The Pennsylvania Department of Education revised the statewide graduation requirement (Act 158) to include postsecondary preparedness effective with the 2023 graduation class. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was adopted to mandate schools to provide the resources to assist students to meet academic standards leading to career and college…

This phenomenological study sought to develop an understanding of school-based mental health programming through the shared experiences of elementary principals throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. More specifically, this study examined the programs, screenings, interventions, and personnel that support the mental health needs of…

Given the need for high school students to discover more career options prior to high school graduation, there is a need to place emphasis on career counseling. This dissertation examines what the research says about career counseling at the secondary level. What education is appropriate? What counseling methods are working? What are some of the…

It is very important that schools be careful not to scare children about a place where they should feel safe. Thus, it is imperative that any active shooter drill be preceded by extensive education and preparation. Drills should be carefully planned by local police and the school crisis team, and school psychologists' involvement is critical.…

Research reveals that students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) often do not feel safe at school as a result of higher rates of bullying in comparison to their heterosexual peers (Kann et al., 2016; Kosciw, Greytak, Palmer, & Boesen, 2014; Russell, Clarke, & Lamb, 2009). Compared to general…

The roles and responsibilities of school counselors across the United States are often misinterpreted amongst various stakeholders, individual state requirements for educational initiatives, and often among practicing counselors' own perceptions and view of professional identity. While the American School Counselor Association (ASCA, 2003; 2005)…

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to a) understand the role of campus counselors who serve as both academic advisors and mental health professionals in a counseling center that intentionally combines advising and counseling and b) how combining counseling and advising affects academic success of students with mental health issues.…

Given biotechnology's emergence as a major competitor in the Pittsburgh region, critically linking education to industry through the Community College of Allegheny County's Biotechnology Workforce Collaborative (BWC) provided a well-trained workforce. The collaborative also sought to increase the number of women in the sciences, specifically…

The term educator is defined as, "one skilled in teaching (Merriam-Webster)". In this annotated bibliography, the term educators includes special education teachers, general education teachers, career and technical educators, and any other educators that would be involved in teaching Career and Technical Education (CTE) skills to…

Youth with disabilities receiving transition from services from State/Federal VR agencies accounted for more than one quarter of closed cases within in FY 2010 (RSA, 2010). This unique population of clients, however, has received little attention in empirical studies, scholarly journals, and as a focus within training programs. By investing in…

Depression is a common psychological problem in adolescence. Recent research suggests that group cognitive-behavioral interventions can reduce and prevent symptoms of depression in youth. Few studies have tested the effectiveness of such interventions when delivered by school teachers and counselors (as opposed to research team staff). We…

The primary purpose of this study was to explore how the No Child Left Behind Act has impacted the traditional responsibilities of high school counselors. Furthermore, if there have been changes in school counselor roles, how are school counselors managing the impact? The study findings also investigated school counselor professional development…

Every fall, 8th graders in the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) have the opportunity to apply to five district-managed high schools other than their own neighborhood school. One of the goals of Philadelphia's tiered system of neighborhood, citywide, and special admission high schools--many with specific curricular programs--is that students…

While college enrollment rates have increased over the last 40 years, gaps still exist across groups. College enrollment rates are lower for high school graduates whose parents have not attended college, those with low-incomes, as well as Black and Latino/a students than for other high school graduates. One source of differences across groups in…

Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI) is a competency-based approach to intervening with adolescents, particularly within the schools, who are experiencing emotional pain, psychological distress, or behavioral disruption in their personal lives. LSCI is used to help classroom teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, and other school staff to…