This professional practice dissertation is an action research study that examined the impact alternative high school programs (AHSPs) have on the graduation rates of Black students who attend these programs. Data were gathered through the use of surveys, interviews, a focus group, and an expert panel that incorporated feedback from students,…

Assessing implementation of comprehensive treatment programs is a multifaceted process that should extend beyond measuring solely treatment fidelity. The purpose of this article is to describe and demonstrate a thorough process for assessing implementation and receipt of a comprehensive treatment program for students with autism spectrum disorders…

This paper reports on a quasi-experimental pilot study of the impacts of a high school teacher professional development (PD) series. The 10-session series, "Engaging High School Students in Academic Work," was designed to equip teachers to deepen students' learning and engagement and thereby increase course-passing rates. The study took…

Online professional development (PD) can support broader accessibility than traditional face-to-face PD. However online delivery presents challenges for characteristics of high-quality PD, such as collaborative knowledge building and community development, that have proven positive outcomes in face-to-face modes. A few comparative studies have…

As new efforts seek to expand computer science education across the globe, there has been a widespread effort to prepare school teachers for teaching computer science to culturally and racially diverse students. This effort to center diversity and equity is notable as computer science courses are typically homogenous in terms of race and gender,…

This article reports a systematic review of research on science programs in grades 6-12. Twenty-one studies met inclusion criteria including use of randomized or quasi-experimental assignment to conditions, measures that assess content emphasized equally in experimental and control groups, and a duration of at least 12 weeks. Programs fell into…

This mixed-methods study was designed to determine the impact of attendance in the professional development series of the school leaders' organization for school leaders and leadership capacity in Tennessee public schools. The areas of focus of the study included leadership practices, instructional practices, and school culture as perceived by…

This mixed-methods study was designed to determine the impact of attendance in the professional development series of the school leaders' organization for school leaders and leadership capacity in Tennessee public schools. The areas of focus of the study included leadership practices, instructional practices, and school culture as perceived by…

This mixed-methods study was designed to determine the impact of attendance in the professional development series of the school leaders' organization for school leaders and leadership capacity in Tennessee public schools. The areas of focus of the study included leadership practices, instructional practices, and school culture as perceived by…

Educational leaders have the responsibility of creating safe and effective learning environments so that every student can achieve and be college and career ready. Accomplishing this goal has become increasingly challenging considering that schools face fewer resources, a variety of competing initiatives, and greater demands in regards to serving…

This paper reports on a professional development initiative that targeted teams of teachers and librarians working with high school students on strengthening an inquiry approach to capstone projects. While much has been written about student-focused models for information search and use, little has been reported on how training for the…

This report represents the first of three that will be released over the course of the study. It answers two primary questions: (1) How has Boston Coaching for Completion (BosC4C) been implemented? and (2) What was the cost to implement the program? Over the 2015-16 academic year, the study collected data, including by conducting intensive…

The Expanded Success Initiative (ESI), focuses on the issue of low college readiness among Black and Latino male students--a problem that has persisted in New York City (NYC) even as high school graduation rates have risen. ESI is providing funding and professional development to 40 NYC high schools, aimed at helping them improve outcomes,…

The Expanded Success Initiative (ESI), focuses on the issue of low college readiness among Black and Latino male students--a problem that has persisted in New York City (NYC) even as high school graduation rates have risen. ESI is providing funding and professional development to 40 NYC high schools, aimed at helping them improve outcomes,…

This qualitative study explores the leadership behaviors of system leaders and best practices of high school counselors in highly effective school districts that prepare all students for college and career readiness. A total of twelve participants were interviewed for this study including superintendents of schools, high school principals, and…