States recognize that a workforce skill shortage exists and have started educational initiatives to prepare students for workforce readiness and postsecondary success. There is a growing consensus among states that the goal of our education system is to prepare students for a career, college, or the military by providing all students with…

There are low participation rates and low literacy and numeracy gains for students in federally funded adult education programs, resulting in students not gaining the academic skills they need to improve their workforce employability. The purpose of this nonexperimental quantitative correlational study was to determine if U.S. jurisdiction…

Racial disproportionality in special education reflects the manifestation of modern-day segregation in our education systems (Anyon, 2009; Artiles et al., 2016; Artiles, 2022). Due to their specialized training and positionality as key stakeholders in special education eligibility processes, school psychologists are uniquely suited to impact…

Community access and participation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) depends in part on competent, committed direct support professionals (DSPs) who support people with IDD. With knowledge of the person's communication preferences, support needs, and environments where supports are provided, DSPs can support their…

The problem addressed in this study was the trend of students completing health sciences stackable credentials not pursuing the related health sciences associate degree after completing the stackable credential, despite the availability of the streamlined pathway. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study utilizing semi-structured…

Community colleges face enrollment declines, student performance, and accountability metrics, the need to support nontraditional students' career paths, and constraints imposed by limited resources. Community college leadership would benefit from empirical data on students with nontraditional GED credentials and the effects of remedial education…

The leadership experiences of district intern program leaders in California play an important role in addressing the teacher shortage and diversifying the teaching workforce. However, limited information about their experiences exists in the empirical literature. Additionally, due to the recency of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is limited…

Faculty positions are commonly based on the person's credentials, publishing, grants, and research. Institutions rarely focus on faculty's curriculum and instructional backgrounds: the growing concern is, why? The purpose of this study was to examine higher education leaders' assumptions, perceptions, and expectations about how to make faculty…

Universities often serve as anchor institutions in the communities in which they exist. This role has come under increased scrutiny as higher education institutions seek to efficiently and effectively fulfill their core purposes while also increasing commitments to other values like social responsibility and community responsiveness.…

The education pipeline is characterized by a series of well-defined and extensively documented transitions. From preschool to kindergarten, elementary to middle to high school, and college to work, students at multiple stages of human development experience transitions that shape their downstream outcomes. In this dissertation, I use…

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of high school programs on the success of urban graduates. The success of the graduates in this study was defined by their contribution to society, durable skill levels, and personal introspection. Specifically, this study was focused on the impact of early college programs versus traditional…

Twenty percent of occupational therapists are employed in schools nationwide. Despite years of service since the Brown vs. U.S. Board of Education Law was enacted in 1954, school-based occupational therapists are restricted from advancing into formal Professional Educator License leadership roles. Due to state legislation and credentialing issues,…

This dissertation consists of three empirical studies that explore the educational experiences and trajectories of English learners (ELs) and students with disabilities. The first study uses longitudinal data from four large California school districts to examine the characteristics of long-term ELs (LTELs) and former ELs--those reclassified as…