Prosocial and Active Learning (PAL) Classrooms is a year-long teacher professional development program designed to increase students' prosocial behavior and engagement in 5th grade mathematics and science classrooms that use active, team-based lessons by altering the way that teachers interact with students using research-based strategies. The…

The purpose of this qualitative narrative multiple case study was to address gaps in the research by exploring student engagement in a nature-based school in Georgia and a Missouri school moving to nature-based education. By considering three key dimensions of student engagement, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional, this in-depth investigation…

The academic and economic benefits of school spending are well-established, but focusing on these outcomes may underestimate the full social benefits of school spending. Recent increases in U.S. child mortality are driven by injuries and raise questions about what types of social investments could reduce child deaths. We use close school district…

The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of one-to-one technology integration initiatives had a positive impact on student engagement. This study looked at survey results from teachers and administrators/building leaders in Southeast Missouri school districts who have been using one-to-one technology integration for a minimum of two…

To combat high dropout rates and low motivation for online courses, we gamified a history of science course. To do so, we used an online educational program called 3DGameLab to convert what had been a well-liked face-to-face lecture and discussion course to an online format, for the purposes of long-distance teaching and learning. Within…

Student views of treatment acceptability of an intervention is important but still is neither regularly assessed nor studied beyond non-behavioral interventions. Furthermore, assessment of treatment acceptability across time is almost never considered. Using data from a longitudinal, randomized controlled trial, we examined variables that…

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an unprecedented shift to virtual learning in the United States, even though there is limited research supporting virtual learning at the K-5 level. This study explored teachers' lived experiences with engaging their K-5 students in a synchronous virtual setting. Data for the present study were collected through…

Positive perceptions of school climate are associated with improved academic and behavioral outcomes, such as lower bullying victimization experience and higher student engagement. The present study evaluated the consistency of these relations across racial/ethnic student groups using the Authoritative School Climate (ASC) model which defines…

"Working together for every child, every day," Beasley Elementary School's mission/motto embraces the philosophy of developing core ethical values and critical thinking of students. Beasley Elementary is a public school in Missouri with diverse demographics. In the last 5 years, students have faced many challenges at home that make…

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an unprecedented shift to virtual learning in America. It is unlikely that this method of instruction will end when it is safe to return to in-person instruction, even though there is limited research supporting virtual learning at the K-5 level. This phenomenological qualitative study explored the professional…

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the interventions and strategies used with students considered at-risk of dropping out of high school in Missouri public high schools. Self-determination theory was used to explain how students became motivated to stay in school when their need for competence, connection, and autonomy are fulfilled.…

The natural world and the scientific and mathematical tools we use to explore, measure, and understand it should fill us with awe and wonder, and light all kinds of inspirational fires in us. On a planet so desperately in need of scientific breakthroughs, engineering innovations, and newborn technologies, we should be thrilled by the excitement in…

The flipped classroom has the potential to improve student performance. Because flipping involves both preclass preparation and problem solving in the classroom, the means by which increased learning occurs and whether the method of delivering content matters is of interest. In a partially flipped cell biology course, students were assigned online…

Positive perceptions of school climate are associated with improved academic and behavioral outcomes, such as lower bullying victimization experience and higher student engagement. The present study evaluated the consistency of these relations across racial/ethnic student groups using the Authoritative School Climate (ASC) model which defines…

Teacher self-efficacy has been linked to student achievement. This quantitative study was conducted in order to compare teacher self-efficacy of homegrown teachers to other teachers in small rural schools in Missouri. The study used the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Survey (TSES) developed by Tschannen-Moran and Hoy (2001) to gauge a teacher's…