In the wake of the 2016 and 2020 U.S. presidential elections and the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing public attention has been paid to the ability of citizens to use and understand news media, information, and digital technology. Conversations about media literacy--the ability to critically engage with media--are ongoing in the press, schools, and…

The purpose of this study was to examine if a relationship existed between the self-efficacy and grit of selected principals; the differences in self-efficacy and grit among the principals who did and did not participate in a principal development program; and the differences in self-efficacy, grit, and persistence in the job role of the selected…

The purpose of this mixed methods dissertation study is to determine an operational definition for a new construct: a spiritually competent orientation (SCO). The SCO construct has emerged in recent literature but has only been defined theoretically. An exploration of the literature from which it emerged implies the possibility of improving the…

Currently, there is limited research examining the effectiveness of behavior analytic techniques with adults with disabilities, who often struggle with generalizing socially significant skills to real life situations in the community. Further, little research has examined the remote delivery of behavior analytic techniques, which has become a…

This study examines teacher experience with feedback conferences during the formal observation process in a Catholic school system in the Northwestern United States. The Department of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon expressed interest in improving teacher evaluation and supervision processes due to comments indicating…

Cultural perceptions are widely accepted to play vital roles in meaning-making among learners themselves and between instructors and learners as they interact in educational settings (An, 2018; Egalite & Kisida, 2018). However, the role cultural perceptions play for members of course development teams during the creation of online courses,…

Teaching and learning centers in higher education are often charged with providing faculty development programming in support of overarching institutional goals related to effective teaching and assessment of student learning. Using the theoretical frameworks of Maki and Weiner as a launch pad, this exploratory case study examines how two teaching…

When children come to a new country and have difficulty communicating, it may be unclear whether they have developmental problems or are simply struggling with a new language. Early identification and treatment of developmental concerns are crucial to garnering the best results for developing an intervention plan and optimizing child outcomes.…

In 2015, a small school district in a mid-Atlantic state implemented Letterland, a phonics-based early reading program, to increase early reading levels. The problem investigated in this study was that, despite district implementation of the Letterland phonics program, early childhood students continued to struggle with mastery of phonics and…

Despite its increasing importance in today's society, STEM learning opportunities in rural areas are limited. Factors such as limited learning resources and experiences may negatively impact students in rural areas in developing interest for STEM subjects, and eventually STEM careers. In this qualitative study, our purpose was to understand how…

The objective of this study is to survey existing and emerging post-secondary computing and technology programs and employment trends in Pennsylvania to determine if college graduates are being prepared for careers in artificial intelligence. Due to low enrollment, colleges and universities are continually revising or restructuring their existing…

Mental health issues are a barrier to learning for many secondary students. Students with mental health issues need to be identified, and teachers, who see students daily, are essential in identifying, referring, and supporting students with mental health needs. There is scant literature on secondary teachers' self-efficacy in supporting secondary…

This study was designed to explore whether athletic identity, NCAA division level, or sport revenue earnings impact student-athletes' ability to prepare for their career as they transition out of sport. Social identity theory was discussed to examine how identity formation may influence navigating the dual roles of being both a student and an…

This project evaluates enrichment offered by a Health Sciences Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (HSDEI) department tasked with embedding and retaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in six health sciences schools in an urban higher education institution. The evaluation centers on the realities of a primarily white institution's schools of…

Although improving the college and career readiness (CCR) skills of high school students has become a higher priority in recent years, educators must continue to seek better and more effective ways of preparing students for life after high school. Unfortunately, many high school students continue to be inadequately prepared for college or a career…