Historically, traditional education systems and most scholarship have focused on the academic outcomes of schooling as well as the economic benefits of education for individuals (such as earnings) and societies (such as economic growth). While acknowledging the importance of such outcomes, this study instead focuses on the "social outcomes of…

The literature confirms that COVID-19 disrupted what was once considered normal. Evidence of lived experiences is emerging, creating a pattern of learned lessons that, if critically assessed, can lead to a better understanding of what happened globally. This integrative literature analysis (review) is among many other studies that evaluated how…

Enrollment and retention in higher education can be challenging under normal circumstances, but combined with a global pandemic, institutions will need to look at strategies to help navigate these uncertain times. This dissertation provided the needed research on the processes of decision-making related to enrollment, retention, institutional…

Researchers of graduate student success have recently begun engaging in studies aimed at establishing a better understanding of what practices best assist in graduate student retention and degree completion. Simultaneously, Writing Center scholars have been making a concerted effort to undertake empirical research focused on the everyday work of…

Analysis of the variables that affect use of evidence-based and promising innovations in education has led to an emerging literature base addressing sustainability or the potential for sustained implementation over time. Examining the experiences of schools actively engaged in implementing evidence-based innovations holds promise for identifying…

Despite Ethiopia's rapid economic growth and its attempts at different educational models, there is a significant problem with junior secondary school education and student academic performance. The purpose of this study was to explore teachers' perceptions of junior secondary school education in central Ethiopia and what innovative academic…

Middle school is about the growth, potential, and change of adolescents. Students at the middle school age level, generally ages 10 to 14, struggle with the dynamics of making the transitions from recess and active learning in elementary school to multiple teachers, bigger workloads and campuses, and larger student populations (Alexander et al.,…

While the phenomenon of academic entrepreneurship has been explored in different higher education sectors, it has not been sufficiently investigated in the private for-profit 2-year sector of the education industry. The present study fills this gap by narrating the perspectives of twelve academic entrepreneurs who operate private for-profit…

Middle school students learn and develop at different rates which result in a variety of academic abilities within a given classroom. Middle-level educators face significant challenges when working to engage and instruct students. Innovative instructional practices that incorporate digital and non-digital tools are needed to create a dynamic,…

Competency-based education that uses direct assessment in lieu of credit or clock hours as the measure of student learning is a relatively recent innovation in American higher education. Common features of these innovative programs include competency-based curriculum, authentic assessment, mastery learning, student self-pacing, federal financial…

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, education has evolved into non-traditional models inclusive of blended classrooms or fully remote classrooms in which students do not physically attend school in person. As a result, the supportive role of the building principals has rapidly and dramatically changed the way they support their students and staff in the…

This project examined the adoption of cybersecurity into computing programs within liberal arts programs and whether the rate constitutes an innovative program. The research questions focused on the lived experience existing faculty members have had with the cybersecurity curriculum within liberal arts computing programs. Liberal arts general…

The purpose of the qualitative narrative inquiry study was to explore factors that influence online learning designs while maintaining quality and promoting innovation in online learning design practices. Subject matter experts (SMEs) and instructional designers (IDs) were asked to participate in a one-to-one semi-structured interview facilitated…

Institutions of higher learning have long been recognized as essential sources of knowledge for individuals seeking to solve real-life problems and improve their value in the workforce. However, despite their best efforts, many graduates lack the necessary hard and soft skills to excel in their chosen careers. As an accountant-turned-lecturer, I…

This study explores elementary school teachers' perceptions of emotional intelligence (EI) influence on the academic development of African American elementary students within a charter school in North Carolina. Persistent academic disparities faced by Black students, exacerbated by systemic educational inequalities and socio-cultural challenges,…