Equity in education has become increasingly prioritized, due to the growing mainstream recognition of the inequitable practices that historically have and presently continue to exist in K-12 education. With the K-12 student population diversity continuously increasing in areas such as abilities, race/ethnicities, socioeconomic status, languages,…

Jobs in the manufacturing sector have been largely relocated to countries offering a competitive advantage, particularly in terms of labour costs. For this reason, mid-career workers from this sector and from western countries have been largely displaced. These mid-career workers from the manufacturing sector are subsequently forced to compete for…

Sexual violence among adolescents is a major concern. This study examined the impact of the peer-led "Sources of Strength" program on gender-based violence and attitudes dismissive of sexual harassment. Twenty high schools in Colorado were randomized to intervention (n = 11) or waitlist control (n = 9); students (N = 6461; 9th-11th…

Nontraditional educational settings (NES) cater to diverse student populations, including those considered at-potential or at-risk. Research on interventions and the role of helping professionals in these settings is limited. This dissertation comprises two studies aimed at elucidating interventions and support mechanisms for at-potential students…

Children in today's society require substantial support systems to help them through turbulent times and equip them with strategies and coping skills for a productive lifestyle. This support system requires the collaboration of parents and schools. In the absence of this provision, many students encounter psychological distress that impedes their…

School counselors are responsible for providing effective suicide prevention, interventions, and postvention support in K-12 schools. However, there is uncertainty as to how prepared school counselors feel to implement these critical services to students, especially regarding the training received during their master's programs. The purpose of…

A positive school culture and climate can support learning for students, particularly students of color. The role of the school social worker is vital to supporting an educational system in developing and promoting a positive school culture and climate. In trying to best understand the role of the school social worker, a qualitative approach…

School counselors, as career counselors, play an important role in the career development of K-12 students. However, there is a significant research gap in understanding the unique role of elementary school counselors in addressing the career development of younger African American students and their contribution to creating opportunities and…

The commercial sexual exploitation of children is a growing concern around the world. Education about this concern is a key component to preventing further occurrences. The Committee for Children found few educational models in U.S. schools. School counselors play a significant role in preventing, identifying, and connecting students to community…

This qualitative study explores the lack of African American students enrolled in AP Calculus courses in North Carolina public high schools. It considered the perception of student-counselor relationships, academic advising practices, and identity of high school counselor participants. In-depth interviews were conducted with three, African…

Although there is growing interest in telehealth to deliver parent-mediated intervention for autistic children, empirical evaluations are limited, and little is known regarding the relative benefits of self-directed and therapist-assisted telehealth interventions. This study examined the effect of self-directed and therapist-assisted ImPACT Online…