Minority children and adolescents living in rural areas, below poverty guidelines, are less likely to engage in healthy food choices or a healthy lifestyle, and this contributes to obesity issues. Providing children with the skills and knowledge to lead healthy lives is a way to combat this epidemic. Focus groups were conducted at three Extension…

This applied dissertation was designed to explore and provide a better understanding of students of international background enrolled in an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) at a 4-year public American college in Southeast Florida. This study utilized a qualitative phenomenological design for data collection and analysis. The interview protocol…

This article presents a mixed-methods case study of Diego, a bilingual teen who completed public school in Florida. During adolescence, Diego negotiated multiple identities: successful student, Mexican American, bilingual, and typical U.S. teenager. Diego provided interviews and bilingual (English/Spanish) writing (narrative/expository) in 2008…

The State University System (SUS) of Florida is committed to excellence in teaching, research and public service--the traditional mission of universities. This is achieved through a coordinated system of institutions, each having a distinct mission and each dedicated to meeting the needs of a diverse state and nation. This past year, the System…

The purpose of this study was to determine what effects synchronous instruction has on students in an asynchronous online art course. Action research was selected as the research method as it allows the researcher to study his or her own classroom in order to improve their own instruction. Data was collected for a period of one month from five…

Suburban school districts are in the midst of rapid racial/ethnic and socioeconomic diversification, although the teaching force remains much more homogenous. This article examines how educators in increasingly more diverse suburban schools conceptualize diversity. Qualitative data comes from interviews of 40 teachers, 23 principals and assistant…

This is the fourth report from an evaluation of the Principal Pipeline Initiative (PPI). This report addresses the implementation of principal evaluation and related support as of 2015, viewing implementation in the context of districts' aims, constraints, and capacity. Principal evaluation is part of the Wallace Principal Pipeline Initiative…

Teacher educators have an obligation to prepare preservice teachers with the skills and dispositions necessary to promote a socially just world. Yet the results of this study uncovered that the majority of elementary preservice teachers in a national sample (N = 846) have a simplistic perception of good citizenship consistent with what Westheimer…

As academic libraries struggle to remain relevant when technological advancements and electronic resources threaten to make them obsolete, libraries are learning to re-invent themselves by molding and adapting staff skills to cultivate innovative outreach programs. The Science Outreach Committee of the John D. MacArthur Campus library at Florida…

Miami-Dade County voters sent a strong message on November 4, 2014, in a rare (as per public university practices) referendum on their public university's role in their community. The voters made it clear that they want Florida International University (FIU) to expand--to provide more and better educational opportunities for their community, by a…

During 2013-14, national rankings continued to affirm the quality and reputation of New College of Florida's academic program. Princeton Review, Kiplinger's, U.S. News & World Report, Washington Monthly, Forbes, and Fiske Guide to Colleges each placed New College of Florida in their top rankings. Adding to their reputation, the percentage of…

This statistical report provides data tables on Florida Gulf Coast University's (FGCU's) financial resources, personnel, enrollment, undergraduate education, graduate education, and research & economic development. Highlighted data include: (1) Recent results (fall 2013) of FGCU's participation in the National Survey of Student Engagement…

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is furthering its multifaceted mission of research, scholarship, creative activity, teaching and community engagement in ways designed to support an organizational culture that is, first and foremost, dedicated to student success. By providing increased academic advising and career exploration services, removing…

Florida Polytechnic University offers industry focused, cutting-edge STEM degree programs in the College of Engineering and the College of Innovation and Technology. As a new university, they have the ability to adapt and be responsive to their industry partners' needs in a timely manner. The curriculum is cross-discipline and includes lab and…

This statistical report provides data tables on University of Central Florida (UCF) financial resources, personnel, enrollment, undergraduate education, graduate education, and research & economic development. Highlighted achievements included: (1) "U.S. News & World Report" ranked UCF 14th as an "up and coming" school,…