This piece of research is designed to achieve the following: (1) to highlight the salient biopsychosocial factors shared amongst many of the perpetrators of this school shooting phenomenon; (2) to reveal many of the noteworthy environmental factors, both, within the assailant's school system and in his/her immediate environment; (3) to discuss the…

This dissertation explored the role mentors play in female students' selection of a college for undergraduate education. Domestic and international female students enrolled full-time at a University in the Southeastern United States were engaged in a focus group setting to understand how mentors influence the college choice process. While research…

Increasing attrition rates affect the quantity and quality of teacher human capital worldwide and pose threats to classroom practice and student learning outcomes. Understanding of these effects will be advanced by studying the reasons why preservice teachers leave or remain in the teaching profession. Literature indicates a range of influential…

This descriptive and interpretive multi-case study investigated secondary prospective teachers' (PTs') beliefs about mathematical authority and how their student teaching experience(s) influenced their beliefs. The theoretical framework guiding this study was comprised of a novel definition for mathematical authority I developed, a conception of…

Many people are unaware of the challenges associated with a special needs child being part of the family unit. Special-needs children require additional support and resources to meet their unique needs, which can have significant implications for the entire family. Current research through self-reported study (N = 51) findings under statistical…

Decision-making within school environments is critical to the continued improvement of services for all populations. Despite this high level of importance, there is limited information related to how systemic decisions are made in charter schools. There is also limited information on how charter school leaders interact with teachers and the impact…

The emphasis on testing within the curriculum in high schools in the United States has led to fewer opportunities for students to participate in elective courses. Federal and state testing mandates have contributed to the trend of students taking higher-level courses such as Advanced Placement (AP) and College in the High School (CHS) at the…

Problem: A significant challenge confronting Seventh-day Adventist schools is declining enrollment, with schools in the North America Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church either closing or experiencing a substantial reduction in enrollment over the years. The purpose of this study is to identify the perceived factors influencing enrollment…

The education pipeline is characterized by a series of well-defined and extensively documented transitions. From preschool to kindergarten, elementary to middle to high school, and college to work, students at multiple stages of human development experience transitions that shape their downstream outcomes. In this dissertation, I use…

In the United States, previous and current data state that Black males have the lowest persistence and graduation rates in higher education institutions among all student populations. Black men in public four-year colleges and universities are generally the lowest-performing male group. According to the US Department of Education, only 38.6% of…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how high-achieving African American males attending community college describe how social support contributed to their academic experience in the United States. The theoretical foundations included The Self-Efficacy Theory and The Scholar Identity Model. There were three research…

Research has suggested that although there has been an increase in the percentage of students obtaining four-year degrees, there is still an achievement gap between minority students and their White counterparts (NCES, 2018). While higher education institutions are being held accountable for enrolled students' retention and graduation rates, close…

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate how African American male students persist through or depart before the end of the second year of their college journey. African American male students tend to drop out of college after their first year and sometimes after their first semester of college. There were several variables and themes…

International student recruitment has become a major priority for universities, especially in the United States. With an uptick in international student enrollment expected, higher education institutions are having to compete for international students on a global scale. The current study explores the influence of education agents on Indian…

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) present enormous opportunity for potential learners, especially those in developing countries who may be lacking access to quality higher education. However, participation in MOOCs is still significantly low among those in developing countries, while those in developed countries are continually being…