This dissertation examines the relationship between self-efficacy, grit, and adverse adolescent backgrounds among educational leaders in the Texas public school system, focusing on how economic disparities and systemic biases shape these psychological traits. Utilizing a quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, and descriptive approach,…

Drawing on evidence and example legislation, this policy research brief identifies school-based policy options for Texas to prevent and mitigate toxic stress caused by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The term ACEs refers to the 10 common categories of adversity included in a landmark study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…

This counterstorytelling study involved examining how Practitioners of Color (POC) enact "carino" and embed restorative literacies or cultural and community practices in community college integrated reading and writing (IRW) classrooms to create a safe counterspace for Students of Color (SOC). The significance of this research is to…

Based on case studies in three states (CO, RI, and TX), this brief examines promising strategies to address the developmental and mental health needs of infants and toddlers involved in Child Welfare (CW). Due to family adversities, trauma, maltreatment, and separation from primary caregivers, these infants and toddlers are at substantial risk of…

This study examines the relationships between childhood participation in appreciative, consumptive, and abusive types of outdoor activities and the connection to nature, environmental attitudes, and four types of pro-environmental behaviors in high school students. A questionnaire was given to 140 racially mixed, suburban, largely college-bound…

In this qualitative study, the researcher used a phenomenological design to better understand Hispanic superintendents' perceptions of how or if their personal childhood experiences influenced their current leadership stance in educating Hispanic English language learners (ELLs) enrolled in their respective school districts. She examined the…

There is ample evidence that children born to poorer families do not succeed at the same rate as children born to the middle class. On average, low-income children lag behind on almost every cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and health measure. These gaps start early--some of the newest research suggests that cognitive gaps are detectable in…

The purpose of this paper was to examine the experiences of a Hispanic undocumented high school graduate in Texas (USA) that did not attend a higher education institution in spite of her desire to do. Using qualitative research and narrative analysis, the researcher conducted three interview levels with the participant and developed an emplotted…

A synthesis of literature on the Mexican Americans of Texas and the Southwest provides an overview of the general research findings. The volume is intended as a resource for teachers and others who work with Mexican American children. Part 1 is a concise history of the population. Part II presents a synthesis of current literature on the social…