Sociology Commons^™

Increasing The Educational Attainment Of Youth In Extension Of Foster Care Through Positive Youth Development Centered Programming, Julia M. Rossmiller

Senior Capstone Papers

Approximately 20,000 young adults age out of the foster care system in America each year. Of these 20,000 individuals, less than one-quarter will choose to participate in Extension of Foster Care services. Even fewer will complete a bachelor’s degree by age 26. Extension of Foster Care provides financial support for housing and education for young adults pursuing an education or working. However, most young adults have received little or no education on post-secondary options despite having the financial resources available for these programs. Low levels of protective factors further raise the barrier to entry for young adults to pursue an …

Capturing The Intersection Of Black-American, Muslim Males And Education: Exploring Their Attitudes, Perceptions, And Lived Experiences Within An Islamic Consciousness, Kirk A. Talib-Deen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation explored the lived realities of Black-American, Muslim males and their attitudes, perceptions, histories, and endurances toward higher learning in America. It attempted to join and contribute to the more significant, historical, and extant conversations and literature on Black-American males and education, as well as their successes and failures. This dissertation adds to the dearth of literature on the intersection of Black-American, Muslim males, and education, and using jazz as an epistemological way of navigating and organizing the content, the research works to uncover, locate, and define an Islamic consciousness. While negating racist histories concomitant with the American narrative …

Differentiated Instruction For Students With Special Needs: “How Can We Better Equip Students, School Systems, And Society For Differentiated Instruction For Students With Special Needs In Career And Technical Educational Environments?”, Mikala A. Highsmith

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

Career and Technical Education (CTE) plays a vital role in preparing students for the demands of the modern workforce by providing essential knowledge, technical skills, and industry-recognized certifications. As the number of students with disabilities, including neurodivergent learners, continues to rise, CTE programs face increasing pressure to adopt innovative, inclusive educational practices. Integrating creative teaching strategies and leveraging technology are now critical tools in addressing diverse learning needs that promote effective classroom management and enhance student engagement. Moreover, CTE programs emphasize the development of professional competencies, workforce protocols, and transferable skills that strengthen students’ employability across industries. This paper examines …

Understanding The Need For Gender Inclusiveness: A Case Study In Kolkata, India, Nilasree Dutta

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The research focuses on examining the status of women in the selected Wards of Kolkata, India: Ward 59, 64, 65, 66, and 69. Three indicators are used to evaluate the status of women: education, nutrition, and religion. Data for this study was collected with the help of a Kolkata-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) named Ek Tara. A complete questionnaire with open-ended and closed-ended questions was followed to conduct the survey. 353 households were interviewed to obtain the data. Several statistical analyses have been conducted using STATA software to address research hypotheses. To assess the nutritional status of women, hand grip strength …

Does Gender Spell Success? Exploring Female Student Perspectives Of Faculty At A Higher Educational Institution, Chitora Jackson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of female students at a higher educational institution and to understand how those experiences shape their perspectives of female and male faculty. Additionally, this study sought to discover how faculty gender influences their interactions with students and the similarities and differences between interactions and the potential for student success as they define it.

The overall goal was to better understand how female students experience faculty interactions and help to promote more positive outcomes for students through the supportive efforts of those who teach them. Data were …

From Adolescence Into Adulthood: How Exclusionary Discipline And Sex Impact Early Adulthood Social And Economic Opportunities, Madeline Shanahan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The school-to-prison pipeline has established the relationship between school exclusionary discipline and an increased likelihood of experiencing criminal justice contact. Furthermore, exclusionary discipline serves as a precursor to several negative life outcomes, including educational and economic disadvantages. Using a life course perspective and longitudinal data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) collected from 1998 to 2024, this study aims to understand the role that sex plays in exclusionary discipline and explores sex differences in early adulthood life opportunities post-exclusionary discipline. This study utilizes logistic regression analyses to answer the following questions: (1) Are there different early …

New Tricks? Understanding The Role Of Education, Incarceration, And Reentry On The Older Correctional Population, Angela S. Murolo Phd, Lena Campagna Phd

Journal of Prison Education Research

Abstract

Education in prison provides an opportunity for personal growth and increased professional opportunities upon release. As older people leave prison and return to communities, the need for education serves multiple functions including successful reentry and healthy aging. The aim of this research was to explore the current literature relevant to older people during incarceration and upon release. The authors conducted a systematic literature review on 15 years of research between 2008- 2023 to understand how education in prison impacts older people while incarcerated and upon release. Articles published prior to 2008 were excluded from this study. Twenty-seven articles were …

Sundanese Culture Education Strategy At Sman 1 Depok, Fernandez Rayhan Al Asskari

Journal of Indonesian Tourism and Policy Studies

This study aims to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of Sundanese cultural education strategies implemented at SMA 1 Depok. This research uses a qualitativeapproach with data collection techniques in the form of observation, interviews, and documentation studies. The respondents of the study were students and teachers at SMA1 Depok who were involved in Sundanese cultural education programs. The results showed that the Sundanese cultural education strategy implemented at SMA 1 Depok has succeeded in increasing students' understanding of Sundanese culture. Students show a high interest in learning Sundanese culture and expressing it in various cultural activities at school. Teachers also …

Dissemination And Implementation Approach To Increasing Access To Local Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) Resources With Black Cisgender Women: Intervention Study With Vlogs Shared On Social Media, Mandy J Hill, Laurenia Mangum, Sandra J Coker, Tristen Sutton, Diane M Santa Maria

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Black cisgender women account for only 2% of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)-eligible people in the United States who use PrEP to prevent HIV. Owing to the low PrEP use, Black cisgender women continue to contract HIV more frequently than women from every other racial group. Intervention efforts that can bridge the link between knowing that PrEP prevents HIV and support with access to PrEP are necessary for Black cisgender women.

Objective: The purposes of the vlogs through the campaign were to share information about ways to prevent HIV using PrEP and fact-based education and provide access to PrEP resources with …

The Latter-Day Saint Indian Placement Program: An Examination Through An Experiential Lens, Quinn Elise Christiansen

Theses and Dissertations

The Indian Placement Program, operated by the LDS Church from around 1947 to 2000, was influenced by the Church's belief in a connection between Native Americans to a Book of Mormon group known as the Lamanites. This group held a special status within the LDS Church because of their believed Israelite heritage as well as a prophecy promising their conversion in the last days. Spencer W. Kimball, motivated by both personal goals and his authority within the LDS Church, expanded on a successful experience of a young Native girl, Helen John, growing it into the broader Indian Placement Program. This …

Nsu Outreach, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Digital: Communiversity

No abstract provided.

Nsu Communiversity Outreach, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Digital: Communiversity

No abstract provided.

How Identities Shape Belonging In Occupational Therapy Education: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Student Belonging, Quinn P. Tyminski, Rowhea Elmesky

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Belonging is defined in a variety of ways but most often refers to an individual’s feelings of acceptance, inclusion, support, and respect within a certain environment. Belonging is an innate human need and contributes to success in academic and professional settings. Within occupational therapy (OT) education, minimal attention has been paid to the specific concept of belonging with no research focused on long-term qualitative explorations of student belonging for students with historically minoritized identities (HMIs). Thus, the goal of the present study was to better understand how students with multiple HMIs experienced the phenomenon of belonging in OT education. Utilizing …

Latine Students In U.S. Schools: An Interactive Resource Book For Educators, Melissa Colón

OER Textbooks

This interactive resource book provides educators with highly curated research, academic scholarship, and community-based materials to better inform and support their work with Latine students, families, and communities. Grounded in critical and culturally sustaining pedagogies (Rendón et al., 2014; Alim & Paris, 2017). This book encourages educators to cultivate a spirit of curiosity, collaboration, and continuous learning, recognizing that serving Latine students well requires both commitment and ongoing inquiry.

Culturally Responsive Ai Module In Early Childhood Teacher Education: An Action Research, Xin Li, Seongryeong Yu

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Recently, the focus on emerging AI in early childhood education has predominantly centered around the technological aspects of AI integration. However, it is critical to support all children from diverse backgrounds while applying AI in early childhood settings. A substantial body of literature emphasizes the importance of culturally responsive pedagogy, especially for children from diverse backgrounds. Despite the necessity for culturally responsive pedagogy among educators, most of the AI studies focus on users’ attitudes toward AI and its impact on task performance, but studies and concerns regarding the incorporation of AI remain less unexplored. This study endeavors to address this …

Delinking Development: Material And Epistemic Justice And Caribbean Reparations, Tavis D. Jules, Nigel Brissett

Sustainability and Social Justice

In this conceptual paper, we consider novel avenues for development in the Anglophone Caribbean by addressing the historical heritage of chattel slavery, Indigenous dispossession, and extractive capitalism and their pivotal roles in shaping capitalist modernity. Our analysis encompasses the historical configurations of the development paradigm, elucidating the impact of colonial violence, extractive and racial capitalism, and the resulting material and epistemic repercussions. Positioned within the conceptual framework of reparations, we propose restructuring the aid system and asserting the right to epistemic autonomy as two strategic avenues for reshaping the current developmental trajectories of Caribbean societies.

This Is How You Can Be A Cool Adult, Angelica Angelica

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

“This Is How You Can Be a COOL Adult” is an interactive and self-reflective lesson designed to help high school juniors through college seniors practice being more compassionate, open-minded, optimistic, and laughing-out-loud (humorous) in their everyday lives. By the end of this lesson, students will be able to describe and explore research-based strategies that foster compassion, open-mindedness, optimism, and humor, and create a personalized “COOL Action Plan” with self-reflection logs to track progress. The lesson takes place in an unconventional classroom setting (outdoors) and includes mini-lectures, meditation, collaborative games, creative role-play, personal reflection, and practical methods for applying these qualities …

The Boston Metco Program: Recent Alumni Experiences And Educational Equity, Maya Hernandez

Honors Theses

This project focuses on contemporary school integration practices by examining, in particular, the Boston METCO (Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity Inc) program and the experiences of its recent alumni. The METCO program, the United States’ longest-running voluntary school desegregation program, was created in 1966 to give students of color from the city of Boston better educational opportunities by busing them to the surrounding suburbs for school. To this day, it is a program meant to expand educational opportunities, increase diversity, and reduce racial isolation, by permitting students from Boston to attend public schools beyond district lines, in the suburbs. My …

Understanding And Doing Research In Education & The Social Sciences, Phillip A. Olt, Yaprak Dalat Ward, Kevin Splichal, Reade L. Dowda, Elliot Isom

All Open Educational Resources

The purpose of this book is to provide an open-access, free textbook for initial learning about research for students in the social sciences and related professional fields (such as education, social work, business, or nursing).

This OER was updated in 2026 to include accessibility updates.

Girls First Fund: External Evaluation—Endline Evaluation Report, Brian Medina Carranza, Neelanjana Pandey, Angel Del Valle, Fatima Zahra

Adolescents and Young People

The Population Council is leading an evaluation of programs funded by the Girls First Fund (GFF) in the Dominican Republic (DR), India, and Niger. These three countries were chosen to maximize geographic, social, cultural, and economic diversity across contexts, but common to all three is the continued persistence of child marriage and the presence of collective efforts to eliminate it. The broader goal of this evaluation is to: 1) demonstrate proof of concept for the impact of  GFF-supported programs; 2) examine key outcomes of interest to the GFF and the community-based organizations that it funds, including education, child marriage, and …

Social Determinants Of Mental Health Outcomes, Ariana Fein

Honors Theses

Mental health disorders, particularly anxiety and depression, are a growing global concern with profound consequences on individuals' well-being and societal functioning. The burden of these disorders is not only psychological but also economic, affecting quality of life. Mental health outcomes are heavily influenced by a range of social determinants, such as financial status, education, and access to healthcare. While extensive research has focused on WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) countries, there remains a significant gap in understanding how these determinants affect mental health in low-resource settings or non-WEIRD countries. This study aimed to address this gap by exploring the …

Increasing Women In Political Careers, Kendall Craig

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Women are underrepresented in political careers and through a series of questions, female, college-aged participants were asked to rank their answers to various questions in regard to inequalities women face on a scale of one to ten. The participants ran through two interventions where they learned about political careers as well as the struggles of women in political careers, the importance and impact. After the interventions, the exact same questions with the same scales were offered to participants to observe whether education on the topic could increase desire to seek careers in politics. The findings show that a small majority …

Empowered Margins: Women, Work, And Justice In Educational Labor, Erin Woodford

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation examines economic justice and employment precarity faced by educators in both K-12 and post-secondary education systems. While literature explores themes of changing demographics in union membership, collective bargaining, labor activism, and gendered and intersectional inequities in academia, and women in leadership in unions, a critical gap of disabled women’s voices and solutions to the inequities remains. This study highlights how job insecurity, unequal pay, hiring biases, limited recognition of prior learning, and inadequate institutional support exacerbates mental health challenges, professional invisibility, and economic instability. In the K-12 unionized system, systemic barriers such include disregard for substitute teaching as …

From Fear To Resilience: An Autoethnography Detailing A Teacher's Battle Against Bullying By Public School Principals, Laurie Etta Reif

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This paper tells my story within the realm of public education, particularly focusing on the interactions between teachers and the principals overseeing their schools. Grounded in social context, this autoethnography explores the challenges in these relationships while offering insights into best practices for fostering constructive engagement between educators and administrators. The discussion highlights my struggles with the power dynamics that are prevalent in public schools. Through my story, informed by Indigenous Women’s Research Theory and storytelling methodologies, this dissertation recounts experiences of harassment and intimidation I encountered across multiple school settings. The narrative is an analysis of existing resources and …

Escaping The Pedagogical Cabin In The Woods, Tony Kemerly, Davis Ritenour

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

The American educational system, because of its seemingly innocuous yet ubiquitous nature, has become, to borrow a term from Roland Barthes, naturalized. By being naturalized, it has become a system that has somehow slipped beneath the radar of the American populace and operates on an autopilot of sorts that allows it to employ practices that don’t necessarily have the best interests of its constituents at heart. Murray Rothbard (1979) argued that compulsory schooling is not guided by altruism, but rather a desire to coerce the population into a mold that is desired by those possessing power in society. This need …

Full Issue: Access To Education, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Landscapes Of Learning: How Nonprofits Are Bridging Educational Divides, Erica Jensen

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Honorable Mention Research Paper: The Impact Of External Factors On Urban Youth Behaviors, Erin Simmons

Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize

This study examines how community, family, and educational dynamics impact behavioral and academic outcomes for students in urban communities, focusing on Black and Latinx youth. Through qualitative research involving interviews and observations, the study explores how factors like family instability, economic challenges, and community violence influence students’ behaviors and motivations in school. Findings reveal that unresolved trauma and external stresses manifest in the behavior and emotions of students within the classroom, affecting both student engagement and achievement. The research offers insights for educators, counselors/ therapists, social workers, families and policymakers to develop supportive interventions that address students’ unique experiences.

Media Literacy, Education, And A Global Pandemic: Lessons Learned In A Gender And Pop Culture Classroom, Jessica Lowell Mason, Ebehitale Imobhio

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

In Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom, bell hooks writes that “to engage in dialogue is one of the simplest ways we can begin as teachers, scholars, and critical thinkers to cross boundaries.” Hence, this paper explores, through narrative dialogue, teacher and student perspectives on the pedagogical impact of the global pandemic on the process of engaging with and learning about media literacy. By naming and narrating teacher and student experiences and perspectives from a course on gender and pop culture that took place during the Spring 2020 semester, the paper aims to demonstrate the …

The Many Ways Of Wakanda: Viewpoint Diversity In Black Panther And Its Implications For Civics Education, Justin Frank Martin

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Like many of its superhero film predecessors, Black Panther (2018) achieved widespread popularity both domestically and internationally. Although the film examines the focal character T’Challa’s (Black Panther) attempt to balance his dual responsibilities as king and protector of Wakanda, the viewpoint diversity displayed by its citizens suggests that the film’s central character is Wakandan society. Drawing on events and themes from the film, the essay argues that social domain theory (SDT)—a theory that attempts to explain the development of sociomoral concepts across the lifespan—provides a useful lens to examine Wakandans’ viewpoint diversity as portrayed in the film, specifically with regards …