The purpose of this Action Research study was to explore the influence of leadership roles on the persistence of early-career public school teachers in a large suburban school district on the East Coast of the United States. By examining teacher retention and expanding teacher-leadership skills for teachers in their second and third years, the…

Graduate students are an often-overlooked student population in a traditional undergraduate institution, but these students provide significant enhancement to the culture of a college or university. This study investigated how instructional modalities and other critical factors impact graduate student experience and sense of belonging.…

The purpose of this action research study was to investigate and improve the school choice experience for students in a large urban school district on the East Coast. Participants in Cycle 1 were comprised of middle and high school staff, and data was collected via surveys, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis. Action steps included…

There are five developmental areas: gross motor, fine motor, communication, adaptive behavior, and social-emotional. If social-emotional skills are delayed, all other developmental areas are negatively impacted. Preschool-aged students are incapable of kindergarten readiness if they have a delay in social-emotional development as it impacts their…

Social-emotional learning (SEL) has gained attention in education. Awareness of student social-emotional health concerns increased throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and with this increased awareness, stressors for educators have also increased. However, educators have noted that, despite the significance of social-emotional needs and SEL program…

Many students throughout the country disengage from the traditional high school model, and all students who graduate from high school do not necessarily acquire the skills required for postsecondary success in college or careers. This action research study sought to examine and develop a competency-based model of curriculum and assessment that…

The purpose of this action research study was to examine how the principals of three highly diverse urban elementary schools led their administrative team members to adapt Culturally Responsive Leadership Practices. Leaders must be equipped to address the needs of a growing and diverse student population, even if this knowledge was not acquired…

This action research investigated Chinese international students' motivational/demotivational factors and their perspectives on Virginia Tech's non-mandatory events. The theoretical framework guided the research questions, literature reviews, and data design collection/analysis process. The self-determination theory provided the primary…

In an environment of increased accountability and autonomy for school leaders, insufficient assistance relationships between school leaders and district staff hinder the ability of principals to utilize autonomy in ways that translate to improved instruction and student performance. This study sought to examine and strengthen the assistance…

A mixed methods action research study was designed to answer three research questions based on inter-rater reliability (IRR) in compliance calls for transition at a state education agency, perceived confidence levels in making and discussing compliance calls, and perceived confidence in sharing transition resources. An innovation based on…

The purpose of this action research study is to understand how public school district administrators' leadership styles impact the success of high school Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. I used the action research model which included a literature review, Cycle 1 interviews and data analysis, and Cycle 2 action step…

This participatory action research study took the conceptual framework of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), collaboration merging through solid relationships to analyze the realities of the teacher on special assignment (TOSA) role and the job description. This study involved individual interviews and a focus group; both were coded using inductive…

The purpose of this Action Research study was to understand and enhance the perceived efficacy of micro-credentialing and digital badging for K-12 educators within a large urban school district. Cycle 1 of this research engaged over 150 educators and included 14 semi-structured interviews, seeking to identify the primary reasons for engaging…

Each teacher brings different strengths and beliefs to the classroom through instruction. When teachers implement the same curriculum, pacing guides, training, and support, their instruction still varies, as does student learning. The Action Research study sought to improve the connection between teacher self-efficacy and teacher perceptions in…

Utilizing a participatory action paradigm, this study guided advising administrators in the exploration of perceptions and practices pertaining to underrepresented undergraduate students' persistence and success at elite liberal arts colleges. The study was conducted in Fall 2023 and consisted of participant recruitment through individual emails…