As eating disorders symptomatology often begins during adolescence, schools have a unique and essential role. Specifically, schools can be at the forefront in the intervention and prevention of eating disorders to implement programs that work. In addition, schools can reach students at individual and universal levels, positively impacting those at…

Despite the growing societal demand for multilingual graduates prepared to engage in local and global contexts, programs to meet these demands are scarce, especially in K-8 contexts. When schools do seek to implement programs, stakeholders struggle to choose from the established models because research documenting desired outcomes is lacking.…

Due to rapid advancements in the world and shifting priorities at the school level, educators must keep abreast of current developments and how to continue to engage and challenge students in creative ways. This study examined the experiences 21 Kamehameha Schools educators indicated best support their professional learning to gain further…

The primary purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore relationships between Tennessee Competency Attainment Rubric (CAR) professional development and teachers' perceptions of changes in instruction, expectations for student performance, and understanding of proficiency. The study is the result of a collaborative effort with the Tennessee…

The primary purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore relationships between Tennessee Competency Attainment Rubric (CAR) professional development and teachers' perceptions of changes in instruction, expectations for student performance, and understanding of proficiency. The study is the result of a collaborative effort with the Tennessee…

The primary purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore relationships between Tennessee Competency Attainment Rubric (CAR) professional development and teachers' perceptions of changes in instruction, expectations for student performance, and understanding of proficiency. The study is the result of a collaborative effort with the Tennessee…

Designed to improve PK-12 professional learning and increase student achievement, Wisconsin's policymakers developed and implemented new educator licensing guidelines (PI 34) and a Professional Development Plan (PDP) system based on empirical research and national policy trends in 2004. As PI 34 and the PDP system are relatively new, the…

This descriptive study of the twenty regional Education Service Centers in Texas is an exploratory analysis of programs and services that promote school improvement. Data collected from each service center website enabled the researcher to determine which programs and services are available to school districts and also allowed the researcher to…

There are three self-contained essays in this dissertation. In the first essay (Chapter 2 of the dissertation) I estimate various achievement models for math and reading using the nationally representative Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class (ECLS-K) dataset. An indicator for gifted program participation captures the impact of…