Of English Language Arts Teachers In A Rural Middle School, Melinda Palmer

Dissertations

This multiple case study uses the appraisal theory of emotions to examine how Georgia education legislation, the Georgia Parents’ Bill of Rights and Senate Bill 226, impacted the emotional experiences, self-efficacy, and job satisfaction of ELA teachers in a rural middle school. This study also examines how this legislation impacted the retention of ELA teachers at the site school. The study highlights the experiences of 3 veteran teachers who were teaching ELA during the year immediately following the passage of the legislation. The findings indicate that the subsequent procedural changes initiated unpleasant emotional experiences: anger associated with the loss of …

District Administrator Perceptions Of Response To Intervention Implementation In K-12 Underperforming Public Schools In Connecticut, Sarah J. Idris

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to understand the perceptions of Connecticut public school district administrators working at K-12 underperforming schools implementing response to intervention (RTI). Little was known about district administrators working in Connecticut K-12 underperforming schools’ perceptions of RTI implementation. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews with six volunteer participants who qualified as district administrators working in underperforming K-12 public schools in Connecticut. The information from this study illustrated how the district administrators perceived RTI implementation within their districts and the barriers they faced related to RTI implementation. Four themes and nine subthemes were identified. The four themes were …

Integrating Information And Communication Technologies To Enhance High School Students’ Research Capabilities, Kareen Marie E. Palines, Jenie Mary U. Moreno, Aron G. Tatlonghari, Ruth Ortega-Dela Cruz

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Integrating information and communication technologies into research curricula can help students become more proficient researchers. Students need strong research capabilities in the modern educational environment to handle the challenges of information access and analysis. This article reveals the results of a study that explored the use of Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Stations (STARBOOKS), a program developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for use in public schools in the Philippines. The study investigated the effect of this technology on 36 purposefully selected Grade 9 students working on science investigatory projects in the Science, …

Aged 539 Graduate Internship Report - Avenal High School, Ryan D. Deaver

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This report includes documentation that Avenal High School meets the quality criteria required for High School Agriculture Education Programs. The documents are used for reviewing a school as well as applying for grant funding through the Agriculture Incentive Grant. There are supporting documents provided to show proof of things that are being done as well as areas that may need improvement.

No. 15, March 2025: California’S Treasures: Supporting Superdiverse Youth Through Research, Policy And Practice, Magaly Lavadenz Ph.D., Linda R. G. Kaminski Ed.D, Elvira G. Armas Ed.D., Dayna Mitchell Ed.D.

Education and Policy Briefs

This research and policy brief provides an overview of the Center for Equity for English Learner’s Superdiverse Adolescent Multilingual Learners Resource Guide. The publication follows the Global California 2030 call to recognize and promote the home languages and cultures of English Learners as valuable resources to increase multilingualism within the state. The term “Superdiverse” is used to acknowledge the many facets of diversity that make up the identities of English/Multilingual Learners in addition to the breadth of linguistic diversity encompassed within their language journeys. Twenty-six English/Multilingual Learners between grades seven and twelve were interviewed about their school experiences as culturally …

Examining The Value Of Industry-Recognized Certifications In Illinois Secondary Career And Technical Education Programs, Nancy Awdziejczyk

Dissertations

The goal of career and technical education (CTE) is to equip students for success in postsecondary education and the workforce. This study investigated the integration and impact of industry-recognized certifications (IRCs) within CTE programs in Illinois, particularly within the framework of Perkins V legislation. The research aimed to determine how IRCs enhance employability, increase starting salaries, and support career advancement for high school students through aligning CTE curricula with the demands of the current labor market.

The study was initiated due to difficulties in identifying valuable certifications for CTE programs stemming from the excessive number of certifying organizations and unclear …