Education Policy Commons^™

Learning A Little Bit Harder: The Intersecting Experiences Of First-Generation And Single-Mother College Students, Natalie Lecy, Elizabeth Hendrix, Brian A. Droubay

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

This study examines the experiences of nine first-generation, single-mother college students, focusing on these intersecting, double-jeopardy identities. Participants’ difficulty navigating college varied; contributing factors included family background, social capital, the type of college attended, and whether they established a mentor. The following themes were established: 1) realizing college is an option, 2) caught between two worlds, 3) college wasn’t designed for us, 4) economic barriers, and 5) disparities in social capital. Our findings indicate colleges were unprepared to meet the unique challenges faced by this group. We present recommendations for the …

The Fraught Path To Residency For International Medical Graduates, Fatima Mossolem, Nidhi Chaudhary, Kate Whelihan, Venkat Venkataraman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background:

International medical school graduates (IMGs) are a vital part of the physician workforce in the United States helping to combat the ongoing physician shortage. The Association of American Medical Colleges reported that 42.3% of hospitalists were IMGs, physicians that also comprise a significant part of primary care physicians in rural underserved areas. Students in a gray area of immigration statuses such as those in DACA or those that have lived in the US for years waiting to attain citizenship are automatically considered “international students” and have typically received less residency interviews, and have had a harder time matching into …

Rewriting The School Calendar: A Mixed-Methods Analysis Of Four-Day School Week Implementation In Arkansas, Kate Barnes

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The four-day school week (4DSW) has gained traction across the United States, particularly in rural districts seeking innovative responses to mounting challenges. Despite its expanding adoption, key questions remain regarding the motivations for implementing 4DSW schedules and their implications for teacher well-being and student achievement. This dissertation examines the emergence and effects of the 4DSW in Arkansas, where adoption has increased rapidly in recent years, offering a unique context shaped by state-level policy and rural dynamics. Employing a mixed-methods, this dissertation investigates (1) why and how districts adopt the 4DSW, (2) whether the policy alleviates teacher burnout, and (3) how …

The Interplay Of Housing Instability And Mathematics During Adolescence: A Retrospective Study Of Black Stem Folx, Sharetta M. W. Bufford

All Dissertations

Few studies have delved into the delicate nuances that impact Black students’ mathematics performance, nor have they paid much attention to the resources students leverage to overcome systems that perpetuate negative stereotypes about Black youth. For decades, studies about Black youth have been explored from a deficit perspective, shedding negative light on circumstances typically beyond the control of those being studied. Even more, some studies have placed blame on parents and parental figures in the lives of Black children for unacceptable school behavior and poor academic progress (Cobb II & Russell, 2015). Black youth have been portrayed as problematic, disruptive, …

Structuring The Sustainability Of Happiness In Critical Postmodernity: A Metadata, Mixed-Methods Study In Education, Roxanne Renee Rodriguez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation study is built upon a pilot study that uses a meta-theoretical analysis on the culture of education. The purpose of it is to examine [un]happiness, a phenomenon influenced by the social, political, and economic systems in Western paradigms within a critical postmodern view, looking at the intricacies of schooling, as no studies have taken a bottom-up approach to investigate the voices of the main stakeholders: students, teachers, and administrators. My study questions whether a holistic, liberating, and socially responsive curriculum could engender a positive learning environment wherein happiness is sustainable. Within happiness studies, hope is essential, so much …

Language, Equity, And Power: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Student Conduct Policies At Unl, Mandi Laib

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study conducts a Critical Discourse Analysis of student conduct policies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 1977 to 2003 to examine how language reflects and reinforces institutional power structures. Utilizing Critical Race Theory and Queer Theory, this research investigates how conduct policies have historically marginalized Students of Color, LGBTQ+ students, and those facing economic hardship. Through a deductive coding process, themes such as institutional control, surveillance, and punitive framing were identified across four decades of student handbooks. While there are moments where student rights and restorative justice are acknowledged, these are often overshadowed by dominant discourse that prioritizes compliance …

Empowering Dreams: The Massachusetts Tuition Equity Law And Its Impact On Undocumented Latine Students, Belén Zúñiga, Melissa Colón

Gastón Institute Publications

As a result of the Tuition Equity Law enacted in September 2023, Massachusetts is one of 25 states1 that have encouraged access to higher education for non-citizens, including undocumented students2 (Broder and Kmec, 2024). Under the Tuition Equity Law, undocumented students, who: attended a high school (9th-12th grade)3 in Massachusetts with any combination of three years, graduated from a Massachusetts high school or have a Massachusetts high school diploma equivalent (GED/HiSet), and are admitted to a public institution of higher education in Massachusetts, can attend at in-state tuition rates (Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, 2023). They are also eligible to …

Assessing Use Of Suicide Prevention And Awareness Training In Rhode Island Public Secondary Schools, Marisa A. Waycuilis

Senior Honors Projects

Suicide has become the second leading cause of death in adolescents in the United States (CDC, 2023). To prevent suicide among school-aged children, the state of Rhode Island enacted the Nathan Bruno and Jason Flatt Act (2021-H5353, 2021-S003) in July of 2021. The legislation requires teachers, students (Grade 6 through 12), and hired school personnel to be annually trained in suicide awareness and prevention. In addition, each public school district must adopt a policy addressing produces relating to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. This project aimed to evaluate the level of compliance with the Nathan Bruno and Jason Flatt Act …

Relationship Between Local Fiscal Effort And High School Graduation Rate, Zachary Michael Haney

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Education is an investment in human capital, but the cost to provide this public service is significant. Understanding the return on this investment is essential for informed and effective financial decision-making. While previous school finance studies have examined the relationship between funding and various indicators of student achievement and student attainment, most have focused on spending practices rather than the level of investment itself. Although the literature affirms the need for educational resources, further research is required to determine which types of investment most positively affect student outcomes. Therefore, funding must be analyzed prior to budgetary allocation to evaluate its …

Barriers Individuals And Families Experience Utilizing Anti-Poverty Programs, Miranda C. Dube'

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This proposed study aims to explore the barriers experienced by residents of the High Desert communities. Using a quantitative method approach, the proposed research will employ surveys to provide a comprehensive understanding of the outcomes experienced by the High Desert residents. Participants will be selected within the High Desert communities, aged 18 years or older, who have or are currently experiencing poverty. The findings from this proposed study would contribute to bridging gaps in understanding the barriers residents of the High Desert experience. By identifying factors that suppress successfully utilizing anti-poverty programs, this research proposal would aim to inform the …

Accessing Critical Resources For Family Emergency Preparedness, Nancy L. Coffman

ATU Scholars Symposium

This study evaluates the accessibility and effectiveness of online disaster preparedness resources for families. Through content analysis of publicly available emergency planning materials, the research identifies four major barriers impeding family preparedness: technical jargon, geographic limitations, financial constraints, and incomplete information. The analytical sample included resources from government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and specialized platforms, assessed through a researcher-developed evaluation instrument examining linguistic accessibility, geographic specificity, implementation feasibility, and informational comprehensiveness.

Findings reveal that while many resources demonstrated strengths in providing comprehensive content with clear language, significant deficiencies exist regarding geographic specificity and practical implementation guidance. Free resources often lacked depth, …

The Implementation Of Higher Education In The Prison System In Mississippi: The Challenges And Benefits, Elizabeth F. Ratliff

Honors Theses

Growing support for higher education in prison has sparked much conversation regarding the challenges and benefits of the programs and their implementation. In Mississippi, this has become an increasingly prevalent issue as the incarcerated population continues to grow and programs continue to be limited in accessibility. Mississippi’s incarcerated population deserves the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills through higher education to better themselves individually and better their communities upon release. However, Mississippi faces unique challenges in its prison system, preventing the benefits of these programs from showing. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the challenges and …

Toledo Private High Schools: An Analysis Of Marketing Strategies, Tegan Ruttencutter

Honors Projects

Having a better understanding of private education is vital in a country where research on private schools outside of school choice literature is limited. This research aims to gain a deeper understanding of the marketing strategies employed by Toledo private high schools, thereby enhancing our comprehension of the local education market and its broader implications. This study will delve into the websites of three prominent Toledo private high schools: one Catholic, one Christian/Religious, and one secular school. To better understand these websites and schools, marketing and education-related literature regarding marketing strategies and private education is reviewed. Additionally, to better understand …

Evaluating Lunch Plan Data In The St. Charles School District (Scsd), Maddy Alexander, Guillermo Bilbao, Duncan Krige, Alyssa Schreiber

2025 Student Academic Showcase

The SCSD is a public school district in St. Charles, with, on average, 4500 students a year. The SCSD is subdivided into an early childhood center, six elementary schools, two intermediate (5-6,7-8) schools, and two high schools. Vocational schools are also within this district but were not included in this report. The SCSD is concerned with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their district’s population and on the number of students that needed assistance with lunch. They have asked Lindenwood’s 2024-2025 PIC Math group to analyze their data from the years 2020-2025 and identify any trends. Identifying these trends …

The Effects Of School Safety Strategies On K-12 Schools: Armed Civilians, School Resource Officers, And Metal Detectors As Contributors To The School-To-Prison Pipeline, Rebeca Petean

Dissertations and Theses

In recent decades, K-12 public schools have introduced get-tough measures ostensibly to improve school safety through punitive responses to misconduct and delinquency--expanding from traditional security measures to more punitive, zero-tolerance policies and surveillance-based approaches. Academic literature and media accounts highlight that such efforts continue to proliferate and extend across our nation's school spaces. This three-paper dissertation examines how specific safety practices--namely, the presence of armed civilians, School Resource Officers (SROs), and random metal detector checks--influence student outcomes and contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline. Rooted in Becker's (1963) and Lemert's (1967) labeling theory, as well as Sampson and Laub's (1997) cumulative …

Scaling Promising Education Initiatives Locally & Around The World, Brad Olsen

Brookings Scholar Lecture Series

As part of the Brookings Scholar Lecture Series, Brookings Mountain West presents a lecture titled, "Scaling Promising Education Initiatives Locally & Around the World" by Brookings senior fellow in global economy and development, Brad Olsen.

What does it mean to scale a promising education innovation or initiative throughout a location? Why is “scaling” a useful approach for education improvement? What is the current state of scaling in education—and how can it be leveraged to better support schools, teachers, learners, communities, and the transformation of whole education systems in the U.S. and around the world? Brad Olsen, senior fellow at the …

An Examination Of The Role Bureaucratic Discretion Plays In Public Education Policy And Administration: A Revelation Of How Discretionary Discipline Impacts Historically Marginalized Students, Regina Francine Turner

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

An under-researched area of public administration, bureaucratic discretionary practices regarding student discipline and resulting inequitable consequences are explored throughout this study from a theoretical perspective. The study examines student discipline outcomes for conduct violations in America’s schools. Further, research will determine if data supports the notion that school leaders’ administrative discretion contributes to inequitable student disciplinary practices. Evidenced by research and corresponding data regarding discriminatory student disciplinary actions, this study relies on Critical Race Theory (CRT) as its foundation and theoretical framework.

Using relevant literature, research questions were formed, hypotheses were crafted, and statistical analyses were performed to test means …

Reserve Officer Training Corps Officers’ Perspectives On Diversity, Equity, And Inclusionary Practices In Commissioning Minority Officers In The U.S. Military, Christopher Tompkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the lack of research on Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) officers’ practices using diversity, equity, and inclusionary (DEI) in commissioning minority officers in the U.S. military. This deficiency of literature and research illustrates the necessity to explore ROTC officers' perspectives of practices in this context. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore ROTC officers’ perspectives on DEI practices related to commissioning minority officers in the U.S. military. The conceptual framework was grounded in critical race theory and aversive racism theory. The research question was focused on ROTC officers' perspectives on DEI …

How Do School-Level Dynamics Impact Mainstreaming Practices In American Schools?, Natalie M. Watson

Department of Sociology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

How do school-level dynamics impact the everyday experiences of students with disabilities, compared to their abled peers? Extant research has mostly focused on the experiences of individual students with disabilities, and their teachers. We know far less about how school-level dynamics shape students’ experiences. Historically, American schools formally separated students with and without disabilities, though the specific mode varied over time -- ranging from explicit institutionalization to segregation in special education programs. At least since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, efforts to educate students with disabilities alongside their abled peers in mainstreamed settings have increased …

Examining A Unl College Success Program Through The Culturally Engaging Campus Environments Model, Osvaldo Palma Vargas

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Higher education institutions have faced difficulties in providing environments designed to promote positive success outcomes among diverse student populations, especially first-generation students. While literature has focused on college success programs’ practices as a solution, there is a noticeable gap in what these programs do that integrate first-generation students’ cultures. This ethnographic-inspired study sought to identify what cultural practices within a college success program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Trenchard Foundation Institute of Excellence (TFIOE), contributed to creating culturally engaging campus environments for first-generation college students. Using Museus’s (2014) culturally engaging campus environments model (CECE) as a framework, I conducted …

Challenges In Higher Education For Latino U.S - Born Children Of Undocumented Immigrants, Lupita Gomez Benitez

Senior Theses

Latino native-born children of undocumented immigrants in the United States occupy a unique position within American society. They are citizens by birth and therefore, entitled to all the rights of a regular citizen. However, society does not treat them as such due to their parents' legal status. This paper analyzes the barriers that these students face during the higher education process, specifically in South Carolina. The study uses a review of existing literature and qualitative interviews to uncover some of these challenges and why these students do not ask for help. The findings suggest that these students do have certain …

Cost Modeling For State Longitudinal Data Systems, Benjamin Boer

Practitioner Toolkits and Resources

A tool to support the development and scaling of longitudinal data supports in state policymaking.

Bridging The Gap Between Muslim Students And School Leadership In The United States, Sahar Khawaja

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Entering the third decade of the 21st century, the political landscape in the United States presents a challenging environment for Muslims, mirroring the global trend of oppression and discrimination faced by this community (Neptune, 2021). Despite being the fastest-growing demographic in the nation (Lipka, 2017), Muslim Americans increasingly encounter discrimination. By actively addressing and dismantling these stereotypes, educators can cultivate an inclusive environment where the needs of Muslim students are understood and respected. Understanding the stories and experiences of these students is vital for school leaders, as it enables the creation of an environment where every student feels a genuine …

Empowering Educators, Transforming Futures: An Explanatory Multiple Case Study Of The Smou Schools In Saudi Arabia, Hana Ali Alzandi Alghamdi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 emphasizes educational reform as a critical pathway for national development, highlighting the role of educators in fostering student success. The Smou program, a professional development initiative, seeks to enhance the instructional and leadership capacities of school leaders and teachers in elementary public schools. This study explores how school leaders navigate their role in supporting teachers’ application of Smou program strategies and how teachers perceive their preparation for implementing these strategies in their instructional practices. Using an explanatory multiple case study approach, the research explores two elementary schools in the Mecca region—one high-performing and one low-performing—selected based …

Nevada System Of Higher Education Residency And Pell Grant-Eligible Student Population, 2013-2022, Kristian Thymianos, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Higher Education

This fact sheet examines data available through the Data Hub at The Lincy Institute & Brookings Mountain West on enrollment headcounts between Fall 2013 and Fall 2022 for higher education institutions in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

2025 Diversity Climate Survey Report, Illinois Math And Science Academy

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Resources

No abstract provided.

Restoring School Librarians: Challenges And Strategies, Debrah E. Kachel

Learning Hub

The article examines efforts to restore school librarian positions across eleven urban U.S. school districts, despite significant financial and administrative obstacles. It documents strategies used by district library leaders to advocate for staffing, funding, and policy changes, emphasizing equity in access to certified school librarians. Through structured interviews and analysis, the report highlights key barriers, advocacy methods, and funding mechanisms that have influenced school library staffing. The study's findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on educational equity and policy reform in K-12 library services.

Health Coverage And Educational Investments, Pragati, Tirthatanmoy Das

Working Papers

Human capital theory posits that investments in health and education are complementary. Health investments boost education demand, thereby increasing educational expenditures. Drawing on this theory, this paper examines the impact of health coverage on three aspects of household educational investments: (a) the share of educational expenditures, (b) the level of educational spending, and (c) the probability of taking an educational loan. Using a health insurance scheme in India, this study employs a modified difference-in-difference strategy and two waves of the Indian Human Development Survey (2004-05 and 2011-12). The findings show that health insurance led to a 10 percent rise in …

The Feminization Of Deteriorated Labor Force Participation In Egypt: 1990 – 2024, Mennan Gamal Nour El Din

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to explain why female labor force participation deteriorated in quantity and in quality despite the recent rise in female educational attainment levels over the past three decades (1990 – 2024). On the one hand, labor participation declined, whereas on the other hand, female informal employment remains high in Egypt. This thesis dissertation utilizes a qualitative research methodology through both secondary data in the form of descriptive statistics on the phenomenon of female labor force participation as well as primary data in the form of six in-depth expert interviews with experts in the fields of …

Whose Innovation? Philanthropic And School-Based Visions Of High School In The Xq Super School Competition, Brett G. Murphy

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The XQ Institute, funded by Laurene Powell Jobs’ Emerson Collective, launched a design competition in 2015 to find the most innovative high schools in the country. Their goal was to spark a movement that would revolutionize secondary school in the United States, a system they claimed was 100 years behind the times. Called the Super School Project, the winning ten teams each received $10 million. While XQ claims that the best ideas about high school reform come from communities and student voice, they also have funded selective ideas about “innovation,” including computer-based personalized learning. The organization’s efforts have grown in …