There is a gap in research about the gender identity and gender experience of men leading all-boys middle-schools. In addition, there has been little work done exploring the link between the inner lives of male school leaders, their level of burnout or satisfaction, and the impacts on their school leadership. The purpose of this study was to…

National and local data show that many female students lose interest in STEM at an early age, female students that remain interested in STEM show partiality for life sciences. This results in gender stratification in STEM subject areas and is evident in high school enrollments in elective courses. This three-manuscript dissertation investigates…

This qualitative study implemented a Critical Discourse Analysis using the "PRDE English Program Gender Equity Manual" (2015). In addition, this study compared the narrative literature from PRDE's English 9th textbook--"Inside: Language, Literacy and Content by National Geographic and Cengage Learning" (2014) (NG Texts) , and…

The purpose of this study was to examine how gender pairings affect performance and attitudes in a serious gaming task. By identifying factors that can improve performance and attitudes of middle school students in STEM, it is hoped that the gender gap can be minimized. Male-male pairs had the highest scores for game progress, but there were no…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether teacher-selected informational texts or student-selected informational texts best contribute to literacy achievement and engagement for middle-level males and to examine middle-level males' perception of the relationship between masculine performance and literacy practice. For the purposes of this…

Extant research indicates culturally relevant literature (CRL) is linked to increased reading comprehension and interest in reading for Latinx students as well as other student groups. Current research also shows CRL can support home literacy instruction, facilitate writing instruction, foster sociopolitical awareness, underpin behavior…

This dissertation examines nine narrative non-fiction picturebooks about Black American female athletes. Contextualized within the history of children's literature and American sport as inequitable institutions, this project highlights texts that provide insights into the past and present dominant cultural perceptions of Black female athletes. I…

The growing and pervasive presence of technology and media in the lives of children reveals the need for incorporating critical media literacy instruction into the official curriculum of schools. The purpose of this qualitative, narrative study was to examine how American middle school girls experience the documentary film "Girl Rising."…

The purpose of this study was to examine single-gender schools and/or classes as a method of improving student achievement and gaining greater satisfaction in school. The paper will further examine the effects of single-gender classes on student achievement, the academic gender gap, and the attitudes of students and teachers. It will also look at…

This qualitative study explored the ways that two ninth and tenth grade teachers and their newcomer immigrant students engaged in HRE using elements of critical pedagogy at an urban pubic high school. Research data included eight months of classroom observations and interviews with two teachers and nineteen of their students across four of their…

Every day across this country thousands of tireless school leaders work against daunting obstacles to help educate our nation's youth (Rotherham, 2003). Educational leadership is an intricate profession. Like an elaborately woven quilt, it takes numerous hours, dedication, operational hands, an innovative thought process, a variety of threads and…

Schools contribute heavily to the feelings of isolation and stigmatization that many gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth experience. Research demonstrates that the climate of US middle and high schools are generally unsupportive and unsafe for many of these youth who are often susceptible to harassment, discrimination, and other negative events,…