This paper presents a synthesis of three collaboratively conducted studies exploring the relationship between career-focused advising and the postsecondary transition with an emphasis on students enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE). The studies included a survey administered to high school seniors in New York City schools, an impact…

Purpose/Objectives: The purpose of the study was to determine types and frequency of local food products purchased by schools as part of FTS programs and to identify whether differences in purchasing exist relative to school size (number of lunches served). Methods: A valid and reliable questionnaire was developed from qualitative interviews with…

This study explored the best testing practices for the NC Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) to determine preparedness for entry-level law enforcement officers. The researcher implemented a mixed-methods approach to answer five research questions based on collected historical data from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, the North Carolina…

This study investigates the effectiveness of North Carolina "Senate Bill 402, Section 8.36 -- Grants for School Resource Officers in Elementary and Middle Schools," which provides matching state funds to districts for use in middle and elementary schools. Using generalized difference-in-difference and negative binomial hurdle regression…

Evidence on optimal school size is mixed. We estimate the effect of transitory changes in school size on the academic achievement of fourth-and fifth-grade students in North Carolina using student-level longitudinal administrative data. Estimates of value-added models that condition on school-specific linear time trends and a variety of…

This paper investigates community college transfer success by exploring the relationship between individual and institutional-level characteristics at students' two- and four-year institutions. Using statewide administrative data from North Carolina, this study employs a cross-classified multilevel model to investigate the impact that a student's…

Bullying is a significant problem in U.S. schools. Policies have been developed to reduce bullying, yet policy implementation by educators is an essential yet difficult and complex process. Few studies have investigated factors that act as barriers to or facilitators of bullying policy implementation and teacher protection of students. This study…

This brief report uses data collected under the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Fall Enrollment survey to highlight distance education data in the state of North Carolina. The sample for this analysis is comprised of all active, degree-granting…

The evolution of community colleges from their origins as junior colleges to institutions with dual missions to provide both academic and workforce preparation raises questions about the impact of a college's mission focus on their students' labor market success. We examine this question using the 58 colleges in the North Carolina Community…

Objective: Smokeless tobacco (SLT) use is associated with specific adverse health effects. Knowledge of student tobacco use, including SLT, may guide inquiry into other risky health behaviors, and provide opportunities for health education of students. Design: An incentivized email invitation to complete a web-based survey was sent to students at…

A variety of factors contributes to student achievement in mathematics, including but not limited to student behaviors and student, teacher, and school characteristics. The purpose of this study was to explore which of these factors have an impact on student mathematics achievement. The target population for this study was North Carolina Algebra…

Because of advances in psychotropic medications, psychiatric rehabilitation methods, the implementation of civil rights legislation, and empowerment movement of consumers with psychiatric disabilities, students with mental illnesses are increasingly able to access and complete higher education. Disability services offices on college campuses can…

This paper examines the relationship between school size and funding levels in North Carolina secondary schools. Data included information from 94 secondary schools concerning classes offered, school enrollment and staffing, school size and location, funding levels, and student achievement in eight selected subjects; principal and teacher…

A recent study found that local teacher salaries in North Carolina are related to cost-of-living measures. After accounting for education and experience characteristics, local teacher salaries are higher in districts having a greater proportion of secondary teachers, larger school sizes, and a greater demand for education. (Contains 20…

This paper offers unconventional and innovative ideas for school planning and construction in North Carolina for creating smaller and safer community schools in response to rising enrollment, tight budgets, and dwindling school space. Often using examples from across the country, the paper discusses school construction costs and economy of scale…