Despite a multitude of possible explanations for racial and ethnic group differences in collegiate achievement, scholars have continued to call for new research and theories to better explain this ongoing phenomenon. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to investigate the relationship between grit, racialized campus experiences, and college…

This descriptive correlation design study examined levels of grit and other demographic data of administrators in northeast Texas public schools. The study focused on administrators employed at the time of the study in an administrative position in a public PK-12 district in northeast Texas. More research was needed to be conducted regarding grit…

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…

The state of Texas is currently under a federal mandate of corrective action from the United States Department of Education (USED). Many students who were denied referral to special education services in the past are being referred in record numbers across the state. Given the historical shortage of special education assessment personnel, the…

The purpose of this study was to examine if a relationship existed between the self-efficacy and grit of selected principals; the differences in self-efficacy and grit among the principals who did and did not participate in a principal development program; and the differences in self-efficacy, grit, and persistence in the job role of the selected…

American K-12 public teachers are leaving the field of education in record numbers. This lack of teacher retention negatively impacts student achievement. Teacher turnover intentions have been found to be an indication of potential attrition. Research on brain-based learning reveals new opportunities to decrease teacher turnover intentions by…

Principal retention is essential for maintaining school stability, fostering positive cultures, and improving student achievement. This qualitative phenomenological study examines the factors influencing principals in Texas public schools to remain in their roles for more than three years and explores the consequences of principal turnover. Ten…

During economic recessions, state funding for higher education contracts (Delaney & Doyle, 2011; Hovey, 1999; SHEEO, 2022). Despite this reality, public higher education officials need to offer insights and explanations to state legislators about the current status of their institutions and their needs when discussing their budget requests. We…

In a time when educational leaders and stakeholders are called to do more to maximize student outcomes while drawing on dwindling resources, it is prudent to analyze all factors that contribute to increases in students' achievement trends. Earlier research has focused on the role teachers and principals have played in students' achievement. The…

While the overall number of women superintendents has increased in recent years, representation disparities persist across educational ranks. The present study's aim was to explore the career paths that facilitate women's success in achieving and retaining the superintendent role for five or more years. Employing narrative inquiry through…

Many researchers have debated potential differences between male and female students' mathematical performance. One important factor that can impact performance is perception of the content. The purpose of the study is to investigate factors that impact high-ability male and female students' perspectives of mathematics. Participants (n = 12;…

In 2015, 81% of counties in Texas were designated as full or partial Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas. To address this problem, we worked with a community-based association of mental health practitioners, using the social theory of career selection, to explore factors that influence students to join the mental health field. Our goal was…

The United States is experiencing a teacher shortage crisis that is even more pronounced in rural communities. Teachers may be driven away from the profession if they feel inadequately trained or under-supported to address students' mental health needs. As such, an important teacher retention strategy is to ensure schools have enough mental health…

The purpose of the current study was to identify the characteristics of Texas public school superintendents who have been in their position for at least 5 years and make that information available to school boards and individuals who seek to obtain the position of Texas school superintendent. The daily challenges of the school district leader may…

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between grit, mathematics self-efficacy, students' career interest in STEM, and student achievement in Algebra I. The study was intentional in examining the concepts of self-efficacy, achievement, and career interest as part of STEM education research. The research was completed during the…