The purpose of this quasi-experimental quantitative study was to investigate the potential effect that blended learning has on student achievement in high school math. The theoretical framework used for this study was constructivism theory. The constructivism theory focuses on the idea that learning is a process where students build new knowledge…

The American College Test (ACT) serves as the most utilized college admissions test in the United States. With disparities existing in the scores of Black males on the ACT exam compared to their peers, it is imperative to explore how these students are perceiving and experiencing the ACT. This study explored how Black male students experience the…

This mixed-method study examined the impact of the implementation of a new multi-tiered intervention program at a private, Catholic, college preparatory high school in the Midwestern United States with a 95% Latinx population. The researchers examined the impacts of a multitiered system of support (MTSS) on various student academic achievement…

As educators and school leaders work towards building students' capacity throughout a student's academic career, the goal is to facilitate opportunities for students to develop college and career readiness skills that can be applied to novel and challenging problems long after high school graduation. Hess' Cognitive Rigor Matrix (HCRM) is a tool…

The ex post facto study was conducted following a quasi-experimental design. Both the control group and the treatment group took the local assessments, PSAT, and the SAT. The control group was taught using a traditional Algebra II curricula for two units of study. The treatment and control groups were taught the same two units: systems of…

Nearly two thirds of students are not ready for college level work in mathematics as evidenced by the inability to succeed on standardized math placement tests. Unfortunately, this necessitates developmental coursework, which is not credit bearing, and ultimately makes these students significantly less likely to earn a college degree. This study…

The purpose of this study was to explore how district funding for 4 years of PSAT administrations for all students in Grades 8-11 impacted Hispanic students at a North Texas school district. Using college admissions data from the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), the researcher examined overall district-wide college admissions percentages for…

Algebra 1 is the gatekeeper to higher-level mathematics and entrance into the STEM field, but do schools offering Algebra 1 in eighth grade score better on their standardized assessments than schools offering traditionally paced courses? The purpose of the study was to examine the PSAT and SAT scores of school districts offering Algebra 1 in 8th…

This dissertation studies different social factors that affect students' cognitive, non-cognitive skills, and behaviors. The first chapter provides evidence on the immediate effects of exposure to violent crimes on academic performance and externalizing behaviors among high school students. I find that exposure to violent crimes decreases PSAT,…

Saudi students are required to take the General Aptitude Test (GAT), achieving a certain competency, in order to gain acceptance in matriculation programs, or to study abroad. GAT is surrounded with a great deal of controversy regarding it as a reliable admission factor for measuring a student's aptitude for success in higher education. The…

The purpose for conducting this study was to investigate and describe the relationship between applicant criteria for a dental hygiene program and subsequent outcomes on credentialing exams: the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam and the Southern Regional Testing Agency clinical exam. Because admission criteria play a crucial role in applicant…

Underrepresented high school students must be effectively prepared for postsecondary education. Ensuring that all students graduate from high school college-ready is requiring educators to rethink traditional programming in an attempt to better meet the needs of all students. Therefore, the utilization of college preparation programs such as…

The purpose of this study was to determine the most important factors in predicting academic outcomes at the post-secondary level. With an increasing number of students attending college and the spiraling costs of post-secondary education there is a greater need, now more than ever, to discern the most important factors in positive academic…

Scholastic Aptitude Test, called SAT, has an immense influence in Chinese education. Most Chinese students choose to attend tutoring programs outside of the school curriculum to help them prepare. This study explores the tutoring programs both in China and the United States to assess variables that affect the quality of their preparation.…

A primary gateway to a career in engineering is the attainment of the bachelor of science degree in engineering. In contrast, a common barrier to becoming an engineer is failure to attain the degree. Those variables that are related to college graduation are often in place prior to college admission. The purpose of this study was to examine the…