For children with autism or other complex communication needs (CCN), access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems can increase opportunities to effectively participate in many aspects of daily life. The use of AAC can enhance communication, language, and learning for children with CCN (Hidecker, 2020), and allows for…

Background/Context: The U.S has experienced years of lost progress in math because of the COVID-19 pandemic (NAEP, n.d.a). Fraction understanding is widely characterized as the gatekeeper to algebra (Booth et al., 2012; National Mathematics Advisory Panel, 2008) and can support success in middle and high school math (Bailey et al., 2012; Booth et…

Reading comprehension is a critical academic skill that permeates all academic subjects. Students with autism spectrum disorder are more likely to struggle with reading comprehension, especially as they enter secondary education. Therefore, evidence-based interventions to support middle school students with autism in developing reading…

Intergenerational programs bring together two or more generations and engage them in shared activities that inspire, educate, and advance their mutual well-being. Current literature on intergenerational programs involving elementary school children and older individuals describes benefits for both groups. However, most studies concentrate on the…

LearnPlatform by Instructure conducted this quasi-experimental study, evaluating the impact of the Breathe For Change Mindfulness, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), and Yoga Teacher Training on K-12 student attendance and chronic absenteeism during the 2023-24 school year. The study included 172 educators and 955 students from a mid-size public…

This edited volume addresses the need for reforms in mathematics teacher training, spurred by scientific advancements and societal changes, encompassing calls for changes in curricula, content, and instructional methods. The text highlights the complexities of teaching mathematics, specifically within Africa. It provides an exploration into how…

This study found that the MATC Promise increased college attainment by encouraging Milwaukee high school students to access state and federal aid, and to consider matriculating to their local two-year college. The MATC Promise exemplifies the last-dollar model of college aid. If seniors at Milwaukee area public high schools complete academic…

Public policies targeting individuals based on need often impose disproportionate burden on communities that lack the resources to implement these policies effectively. In an elementary school setting, I examine whether community-level interventions focusing on similar needs and providing resources to build capacity in these communities could…

The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) at the University of Louisiana at Monroe aimed to improve academic performance in two gateway science courses that are required for all STEM and pre-health sciences majors and are known to be barriers to student success. The project sought to achieve this primarily by a course redesign that incorporated an extra…

Board games have been used as instructional tools for a wide array of subjects from primary to secondary levels. The present study aimed to develop and apply a novel board game for the instruction of content relating to mole conversion through dimensional analysis in a grade10 class of 29 students. To assess their knowledge prior to and after…

Taking advantage of our digital era commodities, a plethora of game-based learning activities and educational game genres have been introduced into numerous academic disciplines. However, research has shown that regarding mathematics the variety seems limited; especially for higher level topics, e.g. calculus, there is a lack of immersive games…

The integration of technology into teaching and learning processes is highly relevant in today's educational landscape, as technology has become essential for facilitating student learning. However, in practice, technology has not been fully optimized to develop students' critical thinking skills. The TPACK framework, which guides teachers in…

Reading proficiency scores are the topic of many discussions in school districts nationwide. Low state test scores and current Science of Reading Research are driving many states to enact legislation to improve reading instruction. In order to better understand literacy instruction, a literature review explores the varied approaches to reading…

Blind youth have reported unfavorable PE experiences, however, are optimistic that positive changes could be made. Despite recommendations to involve students in learning decisions, those made for teaching blind youth in PE have largely been constructed from non-disabled adults. This dissertation used a participatory research method and positioned…

Literacy is one of the most important skills needed for academic success. High school educators address the learning shortfall in reading through interventions. This mixed methods study evaluated the effectiveness of the "Read 180" intervention program on increasing the reading achievement of 9th and 10th grade general education students…