The goal of a triathlon is to provide a challenge to the athlete, but this comes with inherent risks. The drowning rate of triathlon participants has increased exponentially over the years in open water triathlon venues. This study sought to understand the decision-making process of experienced lifeguards in the unique conditions of the open water…

Despite the efforts of traditional and alternative teacher education programs (i.e. pre-service teacher education) in the United States, teachers frequently report feeling unprepared by the time they begin teaching full time in the classroom. Teachers with low levels of self-efficacy are correlated with lower job satisfaction, higher levels of…

This dissertation examines the processes and procedures high schools utilize to increase student voice and student efficacy within the identification and enrollment of students into grade 9 literacy intervention. The purpose of this collective case study is to investigate how schools identified students for additional literacy support and how they…

This qualitative case study examines the perceptions of rural school leaders regarding their decision-making and utility of school improvement plans in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were used to document the perceptions of four school principals and two district administrators in Celebration School District (a…

Although evangelicals have long been skeptical about non-sectarian higher education, the current climate in the United States necessitates a fresh look at possible sources of their beliefs. This is relevant since many of the current culture wars center on education. For instance, book bans in Texas public schools, funded by evangelicals, take aim…

Governing boards of organizations have come under scrutiny in recent decades for financial problems, leadership scandals, and a variety of other uncomfortable reasons. Trustees might have prevented challenges and scandals if the appropriate board oversight were in place including the right board structures, practices, culture, governance, and…

School safety is a primary societal concern due to catastrophic incidences of violence and educational leaders have a duty to ensure children's security. School shootings spotlight failures in school safety but educators and scholars cannot use tragedy to bridge the gap in high-efficacy practice. The problem is that school safety needs to improve…

Current, traditional-aged prospective college students are undergoing their college-going decision process in a "constantly connected" world. The purpose of this research was to explore and better understand how peer influence through social media may be influencing the decisions that current traditional-aged prospective college students…

In an effort to best support student learning, school districts are seeking the most effective means of improving instruction while effectively addressing student inequities. As the focus on accountability intensifies, the use of data is paramount. Access to data alone, does not ensure quality, data-driven instruction. The lack of teacher…

Multipotential students have multiple abilities, strengths, and interests, many of which could be developed to a high level. They can succeed in a wide range of careers, have many interests that they may wish to combine or decide amongst when considering their plans, often leading to indecision. Deciding on an academic major or career is a complex…

Community colleges provide broad access to postsecondary education to students of every identity, background, and level of academic preparedness. However, while community colleges offer a diverse range of educational and career pathways, completion rates remain low. In the past decade, the guided pathways framework emerged as a model for how…

Much of the current literature on teacher retention centers around early-career teachers, with far less addressing mid-career teacher attrition. This research study explores the positive and negative experiences of five mid-career teachers, Toni, Sean, Susan, Debbie, and Jacqueline, explicitly focusing on the experiences that influenced their…

The problem is school leaders facing pressure to be responsive to the demands of the school community due to the existence of other educational options competing for the same pupils. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand the beliefs of school leaders utilizing social media as the medium of communication with the school…

Novice teachers in the United States are leaving the profession at an alarming rate. The support provided to novice teachers often includes mentoring, professional development, administrative support, and collaborative time with others. The perceptions of novice teachers on the support systems were examined to understand the lived experiences of…

Despite federal regulations around making determinations about special education eligibility, the system is vulnerable to biases influencing decision making. The present study investigated the impact of bias on special education eligibility decision making. The research questions ascertained whether manipulation of a single piece of information in…