The issue of first year student retention has major financial ramifications for institutions of higher education, state and federal governments, and most importantly, the students who decide to depart. This research inquiry used a collective case study to answer the following question: Why do first-time degree seeking students at a large public…

In 2016, the Research and Planning Group for California Community Colleges (RP Group) launched a two-part transfer study called "Through the Gate" to take a fresh look at addressing California's transfer challenges. When a more nuanced look at this population is taken, a "transfer continuum" emerges, revealing students at…

Teacher self-efficacy affects student achievement, job satisfaction, and teacher retention. Although the benefits of social support have been extensively studied in medicine and psychology, limited research has been completed in education to evaluate the ways in which social support influences teacher self-efficacy. The purpose of this…

The Rural Schools Task Force (RSTF) was formed at the request of Commissioner of Education, Mike Morath, to identify current challenges and best practices for rural school districts statewide and develop recommendations for the Texas Education Agency (TEA) that would support rural schools and districts in overcoming obstacles and meeting the needs…

The country faces three problems in higher education: increasing costs, increasing student debt, and low completion rates. Although most students receive financial aid, many are left with unmet financial needs and may take on loans or drop out of college as a result. But promising innovations in financial aid could help students pay for college…

African American males are represented at an extremely low rate in the teaching profession across the United States. There is a need to inform all about the necessity to recruit, retain, and prepare African American males for the teaching profession. The life experiences of current African American males in the teaching field can help all gain a…

The present book collects, integrates, and discusses the range of perspectives and discourses on agency at work. In addition, the book compiles the empirical research that has been generated by various perspectives. The chapters deal with the relationship between (a) agency at work, and (b) professional learning and development. They encompass a…

Public pension systems in many U.S. states face large funding short-falls, and policymakers have considered moving toward defined contribution (DC) pension structures in the interest of reducing the likelihood of future shortfalls. Concerns exist, however, that such changes might increase levels of employee turnover. The empirical evidence on the…

McLennan Community College (MCC) created a developmental summer bridge program in an effort to increase students' Texas Success Initiative (TSI) exam scores and persistence in postsecondary education, decrease their developmental course sequences, and prepare students for college level coursework. In this quantitative research study, student…

The purpose of this study was to examine the variables that impact the strength of the educator workforce in Arkansas's High Poverty/High Minority schools and to determine if current allocations, expenditures and uses of Title II, Part A funds impact a district's ability to recruit and retain quality teachers, identified as 'excellent' teachers in…

This introductory chapter frames the discussion of Black female teachers, and centers their experiences as the sole site for discussion and analysis. In addition, this chapter provides an overview of the three sections of the book and the corresponding chapters. Within the pages of this volume, contributing authors discuss the historical and…

This article reports on a qualitative study that uses a phenomenological approach to investigate the differences between adolescents with high and low career adaptability levels, regarding adaptive strategies and needs. The sample included students categorized as above the 75th percentile and in the bottom 25th percentile according to their scores…

Supportive programming is frequently designed to increase reflection and amplify the effects of applied learning experiences. We have developed a supportive curriculum that integrates ePortfolio practice, brief psychological interventions, advising, mentoring, family engagement, and professional development into a highly successful summer research…

The underrepresentation of Black women in STEM, coupled with the urgent need for more qualified STEM workers to fill jobs left vacant by an aging US workforce, resulted in a plethora of studies exploring identity development related to STEM degree pursuance and career aspirations. Although several aspects of identity development were explored, ego…

One of the causes of the science teacher shortage is the low enrollment in science teacher education. In the Netherlands, science undergraduates can enroll in a half-year teaching course that leads to a teacher qualification for junior secondary education. The goal is that these undergraduates continue in teacher education to obtain a full…