Since there is limited research on the applicability of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model in educational contexts, the current cross-national comparison study aimed to investigate how non-cognitive factors, specifically, the TPB model components, affect students' math outcomes in USA and their peers in three other countries, Germany,…

This dissertation research aims to better specify the role of context in the development of second language interactional competence. Drawing on conversation-analytic methods and Wong and Waring's (2010) model of interactional practices, I described and compared the opportunities that two study abroad contexts--the homestay and the language…

Small businesses with emphasis in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are catalytic in launching the United States' global presence and competitiveness into the twenty-first century through innovation and technology. The projected growth compared to non-STEM occupations, is almost twice as high for STEM occupations which further…

The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of two widely used Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) in reading--oral reading and maze task--in relation to reading comprehension on state tests using a meta-analysis. A total of 61 studies (132 correlations) were identified across Grades 1 to 10. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted…

In at least ten cities across the country, there are schools that operate under some sort of partnership school model: a "third way" governance strategy that breaks through district-charter divides that could help improve struggling schools or increase the number of quality school options in a neighborhood. Like charter schools,…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of student organization membership on the development of leadership practices among traditional-aged undergraduate students. Specifically, the influence academic-related student organizations have on the leadership development of its student officers and members. This quantitative study…

Interaction in online learning (OL) has been extensively studied over the past few decades. Today, courses following social constructivist (Vygotsky, 1997) based designs are widespread throughout higher education. These course designs place an emphasis on interpersonal interaction, which is largely viewed as beneficial to online learners, as a…

The purposes of this descriptive survey research study were (a) to describe novice band directors' perceptions of the importance of skills/knowledge used n effective music teaching, (b) to describe novice band directors' perception of the difficulty of acquiring each skill or knowledge component, (c) to compare novice band directors' perceptions…

According to the few quasi-experimental studies examining course outcomes for community college (Xu & Jaggars, 2011a, 2011b, 2013, 2014) and for-profit students (Bettinger, Fox, Loeb, & Taylor, 2014), there is a significant penalty for online students. No comparable research has been conducted on public four-year university students to…

Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) use student evaluations of teaching (SET) to evaluate and improve teaching quality; to gather data for faculty, department, or institutional planning; and to provide data on the students' satisfaction with their educational experiences. As a cost-saving measure, many IHEs have moved to providing SET in an…

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the concepts and principles of happiness shown in the Bible and Tao Te Ching for implications in higher education. To review the paper systematically, three research questions are addressed. First, what are happiness concepts and principles in the Bible? Second, what are happiness concepts and principles in…

The focus of this dissertation is evidence-based testing practices in nursing education. Specifically, this research study explored the implementation of evidence-based testing practices between nursing faculty of various experience levels. While the significance of evidence-based testing in nursing education is well documented, little is known…

In 2001 under No Child Left Behind, states were required to create an alternate assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities using alternate achievement standards. In 2003, all states had created an alternate assessment. All fifty states independently developed, implemented, and revised their alternate assessments. By 2014,…

The study site of a transition nursing program included a single tertiary medical center agreed to serve as the study site is a 335-bed, not-for-profit, facility located on the Florida "Treasure Coast". Participants must have been employed by the study site as a Registered Nurse (RN) not more than 30 days before the enrollment period of…

Statway® is an accelerated developmental mathematics intervention program for college students who are not yet prepared to succeed in a college-level math course. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching created the initiative to increase student success rates in developmental mathematics and subsequent credit-bearing, college-level…