Roughly 40% of first-time freshman enter college at two-year institutions (Ginder, et al., 2015) and between roughly 70 to 80% of students enrolled at two-year institutions report the intent to continue their education to earn a bachelor's degree (Jenkins & Fink, 2016; U.S. Department of Education, 2001). However, less than half of the…

In the United States, postsecondary educational attainment positively correlates to the probability of a person being employed and the amount of money they earn (U.S. Department of Labor, 2018). Financial aid programs attempt to help students afford, remain in, and finish their postsecondary pursuits, but Levin (1989) asserted some forms of…

This research aligned with protocols established by the Florida Board of Governors in 2016 to form a new funding model tied to the institution's performance. The literature review highlighted a disparity between students' expectations and the reality of college which could negatively impact persistence, and therefore funding to the institution.…

Online technology in academia offers an opportunity to improve high school students' academic achievement and graduation status. The purpose of this quantitative comparative study was to determine if or to what extent a statistically significant difference exists in the graduation status of full-time online versus traditional high school students…

For more than two decades, there has been an increased emphasis on improving academic outcomes for K-12 students across Florida. Such emphasis has resulted in state reform efforts to enhance student academic performance and school accountability. High-stakes testing has been selected as one means for assessing student outcomes and measuring school…

Student behavior is one of the top concerns for classroom teachers (Freiberg & Reyes, 2008). Student discipline has been a historic problem for teachers and schools alike. Students who misbehave tend to obstruct learning outcomes for students and negatively impact the efficacy and well-being of teachers (Tschannen-Moran & Woolfolk Hoy,…

This study investigated the effect a computer intervention program has on student proficiency in the Algebra 1 End of Course (EOC) examination. This study utilized the intervention math program IXL Math, a computerized program that targets individual students' skill practice and supports students' need to accelerate mastery of Algebra 1 skills in…

This applied dissertation study was designed to assess a high-performing high school's dropout prevention program that increased graduation rates and decreased dropout rates among high school students. The high-performing high school was chosen because the target site achieved a 90% or higher graduation rate over 5 school years. Four of 19 high…

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between Navigate, a technology-aided advisement platform to support student success, and the retention of full-time, First Time in College-Direct Entry students in the fall 2018 and 2019 cohorts, as measured by the number of credits attempted during their first year at public college in the…

To resolve the graduation gap among Black and Hispanic students in Central Florida, the development of equity-centered practices to improve high school graduation rates is essential. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of incorporating methods such as the self achievement theory, self-determination methodology, and equity…

District leaders have countless responsibilities, from setting goals for the district to monitoring that all implementations run smoothly and effectively. Among them is ensuring the schools they oversee are adequately preparing their students for graduation and life beyond high school. For language learners high school requirements become…

In this qualitative study, adult students placed in an eight-week, closed-cohort GED preparation program were introduced to blended learning while attending in-person instruction five days a week during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants had the opportunity to receive their curriculum in a blended format, which provided some convenience for the…

By providing program completers a two-plus-two tuition scholarship to attend a Florida postsecondary institution, the Monroe County Take Stock in Children (Take Stock) program has been promising high-performing low-income children access to a college education for over twenty years. This study tracks the college attendance and attainment paths of…

Adolescents in America are dropping out of school in alarming rates. In the school year 2009-2010, 514,238 adolescents dropped out of high school. While alternative education centers have been created to meet the needs of these individuals, they are not always successful as evidenced by a graduation rate below 5% in several alternative centers in…

Career and technical education (CTE) has been at the forefront of engagement, change, motivation, and high school reform since the early 20th century. However, the focus on tracking students into 4-year universities has significantly reduced the number of quality CTE programs that exist within the high school setting. With the release of the new…