This qualitative study investigated the factors contributing to limited access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in rural high schools in the United States. Despite the potential benefits of CTE programs in preparing students for the workforce, studies showed that underrepresented groups have limited access to CTE programs,…

This doctoral dissertation was a study that assessed the impacts of a student-driven student voice and student leadership program in a secondary public school in a rural district in Maine. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, this study gathered evidence of the impacts of the Student Summit Leadership Program (SSLP) on…

This study aims to determine the relationship between students' perception to the learning media, digital literacy skills, and self-regulated learning with students' cognitive learning outcomes in the rural area. This study was the ex post facto with quantitative data. The method used was differential causal comparative with multiple linear…

In this Narrative Inquiry, we share the stories of three Chinese rural students who grew up in a southeastern county in China before moving to the county seat for high school. By inviting our participants to read their own life, we aimed to understand how Chinese rural students make sense of their experience in an exam-centered school system that…

Public schools in America are experiencing a massive decline in student enrollment, resulting in school consolidations and closures across the nation. (Dee, 2023). This decline has many implications, particularly in rural areas, such as Northeast Tennessee. These implications and the public pressure to maintain high graduation rates and academic…

This qualitative descriptive study aimed to examine veteran high school teachers' perspectives concerning dishonesty in the classroom, teachers and administrative management, and the role of moral leaders in an environment where dishonest behavior occurs. These three objectives aided this investigator in forming and guiding the research questions.…

The perceived disadvantage faced by high school students from rural areas in pursuing higher education is often associated with the fact that these areas are by default affected by socio-economic disadvantages. The analysis of the results from the high school baccalaureate examination for Romania, which is mandatory for admission to higher…

In the secondary school setting, student engagement with mathematics has been declining for various reasons and for a significant amount of time. Gamification and standards-based grading are strategies that have the potential to improve student engagement with mathematics. The problem was poor student engagement with classroom activities in…

Widespread concern exists that participating in lockdown and active shooter drills, practices that although discussed synonymously are different, may be similarly traumatizing for students. This study examined state anxiety levels--anxiety-present (i.e., anxiety) and anxiety-absent (i.e., well-being)--among students in one rural high school, as…

Rural Appalachia encompasses a region of the United States represented by unique cultural strengths and systemic challenges. To meet their students' career and college needs, school counselors working in rural Appalachia must understand the cultural nuances of the region. Consensual qualitative research (CQR) methodology revealed five domains and…

E-sports, or online gaming, is a relatively new phenomenon taking place on high school campuses across the country. While many view online gaming through a negative lens, there is a growing body of research that E-sports participation provides similar benefits and detriments to those of traditional sports. The purpose of this paper was to identify…

This study aimed to investigate the impact of implementing Open Educational Resources (OER) course materials on student engagement and achievement in a 10th grade English Language Arts (ELA) classroom at a high-poverty, rural school district. Research suggests that the implementation of OER materials in a K-12 setting can positively impact student…

Many schools face barriers that hinder access to services, including limited funding and staff trained in evidence-based interventions. In particular, rural schools must provide targeted intervention to promote academic growth and narrow achievement gaps despite these barriers. One seldom-considered solution to ease the resource costs in the…

This case study focuses on the preferred instructional approaches of integrative STEM education as students encounter authentic problems in their community, analyze data, and share their evidenced-based explanations and solutions with external audiences. As the case unfolds, school leaders encounter tensions among family and community members, and…

This dissertation investigates the efficacy of LitFit, an innovative reading workshop program, in enhancing the reading skills and habits of male high school students in a rural setting. The study addresses the critical issue of lower reading proficiency among male students, a demographic that has historically received limited attention in English…