It is widely understood in the higher education community that students from the lowest socioeconomic (SES) status achieve lower college graduation rates than those from other SES, even when controlling for other variables. Certain programs and services have been shown to positively affect student persistence, even when compared by student SES and…

National attention is focused on the state of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in public schools. In order to ensure that students have access to high quality STEM education it is essential that teacher candidates are well prepared and confident to deliver challenging content and train students in necessary skills…

This experimental study examined the effects of pre-tests and feedback on learning outcomes in a five-week massive open online course (MOOC). The participants (N = 399) were adults from around the world who self-enrolled in the American Museum of Natural History's (AMNH) climate change MOOC (called "Our Earth's Future") offered on the…

In contrast to the increase in college enrollment rates of youth with learning disabilities (LD), graduation rates have remained stagnant and low. Using propensity methods, this study examined the effect of disability-specific and universally-available support receipt on the college perseverance and completion of students with learning…

For over three decades, U.S. public schools have utilized various formal mentoring and induction programs to support early career teachers' professional development and facilitate their willingness to remain in the teaching profession for longer than the first few years. These programs however vary in content, quality and targeted audience.…

The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument that can be used to identify factors that influence the success of vertical transfer students in agricultural education. The specific objectives of this study were: identify perceived factors that influence the bachelor's degree attainment of vertical transfer students in agricultural…

The present study used 2011-12 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) data to determine the impact of school organizational factors on secondary STEM teacher retention in the post-NCLB era. Researchers utilized teacher and principal instruments from the SASS to measure the retention of grades 9-12 STEM teachers (n = 920). Due to the nested nature of…

Using statewide data from Tennessee over more than a decade, this paper estimates the job performance returns to principal experience as measured by student, teacher, and principal outcomes. I find that principals improve substantially over time, evidenced by higher student achievement, higher ratings from supervisors, and lower rates of teacher…

The profession of teaching is filled with various challenges, and teachers have been tested for centuries. The challenges in teaching have created an interesting phenomenon known as teacher turnover. However, in recognizing these issues, researchers have validated the importance of improving teacher retention. The aim of this research study was to…

Background/Context: The transition from high school to college marks a critical juncture for students planning to pursue higher education, particularly those from historically marginalized backgrounds. Unfortunately, many of these students are left to navigate complex financial aid requirements, registration processes, and academic placement with…

Background: A growing body of research highlights the experiences of Black men students who successfully navigate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational pathways. Many Black men graduate students in engineering describe moments when their advisors, peers, and, at times, community members make them feel different…

Latino first-generation college students face a unique set of challenges that are not part of the college experience of their non-first-generation counterparts. Nonetheless, many Latinos remain optimistic about overcoming barriers that might impede their educational pursuits. The present study was aimed at exploring factors that contribute to…

The purpose of this paper is to find out what academics do when approaching retirement, and why; as well as to reflect on the process and consequences of reaching a retirement decision -- for themselves, the university system, and the wider community. Our study concentrates on baby boomers, as this large cohort starts to retire or become eligible…

This study evaluated the effect of employing reading-to-write strategies and joining college composition and reading courses for provisionally admitted, first-year-writing students in the United States. The article discusses a mixed methods study of an experimental course-design model involving 47 students in the experimental group, 47 students in…

This study describes policies and practices implemented in 12 high schools (Quebec, Canada) that more or less effectively leveraged extracurricular activities (ECA) to prevent dropout among vulnerable students. Following an explanatory sequential mixed design, three school profiles ("Effective," "Ineffective," and…