This qualitative case study asks current students and alumni of a Master of Fine Arts/Studio Arts program in the United States about their experiences in and with critique in their degree program. The purpose of this study is to understand the nature of critique and add empirical research to the growing scholarly conversation about the…

The utilization of arts-based professional learning to enhance leadership behaviors has been investigated in such fields as business and healthcare, however, its impact on educational leadership is not well understood. This study investigated the nature of arts-based approaches to leadership development experienced by public school principals in a…

This dissertation investigates the educators' perceived impact of receiving a STEAM certification implementing STEAM education. This research stems from the foundation of the disparity between researchers agreeing that support for STEAM professional development should be continuous (e.g., Myunghee et al., 2013; Quigley & Herro, 2016; So et…

Academia and education advocates have reported a concern about the elimination of art and music education classes from high school curriculums in the United States. Studies using mean SAT test scores from 1984 and 1994 versions of the SAT test indicated participants who had art and music education classes had higher verbal and mathematical SAT…

This quantitative, causal comparative study analyzed the effect of participation in a blended learning program has on the STAAR Mathematics and Reading Language Arts assessments for fifth grade students in a large, urban school district in North Texas. The study evaluated the performance of fifth graders on the STAAR assessment in mathematics…

The purpose of this quantitative, ex post facto study was to determine to what extent, if any, there were differences in ELA achievement and OSS percentages among schools with grades 3, 4, and 5 that used literacy station instruction (LSI) with students who had individualized education plans (IEP) and schools that did not use literacy station…

There has long been a need for a larger body of data supporting the difference in achievement among students educated in an environment rich in the arts. The 21st century has seen an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education to prepare students for future jobs in STEM fields. Global competition for technological…

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the general studies program at Dallas Baptist University (DBU) for its effectiveness in developing undergraduate students for life and leadership in the 21st century. Researchers and practitioners in the higher education sector have pointed to massive disruptions in life and work caused by…

Student enrollment in higher education is becoming increasingly diverse. Despite this increase in diversity, students from traditionally marginalized groups such as students of color or from low-income families continue to be underrepresented. A lack of cultural understanding and the presence of biases and prejudices are considered a root cause of…

Today's society requires students to navigate many challenging situations that require certain social emotional learning skills. Previous research suggests that skills like resilience can be built or developed (Daniel & Wassell, 2002; Masten, 2014; Ngo, 2019). Resilience and sense of belonging are factors that impact climate at after-school…

U.S. school achievement has been the subject of much discussion. In the case of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), the national underperformance across the country, as well as the underrepresentation of minorities are key issues (Anderson et al., 2023; Handelsman & Smith, 2016; National Research Council, 2015; The…

The purpose of this action research study was to evaluate the effect of a robotics-based intervention on empathy for students enrolled in secondary English and literature courses. Empathy, as a concept, is an integral component of reading comprehension and student motivation. A decline in reported individual levels of empathy among young adults…

Recent standardized state tests have revealed a consistent decline in reading scores across grade levels, forcing conversation about intervention in place to combat this. Developed using Vygotsky's theory of Zone of proximal development, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Read 180 reading intervention program promises to close reading gaps of up to two…

Chronic absenteeism has been and continues to be a serious problem within the United States. This dissertation in practice sought a solution to impact the problem of students exhibiting school refusal behaviors leading to truancy, at Dover High School while providing an avenue for successful academic performance in mathematics and English Language…

Students may fall behind in their academic grade-level standards. Some students may be able to adjust to follow along with grade-level content; however, what happens when a student falls two or more grade levels behind? Those students are tested and based upon the results of the assessments, they may be assigned to Response to Intervention to…