This study explored the conceptual and practical tools 4th grade teachers use to teach writing in an online classroom. Considering the importance of writing proficiency, the continuous growth in online teaching, and the lack of research in the teaching of elementary writing in an online classroom, this study was both timely and necessary.…

This qualitative inquiry explored district-based educators' sensemaking of an ongoing, statewide professional learning series focused on special education eligibility for students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) using a response-to-intervention (RtI) approach within a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS). Specifically, the professional…

Retaining students through degree completion is a challenge for community colleges, with nontraditional, adult students being retained at a lower rate than their traditional counterparts. Though student engagement is recognized as an effective strategy for retaining students, there is a gap in research on how effective these strategies are for…

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) has been a growing interest for the past ten years. SEL programs have been documented by various research as valuable to schools, parents, and communities, according to Neil Humphrey (2013, p, 1). The history of social and emotional learning is the result of multiple concepts, research and practices that…

Mindsets differ from individual to individual and consist of growth mindset or fixed mindset, and those mindsets affect the classroom environment. The purpose of this study was to explore how elementary (K-5) teachers' mindsets affect classroom environments. A phenomenological methodology was applied, allowing participants to describe their lived…

This dissertation examines the implementation of peer-based career seminars as an intervention to analyze career counseling services in the community college setting and delineate potential benefits for students. Highlights include identifying barriers to access, discussing a student-centered approach to service utilization, and implementing…

Reading plays a pivotal role in education. Yet, there is a lack of diverse literature present in elementary classrooms. Therefore, some children may not encounter literature that mirrors their identity. Elementary teachers, although not all, tend to label and organize their classroom libraries. This Naturalistic method study consisted of a setting…

At the local site, many students were not achieving necessary learning gains on state assessments. Administrators and teachers were concerned as to why students on the local level were falling short. Current trends emphasized differentiation of instruction in classrooms to meet individual student needs; however, classrooms generally adhere to a…

K-12 online schools are proliferating in the United States. While there are some teacher preparation programs geared towards K-12 online learning, the vast majority of K-12 virtual teachers are learning on the job. Research is still emerging in this field, and additional research is necessary in this dynamic field of education. Opponents of online…

Despite improvements in recent years, LGBTQ college students continue to confront challenges on campuses, including chilly and unwelcoming climates, insufficient visibility, and inadequate programming and services. Research shows that welcoming climates offer more than a sense of security. They also have a positive impact on learning outcomes and…

The goal of this dissertation was to explore how self-directed learners assess their learning in informal contexts. Self-directed learners experience high intrinsic motivation and learner control, so studying these learners' experiences provides valuable insights into learning. I pose four questions: 1) How do self-directed learners in informal…

"Yogatise" is a home-based, online yoga program that was specifically developed for children and youth with disabilities between 6 and 17 years of age to create a meaningful occupation outside of school and to increase their social, emotional and physical well-being. It has been found that children and youth with disabilities experience…

Developed by the Region 12 Comprehensive Center in partnership with the Colorado Department of Education, this document supports Colorado teams in exploring the geographic information system (GIS) map, facilitating conversations on the data presented in the map, and developing recommendations to strengthen Colorado's educator workforce pipeline.…

The purpose of this study was to examine how district administrators use the standards for professional learning when planning professional development for a digital curriculum. By using standards, leaders can guide their professional development practices. Previous research indicates that professional development is essential for any significant…

In this study, an instrument for measuring proper name (PN) familiarity was developed for a psycholinguistic experiment investigating the effect of PNs on Japanese university students' English reading fluency. Familiarity has previously been operationalized in disparate ways, producing contradictory results. Furthermore, authors of previous…