Targeted school funding is a potentially valuable policy lever to increase educational equality by race, ethnicity, and income, but it remains unclear how to target funds most effectively. We use a regression discontinuity approach to compare districts that narrowly passed or failed a school funding election. We use close tax elections in 9 states…

This quantitative, descriptive, nonexperimental study employed Maslach's Burnout Inventory (MBI) to investigate the issue of principal turnover within high-poverty schools in Texas. The research question for this study is, "Is there a difference in a principal's feelings of burnout based on their years of experience?" The researcher used…

In Texas, employing more adjunct faculty has helped meet staffing demands as community college enrollment has increased. However, training and retaining these part-time employees has created a unique challenge as adjunct faculty have less opportunities and motivation to participate in professional development (PD). Applying Vygotsky's…

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine variables that contribute to burnout among Texas choral teachers. Specific research questions included: (1) What demographic variables predict burnout in Texas choir teachers? and (2) How do perceptions of teacher agency impact Texas choir teachers' experience of burnout? After providing…

The purpose of this study was to examine the underlying mechanism between goal orientations and academic expectation for online learners. We simultaneously studied the structural relationships among 2×2 achievement goal orientations, self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies, supportive online learning behaviors, and expected academic outcome in…

A nonexperimental design was used to determine whether the verbal scores of low-income gifted fifth graders (n = 38) differed from those of their higher income peers (n = 83). The Otis-Lennon School Ability Test, Eighth Edition and the Stanford Achievement Test-Tenth Edition were used to collect student data. Results of a MANOVA showed a…

This pilot study assessed how using electronic portfolios (ePortfolios) as a meta-high impact practice (meta-HIP) might influence student learning through reflective practice. Eleven undergraduates participating in a summer research program reflected weekly on their research experiences through building and using ePortfolios, and attended three…

Schools have dynamic and changing social environments which present a variety of challenges to campus leaders. Administrators have a multitude of responsibilities to school stakeholders for all facets of organizational life on the campus. School leaders can benefit from a better understanding of how greater levels of principal influence serves as…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to analyze Miguel A. Nevárez's educational leadership style by focusing on his notable contributions to The University of Texas Pan American. The researcher defined leadership style as actions by the leader. After examining Nevárez's background to place his motivations and actions in proper context, this…

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in primary professional school counselor burnout and secondary professional school counselor burnout indicators. Specifically, this study was concerned with influences of the variables: age, level of licensure, professional affiliation, years of counseling experience, type of school and type…

Schools are often criticized for their role in creating the dropout problem. This article illustrates that with the right resources and approach, educational programs could become sites of transformation rather than reproducers of social inequality. Narrative and thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with graduates of a nationwide program that…

This study examined and qualitatively described the music practice behaviors, strategies, and thoughts of four high school string students who indicated a high string playing self-efficacy. Concepts of practice, motivation, achievement, and self-efficacy were linked together to analyze tendencies and summarize strategies. These students were…

The present phenomenological study was designed to explore the perceived influence of mentorship relationships on the career aspirations of Hispanic students attending a community college in Central Texas. Semistructured one-on-one interviews focused on gaining an insight into the influence that 10 Hispanic students perceived mentoring had on…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the demographic trends from 2002 to 2010 of students who completed marketable skills programs at Texas community colleges. In addition, the extent to which statistically significant changes occurred in the ethnic and gender diversity of MSAA completers from 2002 to 2010 was reviewed.…

The National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) has stated that "the overall achievement goal for American students is performance that qualifies at the Proficient level or higher" (Loomis & Bourke, 2001, p. 2). The Institute for Educational Sciences of the U.S. Department of Education went even further, "The Proficient level…