Many approaches have been taken to study gender (in)equities in mathematics education, including studies of students' achievement on standardized tests, participation in postgraduate degrees and careers, participation in the classroom, and students and teachers' mathematics identities. In this dissertation, I used Baxter (2003b)'s Feminist…

The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental study was to explore the association between school success after the tier-one introduction of a three-tiered restorative practices program. To understand school success, student factors were examined using middle school data from a suburban school district located outside of a large metropolitan…

Equitable instructional practices are vital to closing the educational achievement gap for African American students. However, there is a gap in research on understanding the lived experiences of educators and the ability to provide equity instruction to African American students. The impact of equitable instructional practices and the role of…

This study investigates the impact of various types of absenteeism--excused, unexcused, and suspensions--on 2024 English I and II EOC scores among 9th and 10th graders at a suburban North Texas high school. This quantitative analysis aimed to understand whether different absence types influence academic achievement when controlling for ethnicity…

The participatory action research (PAR) aimed to build educators' culturally responsive teaching capacity to support equitable classrooms. The study focused on the culturally responsive teaching development and decision-making process of a middle school principal, three Language Art teachers, and the culturally responsive teaching influence to…

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to understand how culturally responsive actions, behaviors and practices of school building leaders, teachers and support staff during the Instructional Support Team (IST) process impact equitable outcomes for all students within the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process. The…

This qualitative study investigates teachers' perceptions of the challenges faced by students from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds and their ability to implement equitable instructional practices. Guided by The Equity-Based Framework for Achieving Integrated Schooling, the research explored teachers' experiences through semi-structured…

Teachers often have a negative perception regarding the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classroom settings. Students with special education needs are often placed in classrooms where teachers believe they are unprepared to teach and manage classrooms in an inclusive environment. The purpose of this qualitative case…

Equity in education and the role of the principal are critical reasons for this study. Equity-centered leadership challenges other leadership practices in its' focus on affecting change concerning equitability, access, diversity, and society. However, there is a gap in research in understanding the lived experiences as an equity-centered leader.…

This dissertation explores the role of classroom culture in shaping equitable student experiences and outcomes in science education, and examines how curricular structures might further reinforce equity. Here, equity in science education means supporting student identification, belonging, "and" learning in science, with particular…

New Mexico is home to more than 28 cultures and ethnicities that deserve to be recognized, celebrated, respected, and accepted (NMDCA, 2019). In 2022, 318,613 students enrolled in New Mexico public schools, with the demographics breakdown of 22% of students reported as White, 61% Hispanic, 9% American Indian, 1% African American, 1% Asian, and 2%…

Inequity in public education has remained constant throughout history with disadvantaged students being left behind. The obstacles faced by minority students often cause them to lag behind their White counterparts in a persistent decline that leads to lower academic achievement. The problem addressed in this study was lower academic achievement in…

The purpose of this action research study was to investigate and improve the school choice experience for students in a large urban school district on the East Coast. Participants in Cycle 1 were comprised of middle and high school staff, and data was collected via surveys, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis. Action steps included…

The purpose of this self-study was to investigate the implementation of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the music classroom without a district-level music administrator. With two guiding research questions, the study involved using culturally responsive music education and a community of practice to implement DEIB music…

Middle school students love to talk in multiple social settings, but talking in science can be a different situation. With the shift required in teaching the Next Generation Science Standards, students are tasked with making sense of phenomena often much different than a traditional science classroom. Traditional Science classrooms are one that…