Research suggests the collaborative role school counselors can have with administrators to bolster school reform and facilitate a safe and positive learning environment for all K-12 students (College Board, 2009a, 2009b) is vital. Unfortunately, research that explores the roles and efforts of school counselors and administrators in their…

The study examines the primary aspects of academic, cultural, and social challenges affecting international students attending community colleges in rural Appalachia. Through qualitative interviews with international students, this study explores academic, cultural, and social challenges. Implications for programs to assist international students…

Currently cyberbullying is a behavior that is discussed worldwide. Within the discussion, there is a need to know about the lived experiences of college students subjected to cyberbullying. The purpose of this hermeneutic (interpretive) phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of ten college students subjected to bullying in…

Several children in grades K-5 are attending after-school programs for various reasons, such as academic support, social interaction, and behavioral support. The problem investigated is that short-term success has been stated and researched, but the long-term academic effectiveness of after-school programs for students in urban educational…

Recent changes in teacher education program accreditation and in the accountability requirements for both the school district and the higher education partners precipitated the need for this study. Partners must understand the priorities, needs, and challenges facing collaborative partnerships called for in new accreditation standards. This study…

This qualitative case study explored the experiences of college-age learners using visual notetaking to aid learning. The following research questions guided this descriptive case study: How do college-age learners perceive visual notetaking as a means of retaining and understanding information? How do college-age learners believe that visual…

As a result of recent mandates of the Next Generation Science Standards, assessments are a "system of meaning" amidst a paradigm shift toward three-dimensional assessments. This study is motivated by two research questions: 1) how do high school science teachers describe their processes of decision-making in the development and use of…

The purpose of this mixed-method study was to explore preservice teachers' beliefs and preconceptions about teaching for social justice in two pathways to teacher licensure: a traditional, university-based teacher preparation program and an urban teacher residency (UTR) program. Participants were enrolled in a post-baccalaureate education program…

Due to increased accountability and budget shortages, school districts and administrators are utilizing school counselors to perform noncounseling duties at their Title 1 elementary schools. School counselors juggle multiple roles, heavy caseloads, and a myriad of duties while addressing students' academic, social, emotional, and career…

This dissertation was designed to provide an increased understanding of what is involved in providing whole child education. The researcher of this dissertation evaluated teacher awareness, changes in instructional behaviors, and the impact on culture as a result of an elementary afterschool program. All teachers were instructed to focus on their…

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine those factors influencing a teacher's level of adaptation to a one-to-one laptop program in a middle-school setting. The school chosen for this study is located in a semi-rural district with approximately 500 students in sixth through eighth grade. Over the past 10 years, the school…

This phenomenological study explores the educational technology experiences of ten Chinese international students at American universities. It describes their technology experiences and the influence on their technology self-efficacy and acculturation to the university culture in America. Seidman's (1998) three-interview approach was employed to…

In New York City, early childhood education has become the topic of conversation when talking about public education due to Mayor Bill De Blasio's Pre-Kindergarten for All initiative which was introduced in September of 2014. New York City has always invested in early childhood education through Head Start, Early Head Start, Child Care and…

With the ongoing changes in education and the changing demographics of students in schools, the topic of school readiness is imperative. When children enter elementary school behind academically and socially, they are not prepared to be successful learners in kindergarten. Because school readiness is an indicator of school success, it is important…

This dissertation consists of a theoretical essay and two empirical studies exploring the associations between students' perspectives on knowledge, the processes they use to negotiate dissonance, and their subsequent service-learning outcomes. The overarching goal of this research is to better understand why some students productively negotiate…