The transition to five-year-old kindergarten is a pivotal time in children's development, setting the tone for the children's and their families' subsequent formal education experiences. Establishing connections between home and school is a key to creating a supportive learning environment for every child. This dissertation examines how home…

While research has been conducted on the importance of creating safe environments where LGBTQ+ students feel seen and respected (Hermann-Wilmarth & Ryan, 2019), little research has been completed on these spaces' impact on LGBTQ+-headed families. Understanding the impact belonging has on a sense of mattering (Strayhorn, 2019), it is essential…

The study investigated school-to-family communication efforts to improve daily attendance among economically disadvantaged students at the R Elementary School (pseudonym). Research questions during this study included to what extent does a 6-week school-to-family communication initiative impact student attendance rates and what are the existing…

The problem explored by this study was that teachers' perspectives are not implemented when selecting and utilizing phonics instruction in kindergarten through second grade classrooms. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore primary teachers' rationales and experiences when choosing and implementing phonics instruction in primary…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how one Southern California elementary school approached family engagement for English learners (ELs) in a culturally proficient manner. School leaders are in unique positions to create cultures of success and inclusion for all students, especially for EL students. One of the best ways to…

This dissertation presents a qualitative study exploring the motivations behind parents' and guardians' decisions to enroll and maintain their elementary-aged children in a residential school setting. The study identified three key factors influencing these decisions: the pursuit of non-financial stability, the desire for reputable education, and…

This ethnographic study explores the crucial role of family engagement in educational systems and the impact a human-centered design team has on students' success at an elementary school. The research addresses the historical impact of racism and colonization on student outcomes alongside the ongoing challenge of narrowing the opportunity gap.…

School leaders are continually searching for innovative and effective methods to address disruptive behaviors. Most research on educational technology focuses on academic subjects such as math and reading, as opposed to behavior. ClassDojo provides a structured format for monitoring and reporting students' behavior, and ClassDojo also allows…

Safety and security are of the utmost importance for public school districts. The COVID-19 pandemic made school district crisis management and communication personally relevant to families with school-aged children. The purpose of this study was to learn how school administrators described their communication with families during the COVID-19…

Parental involvement in schools can make a difference on the success of the children at the school. The parental involvement in inner-city schools has been researched on the positive effects it can have on schools. However, there is not a best practices method of raising parental involvement. This research looks at the parental involvement at…

The active engagement of parents in the educational experiences of their children has been suggested to support high academic achievement for the children. In the project setting, an urban elementary school, educators were struggling to find effective strategies to promote family involvement in their children's education. The purpose of this…

Family involvement has been shown to have positive effects on the academic and socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes of school-aged children across all age ranges, but most especially among elementary-aged students. The Family Involvement Questionnaire-Elementary (FIQ-E) has been validated for use with students in grades 1-6 across public and…

This single qualitative case study explored teacher and parent perceptions of the kindergarten transition program at a small, rural school district in a Midwestern state. Thirteen subjects met the criteria of either being a kindergarten transition teacher or a parent of an incoming kindergarten student and participated in this study. Data was…

Caregiver engagement has been a topic of study due to the resulting benefits regarding student's school experience. Students are better prepared to transition to kindergarten, receive higher test scores, increase attendance, and report fewer discipline problems when caregivers work collaboratively with school personnel. This study addresses…

Family engagement is a crucial component of student success, impacting academic performance, attendance rates, and behavior. However, many families, particularly those from historically marginalized communities, remain disengaged from their child's school due to barriers such as a lack of trust, negative experiences, and language or cultural…