Intelligence tests have been used in the United States since the early 1900s for assessing soldiers during World War I (Kaufman & Harrison, 2008; White & Hall, 1980). Presently, cognitive assessments are used in school, civil service, military, clinical, and industry settings (White & Hall, 1980). Although the results of these…

This study utilized a basic interpretive design to explore the experiences of parents/guardians who enrolled their children in the Build Our Kids for Success Program (BOKS) and autoethnography to explore the experiences of the researcher while implementing the BOKS program. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 individuals representing 13…

The prevalence of mental health issues among children is a pressing concern, with many cases going untreated and leading to long-term challenges. Teachers play a vital role in identifying and supporting children with mental health problems, but they often lack the necessary training and confidence. To address this gap, Research Informed Skills for…

This descriptive case study explored the impact on children of a 2-hour pre-service Social Emotional Learning (SEL) consultation module for teachers and school psychologists at Fairfield University. Also explored was the impact on children of Fairfield's extensive school psychology SEL pre-service training (i.e., mindfulness, psycho-education,…

Students with disabilities are 200% more likely to be restrained by school personnel compared to nondisabled peers (Katsiyannis et al., 2020). The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) in de-escalating the risk behavior of children with disabilities from exceptional children (EC) teacher…

Arts-integrated STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education has long debated the role of the arts within this interdisciplinary approach: does arts-integration solely serve STEM outcomes, or can it also benefit the arts? This study explored one approach -- "photography-integrated STEM" -- that equally balances art…

This dissertation project highlights the rising rates of and effects of child anxiety. This was done through a literature review of relevant topics. Child anxiety treatment is explored and best practices highlighted. By using a top-to-bottom approach to the literature, a program/resource was developed that is intended for use by school…

This quantitative causal-comparative study investigated the growth performance scores of English learners in grades three through five in reading, mathematics, and science in four English language educational programs: English as Second Language (ESL), Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE), Dual-Language Immersion (DLI), and No Services. I used…

Childhood exposure to adversity is prevalent, with most individuals in the United states having experienced at least one adverse event in childhood (Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative, 2019; Merrick et al., 2018). Low dosages of childhood adversity experienced within the context of a safe and caring home environment can promote the…

Math proficiency rates are strikingly low for children from high poverty communities. Therefore, it is urgent to find solutions that help them develop basic math skills. Given theoretical considerations about math learning, a potentially promising option is to target children's cognitive engagement. In this study, I investigate a program that was…

Autism affects about 4.57 million children under the age of five worldwide, and 95% of them live in low-and-middle-income countries, where services are scarce. In China, there is a scarcity of professionals who can provide evidence-based treatments. Families of children with autism often experience delays in diagnosis and treatments, and this…

There is a grave need for additions to the school psychologist's toolbox to support students with intellectual disability (ID) and sexual trauma. These children are especially vulnerable to adverse life experiences overall and are at a particularly high risk of experiencing sexual abuse and resulting trauma. Children with ID are less likely to…

This dissertation presents three studies on learning in children museums. The first study is a literature review of the research that was done on learning in children's museums between 2010 and 2021. In this review, I focused on presenting a current state of the field with insights into what research has been done and where there may be gaps in…

Childhood trauma predicts school outcomes including attendance, completion, and academic achievement. In an attempt to support the prevention and reduction of the negative impacts of trauma, a variety of trauma-informed practices have been adopted in schools. While well-intentioned, there is insufficient consensus in defining trauma-informed…

Reading is a complex, uniquely human invention for communication through print. It is a critical ability for making progress in education. Students with reading difficulties, the most common learning disability, struggle with reading fluency and accuracy. Skilled reading is enabled by the coordination of a network of brain regions interconnected…