The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate how teachers who have been identified as high level integrators of technology (specifically laptop technology) perceive their journey to integration, the impact of it on their teaching pedagogy, and the impact of it on student learning. Constructivist Theory informed the interpretations of…

Although many public schools in the United States are located in rural areas, the literature on rural youth is extremely limited, and the literature on rural youth with disabilities is practically absent. The purpose of this study was to gather the perspectives of community partners regarding rural school-community partnerships and provide an…

In this qualitative case study, intersectionality of strategies for teaching in an inclusive classroom with students with disabilities and strategies for teaching the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) will be explored. A gap in the literature demonstrated a need for further research in the area of CCSS for students with disabilities and more…

The purpose of this dissertation was to assess an undergraduate, online course, "The Process of Dying" offered in fall 2016 at Wilmington University. End of Life education has been limited to date and most individuals wait until there is a pressing need to consider actively planning for their death. "The Process of Dying" is…

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to develop an understanding of how current and former middle school teachers in a suburban school district in northeast Georgia perceive low self-efficacy impacts their classroom management style. The theory guiding this study was Bandura's (1977) self-efficacy theory as it supported the idea that…

The purpose of this case study was to describe the experiences of rural school district leaders who implemented and have sustained a one-to-one technology program at the secondary level so to provide school districts considering one-to-one implementation knowledge of best practices. This study was a qualitative, bounded case study that used a…

Research on competency-based education (CBE) has primarily focused on elements of development, design, and implementation. The researcher interviewed students about their experiences in a CBE course as an avenue to deepen existing knowledge, build upon previous research, and improve development, design, and implementation. The researcher…

Purpose: The U.S. Hispanic population is on the rise and will continue to be an important thread in the fabric of American society as a whole. However, in the midst of this burgeoning group lies its male subpopulation which faces its own unique challenges. One outlet that has demonstrated success for minorities is mentoring. Mentoring can provide…

Student achievement in mathematics is correlated with factors related to student engagement. Improving engagement has the potential to improve student achievement at the middle school level. The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics explicate eight specific Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMPs) that clarify the types of skills and…

Sports coaching education and research in higher education have received increased attention lately, especially in English-speaking countries such as the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the UK (Potrac, Gilbert, & Denison, 2013). Although research on sports coaching education is on the rise, very few studies have explored formal…

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are a best practice that has been around for decades; however, due to organizational structuring in elementary schools, teachers are allowed 30 minutes of planning time. During this time little planning or collaboration with peers is achieved. Previous research has proven that professional learning by way…

This qualitative case study examined the past and current student retention literature and research in order to fill voids in the literature and knowledge and contribute to increasing retention of more students by understanding Spalding University's culture and how they make it work to serve students. Data was collected from surveys, interviews…

Critical race theory has often been described as a lens in which to see and understand how racism can impact or affect people of color. This lens makes room for a deeper consideration of ones lived experiences as a direct result of racial bias. Sometime in the mid 1970's, Derrick Bell, Alan Freeman, and Richard Delgado acted in response to the…

The passage of The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act (2002), formerly known as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, sparked a significant rise in the number of students with disabilities receiving their instruction in the inclusive setting. While previous legislation mandated that students with disabilities be included in standardized…

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to better understand the lived experiences of students with learning disabilities who have transitioned to postsecondary education in Alberta, Canada and the meaning students attribute to those experiences. A semi-structured interview format with open-ended questions was used to explore…