Modern conceptions of land grant institutions have shifted focus from community outreach to community engagement, with focus on more egalitarian partnerships that place community members in active response to university engagement efforts. Historical studies that explore these interactions often fail to capture the nuance and reciprocity of these…

The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to explore the participants' perceptions of how Midwest Elementary School (a pseudonym) serves as a community hub. A school that is a community hub is a school that partners with community organizations--such as businesses, churches, and services--to meet the needs of students, families, and the…

This qualitative study examined how educators' relationships with businesses impacts the nature of and access to work-based learning opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The study used the social network constructs of tie strength, density, reciprocity, and trust to explore relationship structures between…

This dissertation presented a thorough investigation into the dynamics of international education at the University of Hawai?i at Manoa (UHM), utilizing a multi-source data approach that includes MIEC meeting notes, historical documents, institutional statistical data, and interviews with key stakeholders. The analysis, grounded in Institutional…

Turnaround schools had gained attention since the Bush Administration and No Child Left Behind. Studies were published frequently on the blueprints of turnaround and sustainability in which leadership was a focal point. However, embedded in the research of turnaround schools was the emphasis on interpersonal relationships that evolved into being…

This dissertation formulates and investigates a set of hypotheses about the mechanisms that support the successful implementation of partnership models in K-12 public education. The research study is conducted within a rapidly growing type of partnership model known as "teacher residencies," in which a partnership between a higher…

The retention of Black teachers in the teaching profession remains challenging due to historical events and policies, low salaries, lack of support from administrators, and other school factors. This action research study aimed to investigate, develop, and implement a retention support program for Black teachers employed in their first-fifth year…

Schools across the nation have responded to stringent accountability measures in No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) and later by the Obama administration's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) (2009). In addition to those policy decisions there had also been a strong call to reform the leadership of K-12 schools from national,…

Successful transition outcomes for youth with disabilities necessitate collaboration within and beyond the school system. Ideally, this collaboration entails a wide range of professionals across school systems, service systems, and communities coming together as part of a "transition network" to contribute to transition planning,…

This study of climate change education dissemination takes place in the context of a larger project where institutions in four cities worked together to develop a linked set of informal learning experiences about climate change. Each city developed an organizational network to explore new ways to connect urban audiences with climate change…

This qualitative phenomenological study explores U.S. principals' challenges, successes, and best practices in leading Mandarin Chinese immersion programs in high-need rural schools in a Midwestern state. The study addresses cultural efficiency, increasing student enrollment through principalship preparation, and attracting the interest of parents…

This study explored the motivations, desired outcomes, and strategies used when developing and implementing international joint/dual degree programs in the US. Twenty-three administrators involved with the development international joint/dual degree programs, primarily at public doctoral-granting institutions of higher education in the US, were…

A college-going high school program called Rise Up has enjoyed years of success with its program participants but has yet to demonstrate why the program alumni have entered college at such high rates (91.6% of alumni enter college upon high school graduation). Through interviews and focus groups with 46 college-going alumni, this research examined…

Precollege science education in the United States has virtually always been influenced by university scientists to one degree or another. Partnership models for university scientist--school district collaborations are being advocated to replace outreach models. Although the challenges for such partnerships are well documented, the means of…

In a world of complex problems, where public funding is decreasing and demand for public services is increasing, public entities are turning to collaborative networks to find solutions. This dissertation explores the development of one such network in Collin County, Texas. The researcher presents a case study describing and analyzing the…