The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the impact of the social emotional learning program, Second Step®, on students' social emotional competency scores and academic achievement using three elementary schools. This study also evaluated teacher perceptions of Second Step® and the observed impact of Second Step® implementation on…

Educational Robotics has gained popularity in K-12 education as an effective tool to teach STEM topics and skills like computational thinking, programming, collaboration, and creativity. With rapid technological progress, educational robots have found ways into classrooms worldwide. However, challenges like the ease of use, cost, and requiring…

Challenging behavior in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can lead to decreased quality of life and social and community inclusion. Compared to research with children there is relatively limited research on effective behavior support interventions for adults with disabilities. The Prevent-Teach-Reinforce (PTR) program…

The challenge for schools and districts across the country has been tackling issues of equity and inclusion that lead to closing opportunity gaps for students. With this in mind, districts have employed schools to find alternative approaches to discipline. One option districts and school sites have is the use of restorative practices as both…

Positive programming from Law Enforcement organizations with K-12 students should be a priority. It can be challenging, but it can help lead to future elements of success for the kids. This study investigated law enforcement leaders' opinions, goals, and objectives in their approaches to positive programming. The participants were 12 law…

This dissertation explores the transformative impact of short-term study away courses on women's leadership development in graduate education. Through a qualitative, case study approach, it investigates the experiences of women graduate students (n = 8) participating in an all-women study away course, aiming to uncover the factors that contribute…

Guided notes in the form of teacher-prepared materials that guide students through the lesson with cues and space have been recommended as a possible aid to support student learning. The present study investigated the results of guided notes on the students' learning achievement, the quality of the students' notes, and the students' perceptions of…

This convergent mixed-methods study aimed to evaluate the mentorships in a high school with well-established student mentorship opportunities. Examining the characteristics and role of mentorships for students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers determined how mentorships impact STEM career decisions.…

Current studies on academic coaching programs highlight their positive effects on undergraduate student success, particularly among students with disabilities. However, there remains a gap in understanding how these programs achieve success for students without disabilities. This research seeks to assess the impact of academic coaching on…

The role of school principal, often deemed crucial for school success, is under strain due to high stress levels, isolation, and demanding responsibilities, especially in high-poverty districts, leading to a significant turnover rate. This study employed a mixed methods approach, involving an electronic questionnaire completed by 156 principals,…

The transition to five-year-old kindergarten is a pivotal time in children's development, setting the tone for the children's and their families' subsequent formal education experiences. Establishing connections between home and school is a key to creating a supportive learning environment for every child. This dissertation examines how home…

Literacy is a prevailing challenge of student achievement within urban schools. Capitol City Intermediate School's Extended Day Program, also known as the Real World Learning Program, is an academic after-school program that focuses on literacy. The incoming 4th grade students who have underperformed on the NJSLA 3 assessment are the target…

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a rich vocabulary intervention on the comprehension and vocabulary learning of third-grade students with language learning disorders (LLD). The study used a repeated acquisition design (RAD), a single case design involving the repeated delivery of a vocabulary intervention on different sets…

The purpose of this quantitative comparative study was to explore if and to what extent accelerated nursing students differ from traditional nursing students in terms of achievement on the overall HESI E2 exam, in the key areas of critical thinking, patient safety, and nursing skills, and on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Students who enroll in…

Understanding and addressing the literacy needs of middle school students is critical in ensuring their academic success. This quantitative study examines the literacy growth among middle school students participating in Tier II Response to Intervention and Instruction (RTI[superscript 2]) programs over the 2023-2024 academic year. It investigates…