The purpose of this qualitative collective case study was to examine how six formerly homeschooled individuals, aged 19-45 who received at least five years of homeschooling, perceive their current life satisfaction through multiple means of data collection: biographic sketch survey, recorded audio from Zoom interviews, field notes, and a digital…

This mixed-methods study examined the impact of Southeastern Day Program (SDP) on parent, student, and staff perceptions of quality of life, well-being, and vocational achievement. The results of this study were beneficial to determine the impact that SDP had on adults within the community and how to best meet the needs of their learners. The…

During high school, students with disabilities are provided with an Individualized Education Program to help increase their academic performance and ability to access the general education curriculum. Once these individuals turn 16, a transition plan is developed that supports their development and preparation to graduate from high school and…

This mixed methods study on postsecondary outcomes for individuals with disabilities focused on the experiences of young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and significant disabilities from their perspective. The research questions include understanding their overall quality of life (QOL), the supports, services, and…

The rising prevalence of homelessness among students is a real phenomenon at all levels of educational institutions. This study explored the multifaceted champions and challenges faced by students experiencing homelessness and collected data from subject matter experts to mitigate the impact on their educational journey and future students…

College students previously in the foster care system are facing a lifelong achievement gap when looking at college retention and completion rates (Salazar, 2013). These college students uniquely face a myriad of challenges including an absence of social capital to help guide them through the bureaucracy of college, low socioeconomic status that…

The purpose of this research study was to investigate university students' perceptions of their experiences of anxiety and its influence on the quality of their college experiences. Given the purpose of this study and the review of the literature, there were three primary research questions in this study. First, how do college students perceive…

Over the past 40 years, colleges and universities have seen an increase in groups of traditionally marginalized people as students. Groups such as mature adult learners, African Americans/Blacks, and female students have closed the disparity gap but continue to fall behind their White, male, and female counterparts in terms of degree success. The…

This research examines the perceptions of children after reading about low socioeconomic circumstances in children's literature. Low socioeconomic status involves more than just income; it encompasses access to resources, education, family well-being, opportunities, and quality of life. Students in today's classrooms are faced with many of these…

Teachers are essential to the academic and social-emotional progress of children in the US (Jennings & Greenberg, 2009). American teachers work tirelessly to provide quality instruction in a safe learning environment that nurtures the educational and emotional needs of their students (Jennings & Greenberg, 2009). Many teachers report that…

The problems facing rural America are wide ranging and multilayered. Perceptions can often be reality for those unfamiliar with rural life, which can pose a hurdle for businesses to overcome. With an in-depth literature review and research study, this dissertation aims to provide context and understanding to the problems and misconceptions of…

Background: Collegiate recovery programs (CRPs) aim to support the unique needs of students in recovery, promote academic success, and facilitate psychosocial development (i.e. coping, self-efficacy, differentiation of self, self-acceptance, and quality of life). Strategies used to achieve these goals vary considerably based on the culture of the…

There is an overrepresentation of African American males at an increased risk for facing punitive actions that eliminate them from a school's instructional environment (Darensbourg, Perez, & Blake, 2010). Out-of-school suspension should allow students to reflect upon their actions; however, in some instances the suspension causes students to…

Background: Due to increasing transmigration, care of women with female genital cutting FGC has become a national and global public health and human rights issue. The US is one of the Western countries that have a large number of women who underwent or are at risk to undergo FGC. Based on the US Population Reference Bureau (PRB) (2013), there were…

Leisure participation is influential on the quality of life of individuals. Individuals with disabilities can face barriers in leisure participation, impacting their quality of life. IDEA (2004) recognizes recreation as a related service as one way to enhance the leisure experiences for students with disabilities. The purpose of this embedded case…