Districts are increasingly investing in coaching programs to improve teacher practice and student outcomes. However, merely providing schools with the funding for a coaching position is not enough. To maximize the return on the investment of coaching, our research on the Dynamic Learning Project (DLP) shows that districts need to ensure that they…

Background: School equity refers to the extent to which students are treated fairly, ensuring that each student receives what they need to be successful. School staff can play a vital role in creating an equitable school climate for adolescents, but little is known about how staff perceive equity in their school and how this in turn may relate to…

This "Equity Dispatch" enumerates issues Black LGBTQ students experience being marked as Black and queer, in a white supremacist and hetero-cisnormative society. Next, it examines what queerness, homophobia, and transphobia looks like among Black youth, reflecting on the consequences of societal oppression for these youth. Finally, this…

This dissertation focuses on children experiencing homelessness and the effects homelessness has on their academic achievement from the perspective of the children, their parents, and local homeless liaisons. More importantly, this research explores what educators can do to create a positive, supportive, and stable environment at school for…

The purpose of this single instrumental case study was to understand the decision-making practices of parents and elementary school leaders that lead to their beliefs and courses of action relating to participation in a family-school partnership program (FSPP). Two theories guided this investigation. Simon's organizational decision-making theory…

As the population of students who identify as transgender grows on college campuses, it is critical that higher education identify the ways in which institutions can more effectively serve the needs of this population, creating an environment that is supportive and inclusive. The literature demonstrates that campuses have fallen short of this…

One of the critical roles of instructional leaders is to help teachers with technology integration. Instructional leaders should be familiar with emerging technology and understand how they can help teachers integrate new technology appropriately into their classrooms. One tool that has become increasingly popular to support student learning is…

Parents and educators are at the forefront of promoting children's health and well-being. Yet little is known about the factors that contribute to forming a positive relationship between parents and their children's educators. Very few researchers have investigated the perceptions of parents, teachers, and support staff regarding the factors that…

This study explored the prevalence, understanding, and use of growth mindset in gateway courses amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-method approach, the study was guided by three research questions: 1. What is the relationship between faculty mindset and faculty perception of student mindset in gateway courses? 2. How…

This study explored the prevalence, understanding, and use of growth mindset in gateway courses amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-method approach, the study was guided by three research questions: 1. What is the relationship between faculty mindset and faculty perception of student mindset in gateway courses? 2. How…

In the spring of 2020, brick and mortar colleges had to abruptly adapt to the reality of COVID-19 and transition to entirely online environments in a manner of weeks. This required a rapid (< 2 weeks) acquisition of knowledge and flexibility in using technology, most commonly Zoom. Upon completion of the semester, and after debriefing with…

Background: School equity refers to the extent to which students are treated fairly, ensuring that each student receives what they need to be successful. School staff can play a vital role in creating an equitable school climate for adolescents, but little is known about how staff perceive equity in their school and how this in turn may relate to…

The prison population is a growing problem in the United States, as the number of incarcerated individuals surpass those in larger countries. The sequence of students being pushed out of the classroom and into the prison system has been termed the preschool-to-prison pipeline (Mallett, 2016). While exploring possible strategies to help mitigate…

The developmental path of children has not changed, but the world around them has. More than ever, it is imperative that students have the social and emotional skills to help them thrive in school, in their homes, and in their community. Mindfulness helps support social, emotional, and academic learning as it assists children in becoming more…

Multidisciplinary teams have become a consistent part of school culture and the decision-making process (Buck et al., 2003), however limited and inconsistent research (Huebner & Gould, 1991) is available regarding the effectiveness of multidisciplinary teams within the school environment. Current literature provides common themes regarding…