This descriptive 10-year case study examined the school-community partnerships in a South Carolina, USA, elementary school from August 2011 to June 2021. The study used a qualitative interview approach with a quantitative description of the school and community-school activities. Data was gathered from the Observer's Field Notes and school…

The American Community Survey (ACS), a nationwide study collected continuously every year in every county in the United States, is designed to provide communities with reliable and timely demographic, social, economic, and housing data each year. These ACS estimates are not averages of monthly or annual values, but rather an aggregation of data…

As demand for more highly educated workers rises, a growing number of community colleges have expanded their services beyond two-year degree programs and begun conferring baccalaureate degrees. These programs, referred to as Community College Baccalaureate (CCB) programs, have become increasingly prevalent: Prior to 2000, only four states offered…

We present a multiple case study wherein one institution established new communities of practice supporting graduate student instructors teaching coordinated courses in the presence of minimal existing resources and funding. This was accomplished by partnering with and adapting resources from another institution; one with a well-established…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how secondary teachers describe the role that the elements of the community of inquiry framework (social, cognitive, and teaching presence) play in a virtual learning environment in a rural school district in South Carolina. The community of inquiry framework was used to guide the…

This study evaluates Momentum Bicycle Clubs (MBC) through the empowerment-based positive youth development framework (EMPYD). Data were collected through eight cross-sectional focus groups of MBC youth participants (ages 10-17). Sessions included three topics: the MBC program, the mentors, and the bicycle, all of which elucidated elements of an…

This dissertation exams the use of a weighted 5.0-scale high school grade point average (HS GPA), the South Carolina Uniform Grading Policy Grade Point Average (SC UGP GPA), as the basis for a Multiple Measures placement system in English unique to Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC). FDTC's service area lies in the so-called…

Home visiting connects expectant parents, new caregivers, and their young children with a support person, called a home visitor. The home visitor meets regularly with the family, develops a relationship with them, and supports them to achieve their goals and meet their needs. To reach the thousands of additional families who could benefit from…

This chartbook is the 14th version to be produced for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) by the Population Reference Bureau (PRB). The Chartbook describes the diversity of the Appalachian Region on a host of demographic and economic measures and provides an important annual view of the area and its people. The data contained in the…

Throughout 2020, America's Promise Alliance worked with five communities across the country that wanted to extend and deepen their efforts to support young people's social, emotional, and cognitive development. Each community planned cross-sector convenings to inspire action that would result in the approaches to learning that prioritize young…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to describe how first-year college students describe the academic benefits and effectiveness of participating in a developmental education program in preparing them for academic success. The theoretical frameworks supporting this study were Bandura's theory of self-efficacy and Tinto's theory…

Community colleges have long focused on preparing graduates for well-paid careers in middle-skill jobs, playing an important democratizing role in American society. Community colleges enroll 47% of the total students enrolled in undergraduate studies in the United States (Bers & Schuetz, 2014, p. 1). This systematic review examines the…

When observing and consistently hearing about the obstacles our current public educational system faces, many are left wondering what can be done to produce genuine, significant, and continuous improvement. Upon deeper analysis of educational systems, one can see that many areas need system improvement. SOAR School (pseudonym) is a Pre-K-5 school…

In response to rising college tuition and student debt over the past three decades, some institutions, localities, and states have implemented a range of tuition-free promise programs to promote college access and success. Programs vary widely in their design features, including eligibility stipulations and award structure. I explore the growing…

While there are many calls for enhancing support of Black and Latinx students on college campuses, much of the existing literature promotes deficit thinking and assumes monolithic experiences. Drawing upon Yosso's model of community cultural wealth, we used a qualitative case study approach to examine the assets 13 rural Black and Latinx students…