Houston Independent School District (HISD) strives to provide an equitable education to all its students. To uphold the district's mission, the Teacher Appraisal and Development System (TADS) was designed with the goal of promoting effective teaching by providing systematic, rigorous feedback on teacher effectiveness in the classroom. Through the…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how African American males describe their academic experiences regarding the factors that influence their academic outcomes while attending an HBCU across the United States. Astin (1993) Inputs-Environment-Outcomes (I-E-O) theoretical model was used as the lens for understanding what…

Interpreting findings from the numerous research studies that identify meta-variables linked with attitudes toward mathematics and their connections to achievement is complicated by the lack of theoretical clarity around the construct of attitudes. This mixed-methods multiple-case phenomenological study expands the body of research that describes…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how leadership practices and attitudes affect teacher connectedness. A single research question guided the study: From the perspective of teachers and principals, what practices and attitudes of school leadership can help teachers to become better connected to their schools? Researchers have…

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the relationship between students' physical education fitness norms and academic achievement measures in a suburban elementary school. Does high or low performance on physical fitness tests align with high or low academic achievement from standardized testing? The study sought to determine the…

This was a qualitative case study that focused on the discrepancy of literacy development at the middle school level of average students. The longitudinal case study expanded the course of one and a half academic years; beginning in August 2019 and concluding in January 2021. The study focused on two male participants who exhibited incongruent…

The purpose of this action research study was to examine how teachers embedded in cultures of accountability, performance, and rewards, attempted to maintain integrity and professionalism in their instructional choices, with administrators as supportive partners. In addition, I aimed to explore how teachers and administrators balance power…

Doctor of Education (EdD) faculty members play a critical role in contributing to the goals and objectives of their institutions. This case study explored EdD faculty member's contributions to the institution's goals and objectives. A comprehensive analysis of the students' assessments has identified several emerging themes. These themes…

Research Findings: The present study investigates both the proximal processes and contextual influences on children's oral language development in preschool. We examine whether teacher language practices vary across activity settings and program type, which teacher language practices predict children's oral language skills, and potential…

In 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic the higher education sector, in the United Kingdom and internationally, transitioned to online assessment, at a speed and scale which might have been unimaginable under normal circumstances. The priority in the sector was to ensure that fundamental principles of assessment, including integrity, were…

LXD Research analyzed data from 945 students in kindergarten who were Below or Well Below Benchmark at the beginning of the year and participated in using the Phonological Awareness (PA) Lessons Deluxe Package as an intervention in CA in Fall 2021. The product is a Tier 2 or Tier 3 intervention for grades K-2 that includes lessons and…

There are currently over five million multilingual learners (MLs) in U.S. schools (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2018). Yet, most teachers have not received adequate or effective professional development and therefore do not possess the knowledge and skills needed to improve student achievement with this population. A lack of…

In this action research study, I explored and developed a means to address the challenge of developing, supporting, and retaining effective elementary school principals skilled in instructional leadership and serving in historically marginalized communities. Evidence from the research literature and earlier action research cycles indicated…

Empirical evidence unambiguously asserts that a college education provides robust benefits to both individuals and societies. However, disparities in college enrollment and completion persist and limit opportunities for marginalized students to enjoy the advantages a college education affords, impeding progress toward equitable outcomes for all.…

Healthy musicianship is a growing area of research and interest within music teacher preparation, encompassing both university students' mental wellbeing (Kuebel, 2019) and their physical wellness (Stanhope et al., 2014; Steinmetz et al., 2012). Musculoskeletal problems, physical/mental stress, and performance anxiety are common in music education…