Problem Statement: Residency programs that emphasize clinical reasoning and manual therapy can provide a means to optimize the outcomes of physical therapy without the need for or access to expensive equipment. The residency format of continuing education could allow physical therapists in developing countries access to specialty training and…

The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the effect of Project Lead the Way(TM) Engineering Curriculum on the academic performance of Grades 9-12 students in a Southwest Texas school district. Study participants were comprised of 9-12 graders who participated in Advanced Placement (AP) Testing in a large Southeast Texas school…

The purpose of this nested and layered case study was to explore the experiences of students participating in a reading to dog program. Ten student participants (nine were struggling readers) were enrolled in a sixty minute per week, ten-week reading to dog program. Participants completed a motivation to read interview and an informal reading…

Colleges and universities have begun implementing mentoring programs to offset rising attrition rates; however, the literature on the benefits of these programs is limited particularly among community colleges with peer mentoring programs serving minority students. Further limiting our understanding of post-secondary peer mentoring programs is the…

Since most individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities live at home, engaging families in social inclusion efforts is important to build more inclusive communities. This project was exploratory, mixed methods research about supporting families in how to expand social inclusion for their adult children who were living at home. There…

This study sought to explore the experience of participating in a bridge program, specifically the construct of sense of belonging. The study examined the extent to which participating in a bridge program can impact students' sense of belonging as well as, if there is an impact, what aspects of the bridge program--academic, social, and…

In this quantitative research study, student performance data were collected from 2014-2016 summer bridge program participants to examine the relationship between participation in the MCC summer bridge program and selected student outcomes by comparison to a matched group of students who did not participate in the program. The research questions…

Public schools have responsibilities not only for academic growth of students, but they are also responsible for the "whole child," considering social, emotional, and mental health development. Schools are places where identifying students who pose risk for violence is the responsibility of teachers, students themselves, counselors, and…

This doctoral project investigates the impact of Child Adult Relationship Enhancement (CARE) training on teacher behavior management skills, as well as their perceptions of the program. A review of the literature includes research concerning current social emotional learning (SEL) programs, parenting programs, and the role of the therapeutic…

Background: As the value of public education is widely disputed, it is generally understood that reading is fundamental for long-term student success, regardless of the educational setting. Therefore, teacher education programs should prepare all future teachers to master the knowledge and skills needed to teach reading to students of all ages and…

Inclusive education, defined as "full inclusion," has generated controversy for nearly three decades with special education placement at the heart of the debate. Whole-school application of Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) offers a reframing of the problem with potential for social and academic gains for all students, including…

This Spotlight explores key aspects of MTSS implementation, including its relationship to special education and effectiveness in improving student outcomes. Discover how MTSS can be used to support social-emotional learning, address discipline disparities, and ensure equitable access to resources and support. By combining data-driven…

Rural students often face challenges in receiving high-quality education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Yet without meaningful STEM educational opportunities, rural students might not develop the knowledge and skills needed to compete in a technology-driven workforce. The Learning by Making program (LbyM), an innovative…

Background: Academic challenges such as losing/not turning in assignments, misplacing materials, and inefficient studying are common in middle-school students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disability. Deficits in organization, planning, prioritizing, memory/materials management, and studying skills [i.e. academic…

Background: Summer camps can promote positive youth development. Unfortunately, racial, ethnic, and economic disparities contribute to inequities in camp participation and related research on marginalized youth. Consequently, it is not clear what types of camping programs work best for marginalized youth. Purpose: To conduct a quasi-experimental…