Pre-apprenticeship programs are a very effective tool to help youth and adults enter a Registered Apprenticeship program. Participants can also use the experience to pursue further training or enter the workforce. The pre-apprenticeship is designed to help youth or adults take a snapshot of their current skills and use that data to address gaps in…

School choice has expanded during the modern school choice movement and students in Indiana can now choose from several school options including public schools, charter schools, virtual schools, or participate in the Indiana Choice Scholarships program and attend a parochial school. The potential for increased educational stratification across…

Students transitioning from high school to college are met with many challenges beyond academics including social acclimation, campus culture integration, and holistic wellness. Researchers agree that a successful and purposeful transition for incoming college students requires involvement and engagement with peers to help students adapt and…

A mixed methods study was conducted to create pedagogical practices to help teachers identify ways of better accommodating students who have been impacted with trauma. Findings suggest that both veteran, as well as entry leveled teachers had insufficient training when it came to trauma informed care, social-emotional learning, and knowledge of the…

This study focused on understanding the circumstances that led to students being placed on academic probation and the effect of a support program on their academic recovery. Understanding students lived experiences that lead to academic underperformance is vital to the development and implementation of academic support programs. Ensuring that the…

This qualitative case study explored the perspectives of teachers towards their professional development (PD) in a school with a high population of low-income students. The study focus was driven by critical theory with a unique application of attribution theory as a part of the data analysis. This moved the data analysis beyond simply a…

This dissertation developed the Teach program, a psychoeducation program for teachers. Teach is based on research demonstrating a positive correlation between teacher depression literacy and the mental health and academic success of their students, in addition to improved teacher-student relationships. Studies also found that stress management…

While food insecurity exists in the United States, research has shown it is felt at larger rates among the undergraduate student population. Those colleges with higher numbers of enrolled students of color also have larger numbers of students who are facing food insecurity. The California community college (CCC) system serves a diverse population…

This qualitative study explores how five Jesuit universities in the United States maintain their mission and identity when partnering with online program managers (OPMs) to develop and support online degree programs. Focusing on the history of online learning and Ignatian spirituality and pedagogy, and using cultural reproduction theory as a lens,…

Student mental health is a concern across all sectors of postsecondary education as today's college students are presenting to campus with higher amounts of psychopathology than ever before. In 2019, the NASPA Vice President for Student Affairs Census found that student mental health was ranked the number one issue by 750 chief student affairs…

The mixed methods study sought to evaluate the elementary ESL/Bilingual program at a public, urban district in Connecticut. The program evaluation included varying data points including LAS Links data analysis, records review, a survey, semi-structured interviews, and field observations. Data analyzed incorporated feedback from two stakeholder…

Academic advising has been researched and linked to student retention and completion in numerous studies. New state initiatives, legislative funding pressure, and financial aid changes have increased pressure on accurate, timely, and intrusive advising to increase timely graduation and student success. As academic advising played a vital role in…

This qualitative case study focused on an afterschool program having trained teachers to adequately address the needs of students with autism. The implementations of afterschool programs for students with autism are to have qualified teachers that are prepared to help students. Therefore, the specific problem addressed, was the lack of…

Cross-national studies consistently reveal that bullying is a pervasive problem in schools and associated with a multitude of deleterious outcomes. The present dissertation conducted two studies to further provide insight into this complex phenomenon and facilitate the development of effective bullying prevention programs. Youth involved in…

In 2009, district data revealed that new students at Appoquinimink School District (ASD) were struggling academically and socially. Several specific steps were taken to improve the outcomes of these new students. First, an in-depth review of the relevant data regarding new students in the district was conducted. A white paper on relevant research…