The purpose of this study is to determine if and to what extent disparities in the referral of student subpopulations for discretionary discipline exist and if changes in disparity correlate with changes in campus academic achievement. In this study, 31 million observations of discipline data generated by reason code 21, violations of the student…

Research has shown that nationally, there is a difference in school discipline rates for minority students compared to White students (Anyone et.al, 2021; Wiley, 2021). Black and Brown students have higher rates of exclusionary school discipline, like in-school and out of school suspension, and receive more strict consequences for the same…

Research indicates that students benefit from working with faculty with whom they can identify. Do Hispanic students find Hispanic faculty with whom to work at Hispanic Serving Institutions? To answer that question, this study builds on a 13-year line of research that has focused on engaged, public, metropolitan research universities. From a…

This study sought to explore the extent to which and how principals can help decrease the use of out-of-school suspension and close the racial discipline gap. This study comprised a qualitative case study of a principal in an urban school district. Data derive from in-depth interviews with current and former campus and district leaders, historical…

While most teachers in America are women, women are underrepresented in administrative leadership roles, such as the superintendency. This underrepresentation is even worse for women of color. Given the importance of on-the-job mentorship for new and aspiring superintendence, the lack of female superintendents of color means those who do reach the…

This study was created to establish a connection between social contexts and disproportionality in discipline at a suburban North Texas middle school. A mixed methods study was completed using chi-square and descriptive tests for quantitative use, then, In Vivo, Process, and Pattern coding with Code-weaving for qualitative use to disseminate focus…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the protocol of how high school counselors manage Black male students diagnosed as being emotionally disturbed. This study examined the problem of the overdiagnosis of ethnic minority youths, mainly Black youths. The research used a case study research design to answer three research questions…

Autism spectrum disorder is diagnosed more in males than females, this difference is even more prevalent if the female is of at least average intelligence. The problem addressed by this qualitative exploratory case study was the under-identification of females with autism due to their masking behavior. This problem directly impacts females who…

In 2006, the federal government effectively uncapped student borrowing for graduate programs with the introduction of the Graduate PLUS loan program. Access to additional federal loans increased graduate students' borrowing and shifted the composition of their loans from private to federal debt. However, the increase in borrowing limits did not…

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified concerns regarding the lagging proportion of Hispanic Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). This report contrasts the CPA exam success of candidates from the regional branches of one large university system's Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) and non-Hispanic-serving institutions. Examination statistics during…

The superintendent is one of the most important positions within public school districts because they have the capacity to influence policies, practices, and perceptions among school staff while simultaneously holding sway over the public. Yet, few Latinx administrators are hired into the superintendency -- even fewer are Latinas. Consequently,…

This project emerged from the voices of eight female teacher candidates of color, who wanted to address the inequitable representation of historically underrepresented groups within elementary school education. Using the Participatory Action Research (PAR) advanced by Fals-Borda, the teacher candidates designed instructional units that used…

In response to concerns regarding school quality, state policy-makers reformed their charter school authorization processes to impose greater regulatory barriers to chartering. These barriers to market entry could impose substantial burdens for Black and Latino would-be charter operators, as well as independent operators, who may lack access to…

Texas higher education institutions serve some of the most diverse student populations in higher education. However, graduation rates remain among the lowest in the United States, particularly for underrepresented minority students. Diverse faculty who act as mentors have the potential to increase underrepresented minority students' sense of…

The aim of this quantitative study was to explore the connection between self-perceived cultural proficiency among school leaders and the discipline gap for Black students in high schools in North Texas. The study sought to achieve this by: (a) identifying the level of cultural proficiency perceived by school leaders, (b) examining the…