Defending The Golden Fleece: A Study Of Disruption And Resilience In The Movement To Defund Public Libraries In Louisiana,
2025
University of New Orleans
Defending The Golden Fleece: A Study Of Disruption And Resilience In The Movement To Defund Public Libraries In Louisiana, Ciel Lane Quebedeaux
LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations
In this moment of societal change and institutional capture, public educational institutions have become sites of contention where national ideological and political debates are carried out in local school and library board meetings across the country. In Louisiana, the creation and expansion of a statewide conservative organization has led to the defunding of public libraries sparked by accusations of grooming and inappropriate programming. In response, local library defenders have created another statewide organization to share information and organizing strategies to combat disinformation campaigns propagated by conservative organizers at local and state levels. This qualitative study includes in-depth interviews with library …
Place-Sustaining Partnerships For Rural Education And Workforce Development,
2025
Claremont Graduate University
Place-Sustaining Partnerships For Rural Education And Workforce Development, Guan K. Saw, Ryan Culbertson
The Rural Educator
This policy brief draws on the 2024 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report on K–12 STEM Education and Workforce Development in Rural Areas to examine how place-sustaining partnerships—among schools, communities, higher education, and industry—advance rural education and workforce development. Through examples of state-led initiatives and community-driven models, the brief illustrates how cross-sector collaboration rooted in local context can develop college and career pathways that equip rural learners to thrive and sustain the long-term vitality of rural communities.
Why Rural Matters 2025: A Preview And A Forward Look,
2025
East Carolina University
Why Rural Matters 2025: A Preview And A Forward Look, Jerry Johnson
DU Rural Summit Conference Proceedings
This presentation will provide a preview of the Why Rural Matters 2025 report that is currently in progress, including an overview of statistical gauges and indicators, topical essays, and key findings. Additionally, and looking forward beyond the report, presentation and discussion will engage the topic of cuts to federal programs that provide extant data essential for projects like Why Rural Matters and consider the implications for scholars, practitioners, and the general public.
Mentor Teachers As Leaders In Rural Schools: A Case Study In Retention And Renewal,
2025
Western Colorado University
Mentor Teachers As Leaders In Rural Schools: A Case Study In Retention And Renewal, Mandi Leigh
DU Rural Summit Conference Proceedings
Teacher recruitment and retention remain critical issues for rural schools in Colorado. This study explores the role that leadership development for mentor teachers may play in addressing the retention of veteran teachers and new/novice teachers alike. Rural veteran teachers are resilient leaders who introduce new teachers to the unique challenges of rural schools and their community contexts. By identifying and training mentor teachers, districts can simultaneously elevate veteran teacher expertise, celebrate their community contributions, and create capacity for leading induction programs. Ultimately, these can increase teacher retention in rural settings where teachers are most needed.
Future Of Work: Implication Of Green Economy On Employment Dynamics In Egypt,
2025
American University in Cairo
Future Of Work: Implication Of Green Economy On Employment Dynamics In Egypt, Sarah Adel Elgohary
Theses and Dissertations
Is Egypt's green economy a reality or just a policy-level aspiration? This thesis explores the tangible impact of the green economy on Egypt's labor market by examining key sectors—automotive, agriculture, and renewable energy. Through qualitative interviews and focus group discussions with private sector representatives, the study assesses the true implications of the green transition from a business-level perspective, beyond the propaganda and hype surrounding climate policies. What is the current scale of the green economy in Egypt's labor market? What existing policies and regulatory frameworks are in place to support the green economy transition? how urgent is the transition to …
Excellence Gaps: A State-Based Review Of Policies,
2025
University of Denver
Excellence Gaps: A State-Based Review Of Policies, Jonathan M. Jennings
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation investigates how state education policies address excellence gaps among student subgroups in gifted education. Using a multiple case study design, it examines the policy mechanisms, identification practices, and funding models employed across states to promote equity in advanced academic access. Grounded in critical policy analysis, the study highlights systemic disparities perpetuated by inconsistent definitions, underfunding, and limited accountability structures. Findings reveal that while some states adopt promising interventions - such as universal screening and dual enrollment support - many fall short in ensuring sustainable, inclusive practices. This research calls for reform grounded in transparency, comparability, and justice for …
Sustaining Queerness: A Phenomenological Study Of Colorado Educators,
2025
University of Denver
Sustaining Queerness: A Phenomenological Study Of Colorado Educators, Devani Lemmon
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to engage queer Colorado educators to explore how to sustain their identities as queer educators in a politically fractured state. By focusing on Colorado, I could assess the extent to which the legal protections afforded there adequately support educators in sustaining themselves. Additionally, the findings from Colorado had the potential to further illuminate factors influencing teacher sustainability and retention on a much larger scale. The questions for this research project were: 1) How are queer educators sustaining themselves and each other in an increasingly volatile political climate? 2) What, if any, factors impact queer …
Paving The Way: Cultural Relevance In College And Career Readiness Programs,
2025
University of Denver
Paving The Way: Cultural Relevance In College And Career Readiness Programs, Jacqueline Turner
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Students of color face persistent educational and systemic barriers that impact their success in college and career readiness (CCR) programs. Standardized approaches to CCR often fail to address the cultural identities, lived experiences, and needs of diverse learners (Castro, 2013; Malin et al., 2017; Welton & Martinez, 2014). Guided by the theoretical framework of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, with the extension of Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy, this instrumental case study investigates how one CCR initiative—the Legacy Scholars Program (LSP), implemented by a Western Urban School District—integrates culturally responsive practices to better serve students of color. Through interviews, observations, and artifact analysis, this …
A Toolkit For Improving School Climate: Lessons Learned From Action Research In A Network Of 16 Charter Schools,
2025
University of Denver
A Toolkit For Improving School Climate: Lessons Learned From Action Research In A Network Of 16 Charter Schools, Grant E. Erwin
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Educators today face daunting challenges, especially in addressing persistent gaps in outcomes for historically underserved students from low-income and minority backgrounds. Practitioners often cite school climate as a key barrier to student success—an assertion supported by research linking school climate to students’ academic and personal outcomes. This study sought to improve school climate across 16 urban middle and high schools within one charter network. Using a mixed methods Collaborative Action Research (CAR) design over multiple years, the study triangulated academic research, external resources, and on-the-ground lessons to provide practical guidance for other educators. Data were collected from multiple stakeholders and …
Home Bound: Explaining The Neoliberalization Of Regional Public University Districts Through An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Design,
2025
University of Denver
Home Bound: Explaining The Neoliberalization Of Regional Public University Districts Through An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Design, Becket C. Duncan
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
I examined housing costs in neoliberalized consumer spaces (Cunningham, 2016; Saunders & Ramírez, 2017) in regional public university (Orphan, et al., 2022) districts. I use geographic methods (Jonas, et al., 2015; Daché-Gerbino, 2018) with an explanatory sequential mixed methods design and a complex case study approach (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018). Results from my spatial analyses showed that residents who live within one-half mile of universities spend more on monthly housing costs ($1,331) than those who do not ($1,227) except in the case of regional public universities ($1,184). Results from a regression analysis demonstrated that eight institutional variables predicted 33.2% …
Chingonas In Charge: A Phenomenological Study Of Latina Educational Leaders In Colorado,
2025
University of Denver
Chingonas In Charge: A Phenomenological Study Of Latina Educational Leaders In Colorado, Paulina Yvette Lerma-Banuelos
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Despite comprising 76% of the U.S. teaching workforce (2017−2018), Latina women held only 8.5% of principal roles and 2.7% of superintendent positions. In places such as Colorado, where Latinos make up 15.1% of the population, this inequity highlights the pressing necessity for better representation. The present study used a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore the fundamental essence and attributes of leadership among Latina K−12 administrators in Colorado, with a focus on the concept of “chingona” and its transformative significance in their professional journeys. The name “chingona” was historically rejected by young Latina women because of connotations to being aggressive or …
College Degree Attainment In The Mountain West, 2010-2020,
2025
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
College Degree Attainment In The Mountain West, 2010-2020, Isabelle G. Graham, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.
Higher Education
This fact sheet presents data on the gaps in college degree attainment in the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The data appear in “Learning and Earning by Degrees: Gains in College Degree Attainment Have Enriched the Nation and Every State, but Racial and Gender Inequality Persists,” report published by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW), a research and policy institute within Georgetown University that focuses on the connections between education, career qualifications, and workforce demands.
Analyzing Florida’S Lgbtqia+ Censorship Laws And Their Anti-Democratic Attack On Education,
2025
Florida Atlantic University
Analyzing Florida’S Lgbtqia+ Censorship Laws And Their Anti-Democratic Attack On Education, Peyton Sibert
Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy
The past four years (2021-2024) have seen an increase in academic censorship laws and anti-LGTBQIA+ rhetoric across the United States. Florida, specifically, has established itself as a leader in discriminatory legislation. In this paper, the author analyzes four Florida laws: HB 1557, HB 1069, HB 7, and SB 266, along with the rise in book bans to consider both the pedagogical effects and negative impacts on the LGBTQIA+ community. These analyses will be juxtaposed with extant political rhetoric around these laws to expose a) the intent of the law b) the contradictions within and across laws and thereby c) the …
Performance Evaluations, Teacher Salary, And Teacher Retention In Online Alternative Learning Environments,
2025
Walden University
Performance Evaluations, Teacher Salary, And Teacher Retention In Online Alternative Learning Environments, April Renee' Siddique
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Teacher retention has long been an area of study, as schools struggle with high teacher turnover, adversely affecting students’ quality of education. Researchers have demonstrated that low scores on evaluations and low salary adversely affect general education teacher retention, but there is little literature on how these variables influence teachers in online alternative learning environments (ALEs). The problem addressed in this study was low teacher retention, leading to a shortage of teachers. Guided by Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory, the purpose of this quantitative, correlational, nonexperimental study was to examine the relationship between teacher performance evaluation outcomes, salary, and retention …
New York City Misses The Exit To Traffic Safety,
2025
Cuny Graduate School of Journalism
New York City Misses The Exit To Traffic Safety, Joseph Caffrey
Capstones
New York City Misses the Exit to Traffic Safety investigates New York City’s mounting traffic violence crisis through the lens of a devastating crash that killed a Brooklyn mother and her two daughters. It examines the city’s inconsistent enforcement of reckless driving and the failure of the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP), which aimed to reform recidivist speeders. The piece investigates the imperfections of Vision Zero, public backlash to automated enforcement, and the broader failure to prevent recidivist speeding. It also explores policy alternatives like Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), highlighting legislative efforts to revive accountability and save lives, while advocating …
A Seat At The Schoolhouse Table: Reimagining Education Through Afrofuturist And Womanist Theory,
2025
CUNY John Jay College
A Seat At The Schoolhouse Table: Reimagining Education Through Afrofuturist And Womanist Theory, Natasha M. Capers
Student Theses
“A Seat at the Schoolhouse Table: Reimagining Education Through Afrofuturist and Womanist Theory” critically examines how curriculum, even when well-intentioned, can perpetuate harm by excluding the lived experiences of marginalized communities—especially Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA+ students. Using a real middle school immigration assignment given to the author's son as a case study, this capstone deconstructs the structural biases embedded in curriculum design and proposes a radical reimagining through the liberatory lenses of Afrofuturism and Womanism. Blending scholarly inquiry, personal narrative, and community-based interviews, this project offers a restructured assignment that centers joy, identity, and speculative storytelling as tools for educational …
Culturally Affirming Independent School Board Governance: Centering The Experiences Of Independent School Board Members Of Color,
2025
University of San Diego
Culturally Affirming Independent School Board Governance: Centering The Experiences Of Independent School Board Members Of Color, Christopher S. Dennis Phd
Dissertations
As schools become more diverse, K–12 independent school boards benefit from diversity (Jernigan et al., 2010; Tolbert Smith, 2022). This study examined the narratives of independent school board members of color (BMOC) across the United States’ racialized history of education (Anderson, 1988; Omi & Winant, 2014). The study used a survey (n = 23) and interviews (n = 9) based on Helms’s (1996) racial identity theory and Booth-Bell et al.’s (2021) board governance theory. This multiple case study examined survey responses of BMOC from 17 schools governed by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Nine respondents were …
Advancing Equity In Financial Aid For Black Students: A Document Analysis Study Of Student Equity Plans In California Community Colleges,
2025
University of San Diego
Advancing Equity In Financial Aid For Black Students: A Document Analysis Study Of Student Equity Plans In California Community Colleges, Edwina Williams
Dissertations
This study examined how California Community Colleges (CCCs) constructed financial aid discourse in Student Equity Plans (SEPs) and assessed whether these strategies mitigated or perpetuated racial disparities for Black students. Previous scholarship identified racial inequities in financial aid systems and explored how equity planning documents addressed race; yet, the influence of institutional discourse on financial aid access remained underexamined. This study contributed to the literature by applying critical race hermeneutics (CRH) to examine how SEPs outlined financial aid strategies, with particular attention to the framing of work–study opportunities and the extent to which the SEP intended to employ race-conscious approaches. …
A Systematic Literature Review Of The Implementation Of High-Quality Instructional Materials (Hqims) In K-12 Education,
2025
Mississippi State University
A Systematic Literature Review Of The Implementation Of High-Quality Instructional Materials (Hqims) In K-12 Education, Melanie Jackson
Theses and Dissertations
The implementation of High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIMs) in K–12 education is essential for promoting equitable and effective learning outcomes. Additionally, HQIMs ensure that students are engaged with grade-level material, which is critical for achieving mastery of grade-level standards, thereby fostering deeper understanding and academic success across all student populations. However, challenges such as misalignment with curriculum standards, insufficient professional development, limited teacher buy-in, and resource disparities continue to hinder successful implementation. This study aims to examine these barriers and identify evidence-based strategies to support effective HQIMs implementation. Specifically, this research seeks to answer the question: "What are the key factors …
Designing An Instructional Coaching Model For Residency-Based Alternate Route Teacher Candidates In Mississippi To Improve Instructional Competencies And Self-Efficacy,
2025
Mississippi State University
Designing An Instructional Coaching Model For Residency-Based Alternate Route Teacher Candidates In Mississippi To Improve Instructional Competencies And Self-Efficacy, Lamareshia Daoma Johnson
Theses and Dissertations
Alternate route teachers are adult learners who enter the teaching profession through nontraditional pathways, often without formal training in education. While they bring diverse experiences and a commitment to student success, they frequently face challenges in translating theoretical knowledge into effective classroom practice. Research indicates that instructional coaching serves as a critical bridge between pedagogical theory and practical application, providing job-embedded professional development that enhances instructional competencies. At its core, instructional coaching is a collaborative partnership built on trust and respect, offering teachers a supportive space to reflect on their practice, receive targeted feedback, and develop their professional identity. Alternate …
