With close to a million Texas students attending rural schools, research on what influences student achievement is needed to guide policy, practice, and further research. Building on research relating student demographic variables and per student spending in rural schools to student achievement, through this dissertation research I used…

The purpose of this study was to determine if a gender-based learning environment fosters academic success for female students. This study was, also, meant to determine if the socioeconomic status (SES) and race of females was a predicting factor for the academic success of females enrolled in single gender learning environments in comparison to…

To practice physical therapy, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) must graduate from an accredited program and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). There is a lack of evidence exploring the relationships between admission processes in PTA programs with no pre-requisites. The first purpose of this study was to determine whether…

This quantitative study explored the relationship between community sociodemographic factors and student outcomes on the 2019 Texas high school mandated end-of-course (EOC) exams for Algebra I, Biology, English I, English II, and U.S. History in Texas midsized high schools. Correlational analysis was run on community sociodemographic factors on…

Eighth-grade students who are placed into Algebra 1 but fail end-of-course exams may experience lowered grade point averages (GPAs) and loss of motivation for math or avoid taking advanced mathematics courses in high school. Middle-achieving students present challenges in terms of mathematics placement. Self-efficacy theory and locus of control…

Prior research in mathematical assessments has indicated varying results of predictive variables and further research has been recommended to support students, parents, teachers, and school administration. The purpose of this research was to determine how well a student's performance on a mathematics domain at the state level may be predicted…

New York State public school students in grades 3-8 are required to take the Common Core assessments, now based on Next Generation Learning Standards, in English language arts and mathematics. Students are also required to take English and Algebra Regents exams in high school. Elementary students who often perform on-grade level in the classroom…

Fractions are highly important. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the developmental trajectory of fraction knowledge and its main predictors and consequences. Our research team has proposed that we have a neurocognitive architecture dedicated to processing nonsymbolic ratios, which serves as a startup tool for fractions: the Ratio Processing…

This study investigated the cognitive factors that impact the completion of mathematics problems, specifically algebraic-reasoning, by individuals who use tactile materials (i.e., braille) compared to those who use print materials. The inquiry investigated working memory, task time, cognitive load, efficiency, and the predictive quality of…

The purpose of this non-experimental, cross-sectional, correlational study was to examine the influence, if any, of mathematical-instructional minutes on academic achievement as measured by the 2014 New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) 6, 7, and 8 mathematics scores. Additionally, the study accounted for other factors that…

Low success rates in developmental mathematics courses have caused a growing concern for many institutions including moderately selective four-year universities. As a result, institutions have adopted various course redesign models, such as the emporium and replacement models, which take advantage of interactive online learning tools. Though these…

Advisors use placement test scores as a means of predicting students' proficiency in mathematics; however, there is a debate about how accurately these scores predict students' success. This nonexperimental quantitative study focused on one test, the Texas Success Initiative (TSI). The purpose of the study was to determine whether the test is an…

The role of the community college is constantly evolving. At its inception in the early 1900's, the community college's broad focus was to provide quality, affordable education to the members of the community the college serves. Today, that focus remains the same, but has also morphed into one that meets the specific needs of its students. One of…

Despite research that high-stakes tests do not improve knowledge, Florida requires students to pass an Algebra I End-of-Course exam (EOC) to earn a high school diploma. Test passing scores are determined by a raw score to t-score to scale score analysis. This method ultimately results as a comparative test model where students' passage is…

This study examined how school-facilitated parental involvement affects Standards of Learning (SOL) end-of-course exams for high school students in Virginia who are receiving special education services. This study examined test results from the 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 school years for the Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II SOL exams,…