This longitudinal study examines the interconnectedness of foreign language enjoyment (FLE), foreign language anxiety (FLA), and willingness to communicate (WTC) among English major students, while also exploring the predictive role of L2 grit in the hypothesized model. Utilising a cross-lagged panel design and structural equation modeling (SEM),…

This dissertation aims to determine the impact of mentoring on new teacher retention in a southern state district. Retaining new teachers is a problem many states, especially in the southeast, face yearly. Teacher turnover and attrition can be alleviated with quality teacher induction programs. One of the key aspects of teacher induction programs…

Computer science teaching standards for grades K-8 have been implemented in nearly all U.S. states, and the core subject area teachers (e.g., math, science, English, social studies) have been asked to integrate these standards into their instruction. Thus, it is important that K-8 pre-service teachers of all subjects are both prepared and…

Many researchers have debated potential differences between male and female students' mathematical performance. One important factor that can impact performance is perception of the content. The purpose of the study is to investigate factors that impact high-ability male and female students' perspectives of mathematics. Participants (n = 12;…

Compassion fatigue (CF) is increasingly prevalent among educators, affecting teachers across their career stages. CF tends to emerge early but can persist and intensify. While CF symptoms in teachers have been studied, there is a limited understanding of these symptoms across career stages. To address this knowledge gap, network analysis was…

Increasingly, nontraditional students (over age 25, employed, parenting) are enrolling in universities offering online options. Online programs appeal to those needing flexible educational options, yet attrition remains high for adult learners and students enrolled in online education. Building on previous research, this study examines…

This paper offers a synthesis on computing identity and the experiences of women and minoritized populations in computing and computer science in higher education. Examining computing identity and its role in the computing experiences of minoritized undergraduates can help us better understand ways to engage and support women and minoritized…

A distance education Diploma and Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Science programs are faced with low enrollment and graduation rate as well as high attrition of students. The aforementioned challenges are attributed to students' satisfaction and continuance intention. However, students' satisfaction and continuance intention toward distance…

The primary purpose of this study was to compare academic variables from students participating in mixed teaching methods/course revitalization biology courses to those in traditional courses at two community colleges in Tennessee. A two-group comparison design using archived data was used, which evaluated differences in final grades, exam scores,…

This study explores how caregiver-child scientific conversation during storybook reading focusing on the challenges or achievements of famous female scientists impacts preschoolers' mindset, beliefs about success, and persistence. Caregiver-child dyads (N = 202, 100 female, 35% non-White, aged 4-5, [function] = 0.15) were assigned to one of three…

Gender disparity persists in the personal caregiving of children and older adults, and in professional caregiving duties, with many workplace policies and cultures favoring the "ideal worker" and presenting significant and continuing barriers to female caregivers' professional success and well-being. The recent pandemic both highlighted…

This study focuses on the disparities between the educational aspirations and expectations of high school students in the U.S., and explores why students do not expect to earn a bachelor's degree despite their aspirations. Using a national dataset and logistic/multinomial logistic regression analyses, the study identified the factors associated…

This research study aimed to identify the factors influencing new teachers' perceptions of their preparedness for 21st-century urban classrooms and provide insights to enhance teacher retention and development strategies. New teachers have long been an underutilized subject in educational research. This mixed-methods study examined new teachers'…

Much research on women of color in STEM has treated women of color as a collective, giving little attention to the nuanced differences in the experiences of the women within this larger group. Research on women of color in STEM has also given insufficient attention to disciplinary differences, and has often applied unidimensional, rather than…

The United States faces challenges in retaining students of color (SoC), women, and nonbinary individuals in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). This study explores the impact of a residential bridge program on STEM persistence for these groups. Participants, who were all women or nonbinary individuals and were 56% SoC and 30%…