From The Editors, Michele J. Koomen, Thomastine Sarchet-Maher, Jessica Williams

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

JSESD remains a venue for the dissemination of research and practice related to the education of students with disabilities in the science classroom and laboratory since 1998. Volumes #1 through 11 were published in a print format. Starting with Volume #12, the journal has been published online and Open Access. Having JSESD in the Open Access format maximizes access for readers and authors and allows the journal to remain economically sustainable.

Copyright, Michele J. Koomen, Thomastine Sarchet-Maher, Jessica Williams

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Efficacy Of The Comprehensive Institutional Model (Cim) In A Post-Covid-19 Hyflex Higher Education Environment: An Instrumental Case, Pamela Mccray

Theses & Dissertations

This instrumental case study examined the efficacy of the comprehensive institutional model, a pre-existing conceptual framework addressing the challenges of HyFlex teaching and learning in the post-COVID-19 environment at one private university in South Texas. The model was constructed using longitudinal data from a two-year pilot study (2021-2023) and focused on improving teaching effectiveness, investing in instructional technology and infrastructure, supporting graduate students’ academic needs, and executing institutional sustainability actions across three stakeholder groups: administrators, faculty, and graduate students. The study also addressed key gaps in the literature, including the lack of tested HyFlex models in real-world settings. A qualitative, …

Double, Double, Toils And Troubles: Analyzing The “Magical” Relationships Between University Leaders’ Personality Traits And Their Self-Efficacy In Leadership Situations, Fay Ludvine Boudreaux

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This present study investigated the relationship between higher education leaders’ personality traits and their self-efficacy in leadership situations. A total of 151 leaders employed across the nine institutions within the University of Louisiana System completed a survey that prompted them to identify their personal values, traits, and skill sets, as derived from the online Pottermore quiz, the official Harry Potter Hogwarts House sorting instrument. This niche personality metric was chosen to cater to higher education’s evolving landscape, as it welcomes an influx of Millennials into leadership positions. Participants’ responses were eventually recoded to “sort” them into their respective Houses: Gryffindor, …

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 …

Institutionalizing Normality: Disability, Productivity, And Higher Education, Ashley Dirzis

Student Theses

This thesis examines how capitalism and neuronormative domination shape the structures and values of academic institutions, affecting faculty, students, and research subjects alike. By privileging productivity, conformity, and efficiency in the pursuit of income, universities often marginalize those who diverge from normative standards of thinking, behavior, and embodiment, particularly disabled individuals. Drawing on Marta Russell’s Disability and Capitalism and the shaping of disability by capitalist systems, Robert Chapman’s notion of the "Empire of Normality" and Jay Dolmage’s concept of the retrofit from Academic Ableism, this paper analyzes how academia reinforces ableist norms. It explores the realities and barriers that …

Teacher Retention And The Future Of Learning: Alarming Concerns About Preparing The Next Generation Of Citizens, Dejuanna M. Parker, Barbara D. Holmes

Journal of Research Initiatives

Research is robust in detailing the various reasons teachers leave the profession. There is scant literature on why teachers stay and what should be done to improve teacher retention. Teacher retention is a primary concern nationally and internationally. The inability to retain teachers has resulted in a teacher shortage and significantly affects student learning. Sorenson and Ladd (2020) This study yielded three emergent themes related to integral factors of teacher retention: changing attitudes on administrative support, workplace collegiality, and persistence of passion and purpose. Recommendations offered include encouraging administrators to leverage the passion and commitment of the educators to create …

The Dissertation Research Proposal Process: A Systematic Approach, Dianala M. Bernard

Journal of Research Initiatives

A dissertation research proposal is more than just a document that represents the foundation of a doctoral candidate's research journey. It is essential to communicate the study's intent to be undertaken and to gain approval from an academic committee. The present analysis provides a systematic approach to writing a dissertation proposal, offering insights and strategies that align with contemporary research practices. From framing the research with an introduction and formulating research questions to outlining the methodology, this guide highlights the key components contributing to a successful proposal. Emphasizing clarity, originality, and scholarly rigor, this guide also draws from current academic …

Factors Influencing Jordanian College Understudies' Impressions Of Learning Through Emergency Distance Learning (Edl), Abdelnaser Sanad Alakayleh

Journal of Research Initiatives

In this study, which used a quantitative and correlational approach, the variables influencing Jordanian university students' perceptions of their education under emergency remote learning scenarios were investigated. An online survey was administered to a sample of 765 male and female education stage students. Jordan offers higher education for both genders and at different levels in different regions. Many criteria connected to perceived learning were taken into consideration when administering the study questionnaire. It was discovered that the economics students had a more positive perception of learning than the education and science students, followed by deep learning, avoiding superficial learning factors, …

Moving Goalposts: Unknowables, And Anxiety In Tenure And Promotion, Mark Diacopoulos, Ruth Monnier

Open Educational Resources - Teaching and Learning

In this study, two tenure-track colleagues (Mark and Ruth) examined their process of seeking tenure and promotion. They sought to answer the following question: To what extent do the unknowables in the tenure and promotion process lead to unnecessary anxiety?

Bridging Cura: Faculty Of Color Socialization At A Jesuit Institution, Norma López, Demetri L. Morgan, Savanna Surprise

Journal of Catholic Education

This research focuses on Jesuit Catholic higher education in the United States because at the heart of this mission is encouraging all involved to navigate the discernment process and then enact considerations that vacillate between cura apostolica (care for institution) and cura personalis (care for people/society). Cura apostolica and cura personalis can be viewed as brands of institutional purposes that consistently emerge at many colleges and universities out of concerns for institutional risk aversion, protection, and sustainability amid hope for supporting people toward success in a humanizing fashion. Specifically, this research is concerned with the toll institutional concern has on …

Full Issue

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

A Retention Model You Will Actually Use: The Development Of A Retention Model Grounded In Research And Designed For Practice, Steve Conn

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

Inclusive Teaching: Strategies For Promoting Equity In The College Classroom, Kara E. Martin

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

How To Know A Person: The Art Of Seeing Others Deeply And Being Deeply Seen, David A. Winkler

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

Christian Higher Education: An Empirical Guide, Roy Y. Chan

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

First Gen: A Memoir, Hannah Brenton

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

Teaching Students To Be Resilient: A Campus-Wide Approach, Connie Horton, La Shonda Coleman, Brad Dudley, Stacey Lee Gobir, Sergio Gallardo Palma

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

In response to escalating mental health concerns among college students, Pepperdine University developed the Resilience- Informed Skills Education (RISE) program to equip students with resilience skills. The biblically sound and research-based curriculum focuses on six dimensions: physical, social, cognitive, spiritual, service, and life skills. All first-year students learn resilience skills through the RISE small-group program. Numerous additional opportunities are made available, including resilience coaching, a resilience interest living community, lunch and learns, a yearly summit, a podcast, a newsletter, and a variety of engaging campus programs. Student leaders have been key to the positive response to RISE, as have partnerships …

The Anxious Generation: How The Great Rewiring Of Childhood Is Causing An Epidemic Of Mental Illness, Aaron J. Howell

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

Effects Of A Pornography Use Reduction Program, Justin Heth, John Foubert, Andrew Courtner

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

Pornography use has been shown to be highly common among young men, with numerous documented deleterious effects. Though the dangers of pornography use are well documented, few studies have attempted to determine what methods can be used to decrease use, including use among men attending Christian colleges. The present study began to address this gap by studying different groups of men who sought to decrease their use. Implications of these results are discussed.

How Latine College Students Experience, Maneuver, And Navigate Within The Colonizing Notion Of Smartness, Jasmine Jetton-Gonzales

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores how Latine college students, particularly those who are the first in their family to attend college, navigate and maneuver within the dominating colonizing notion of smartness in academia. Rooted in an Anglo-centric educational framework, the American education system often marginalizes Latine students by devaluing their cultural and linguistic knowledge while upholding Eurocentric standards of intelligence. Using a qualitative critical research approach, this study employs testimonios to examine the lived experiences of Latine college graduates in Illinois. Findings reveal that Latine students frequently encounter systemic barriers that challenge their academic identity, including racialized perceptions of intelligence, institutionalized deficit …

First-Gen Latinx/Afro-Latinx And Complex: Keeping Resilient Responses On Shuffle, Tibisay I. Hernandez

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This qualitative study examined the racialized experiences of first-generation Latinx and Afro-Latinx students in higher education. Fourteen participants engaged in pláticas, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups to reflect on how their identities, race, and institutional dynamics shaped their collegiate journeys. The study examined how these students navigated both personal and institutional settings, revealing the emergence of tensions around belonging, authenticity, and cultural responsibility in everyday interactions. Using Latino Critical Race Theory (LatCrit) alongside Multidimensional Identity Negotiation Theory (MINT) and Co-Cultural Communication Theory (CCCT), this study developed an emergent framework—the Resilient Response Model—to better understand how students respond to complex identity …

Supporting Students In Transition To And From High School, David Naff, Jamelle Simmons, Meleah Ellison, Shelby Garofalo, Laura Thoene, Kim Dupre, Sooyeon Moon, Karli Johanson, Paul Harris, Martin Darby, William L. Parker, Tracy Booker, Janel Miley, Mysia Perry, Xun Liu, Maggie Szydlowski, Ahmed Abbas

MERC Publications

This report is part of a two-part series focused on supporting students in transition across PK-12 education. Specifically, it explores transitions into and out of high school school. The report includes a synthesis of recent peer-reviewed literature, analysis of publicly available data (with a specific focus on Virginia and the metropolitan Richmond region), and summary of relevant federal, state, and school division-level policies. It answers the following questions:

1. What are key considerations for supporting students in transition to and from high school in the MERC region?

2. How do federal, state, and division policies guide support for student transitions …

The Effectiveness Of Online Learning Technologies In Zimbabwean Primary And Secondary Schools During The Covid-19 Pandemic (2020-2022), Kudakwashe Magwenzi

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Zimbabwe, a country with modest technological infrastructure and insufficient government support systems, was forced to switch to online instructions almost overnight as the COVID-19 pandemic raged on. This research investigates the effectiveness of learning technologies applied in Zimbabwean primary and secondary schools during the pandemic based on responses gathered from surveys and in-depth interviews with various stakeholders. This research was informed by the essences of constructivism and connectivism theories that say that optimal learning takes place through engagement, collaboration, and interaction and educational technologies potentially can foster effective learning by facilitating access to information, enabling peer interactions and utilization …

A Qualitative Study Of Iranian Efl Teachers’ Perceptions Of A Digital Diversified Education, Seyed Mohammad Reza Marvasti Zadeh, Azizollah Dabaghi Varnosfadrani Advarnosfadrani, Mohammad Amiryousefi

The Qualitative Report

Because Iran is a country of learners of diverse languages, socio-economic classes, genders, and ages, digital diversified education seems appropriate to address needs in English language education. However, there is a notable gap in research on teachers’ perceptions about this type of education. To fill this gap, this study aimed to investigate the perspectives of Iranian teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) regarding a diverse digital education. Data were collected via an open-ended survey with 30 EFL teachers, both male and female, who were selected through convenience sampling. Analysis revealed several key themes, including the utilization of diverse …

The Erosion Of Identity: A Study Of The Influence Of Racial Microaggressions On K-12 African American School Leaders, Rayfield J. Lavan Iii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the experiences of African American educational leaders in navigating racial microaggressions in the workplace, specifically within K-12 educational settings. Using Taxonomy of Racial Microaggressions and emotion regulation theory as frameworks, this research examines how these leaders manage, respond to, and cope with various forms of racial bias while maintaining their professional identities. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with African American leaders, and thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns of microaggressions and corresponding emotion regulation strategies. Key findings reveal that participants frequently encounter microaggressions such as assumption of inferiority, criminality, and second-class citizenship, with …

Principals' Perspectives Of The Impact Of Faculty Engagement, Self-Efficacy, And Resiliency On First-Year African American College Student Retention, Hattie Marie Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This study examined principals’ perceptions of the impact of faculty engagement, student resiliency, and student self-efficacy on the retention of first-year urban and rural African American college students. The aim of the study was to determine why students from this demographic leave their higher education institutions after the first year. In the United States, about 30% of students, regardless of race or ethnicity, drop out of college after the first year. Further, given 6 years, about 50% of students drop out before obtaining a degree. Researchers have identified African American students as having a high college dropout rate. This …

Assessing Leadership Efficacy Of Department Heads: A Study Of Faculty Perceptions At Two Historically Black Colleges And Universities In The Southeastern United States, Demissie L. Karorsa, Monica E. Allen

Journal of Research Initiatives

Transformational leadership (TL) is a leadership approach that inspires followers and encourages their effective engagement to contribute adequately to organizational goal achievement. By inspiring followers to pursue and attain exceptional performance levels, TL accrues high follower satisfaction in their jobs and with their organizations (Asencio, 2016; Banks et al., 2016; Barnett, 2017; Bass & Riggio, 2006). This study examined faculty perceptions/ratings of transformational leadership behaviors of their department chairs at two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the southeastern United States.

A thorough examination of the data collected revealed that the faculty rated idealized attributes (IA) the highest (x̄=2.80, …

Critical Literacy And Hip Hop, Sunni Ali

Journal of Research Initiatives

Integrating critical literacy and conscious Hip-Hop in the classroom setting offers numerous benefits. It allows students to engage more effectively in conversations about contemporary topics, enhances their ability to integrate cultural perspectives, and provides a fresh perspective on the challenges they face in school and within their communities.

Integrating critical literacy and conscious Hip-Hop in the classroom setting offers numerous benefits. It allows students to engage more effectively in conversations about contemporary topics, enhances their ability to integrate cultural perspectives, and provides a fresh perspective on the challenges they face in school and within their communities.

When teachers apply a …

Tackling Infrastructural Deficit In Mission Schools: Stakeholder Perspectives, Daniel Ayembilla, Musa Adekunle Ayanwale

Journal of Research Initiatives

The research adopted a qualitative case study research design and engaged stakeholders from Senior High Schools (SHS) across Ghana. Fifty-six participants from five selected schools were purposefully sampled to represent diverse perspectives, including administrators, teachers, parents, and community members. The data collection methods involved semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews to elicit comprehensive insights. Thematic analysis was employed to discern recurring patterns and themes within the data, facilitating a comprehensive exploration of infrastructural deficits in mission schools. Moreover, stringent measures were implemented to ensure the reliability and validity of the findings, including inter-coder reliability checks, member validation, …