The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) posits a theory that independent school student attrition can be traced back to a family's perception that the "Job-to Be-Done" they expected for their child(ren) in school was not fulfilled (NAIS, 2018b). Therefore, it is essential for independent schools to explore what families…

This qualitative case study explores the story of celebration for kindergarten teachers at a suburban elementary school in northern New England. This study explored the reality of self-celebration in kindergarten teachers' current practices during staff meetings, planning meetings, response to intervention (RTI) meetings, with their colleagues,…

This study aimed to explore the influence of Early Head Start teachers' educational experiences and psychological well-being on their perceptions of parent-teacher relationship qualities. Through the use of an exploratory analytical approach, this study examined the impact of 134 Early Head Start teachers' educational and professional development…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how parents and teachers described their perceptions of parent engagement strategies (Epstein's six types of involvement) in pre-kindergarten classrooms to support the social-emotional competence (SEC) of pre-kindergarten students. Fifteen participants located in a Southeastern U.S.…

Technology has been brought into the educational milieu changing the way teachers and parents communicate. It allows teachers and parents to communicate conveniently while also facilitating the sharing of a variety of media (i.e., photos or video). Photos paint a visual picture of learning in the classroom, allowing families a glimpse into their…

Higher education faculty members make decisions to use experiential learning techniques such as service-learning as a method of teaching and learning. Some choose to teach P-16 (preschool through higher education) service-learning courses, which include a higher education course, P-12 (preschool through grade 12) course, and a community partner.…

This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore how culturally diverse parents describe collaboration, such as communications, culture-sharing, and decision-making, with early childhood special education teams in one school district in the Pacific Northwest. The study was theoretically founded on Bronfenbrenner's bioecological systems theory…

Preschool children are expelled from early childhood education programs up to three times the expulsion rate of elementary and secondary students, and researchers have expressed concerns about this trend. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore educators' perspectives on behavioral supports to address preschool students' challenging…

It is not known how parents of preschool children birth to three years of age with severe disabilities describe their experience with the special education team and communication with team members when included in teamwork using a model consistent with interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP). The purpose of this qualitative descriptive…

Although young children from low-income families may (or may not) have fewer quality literacy experiences at home before attending preschool or kindergarten, instruction from an exemplary teacher matters most for emergent comprehension development. This single, intrinsic case study describes how one exemplary teacher's interactions with her…

This study examined parents' and teachers' social constructions of disability, school readiness, and the transition to kindergarten process for children with disabilities who participated in a self-contained preschool special education (SPED) class, called a special day class (SDC). The 12 participants included parents of children with…

The focus of this dissertation centers around the beliefs that early education teachers hold regarding the role digital technology plays in the learning and development of young children and how those beliefs are implemented in the classroom. Although there is some previous research on this topic not enough is known about digital technology…

The COVID-19 pandemic caused schools worldwide to suddenly close their doors to in-person learning and transition to distance learning for students. This unprecedented experience provided an opportunity to examine how school administrators respond to crises through their decisions and collaborative efforts. This phenomenological case study…

Family engagement benefits children's development and contributes to student academic success. However, educators feel that they are unprepared to engage families in the educational process, although they are encouraged to do so. The purpose of this basic qualitative study with interviews was to explore educators' and parents' perceptions of…

Educators have debated whether computers and various other forms of technology, specifically, digital technology, should be used in preschool classrooms. While much research exists surrounding technology use and academic support, there is little empirical research surrounding how technology use by preschool children impacts their social and…