This qualitative case study employs pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) as a framework for exploring secondary history teachers' conceptions of historical violence in relation to curriculum, pedagogy, and their objectives for students. Participants first describe how they define the term "historical violence," but the study turns on the…

For many years, there have been discrepancies between masculine and feminine populations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The problem was the gender disparity in middle and high school STEM classrooms, in which teachers often lack an understanding of the underlying reasons and measures needed to lessen the gender…

Since its inception in 1955, dual credit has become an increasing popular way to not only prepare high school students for the rigors of college courses but to give some high school students the opportunity to complete anywhere from a few college courses to a complete associate degree while still in high school. High school dual credit programs…

Positive childhood experiences, including nature-based experiences, may counteract the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the impact of one nature-based and experiential learning program on youth exposed to ACEs. Analysis of qualitative data from program participants, their…

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships of academic advising, and grit's impact on retention among students of color in the community college. Additionally, the study examined differences in the length of time spent receiving academic advising and level of grit with the retention in students of color. A total of 32 community…

Parental involvement in student-athletes' lives is ubiquitous and important. Despite efforts of many to determine the best means for student-athletes to succeed academically, little is known about the relationship between levels of parent involvement and an athlete's ability to succeed academically. Having an involved, but not over-involved,…

This dissertation analyzed the influence of the liberal arts on police officers and the quality of police-citizen encounters. Within recent years, several incidents of police-citizen encounters involving African Americans resulted in serious injuries, including death. Although many quantitative studies have investigated if higher education for…

Despite the growing number of international schools around the globe, little is done to support the highly mobile Third Culture Kid (TCK) populations in these schools. While experiencing exciting lives, TCKs have difficulty developing their individual identities and sense of belonging in communities. Problems surrounding identity and belonging can…

The purpose of the study was to examine school administrators' perspectives regarding grade-level retention in grades kindergarten through third in a New Jersey school district. Furthermore, this study explored how often school administrators reviewed retention literature and whether the literature influenced their overall opinion of retention.…

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) were once considered lifelong disorders, but recent findings indicate that some children with ASDs no longer meet diagnostic criteria for any ASD and reach normal cognitive function. The current study examined social functioning in 24 of these individuals (ages 8-21), called 'optimal outcome' (OO), who did not…

Kindergarten redshirting is the term used to describe the phenomenon where a parent chooses to keep their child from attending kindergarten so that the child may gain a year's worth of maturity. This qualitative dissertation examines the decision making process undergone by parents who have redshirted their children. While some parents began the…

Nationally an estimated 41% of traditional students who begin seeking an undergraduate degree do not persist through degree attainment. Guided by Tinto's theory of student departure and the theory of social integration, the purpose of this study was to identify the reasons students withdrew from college prior to degree completion. A qualitative…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to provide insight into the experiences of high-potential employees in an education sector leader development program to understand leader identity development. By examining the lived experiences of this population, specifically, how high-potential development shapes leader identity; this research may shed…

Human beings have spent much time and effort in trying to understand themselves, others, and their world. Mankind uses intellect when trying to understand life but the majority of people continue to encounter frustration, confusion, and a variety of obstacles when dealing with daily challenges and people. Theorists and researchers understand that…

The purpose of this study was to compare the student achievement prior to and after the implementation of a freshman academy at one school in East Tennessee. The researcher used student data from the end of course exam scores for Algebra I and English I. The failure rate of freshman prior to and after the implementation of the Freshman Academy was…