A four-day school week (4dsw) is becoming more common, especially in areas across the western United States. States with large rural areas are spearheading this change. For example, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and South Dakota have more than 500 districts using a 4dsw. The transition to the 4dsw and the debate over…

As of 2010, about 15 percent of residents older than age 25 on Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) had completed an associate degree or higher. To increase the number of college graduates, the Pohnpei Department of Education and the College of Micronesia--FSM are working together to improve the early college outcomes of their…

The "Using High School Data to Explore Early College Success on Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia" study examined high school academic preparation characteristics and college student characteristics to determine whether they are associated with five early college success outcomes: College of Micronesia--FSM Entrance Test result;…

As of 2010, about 15 percent of residents older than age 25 on Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) had completed an associate degree or higher. To increase the number of college graduates, the Pohnpei Department of Education and the College of Micronesia--FSM are working together to improve the early college outcomes of their…

This Study Snapshot highlights key findings from a study which examined the relationship between high school academic preparation characteristics, such as cumulative grade point average; college student characteristics; and college success outcomes, including college entrance test result, placement in credit-bearing courses, and persistence to a…

Before COVID, the shortage of qualified, skilled teachers was among the top challenges facing education leaders. And with the stress of the pandemic, survey data showed that almost half of the public school teachers who left the profession since March 2020 cite COVID-19 as the main reason. As school systems ramp up hiring for next fall, concrete…

This thesis utilized a basic qualitative approach and Banks' multicultural education theory (supported by the theories of Crenshaw, Tinto, Sen, and Nussbaum) to investigate the higher education experiences of Appalachian African-American (AAA) women who have persisted to graduation from a four-year institution. The narratives of AAA women as…

There are many factors which contribute to college/university retention rates, two of which are a sense of entitlement and a lack of academic coping skills among rising college freshmen. The theoretical foundations of this research is conflict theory in education and social construct theory. This study examines grade inflation and social promotion…

This dissertation examined predictors of retention and graduation for first-generation (FG), first-year students at a selective, private, residential university in the northeastern United States. The theoretical framework was Bean and Eaton's (2000, 2001/2002) Psychological Model of College Student Retention. The purpose of the study was to test…

This qualitative study is designed to illuminate the factors that drive motivation and academic confidence in adult learners and how these factors influence their desire to persist in Adult Basic Education programs. Specifically, it interrogates the classroom environment and identifies teacher behaviors and other elements that may influence…

Black, full-time faculty are underrepresented in higher education generally and in the health professions specifically. Underrepresentation persists despite the proliferation of diversity, equity, and inclusions (DEI) programs across institutions. The purpose of this qualitative, instrumental case study was to explore the role of DEI programs in…

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research study was to understand the factors that engage nontraditional undergraduate African American male students to remain persistent during degree completion while attending Non-Historically Black Colleges or Universities (NHBCUs). Understanding how some nontraditional African American males…

The academic, social, and emotional needs of students are rapidly increasing while staff interest in working in special education programs, serving some of the neediest students, is declining. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore a specialized social-emotional support program across elementary, middle, and high school levels…

Black men suffer some of the most dismal completion rates in higher education due to the extremely hostile campus environments they experience at many institutions, particularly predominantly White institutions. Increased stereotypes, alienation, isolation, racialized incidents, and lack of support from peers, faculty, and administration can…

Student retention has been a serious issue for many community colleges globally for several decades. In a community college in Jamaica, persistence rates have been steadily declining within the last several years. The purpose of this study was to investigate students' experiences with the pre-college program that was designed to prepare students…