Small businesses with emphasis in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are catalytic in launching the United States' global presence and competitiveness into the twenty-first century through innovation and technology. The projected growth compared to non-STEM occupations, is almost twice as high for STEM occupations which further…

Engineering students entering the workforce often struggle to meet the competency expectations of their employers. Guided by constructivist theory, the purpose of this case study was to understand engineers' experiences of engineering education, deficiencies in practical skills, and the self-learning methods they employed to advance their…

This study addresses a gap in research literature regarding educator's experiences teaching online high school, focusing on strengths, challenges, and professionalism, from an online high school teacher's perspective. In addition, teachers provided their perceived level of professionalism as online high school teachers and provided their…

Policy changes influence various aspects of art education such as K-12 art education curricula, state licensure systems, and contexts of art teacher preparation. Despite strong relationships between art education policy and practical fields, few studies have attempted to understand art education from the perspective of policy analysis. This study…

Earning a bachelor's degree or a post-secondary certificate can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life and financial future; however, statistics show that many high school graduates who continue to post-secondary studies do not complete their degree or certification. Adult education students (non-traditional students) are…

Perceptions of School Principals on Participation in Professional Learning Communities as Job-Embedded Learning Jennifer Gaudioso Principal Professional Learning Communities (PPLCs) have emerged as a vehicle for professional development of principals, but there is little research on how principals experience PPLCs or how districts can support…

With only four years of mandated state-standards in adult basic education (ABE), very little is known about the influence of state-standards implementation on the unique learning needs of its adult students. Two decades of research on standards-based education in the U.S. K12 system has yielded widely debated results regarding the impact of…

The financial and competitive challenges facing higher educational institutions have created a dire need for universities and colleges to evaluate the value of the different departments within their institutions. Athletic administrators in higher education are committed to providing adequate opportunities for students, coaches, and staff to…

Onboarding is a procedure an organization implements to help new employees adjust to their new roles and environment. This action research project sought to answer the question of how the new faculty onboarding process at a small, private, Midwestern university could be improved. Following a review of the literature, a researcher-generated plan on…

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experience of 11 public school professionals in positions of leadership within the San Mateo County public school system. The aim was to gain a deeper understanding of how public school leaders enact change in their districts and schools. Four superintendents, one assistant…

This case study addressed the factors that enhanced or constrained the success of one Promise Academy at an elementary school in the northeastern United States. A large number of schools in an urban district have continuously failed to make adequate yearly progress (AYP). The study school implemented the Promise Academy model in September 2010, to…

Clarifying the concept of digital college readiness (DCR) can direct pedagogical and policy shifts toward the integration of digital literacies instruction as an essential component of college readiness, especially for educators and researchers in the field of developmental education. Since the 1980s, the demands for digitally mediated literacies…

This study investigated the relationship between flexible learning environments and student attitudes about reading. Flexible learning environments are spaces wherein learners can choose from different seating or standing options, locations within the learning space, and the size group with which to work. This allows the learner to find the…

Low-income, first-generation students face numerous barriers to earn a college degree. Of these students, Latino male students have some of the lowest levels of college enrollment and persistence. This study used a phenomenological design to identify the perspectives of low-income, first-generation (LIFG) Latino male college students on how social…

Calls for history teachers to adopt inquiry methods continue to go unabated in educational research and curricular initiatives. In recent years, there has been increased recognition of the important role teacher reflection plays in managing the uncertainty that accompanies such pedagogy in history classrooms. Accordingly, this dissertation was…