This dissertation aims to bridge the gap between validity theory and the practice of validation. The dissertation employs a three-article approach. Following the introduction in Chapter I, three independent manuscripts representing three empirical studies are presented (i.e., Chapters II - IV). Each chapter is a stand-alone publishable manuscript,…

This study sought to explore whether access to definitions and general representations influences the construction of general direct arguments. Data was collected in college mathematics courses for prospective elementary school teachers. Participant arguments were analyzed along two variables: the generality of the representations and the…

School climate is increasingly recognized by scholars and policymakers as a crucial factor associated with students' educational experiences. Hence, practitioners endeavor to equitably measure and improve school climate to promote favorable student academic and behavior outcomes. Unfortunately, school climate research is fragmented, and a…

Teacher working conditions (TWCs) have been linked to teacher retention and student learning. These connections make TWCs important to understand. However, the literature on TWCs lacks cohesiveness, with widely varying definitions, conceptualizations, and measures of TWCs. Contributing to this lack of cohesion is that there is no accepted…

Research indicates that many elementary students do not comprehend that the equal sign is an indication that an equality relation exists between two structures. Instead, they perceive the equal sign as an indication that a particular procedure is to be performed. As students mature, and as their exposure to the equal sign and equality relations in…

Punitive measures have failed to stem the rising tide of academic dishonesty. Institutions often have little understanding of the underlying reasons for student cheating. The issue goes beyond the academic world as cheating behavior is often carried into post-academic pursuits. Researchers have devoted little time to assessing the problem from the…