This mixed-methods descriptive study (with a qualifying survey to determine participants' eligibility) was conducted to investigate whether student engagement has an impact on academic performance for undergraduate nontraditional students in a community college environment. The research population was undergraduate nontraditional students who were…

This paper focuses on examining strategies and implications for supporting the academic and social engagement of behaviorally impacted students in educational settings. By exploring these students' unique challenges and identifying effective interventions, this study aims to provide insights and recommendations for educators, administrators, and…

In this qualitative descriptive study, the research focused on exploring what characteristics contribute to a teachers' sense of self-efficacy and persistence in the field when working with at-risk youth. In every school there are students from different ethnicities, backgrounds, and cultures. Some of these students are motivated, active learners,…

Positive, proactive classroom management strategies support academic and behavioral student outcomes while fostering positive teacher-student relationships. However, teachers often cite struggles with classroom management and challenging student behavior as key reasons they ultimately leave the field. Additionally, pre-service teachers often fail…

This study examined the proportion of time students identified with Emotional Disturbance (ED) spent in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and the potential variables associated with a higher proportion of time spent in more restrictive settings. There were 111 students in the study. Students were grouped based on the amount of time they…

Student-teacher relationships (STRs) link to healthy development across behavioral, social, and emotional domains and promote healthy adjustment to educational environments and healthy attachments to educators. Previous research identifying variables impacting the quality of these relationships show that poor-quality relationships may be more…

In a world where children are likely to experience early-life trauma, relationships matter, and trust is a key in forming healthy working relationships. Intentionally teaching adults and teachers how to evoke calmness in ourselves and breathe to handle negative situations, trusted educators can then teach children to do the same. It is important…

Deficits in communication affect individuals with autism regarding the ability to access a free and appropriate education as well as quality of life. This research study explored the effects of a service-learning project on acquisition of social skills and reduction of problem behaviors for students who have autism. The conceptual framework for…

Teacher-Child Interaction Therapy (TCIT) is an emerging evidence-based form of therapy used to treat preschool children experiencing different types of externalizing behavior problems (Lyon et al., 2009). The current study attempted to add to the literature concerning TCIT by implementing and examining the effectiveness of TCIT on five students…

The research on classroom management systems has provided a comprehensive evidence base for effective classroom management strategies for teachers to adopt in their classrooms. The most common strategies found in the literature are rules, reprimands, and praise. Reprimands and praise are used by the teacher as part of the reinforcement schedule to…

Autism is primarily a social disorder and deficits in social-orienting may be responsible for the failure of children with autism to initiate critical social behaviors. The purpose of this research was to improve the quality of social interactions of children with autism by implementing naturalistic behavior strategies intervention utilizing a…

The rise in the number of students found to have autism has been staggering over the past ten years. Accommodating these students effectively and appropriately in a public school is a challenge many teachers are deemed with, sometimes without adequate training. This study was aimed at affecting the underlying social misunderstandings inherent to…

There is great concern by teachers, school administrators and parents regarding the increase in the number of preschool-aged students who exhibit challenging behavior in early childhood settings (Benedict, Horner & Squires 2007), need for early intervention procedures that focus on young children who may be at risk for developing patterns of…

The prevalence rates of children being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continue to rise at alarming rates. Recent figures suggest that approximately 1 in 90 children have an ASD. Children with ASD have significant deficits that affect communication skills and social interaction. Children with ASD may also engage in high levels of…

Many young children exhibit aggressive and disruptive behaviors at early ages. However, while aggressive behaviors are normative and serve as a way to communicate needs in the midst of developing verbal abilities, continued disruptive behavior can lead to stable or increasing levels of behavioral dysregulation, oppositionality and aggression.…