This dissertation investigates the impact of attending a STEM-designated elementary school on students' math, ELA (English Language Arts), and science achievement and growth scores. As technology continues to advance in education, educators are exploring innovative instructional methods. With a concerning decline in math proficiency nationwide,…

The number of English language learners (ELLs) has increased. The problem is ELLs in a middle Tennessee Charter School network meet challenges in achieving English proficiency, thus limiting academic and social prospects. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to determine if there was a relationship between leader-led…

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the experiences and literacy development of elementary students receiving Tier 2 reading intervention services. Specifically, this qualitative case study explored the questions of: (a) In what ways are third- and fourth-grade students who are receiving Tier 2 reading intervention experiencing their…

Researchers found dual language programs allow students to acquire a second language while building positive cross-cultural beliefs. However, there are inconsistencies between what research shows and teachers' perceptions of success. The problem was a gap in academic achievement between both English Language Learners (ELL) and non-ELL students…

This mixed methods program evaluation evaluated the implementation of the multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework in one North Carolina school district. It examined the perceived teacher impact of the program implementation for Tier 3 reading students in first through third grades. The vision for employing the MTSS framework in North…

Structural reasoning is a combined ability to "look for structures, recognize structures, probe into structures, act upon structures, reason in terms of general structures, and see how a piece of knowledge acquired resolves a perturbation experienced" (Harel and Soto, 2017). The purpose of this study was to explore the cognitive…

Educators, parents, and researchers uphold that intentional social emotional learning (SEL) can positively benefit student well-being, especially when the learning is integrated into all educational content areas. The problem under study was that though research has highlighted the connection between SEL and visual art education, how teachers…

This dissertation investigated the impact of two different coaching models on student achievement. The data collected was IREAD-3, Indiana's third-grade proficiency assessment tool, and Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) assessment data, a formative assessment measuring student growth over time. The study encompassed 13 elementary schools in…

Since the 1960's, the federal government has become increasingly more involved with the product of public education, tracking academic proficiency through the means of federally mandated high-stakes assessments (Ali & Favaro, 2007; Zumeta, 2011). Principal leadership is one of the most significant factors that can lead to academic proficiency,…

This study examined the effectiveness of a Derived Relational Responding (DRR) program in improving reading comprehension accuracy among upper elementary students without intellectual or developmental disabilities who struggle to meet grade-level reading standards. Addressing a gap in current interventions, the study investigated whether DRR,…

Although there is a large body of research on effective early reading instructional practices, schools continue to implement instruction and intervention that is not aligned to the science. Over the past 25 years, a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework has emerged as a leading framework for advancing the reading skill development of…

The Alternative Suspension Therapy (AST) program is a trauma-informed, in-school discipline model that was designed to serve as an alternative to traditional suspension. The goal of the AST program was to minimize or eliminate the number of referrals a student might receive that could possibly lead to suspension. The participants in the AST…

This phenomenological qualitative study aimed to examine the lived experiences of virtual teachers responsible for developmental reading skills in a suburban school district in southeastern Virginia. This school division had over 25 schools responsible for the instruction of primary students in grades Kindergarten through second grade. Grades from…

Previous research identifies the negative outcomes associated with behavioral and emotional risk (BER) and experiences of trauma in childhood. Studies have shown that elevated BER and experiences of trauma are connected to poor academic performance, as well as other maladaptive behavioral outcomes (Martinez et al., 2014; Perfect et al., 2016; Ray…

The purpose of this qualitative explanatory study was to explore teachers' and parents' perceptions concerning the impact of their relationship on K-12 children's academic achievement. The following research questions guided the study: (1) How does parent engagement influence student academic achievement? (2) What are the barriers impacting…