This dissertation examines the fidelity in which school districts are prepared to implement their reunification plan in the event of a tragedy or emergency. School emergencies continue to occur, and safety plans need to be developed and administered to support and protect students and staff. This dissertation is organized into two separate papers.…

The goal of this study was to obtain the perceptions of novice school counselors regarding their self-efficacy in implementing Recognized ASCA Model Program Requirements (RAMP). Seven novice school counselors shared their experiences contributing to their self-efficacy when implementing the ASCA Deliver component and RAMP application requirements.…

Today's college students can choose from a multitude of learning modalities. Many students elect to earn their degrees through 100% online college programs; however, online learners present higher attrition rates than their on-ground peers (Grau-Valldosera et al., 2019). Many theorists attempt to explain how students can succeed in college,…

As superintendents steer their districts through uncharted territories, their experiences and strategies are key to transforming schools. This study employed transcendental phenomenology to explore how seven Virginia superintendents from two different regions described their experiences implementing novel cultural competency training. Data…

Research in the area of organizational learning has focused upon division leaders and the contexts that drive policy, reform, and professional learning in the area of literacy. The purpose of this case study was to examine the ways and means through which district leaders perceived their experiences within an organizational learning context of a…

Self-reported positive effects of peer mentoring for mentors and mentees have included enhanced academic performance, greater sense of belonging, and retention, among other widely accepted benefits of the intervention. However, minimal quantitative or mixed methods research has focused on mentoring staff who design, implement, and therefore…

Schools have transitioned from single-component health and wellness programs to comprehensive initiatives aimed at fostering continual and sustained improvement in children's overall health and wellness. These interventions, with a focus on knowledge and behavior change, can effectively promote the adoption of healthy behaviors among children.…

This study advances the understanding of providing effective professional development for elementary teachers in the field as the Pennsylvania STEELS standards require inquiry-based learning as a component of the science classroom. I sought out elementary teacher perceptions surrounding professional development as it pertained to their ability to…

In the dynamic realm of virtual education, the successful execution of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) becomes essential for promoting student achievement. This study examines a particular aspect of this educational framework, explicitly investigating the teachers' perceptions of the fidelity of implementing an MTSS framework within an…

Response to Intervention (RTI) has emerged as a leading framework for closing achievement gaps--a priority in education to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have equal access to quality education and the opportunity to succeed academically. Nonetheless, the extent to which RTI is effectively implemented can vary…

This study utilized a quantitative approach to compare extension employee perceptions across organizational structures in the West region on the following issues: program delivery, program evaluation, funding, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The three extension structures characterized in this study were county-based, area-based, and a…

The purpose of this study is to examine elementary teachers' perceptions of SEL and its association with students' social-emotional competency. This study's population was teachers in an elementary school in a suburban Atlanta school district. Research participants were selected through purposive or criterion sampling. Each participant was emailed…

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) provide the best setting for building collective teacher efficacy (CTE). CTE has been identified as having the highest positive effect on student achievement. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore perceptions of teachers and administrators regarding the effectiveness of PLCs for building…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how elementary school teachers describe their experiences from the professional development training that provide professional development trainings related to ADHD students and how they implement what they have learned in their classrooms in the United States. The theoretical…

Literacy is a prevailing challenge of student achievement within urban schools. Capitol City Intermediate School's Extended Day Program, also known as the Real World Learning Program, is an academic after-school program that focuses on literacy. The incoming 4th grade students who have underperformed on the NJSLA 3 assessment are the target…