The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine how certification status impacts turnover intention, to research provided assistance, and to meet professional learning needs in novice teachers in eastern Kentucky. Understanding differences in needs of teachers, based upon certification type, is critical in reducing the rate of attrition…

Feminism has re-emerged as important and even influential discourse among women, including within higher education. Public support by prominent women has brought an upgraded version of feminism into the mainstream. This version of "neoliberal feminism" however, overlooks the challenges faced by many first-generation, undergraduate women,…

This study identified the experiences of middle school teachers in the Southeastern Louisiana participating in professional learning communities, using the social constructivism theory. The study uncovers the various factors that are present that influence instructional practices and student learning outcomes. Ten middle school teachers engage in…

The focus of this qualitative descriptive study was on what undergraduate faculty at 4-year Christian universities or colleges in California have experienced and what recommendations they have pertaining to the use of scripted syllabi in teaching online courses. Ted Aoki's theory on curriculum implementation as a situational praxis was used as the…

This study examined higher education instructors' lived experiences using learning analytics data to make sense of and improve their online course design. Mishra and Koehler's (2006) Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK) served as the theoretical framework for this study, providing a lens for understanding how faculty apply…

The purpose of this qualitative study aimed to explore the intersectionality for Black females through their experiences as leaders in academia. This research study was conducted to examine how four Black female leaders described the influences of race and gender on their leadership development in academia. A general qualitative approach was…

The traditional approach to teacher training has been receiving an undergraduate degree in education. However, the rise of alternative teacher preparation programs due to teacher shortages, an increased importance placed on testing, and the rise of charter and voucher schools have caused people to question the effectiveness of traditional…

This qualitative study described the lived experiences of twelve Black female principals who currently work in Title I schools. This study set out to determine how they managed their challenges and barriers while leading. Data included one-on-one interviews with participants. The work lives of the participants were situated in Title I schools,…

California school districts are now mandated by Assembly Bill 101 to implement Ethnic Studies courses for high school students as a graduation requirement. School administrators are responsible for guiding implementation and providing resources toward these efforts. Without support from these key decision-makers, the implementation of Ethnic…

The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the influence that head athletic coaches have on the spiritual development of their athletes at faith-based colleges and universities. Using van Dierendonck's (2011) Servant Leadership model as a theoretical framework, student-athletes from three Council of Christian Colleges and…

Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) are an important teaching resource to universities. Most GTAs enter graduate school with limited if any teaching experience but are given the responsibility of teaching numerous sections of introductory courses. GTA professional development (PD) is essential for the formation and preparation of these novice…

Teacher collaboration is an increasingly important aspect of the professionalism of teachers: it is a way to reflect on and improve teaching practices. Teacher collaboration has been associated with teachers' professional growth and an increase in self-efficacy. However, policy makers and educational leaders must understand which structures of…

The interaction of proximate research universities is a multifaceted and increasingly relevant phenomenon in today's higher education landscape. The three essays herein add to science policy and innovation literature by exploring the challenges, opportunities, and expectations that arise when multiple universities operate in a region. The first…

Retention in kindergarten involves holding students back from advancing to the next grade level due to unresolved learning gaps. This practice has been the subject of continuous research as educational experts seek to balance the potential developmental risks of prolonging kindergarten by providing students an additional year to fill their…

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) can provide a structure for teachers to engage in learning processes that improve their classroom practices collaboratively. If followed consistently with the literature, PLCs are a robust professional learning model that can support teachers collectively through learning and reflecting on their classroom…