Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education Commons^™

Should The Illiberal Arts Be Servile In A Classical Christian Education, Nadine B. Kong Mrs.

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

The purpose of this thesis is to research the role and position of the illiberal arts in a classical Christian education (CCE).  The current climate of growth for CCE makes it a fitting moment to consider what bearing the illiberal arts should have on paideia formation.  To answer this question, the historical context of CCE and the illiberal arts is presented.  This leads to a complex issue around the various imprecise terms and historical attitudes surrounding the illiberal arts.  Some synonymous terms have demeaning connotations: ‘servile arts’ or ‘illiberal arts,’ and others less negative, such as ‘common arts’ or ‘mechanical …

Your Consolation Brings Joy: How Private School Employees Support Students Experiencing Trauma, Virginia L. Rose

PhD in Education

Trauma caused by adverse childhood experiences is a growing and pervasive issue. Researchers have found trauma may have physical, emotional, behavioral, academic, and spiritual effects on children. School employees are in a unique position to teach students about resiliency and can mitigate the effects of traumatic stress. Although multiple studies have examined teachers’ definition, perspective, and experiences of trauma, few studies have taken place in faith-based schools. The following qualitative study used a phenomenological approach to discover the lived experiences of faith-based school employees in identifying and supporting students who have experienced trauma. Eleven faith-based school employees participated in a …

The Influence Of Academic Outcomes On Academic Achievement: A Quantitative Study In Grades 3-12, Kelli R. Helle

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this predictive study was to examine the relationship between social and emotional learning (SEL) subskills and academic performance among students in grades 3–12. Using the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework, the study sought to identify which specific subskills were most strongly associated with student grade point average (GPA). A quantitative predictive correlational design was employed with a sample of 737 students representing diverse grade levels and backgrounds. Data were collected through the Satchel Pulse SEL assessment platform, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictive value of SEL subskills while …

Realism, Instrumentalism, And The Language Of Science Teaching: A Quantitative Study, James M. Almand

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, correlational study was to investigate how science educators' epistemological orientations, specifically, their leanings toward realism or instrumentalism, influence the degree of certainty in their instructional language. The study addressed a significant gap in science education literature by empirically analyzing whether educators' philosophical beliefs about the nature of scientific knowledge predict the language they use when teaching science. Data were collected through a researcher-developed survey, the Science Educators' Epistemological Beliefs and Classroom Language Practices Survey, which measured participants' epistemological positions and linguistic tendencies across a sample of current and former science educators in the United …

Science Education In The Modern World: A Comparison Of The Classical Christian And Stem Models Of Education, Diane R. Gray

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

Abstract

SCIENCE EDUCATION IN THE MODERN WORLD: A COMPARISON OF THE CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN AND STEM MODELS OF EDUCATION

Diane R. Gray

Southeastern University

As a classical Christian educator and leader and a former professional scientist, this author has fielded questions and concerns from parents who have wondered if classical Christian education (CCE) will provide strong instruction in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Because parents have expressed concerns about science and math education, and with the growing renewal of classical Christian education, the question addressed in this expository research project is ‘How do the CCE and STEM models of education …

A Quantitative Analysis Of Middle School Teachers’ Self-Efficacy And Small-Group Instruction, Charles B. Alvare

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This nonexperimental, descriptive quantitative study focused on the relationship between teacher self-efficacy (TSE) and the receptivity to and implementation of small-group instruction (SGI) among middle school teachers in a school district in the Southeast United States. Rooted in Albert Bandura’s 1977 self-efficacy theory, this study integrated Megan Tschannen-Moran and Anita Hoy’s (2001) Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale and a researcher-created instrument that resulted in statistically significant findings from the 76 teachers who participated in the survey. The predictive model of receptiveness to SGI by overall TSE was statistically significant (F[3,72)] = 8.92, p < .001, R2 = .27), as was the predictive model of teacher implementation of SGI (F[1,74] = 35.45, p < .001, R2 = .32). The Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale measures the confluence of TSE related to classroom management, student engagement, and instructional strategies. Teacher efficacy in instructional strategies was indicative of participating middle school teachers’ perceived receptivity of SGI (B = −0.36, t(72) = −1.97, p = .05), and efficacy in classroom management (B = 0.52, t(72) = 3.58, p < .001) impacted their perceived implementation of SGI. Furthermore, the TSE dimension of student engagement was statistically significant in predicting perceptions of overall receptiveness to (B = 0.62, t(72) = 3.52, p < .001) and implementation of (B = 0.31, t(72) = 2.26, p = .03) SGI. The research findings of this current study and the literature highlight the significant benefits of TSE and student engagement.

Modern Classical Christian Education?, Donna Lybarger

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

This thesis asks if the ancient tradition of classical education is an education method for the modern world. More specifically, this thesis questions, how might classical education methods be implemented for the acquisition of wisdom in the modern world? The literature review gives a brief history of classical education from the Greeks, and a history of why classical education is again a topic of conversation in the modern world. The three stages of classical education, the trivium, is explained. Classical Christian education is defined noting the method remains the same, but the difference is the nuances of the virtues of …

Effects Of Global Experiences For The Undergraduate Student, Patricia K. Adams

PhD in Education

The purpose of this non-experimental quantitative study was to determine the effect global experiences have on undergraduate students’ self-confidence, cultural awareness, and career choice. The research took place at a single research site, a private, faith-based university in the Southeastern United States. Students who had participated in a global experience, such as a mission trip or a study abroad experience, were invited to complete the researcher-created survey, the Global Experience Exit Survey. The data from 59 undergraduate students was analyzed using SPSS, specifically one sample t-tests. The results indicated statistically significant findings for all three subconstructs. The findings show that …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of A Religious Relationship Education Intervention On The Perceptions Of Marriage And Marital Satisfaction, Antonio Figueroa Jr.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Relationship education has been implemented by a diverse population of facilitators with a plethora of intentions. Religious relationship education typically focuses on the sanctity of marriage as a divine institution. The study focused on theological perceptions of marriage as moderators of relationship education and relationship satisfaction. Null hypotheses were that no statistically significant intervention effect would exist and that no statistically significant effect on the perceptions of marital relationships, or the perceptions of relationship satisfaction would exist. A quasi-experimental study design utilized a facilitator-led relationship education intervention with a sample population. Cluster sampling was used to establish the participant population. …

What’S Your Story? Perceptions Of Diversity In Faith-Based Organizational Contexts, Martha N. Mcclure

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Organizations for the past several decades have made diversity a top priority. While diversity and inclusion can often be interpreted as synonymous terms, distinguishing between representative diversity and inclusive diversity is necessary for positive intergroup contact among working teams. The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate the effect of a missions training course on individuals' perceptions of what constitutes a diverse and inclusive work environment. Using the personal stories of diverse panelists and pre and post-test survey research, the effect on perceptions of four constructs of diversity: gender, race/ethnicity, age, and language were examined. While study findings did …

The Relationship Between Organizational Culture And Working Parent Burnout, Ryan S. Monroe

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this non-experimental quantitative study was to explore working parent burnout (WPB) and the relationships between organizational culture and WPB. Data were collected from working parents living with children <18 years in the United States (N=284) and analyzed using descriptive and statistical techniques to answer the research questions. The study had excellent internal reliability and yielded several key findings. The perceptions of study participants’ WPB was statistically significant. Gender, ethnicity, work schedule, work shift, income level, and marital status had statistically significant effects on WPB. Organizational culture types reflected statistically significant response effects for perceptions of WPB, with two reflecting very large response effects (clan and hierarchy) and two reflecting large response effects (adhocracy market). The results suggest that WPB was significant upon sample population and varied by different demographic variables. In addition, WPB appears to be significantly related to organizational culture; however, WPB cannot be predicted by organizational culture type. This study is the first known research to look at the relationship between WPB and organizational culture. While the study yielded several results, further research is needed to look at WPB and organizational cultural factors that may impact burnout among working parents.

Introversion Versus Extroversion In Dpt Students’ Burnout Prevalence, Shana L. Carter

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this non-experimental study was to determine if Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student personality type, introverts versus extroverts, and student selfreported burnout levels were different and whether DPT students reported burnout during program completion. The participant sample consisted of 54 DPT students enrolled in a flex program at one private DPT program in Northern Florida were surveyed using the MBTI and MBI-SS (G) to determine personality type and whether students felt burnout while completing the program. The results of the study revealed non-statistically significant findings for the levels of burnout reported for both students identified as introvert …

An Evaluation Of Parent Engagement Amongst Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Families Of Haitian Descent, Jeptha V. Petit Frere

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Empirical research on family-school partnerships highlights family engagement as a motivating force for educational success. However, the concept of family engagement is an obstacle as the notion of family-school partnerships differs amongst stakeholders. Mutual understanding of the beliefs sustaining family engagement is fundamental to building effective partnerships between educators, families, and the community. The quantitative, non-experimental study aimed to evaluate the cultural and linguistic factors that may influence parental engagement among culturally and linguistically diverse families, especially those of Haitian descent. The findings demonstrated that the study’s demographic identifier variables, such as primary language, child birthplace, parent birthplace, relationship to …

Homeschool Support For Parent Educators, Shannon P. Weigel

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect parent involvement in homeschool groups has on parent self-efficacy within the domains of content knowledge, required administrative duties, teaching strategies, and social-emotional well-being. The quantitative, non-experimental study utilized a modified survey instrument based on Bandura's (2006) “Guide for Constructing Self-Efficacy Scales.” The 56 study participants were homeschooling parents in the United States of America. The independent variable was involvement in homeschool groups and the dependent variables were the four domains of self-efficacy. The researcher sought to discover if the level of involvement in homeschool groups exerted a statistically significant …

Perceptions Of Elementary School Parents Regarding Family And Community Engagement In The Community Partnership Schools™ Model, Shena D. Kiper

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This study provides an overview of the literature of Florida’s only Community Partnership Schools™ model, as a strategy to enhance family and community engagement in low performing high poverty elementary schools. More specifically, the focus of this study was to determine to what degree parents perceived the effectiveness of family and community engagement strategies within the school. The positive correlation between family and community engagement on student achievement has been well documented. Such partnerships provide additional resources to help students who live in areas where cultural and economic factors erect barriers that adversely impact learning. Although several studies have been …

An Evaluation Of The Effects Of Student Participation In High School Athletics And Grade Point Averages In A Rural Title I School District, Robert Ebert

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative, associative/predictive study was to evaluate the relationship between participation in high school athletics and grade point averages (GPAs) for graduated cohorts in a rural Title I school district. Study data were collected in archival form from three graduating cohorts of students from a rural Title I school district in Florida. Study findings indicated that senior students who were identified as student-athletes had a mean GPA that was significantly higher than students who were identified as non-athletes. Furthermore, when considering the effect of GPAs by gender, both female and male student-athlete GPAs were statistically higher …

Examining Career Decisions: Exploring The Interest Of Gifted Graduates On Working In Education, Alexandria K. Ryan

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Students who are gifted are often pulled in a variety of career directions because of their tendency to have many interests and passions. This study was designed to better understand the experience of adults who are gifted and their career choice. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore what career paths adults who are gifted follow, specifically whether they choose to work in the education field or not. This phenomenological study explored four main themes in an individual who is graduated from a gifted education program’s life: Gifted Program Experience, Career and Interests, Family Influence, and Social Emotional. …

A Qualitative Study Of The Factors That Support Female Educators While Raising Young Children, Christine M. Dean

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this research study was to examine the personal and professional factors that support female educators while raising young children. This study was designed as a bounded case study that included six women who taught in a Christian school while they were raising children. Their interview data revealed three major themes: conflict, personal supports, and professional supports. Participants reported conflicts such as conflicting obligations between their teacher and maternal roles, expectations, and priorities. Key supports helped to resolve or avoid these conflicts. Personal factors such as supportive and extended family members assisted teachers as they balanced the responsibilities …

A Call To Family-Centered, Eternity-Focused Education Aimee Smith, Aimee M. Smith

Selected Student Publications

In Norms and Nobility: A Treatise on Education, David Hicks claims we are at risk

because modern education has lost its focus on moral instruction, normative standards, and a connection between knowing and doing. Beyond these changes in modern education, our culture is at risk because the education of future generations has been removed from the family. Parents can pursue a family-centered, eternity-focused education as they consider the iconic sword and the stone to overcome the current risk. Paideia serves as a cornerstone for an education recognizing eternal persons, and normative standards enable students to wield their swords of …

A Qualitative Analysis Of Augustine’S Philosophy Of Education, Erik D. Thomas

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

A philosophy of education consists of varying values and beliefs that coalesce to form a coherent and structured approach to curriculum and instruction. Today, a diverse number of philosophies exist, each with its own set of standards, priorities, and points of emphasis like intellectual and vocational development. However, philosophies emphasizing moral development as an integral feature of both intellectual and vocational development are not as popular. Although some forms of moral education exist, disagreements over its value, purpose, and implementation remain prevalent. The following qualitative study examined the works of Augustine of Hippo, a proponent of moral education, to identify …

Parents’ Perceptions Of Factors Influencing Enrollment Of Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade Students In Christian Schools, Michelle L. Misiano

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Parents compare the costs of sending their children to private Christian schools with the benefits of their children attending the schools. Christian school leaders benefit from understanding the factors influencing parents’ decisions to enroll their children in Christian private schools. In this qualitative study, the researcher interviewed nine parents from two different Christian private schools affiliated with Christian churches in South Florida to hear what factors influenced them to enroll their kindergarten through fifth grade child or children in a Christian private school. An interview guide developed by the researcher was followed during the phone interviews. In addition, six of …

Parental Involvement - Investigating The Roles, Barriers, And Strategies Of Effective Parent-Teacher Relationships In Middle School Math, Praise-El K. Pelemo

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this single-instrument qualitative case study was to investigate the roles, barriers, and strategies for effective parent-teacher relationships in middle school mathematics. The focus of this study was the accounts of three parents of middle school mathematics students in independent schools and three middle school math teachers in independent schools on their perception of roles, barriers, and strategies that increase or reduce building effective partnerships. Audio recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather details about participants' lived experiences. The goal of the research was to gain knowledge on current parent, teacher, and school practices on parental involvement and …

The Lived Experience Of Teachers’ Socratic Practice: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Mark A. Jedrzejczyk

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This hermeneutic phenomenology studied the lived experiences of four high school teachers’ Socratic practice. The purpose of the study was to describe the essence of high school teachers’ lived experience of Socratic practice and explore what the teachers’ lived experiences suggested about their understanding of Socratic practice. The data for this study were collected in semistructured interviews with four teachers. As a hermeneutic phenomenological study, the researcher did not bracket himself. Instead, he clarified his reflexivity and examined transcripts of the written interviews through a hermeneutic circle. The study found four significant themes among teachers’ descriptions of their lived experiences …

Who Can Teach Us? An Exploration Of The Influences Of Pedagogy On The Disempowerment Of Indigenous Peoples Of Oaxaca, Mexico, Mariaelena G. Steiner

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Persistent poverty coupled with inequality and marginalization continues to broaden the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous populations of Oaxaca, Mexico. Particularly in the field of education, Oaxaca exhibits an insufficient and inadequate pedagogical system. Federal, State, and NGOs educational interventions have been unreliable at best, demonstrating minimal outcomes predominantly in the degree and percentage of engagement that the indigenous of Oaxaca demonstrate at creating and implementing educational alternatives suitable to their local and state needs. The development of an ethnic pedagogical system—with all its propositions of community engagement for the purpose of progress—is critical to poverty exits as demonstrated by …

Social Media: The Impact On Spiritual Formation Among Generation Z Freshman College Students, Sam Ninan

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of social media on the spiritual formation of Generation Z freshmen college students. Social media app usage has become prevalent within society, and Gen Z members are the first to grow up their entire lives with Internet access. Christian universities must understand the impact of social media apps on incoming freshman students, as they develop spiritual formation strategies aimed at the college population. In addition, the students’ own perceptions of how they are being impacted is important to identify, in order for them to make the necessary changes towards spiritual …

A Qualitative Case Study Exploring How Title I Schools Build The Capacity Of Staff And Families In Support Of Academic Achievement, Denise D. Atwell

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This qualitative case study explored family-school partnerships in five Title I elementary schools in one central Florida school district. Literature confirms that engaging parents and families in their children's education provides positive results for a child's well-being socially, emotionally, and academically. Furthermore, partnerships between families, schools, and communities, in which all stakeholders share in the responsibility of a child's academic success, are beneficial to everyone, especially children and schools. The existing problem is that most educators do not know how to do this and many educators receive little, if any, support to build their capacity or aid their efforts in …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Former English As A Foreign Language Students, Nguessan T. Yobouet

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Many people in school settings have been successful in learning foreign languages, including English. While schools have helped provide this opportunity, the increasing rate of student disinterest in foreign languages is evidence that schools have not yet fully achieved their goals in foreign language education. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of former students who have successfully learned English as a foreign language outside of school. Specifically, this study aimed to describe and interpret the sociocultural dimension of EFL (English as a foreign language) learning. To determine the importance of the sociocultural dimension of foreign language …

Culturally Diverse Student Engagement And Professional Development Needs Of Undergraduate Faculty: A Qualitative Case Study, Christina R. Luther

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This qualitative single-site case study explored how undergraduate faculty members engaged culturally diverse students and determined the professional development needs of those faculty members to engage culturally diverse student populations. Exploring culturally sensitive practices will enable faculty members of institutions of higher education (IHEs) to engage diverse student populations. Determining the professional development needs of IHEs faculty members will assist IHEs’professional developers to implement training that will enhance the engagement of culturally diverse student populations. Qualitative data were collected through interviews from five undergraduate education faculty members at an institution of higher education (IHE) in the southeastern region of the …

Teacher Self-Efficacy And Teacher Work Engagement For Expatriate Teachers At International K12 Schools In China, Jennifer L. Johnson

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this non-experimental, descriptive quantitative survey study was to evaluate if teacher self-efficacy predicts teacher work engagement for expatriate teachers in international schools in China. The purposive sample was composed of 103 expatriate, international school teachers who have worked in China during the past 10 years at an international K12 school and are personally known to the researcher or the researcher’s contacts. The Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) and the Engaged Teachers Scale (ETS) measured teacher self-efficacy and teacher work engagement. Results from simple linear regression indicated a statistically significant predictive relationship between teacher self-efficacy and teacher …

Evaluation Of The Alignment Of Student Perceptions Of Parental Expectations Regarding Academic Success In Private College-Prep High Schools, Ryan C. Dupee

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The stresses of high school students, and the variables that add to their stress, have been researched for decades in numerous formats, but many of these studies do not survey the students’ perceptions on various levels. The purpose of this study was to gain data that would give further insight into the stressors and variables about perceptions of academic success from the context of a private high school student. Eighty-two juniors and seniors in private, college-prep high schools were surveyed concerning their perceptions of parents’ views of academic success. The researcher created a quantitative survey that was completed digitally by …