In recent literature, K-12 public schooling is cited as a driver of a post-truth phenomenon referred to as truth decay. Truth decay is attributed as contributing to the rise of post-factual politics and the deterioration of civil discourse in the United States. The rise of post-factual politics and the deterioration of civil discourse is perceived…

The purpose of this case study was to evaluate how community college IT students interact with and succeed in virtual labs to determine the impact of these digital environments on learning outcomes. The research employed a comprehensive range of data collection methods, including pre-interview questionnaires, interviews, and observations, to…

This study focused on the critical intersection of workforce development and innovation engineering management within the Nevada System of Higher Education. The research problem centers on the lack of expertise in innovation engineering management roles when developing workforce development programs, contributing to a widening skills gap and the…

Every year, 600,000 formerly incarcerated people return to society, and over forty-four percent will be incarcerated again within a year. As advocates work to improve the conditions of reentry, recent efforts have focused on higher education as the ticket to long-term freedom for formerly incarcerated people. Any success of these efforts hinges on…

This study explored the current state of the preschool special education program in a large, diverse state in the United States through the perspectives of preschool special education administrators, with particular emphasis on educational impact, equity considerations, and potential solutions. Through thematic analysis, four central themes…

The early childhood field is increasingly beginning to recognize the importance of integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematical concepts into preschool classrooms. Despite this recognition, preschool teachers often face challenges integrating these subjects due to insufficient knowledge, training, and resources. This…

Historically Black Colleges and Universities are institutions that contribute to the higher education of people of African descent. The archives of enslaved and freed people describe their systematic approach to education, highlighting the ways that Black communities in America engaged in teaching and learning. Despite enslavement and forced…

Reduced formal civic education, a decrease in intergenerational closure, and a drop in participation in political institutions and civic organizations, voluntary associations, and community-focused entities in recent decades mean it is likely that young people are not getting adequate civic training and are therefore less able to contribute to the…

This study explores the perceptions of civic engagement among graduate students in the Ivorian higher education system, utilizing Critical Participatory Action Research (CPAR) as the methodological framework. The study identifies key themes through qualitative analysis, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities within the institutional…

This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore how pre-service elementary teachers in a college program describe their academic and emotional experiences that influence collaboration in an inclusive classroom setting in a Northeastern Region of the United States. Collaborative practices to support students in inclusive setting have become an…

This project is a study of the role interpretation has played during a few key moments in a culture war over the role of the university in society. It argues that in these key moments in which a political reflection has been undertaken regarding the way knowledge is produced and distributed, the nature and function of interpretation as such has…

This dissertation explored the experiences of fat undergraduate students within higher education institutions, focusing on how these students navigate, negotiate, and contest the structures, norms, and practices of their academic environments with a specific focus on their experiences in the classroom. The study was grounded in the understanding…

This study explored the multifaceted dynamics affecting the academic performance of high-achieving elementary students on end-of-year reading exams. It examines the influences of gender, age, genre preferences, the frequency of book borrowing, and language modality of instruction, all within the context of the elementary school library.…

Women are the majority population in Texas that participate in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and public housing assistance programs. TANF focuses on mandatory work requirements with a time-limit on assistance and lack of education opportunities. This dissertation documents post-secondary education opportunities for Texas women…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how school leaders in Title I elementary (K-8) schools in the Atlantic Coast region describe the factors that lead black male students to the school-to-prison (STPP), what strategies they use to create social justice within the school and divert students from the school-to-prison…