Military-connected students (MCSs) face academic challenges because of frequent transitions. During military parents' permanent change in duty station (PCS), MCSs are absent for 15 days or more. PCS-related absenteeism has increased over the last decade, and academic achievement has decreased. This basic qualitative capstone project study examined…

This qualitative phenomenological study used narrative research to investigate the diversity gaps in teachers' preparedness and their perceptions of diverse teaching methods in multicultural middle school classrooms. The student population became diverse in the last years. To close the diversity gaps, create equity and social justice it was…

In this dissertation, the researcher examined the effective implementation of Tier I strategies at One Team Central School District within the broader framework of Response to Intervention (RTI) and Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS), addressing the urgent issue of Tier 1 instructional quality, particularly targeted at economically…

The gap in academic achievement between traditionally underrepresented minority students and their White counterparts remains evident. Therefore, intervention is needed to prompt teachers to reflect and act on their professional development (PD) strategies. This qualitative case study aims to explore K-12 teachers' perceptions of strategies…

For decades, the achievement gap has remained a critical issue in education that educational leaders have attempted to address. Recent research studies have indicated that collective teacher efficacy is three times more effective in increasing student achievement than other factors. Research also suggests that strong instructional leadership…

Military-connected children are a unique population that face specific challenges such as behavioral and academic challenges and teachers should have specific professional development to address these needs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate how the lack of in-service professional development influences teachers' perceptions…

The problem addressed in this study was that teachers have limited practices to support students who are designated English language learners (ELLs), and educators were prepared to support ELL students. This lack of preparation affects students' success. The purpose of this qualitative instrumental case study is to observe the strategies and…

The achievement gap is a topic that has plagued the education research field for a long time. This persistent quandary is often rooted in disparities along racial, socioeconomic, and other demographic lines, such as geographical location. This study focuses on the achievement gap within the context of the Mississippi Delta. This rural region of…

English Learners (ELs) are one of the fastest-growing student populations in K-12 schools, and attention must be given to the academic achievement gap between ELs and their native English language speaking counterparts. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), passed in 2015, required every state to adopt English proficiency standards aligned with…

There has been a deliberate attempt to close the achievement gap by altering educational policies, yet the gap still exists. This phenomenology qualitative study sought teachers' opinions on whether STEM was seen as an effective intervention strategy for closing the achievement gap among African American students, and if so, why it wasn't used…

College instructors are critical to increasing completion rates and creating more equitable educational opportunities that position all learners for upward mobility. Yet, few have received formal, comprehensive training in inclusive teaching practices that positively affect student learning, improve retention and completion rates, and close equity…

School leadership has always been a priority around the globe to address changes in education. With strong leadership skills, these changes are attainable. Over the years, different leadership styles have been researched to understand best practices in assisting teachers in the classroom and closing achievement gaps. The Principal Instructional…

At City Academies Neighborhood Middle School, there is a gap in student achievement. Over the course of two years, our lowest performing students did not grow at the rate of their peers. This problem has several consequences, including over classification of students with disabilities and a widening achievement gap. The purpose of my research was…

This qualitative grounded theory study explored how best practice designs for personalized learning plans could support the learning needs of students in closing achievement gaps. The traditional educational system has been found inadequate in addressing the individual educational needs of students. The Personalized Learning Continuum Framework…

Educational achievement disparities continue to affect subgroups based on socioeconomic status, gender, race, and ethnicity. Despite efforts to close the achievement gap, the Black-White performance gap in reading, mathematics, and science scores remains virtually unchanged. The problem is that science educators in the United States receive…