Political discord, social tensions, and global conflicts compel teachers to guide students in exploring diverse perspectives and engaging in constructive, respectful dialogues. Furthermore, the rapid evolution of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), necessitates teachers and school leaders to consider entirely new paradigms in…

This program evaluation study used an objectives-oriented evaluation to determine the impact of professional development on effective communication to enhance leadership skills of school and district leaders in a southwestern Florida school district. Professional development is offered by the district to teachers, school leaders, district leaders,…

This capstone project investigates professional development perceptions from the lens of three different participant groups: district administrators, school administrators, and teachers. A literature review identifies PD changes, legislative mandates, and the roles each must play to support teacher growth. The mixed-methods study assesses the…

This capstone project investigates professional development perceptions from the lens of three different participant groups: district administrators, school administrators, and teachers. A literature review identifies PD changes, legislative mandates, and the roles each must play to support teacher growth. The mixed-methods study assesses the…

This capstone project investigates professional development perceptions from the lens of three different participant groups: district administrators, school administrators, and teachers. A literature review identifies PD changes, legislative mandates, and the roles each must play to support teacher growth. The mixed-methods study assesses the…

Educators and researchers often think of program design and program evaluation as separate endeavors, even intentionally creating a firewall between them. But what if designers and evaluators worked together, combining their insights to strengthen both the program and the study of it? In the work of evaluating a statewide professional learning…

For more than three decades, the inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood education settings has been developing worldwide in educational research, policy, and real-world practice. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a Special Needs Inclusive Practices Credential Program with early educators working in the…

Since professional learning is about shifting adult mindsets and behavior, it is work that frequently challenges assumptions, expectations, beliefs, instructional practices, and long-standing habits. To have meaningful and productive conversations about evaluation and data, educators must be equipped with effective practices and tools that allow…

In the South African context, children with severe to profound intellectual disabilities are not accommodated in the compulsory education system, although steps are being taken in this direction in acknowledgement of their right to education. Critical to this development is the training of educators and caregivers. There is a paucity of studies…

The purpose of this study was to conduct a program evaluation of an online mental health literacy curriculum for K-12. In addition, the study established the next steps for professional development concerning mental health literacy for staff based on the findings. This study was guided by research questions: 1. How much knowledge has been gained…

This report presents key findings from the four years of the Quality Support Program (QSP). The QSP is an initiative of, and funded by, the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Education Early Childhood Education Quality Assurance and Regulatory Services Directorate (NSW DoE), involving the delivery by Australian Children's Education and Care…

As U.S. school leaders anticipate the end of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds and contemplate possible budget shortfalls, they will have to make hard choices about how best to leverage limited resources to improve student outcomes. With the stakes high, lawmakers and experts urge school system leaders to rely on research and…

This study examined the results of the diversity and inclusion (D&I) survey administered to the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) membership in the fall of 2016. The purpose of the study was to discover the current perceptions and experiences regarding D&I of the AORE membership, which is made up primarily of outdoor…

Policy changes to school governance have led to Governing Bodies (GBs) increasingly appointing skilled professionals from the business community. Research into these GBs views governors from business as a threat to lay governors and the stakeholder model. Whilst there has been exploration of the contributions of business governors, the ways in…

This study utilized the Clark and Estes gap analysis to investigate the knowledge, motivation, and organizational barriers that 330 Business and Legal Programs Department instructors face in developing courses that create "excellent" learning experiences at University Extension, a nonprofit, university continuing education institution.…