Educators play a crucial role in student skill development; hence this dissertation explores incentive-driven public policies and understands the effect that educators have on students. The first chapter estimates relative contributions of the subjective (supervisor observations and student surveys) versus objective (value-added) evaluation…

A full description of how a STEM protocol model can be an effective and comprehensive implementation of a complete initiative program. A discussion of the factors affecting student comprehension, progress, and cognitive development is made. A historical discussion of STEM policy and programs is included, as is an assessment program in the context…

The proliferation of digital educational applications (apps) has revolutionized the pedagogical landscape for students and instructors, both within and beyond the confines of traditional classrooms. Educational apps offer a variety of features that can help students learn more effectively, including personalized instruction and real-time feedback.…

In 1968, Paul Freire brought to the world, "Pedagogy of the Oppressed." The way he categorized "the haves and have nots" still resonates with the wealth disparity in the United States. The need to create a level of equity in education by providing equal access was fundamental in his philosophy (Freire, 1968). Similarly,…

Disability is a common phenomenon globally, an experience that comes with many challenges and stress. This study focused on culture's role in the well-being and education of children with disabilities within a Nigerian cultural context. The specific problem this study addressed is that the well-being and education of children with disabilities…

It is well established that children's early life environments can have significant consequences on their long-term outcomes. Yet, there is still limited empirical evidence on the effects that being exposed during the prenatal and early postnatal periods to positive shocks, such as conditional cash transfers, has on long-term cognitive function.…

This dissertation investigated the roles of early childhood fundamental motor skills (FMS) competence on physical, cognitive, and psychosocial health outcomes among underserved preschoolers in Head Start, and examined parental influence on their children's FMS competence. An explanatory sequential mixed methodology was used to examine the…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors involved in natural recover or spontaneous remission from high-risk alcohol use in college students. The author hoped to explore the relationship between cognitive development and college students' drinking behaviors. Fraternity and sorority students from The College of William and Mary and…

Narratives or Discourses influence how identity is read to such a degree that they serve to equate certain identities or groups of people--African Americans, Latin@s, American Indians, immigrants and women to name a few--with intellectual and academic inferiority despite remarkable performances or significant accomplishments. This is especially…

Evidence suggests preschool age students with disabilities (SWD) benefit from inclusive settings. Inclusive education has positive impacts on students' social-emotional, language, and cognitive skills. Yet, preschool age SWD continue to have limited access to inclusive education, and research suggests numerous reasons, including teacher practice.…

The purpose of this study was to explore effects of faculty and student affairs staff roles within living-learning programs (LLPs) on perceptions of growth in critical thinking/analysis abilities, cognitive complexity, and liberal learning among LLP participants. This study used two data sources from the National Study of Living-Learning Programs…

Children with learning disabilities represent the largest category of students served within special education systems in schools, and are at increased risk for academic and psychosocial problems in comparison to peers without learning disabilities. While much of clinical practice and research focus has been on academic interventions,…

The purpose of this study was to look at mission driven school district leadership in Massachusetts public schools and attempt to identify any relationship, or lack thereof, between district mission statements and student achievement. In this study, 288 Massachusetts public school districts are ranked according to their 2011 high school graduation…

According to McAuliffe and Lovell (2006), regardless of the training received in skills classes, master's level counseling students continue to be rote in their approach to clients and their use of counseling skills as opposed to understanding how skills fit into the helping process. Students also experience confusion manifested by fear, anxiety,…

An increased number of students graduating from high school lack college and career readiness skills to earn credit in entry-level college courses or begin a career in an entry-level position. Many schools across America have prepared to address students' college and career readiness with the adoption of Common Core State Standards. Twenty-five…