We examined relations among select components of the 4-H Thriving Model, focusing on youth sparks and four presumed determinants: program quality, developmental relationships, situational engagement, and dosage. Based on our results and results of previous studies, we propose a formal theory of youth program sparks. Three hundred fifty-six Texas…

Gross anatomy courses utilize cadaver dissection to teach identification, topography, and spatial relationships of organs. The deconstructive nature of dissection, however, focuses students' attention on the "big picture", followed by a discovery of details. This approach may be useful for many, however some students may prefer to…

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness, from a system's perspective, of offering group counseling options in college counseling centers. Methods: We achieve this through a data-driven simulation-based approach with the aim of providing administrators with a quantitative tool that informs their decision-making process. Results: Our simulation…

In the United States, many community college students--about 68 percent--enroll part-time, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Unfortunately, graduation rates for part-time students are low. Only 19 percent of people who begin attending community college as part-time students graduate within six years, compared with 36…

Many teachers are ill-prepared to support LGBTQ+ students. School-Based Agricultural Education (SBAE) is often perceived as not inclusive of these youth. Therefore, we explored perceptions of SBAE alumni who identified as LGBTQ+ regarding their SBAE programs' climates. The study's quantitative phase described participants' perceptions regarding…

This dissertation examines the perceptions of Texas principals regarding how adequately they felt their preparation program trained them for the principalship. Across the U.S., variations in curricula and preparation exist in principal preparation programs. Varied preparation result in leaders who are not prepared to face the demanding challenges…

In response to soaring developmental education enrollments in Texas, the Pioneer Prep Program at Texas Woman's University (TWU) was designed as an alternative pathways-to-placement program for students who neither passed the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) nor met other college-readiness benchmarks needed to enroll in college-level…

This quantitative, causal comparative study analyzed the effect of participation in a blended learning program has on the STAAR Mathematics and Reading Language Arts assessments for fifth grade students in a large, urban school district in North Texas. The study evaluated the performance of fifth graders on the STAAR assessment in mathematics…

This qualitative study examines an intervention program assisting students in passing the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) at ELITE High School in Houston, Texas. The Texas Education Agency has provided a blueprint for the target populations of the early college high school and the TSI is the gatekeeper for students' success in post-secondary…

This brief summarizes findings from an evaluation of Texas Tech University's teacher residency programs--Tech Teach and Tech Teach Across Texas--in the Permian Basin. This research shows that Texas Tech University residency-prepared teachers improve academic achievement, reduce suspensions, and reduce chronic absenteeism for students attending 178…

This study was designed to explore the process of threat assessment training at schools in North Texas. Using a guided interview protocol, eight administrators with an array of experiences were selected from various districts in the North Texas area to gain multiple viewpoints on the perception of the threat assessment training process and…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine curricular innovation in accounting using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and t-test to measure the effects of transformative sustainability education in accounting on the attitudes of male and female undergraduate accounting students at a public university in the southwestern USA toward…

Multi-level, place-based interventions have proven effective at promoting a range of health behaviors, including tobacco control and discouraging the uptake of tobacco products. This paper describes the implementation and impact of a 3-year, multi-level tobacco prevention and control program at a community-college minority-serving institution…

The current study took place in a North Texas public school district. The purpose was to compare levels of teacher self-efficacy among beginning teachers who had participated in traditional and alternative teacher educator preparation programs (EPPs). Additionally, the perceptions of beginning teachers were explored in relation to their…

Mindfulness strategies can have a large impact on emotional regulation, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal relationships. Parents of children on the autism spectrum may experience greater stress, depression, and strained interpersonal relationships than those with typically developing children or those with children experiencing other…