This explanatory qualitative study investigated the perspectives of participant's and practitioner's perceived barriers to success and the necessary navigational expertise for overcoming the identified barriers. This multiple-case study research design examined three WIA out-of-school youth workforce development programs in Southern Nevada, with…

The primary goal of this study was to investigate, document, and understand the reasons that educators who use graphic novels in their classrooms choose to use them, rather than traditional text. Secondary goals were to identify the classes they teach, and to identify commonalities and shared best practices. Interviews were scheduled, to provide…

Paraeducators deliver the bulk of special education services, and it is expected that the number of paraeducators employed in the United States will continue to increase. As paraeducators become a more common component of special education, it becomes more important to fully understand their experiences. The purpose of the study was to better…

This research study explored perceived influence of an instructional coaching program on teacher self-efficacy based on voluntary participation in comparison to mandated participation. At the time of this study, the literature on instructional coaching incorporated studies that tie instructional coaching to increases in teacher self-efficacy;…

Organizations interested in increasing their user experience (UX) capacity lack the tools they need to know how to do so. This dissertation addresses this challenge via three major research efforts: 1) the creation of User Data Spectrum theory and a User Data Spectrum survey for helping organizations better invest resources to grow their UX…

The purpose of this study is to assess issues that arise in the context of epistemological claims in narrative educational research by means of narrative analysis and epistemological evaluation. The research questions which guided the study were: 1) To what extent is epistemology considered by narrative educational researchers?; 2) What issues do…

This qualitative phenomenological case study investigated the role of the superintendent in the design of schools. Superintendents wear many hats, which require them to be a listener, communicator, facilitator, manager, instructional leader, and planner (Copeland, 2013). Communicating with the constituents is essential and is synonymous with the…

This was a phenomenological study of the lived experiences of women who serve as college presidents. Three women, who serve as current college presidents, participated in this study. The first was a president at a two-year community college in the upper Midwest for twelve years and served as president in another Midwestern community college for…

Areas in the United States are experiencing limited access to dental care. A solution to this issue includes utilizing the dental hygiene workforce; however, changes to the existing dental hygiene curriculum will be needed. The purpose of this study is to determine the perceptions of dental hygiene program directors employed at two-year colleges…

This study investigated the knowledge, motivational and organizational influences that affect eligible full-time faculty involvement on student conduct hearing boards in a California Community College. Clark and Estes' (2008) gap analysis operated as the framework for this study. A sequential explanatory mixed method study was conducted using…

Decades of research have shown how play is a major vehicle for young children's development and learning. However, since the 1990's with greater emphasis on higher academic standards and accountability in the U.S. educational system, kindergarten teachers felt pressured to reduce or eliminate play for more didactic instruction and mandated…

As Native Hawaiian Education continues to grow in our state, so does the need for educational leaders who are able to effectively guide and support the Native Hawaiian Education movement. However, little is known about how leadership in Native or Indigenous education in today's contemporary setting is developed or fostered. Utilizing a qualitative…

This comparative case study investigated the college experiences of twice-exceptional college students identified as gifted and diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (GTASD). Increasing numbers of students with ASD are entering universities (NCES, 2008; Shattuck et al., 2012) making the identification of supports for their academic success…

Experiences of Women STEM Professors Who Are Considering Leadership Positions at Research Universities Empirical evidence is needed to discern the reasons for inequities among those with doctorates hired in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. It is necessary to create a successful and motivational atmosphere for…

In our country, as a result of the appointment in some different disciplines, nearly 30000 teacher candidates could be a part of education system. Also, a new revision has been completed on teacher candidate training and it has been put into action. Teacher candidates have been trained for six months after they have been appointed. These teachers…