The aim of this qualitative multiple case study was to understand three Saudi kindergarten teachers 'attitudes toward enacting inquiry to teach science in the kindergarten classroom. This study was guided by two research questions: 1) What attitudes do Saudi kindergarten teachers hold about using inquiry to teach science in their classrooms? 2)…

This dissertation investigates the issue of gender stratification within engineering and other STEM-related fields. The dissertation is divided into three articles that address different aspects of the problem and propose potential solutions. Article 1 explores the persistent gender imbalance within STEM fields, particularly in engineering and…

This qualitative case study aimed to explore the role culture plays in influencing teachers' educational practices and literacy instruction with English language learners (ELLs). It sought to discover how monolingual teachers' experiences, successes, and barriers influence literacy instruction with ELLs in an elementary school in the midwestern…

This study examined how current kindergarten teachers promote learning and early success throughout a child's educational trajectory, including middle and high school. Narrative inquiry identified concepts and methods of promoting social emotional development and learning for the duration of a student's schooling. The research gave voice to Latina…

In response to the blurred boundaries and hybrid identities that define contemporary landscapes, the field of music education can benefit from the perspectives of individuals who are successful at navigating diverse musical streams. To ensure a high degree of resonance and relevance for all levels of the profession, these insights should come from…

This study examined the development of self-efficacy among third-grade girls in a low-achieving school setting. Self-efficacy is defined as an individual's belief in their capabilities to attain desired outcomes, as described by Schillinger et al. (2021). This belief plays a significant role in influencing academic performance, social…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how kindergarten through third--grade public school educators in diverse classrooms described the influence and challenges of multicultural teaching strategies, with a focus on content integration and knowledge construction, on learners' English language acquisition in Arizona. Two…

The issue of equitable representation of students from culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse backgrounds in gifted programs has challenged scholars and practitioners alike for decades (e.g., Feiring et al., 1997; Ricciardi et al., 2020; VanTassel-Baska et al., 2007). One effort to address this issue that has yielded promising…

Given the increasing concern about the scarcity of Dual Language Bilingual Education (DLBE) teachers, it is crucial to understand the trends in teacher retention and attrition from the perspective of DLBE teachers themselves. DLBE teachers departing from their jobs imposes a significant burden on schools and students and affects the implementation…

Buddy reading a text is a collaborative act that typically generates discourse that provides researchers with a glimpse of the comprehending taking place. However, in recent years, the infusion of technology in classrooms has resulted in many traditional texts being replaced by digital versions. Thus, this qualitative case study examined the…

Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in autism identification negatively affect educational interventions for students identified with autism. The purpose of this qualitative ethnographic study was to gain insight into educational interventions aiding in eliminating racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities through the implementation…

This action research seeks to determine the impact of teacher training and the use of specific instructional strategies, per the research-based SIOP® teaching model, on English language arts achievement of formally identified first grade English Learners. The study aims to discover if using strategic techniques to teach vocabulary positively…

Play in the school setting is a highly contested issue in today's restrictive academic environment. Although many early childhood educators advocate the use of play in their classrooms and emphasize the importance of play for children's learning and development, children beyond the preschool and kindergarten years are not often afforded…

Although students' literacy practices are influenced by a variety of sources, including texts, teachers, peers, the media, and their home culture (Dyson, 1993), the process of becoming literate is truly grounded in their cultural beliefs (Ferdman, 1990). Literacy skills are embedded in cultural practice, and cultural practice is learned implicitly…

This study is an exploration of the ways in which four Somali students use language to express their identity and assert their views. The study explores the ways in which the Somali students' home culture and the school culture influence the development of their identity. Students participated in a lunchtime focus group on a regular basis over a…