The extent to which an intervention is perceived as socially valid significantly influences whether the intervention is selected, implemented, and maintained (Kern & Manz, 2004). Social skill interventions and evidence-based practices are often ranked with low social validity by adolescents (McCoy et al., 2016). Interventions delivered through…

James MacGregor Burns (1978) stated that leadership was one of the least understood phenomena in the world even though it was one of the most studied. This lack of understanding was even more prevalent when high school leadership development was examined. At present, a knowledge deficit exists between research and practice, as individuals…

In 2020, the world was forced to adjust to a new normal with the global pandemic. Every nation had to make difficult decisions to protect citizens and save their economy. Leaders of all institutions had to strategize quickly for an unknown future. Many institutions suffered, including education. Social-emotional learning addresses students'…

The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to explore how students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tell stories about experiences transitioning into the collegiate environment in Nebraska. The problem addressed in this study was that students with ASD often do not have the available needed resources needed to successfully transition…

Teacher interactions with students in the classroom have an influential impact on students' social, emotional, academic, and behavioral development. The problem was that teachers are not prepared for the social interactions experienced in the classroom. The specific problem was that more research is needed to understand the significance between…

Age-appropriate use of social skills throughout a student's K-12 career has been linked to a variety of favorable academic and behavioral outcomes (Capara et al., 2000; Malecki & Elliot, 2022; Wentzel, 1993). Social skill deficits are widely present in the secondary setting (Gresham et al., 2010), and research has highlighted 9th grade as an…

This qualitative study explored the impact of coaching secondary social studies teachers in culturally responsive teaching (CRT) on their ability to foster belonging within urban classrooms in the southwestern United States. Prior research highlights the importance of belonging for all students, particularly marginalized populations. While CRT…

Teacher attrition has had a large impact on school success due to the high number of teachers leaving the field of education. Many teachers experience burnout and low job satisfaction, which ultimately drives them to leave the field. This research study focused on the problem of teachers not receiving adequate training in social-emotional…

Students with significant cognitive disabilities (SCD) almost always lack independence compared to their same-aged typical peers. To increase the independence of students with SCD, a dissertation project was conducted in the William Henry Middle School (WHMS) Intensive Learning Center - Academic (ILC-A) special education classroom. The purpose of…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to determine how high school EBD program staff describe their self-efficacy and support systems in place to build social skills and social emotional learning skills (SEL) within their students. Bandura's Social/ Behavior Learning theories and research of self-efficacy provided the theoretical…

Social emotional learning (SEL) has had a rich history in educating the whole child, yet schools still do not have (SEL) as part of their curriculum. Today's educators have a renewed perspective on what common sense always suggested: when schools attend systematically to students' social and emotional skills, the academic achievement of children…

Social and Emotional Competence (SEC) is comprised of five main components: self awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Within the context of K-12 education, SEC is typically explored through the lens of student achievement or student progress. This area of research is noteworthy as…

The purpose of this descriptive case study was to understand how middle grades general education teachers in a suburban school district in the southeast region of the United States described their attitudes towards including SWD in their classrooms, given that it was unknown how middle school content area teachers in language arts, math, science,…

The pandemic, COVID-19, increased the online activity of millions of adolescents globally resulting in an unprecedented amount of youth using the internet leaving them susceptible to cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a global issue that has severe consequences on adolescents' mental health. Teachers have a vital role in the effective implementation…

This dissertation examines the impact of school counseling small group interventions on at-risk first-time high school freshmen, focusing on their attitudes toward academic challenges and perceptions of noncognitive mindsets and behaviors. Utilizing a qualitative comparative case study methodology, the research explores the dynamics of a Fresh…