This dissertation explores the experiences of disabled students in higher education and strategies for creating more accessible learning environments. Despite increasing enrollment, disabled students remain marginalized in diversity efforts, with current approaches focusing on individual accommodations rather than systemic barriers. The research…

This study used a multiple case study design to explore the occurrence of pivotal teaching moments, teachers' responses to these moments, and teachers' own perceptions of the impact of these moments on their own knowledge development. The participants were six practicing secondary mathematics teachers. The researcher collected data from teacher…

Novice teachers of color (TOC) in predominantly White programs of teacher preparation have experiences as students and developing teachers that are uniquely related to their racial, linguistic and cultural backgrounds. These experiences may not be noticed, understood or valued by their predominantly White teacher educators. The purpose of this…

Recent science education reform has emphasized teaching science as practice -- striving to engage students in the authentic work of scientists so they gain deeper understanding of scientific knowledge and how that knowledge is established. To make this vision of science education a reality in classrooms, teachers must be well prepared to teach…

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore how and why educators who conducted an action research project to satisfy the completion requirements of an online early childhood education graduate program continue to use action research to inform practice and create social change in educational settings. The theoretical framework incorporated…

As a young and dynamically evolving discipline, statistics evokes many conceptions about its purpose, the nature of its development, and the tools and mindset needed to engage in statistical work. While much research documents the perceptions of statisticians and experts on these matters, little is known about how the disciplinary perspectives of…

Teachers bring parts of themselves, among them, gender, age, and race into the classroom. In addition to the routine stress of teaching, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people have the added stress of managing the expression of their sexual orientation in the classroom. This study explores the ways in which my own identity as a…

America's educational system has historically provided the best advantages for learners to use their potential to reach their learning, social, and professional goals. In contrast, it has also marginalized and oppressed the rights and opportunities of culturally diverse groups, i.e. African-Americans and Latinos, through the misrepresentation of,…

There is a need for higher quality professional development for writing teachers (Cutler & Graham, 2008; Gilbert & Graham, 2010; Kiuhara, Graham, & Hawken, 2009). Even though writing is an essential skill, quality writing instruction for students and the professional development for writing teachers is lacking (National Commission on…

This dissertation proposes to enrich the scope of history education research, and by extension the preparation of history and social studies teachers and the classroom experiences of their students, through the inclusion of autobiography in the study of history. Education research on the teaching of history has typically focused on what scholars…

This study centers on one early-career English language arts (ELA) teacher's development of his critical pedagogical discourses (CPD) within the contextual discourses of collaboration and data informed instruction. These contextual discourses circulated assumptions of teaching and learning that are privileged by the political ideologies of the…

K-8 school administrators are expected to provide professional development (PD) to bilingual teachers that will enhance instructional practices. PD is an important factor that may lead to student academic achievement. However, it was unclear in what ways K-8 administrators provided PD for bilingual teachers to enhance instructional practices for…

Educational assessment is an ever-present component of any formal learning environment that has critical consequences for students. Despite this relevance, there is a gap in knowledge regarding one of its foundations--namely, assessment "fairness." In particular, social class-based fairness of classroom assessment practices has been…

Low levels of academic success for primary grade students attending rural schools located in the southern region of the United States may be related to student resilience. Researchers have found that educators can support the development of students' resilience, which can result in improved academic success, but little is known about how teachers…

This dissertation examined the impact of the CREST-MECIS community of practice on K-12 STEM teachers and undergraduate and graduate students, addressing the urgent need for innovative approaches in science education to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The study was grounded in response to three primary problem statements: 1) the…