In education policy, research, and reform, rural education spaces are often an afterthought, if included at all (Azano et al., 2021; McShane & Smarick, 2018; Tieken, 2014). Music education research has followed a similar trend, with scholarly efforts directed toward school districts with greater resources or addressing racial equity while…

The problem was that professional learning communities (PLCs) have not focused on topics relevant to teachers of students with developmental disabilities, limiting these teachers' professional development (PD) and their students' educational opportunities. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore whether fifth grade…

More attention should be placed on student engagement and the teaching of lessons that promote equitable opportunities to learn science in a way that students can relate to and enjoy. The purpose of this action research study was to investigate and improve student engagement in urban elementary science classrooms. Also, to discover how best to…

This qualitative action research case study is focused on better understanding the complex and intricate nature of code-switching among Black students. In today's educational climate, many Black students find themselves speaking one way with their closest friends and family members in front of the swing set and television and another way with…

This quantitative study examined the impact of professional learning communities (PLCs) implementing a "Focus on Learning" in a Title I school in north central Georgia. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact PLCs can have on student growth and achievement in fourth and fifth-grade mathematics, once teachers spend time…

This qualitative study examined how elementary school leaders from K-5 schools in eastern New York addressed contextual factors in implementing and sustaining professional learning communities (PLCs). Senge (1990) posited structures need to be in place to create and facilitate collaborative communities. A complementary position presents…

Safety, security, freedom of expression, love, and support are critical components for adolescent youth that encourage growth and development. This study explored how Black girls make sense of their educational experiences while partnering with school staff through the RoyalSapphires program. Children must be in relationships with well intended…

The focus of this study was to explore my leadership practices to improve teachers' acumen and use of research-based Tier 1 strategies to propel student engagement, thereby increasing student achievement. More specifically, the problem addressed was the decline of student performance for students with disabilities in English Language Arts and the…

The purpose of this Action Research study was to investigate the curricula used by Readers' Workshop teachers at an independent day school and the successes and barriers of having an external reading consultant provided by the program. The study compared the relationship between an external reading consultant with the desire of an in-house…

Race matching has positive effects on students' academic achievement and self-rated sense of belonging. However, when most public-school teachers identify as White, race matching is not always possible at the individual level. The present study extends current research to explore the effects of school-level diversity and race matching. Do the…

The purpose of this dissertation-in-practice was to examine the perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs of K-5 elementary school teachers in a suburban Central Texas school on their use of blended learning in the classroom. Before conducting the study, previous research on blended learning was reviewed in the areas of student achievement, student…

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a community cinema's media literacy workshop on the writing products of fourth and fifth grade students at a non-public elementary school in Louisiana. Because of the importance of writing skills in academia, professions, and interpersonal communication, and because of the documented lack of…

School ratings are important factors for school accountability, accreditation, state and federal funding and impacts the community view on a school. This qualitative case study was designed to address Professional Learning Community (PLC) for a Title I school in need of improvement. The problem was the lack of teacher retention, and ability to…

This phenomenological study sought to interrogate and interrupt the ways in which educational research and everyday schooling practices negatively influence the souls of African Americans. Researchers have argued over the years that it important that this intellectual and pedological fight persist; in hopes of transgressing the boundaries of such…

A theoretical framework grounded in constructionism and pragmatism theories supported research on learning by doing. This framework underpinned the purpose of this qualitative case study to explore how K-8 STEM teachers facilitated projects utilizing innovative technologies to solve community-based problems. The problem was a lack of connection…