We describe recent attempts by the University System of Georgia to develop and pilot a system-wide online Precalculus course for credit. The course was based on full online delivery, using an emporium model for learning. We experienced moderate success with the course, with a completion rate of 61-76% compared with the 4-7% for Massive Open Online…

This project used a nonexperimental design with a convenience sample and studied the relationship between academic motivation, grade expectation, and academic performance in 1,210 students enrolled in undergraduate human anatomy and physiology (HAP) classes over a 2-yr period. A 42-item survey that included 28 items of the adapted academic…

Fear of academic success is ultimately a fear of social exclusion. Therefore, various forms of social inclusion may alleviate this fear. Three studies tested the hypothesis that social inclusion variables negatively predict fear of success. In Study 1, middle and high school students (n = 129) completed surveys of parental involvement, parental…

The question of how to best design an online course that promotes student-centred learning is an area of ongoing research. This mixed-methods study focused on a section of advanced high school students, in college-level mathematics courses, that used a synchronous online environment mediated over web-conferencing software, and whether the…

English language learners need instructional strategies that could bridge the gap between them and native English speakers. The problem is that English language learners have limited English proficiency, and they could perform at a higher academic level when their teachers deliver effective instructional techniques. It is vital for teachers to…

In 2014, the state of Georgia's budget supported a University System of Georgia (USG) initiative: Affordable Learning Georgia (ALG). The initiative was implemented via Textbook Transformation Grants, which provided grants to USG faculty, libraries and librarians, and institutions to "transform their use of textbooks and other learning…

Principal turnover, especially in the most challenging schools, continues be a major problem within the reform movement to improve student performance in public education (Béteille, Kalogrides, & Loeb, 2012; Conley & Cooper, 2011; Hull, 2012). Dwindling financial resources, increased accountability measures, and the increased complexity of…

The purpose of the current research study was to compare the use of interactive instruction to direct instruction on the acquisition of personal finance skills for high school students. Participants were 45 high school seniors who were divided into a Traditional and an Interactive Instruction group. The 9-week research study measured the impact…

School climate has increasingly been recognized as an essential component of school improvement owing to the established associations between a positive school climate and academic outcomes for students. Our study examines associations among a brief measure of school climate assessing elementary student perceptions and the College and Career Ready…

Parental involvement (PI) is an important factor in children's academic learning. In this study, teachers' and parents' perceptions of parental involvement on inner city children's academic success were examined. The setting of the study was in an inner city Tittle I elementary school with a 90% African American student population. A purposeful…

The Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) is a rapidly expanding network of public charter schools whose mission is to improve the education of low-income children. As of the 2012-2013 school year, 125 KIPP schools are in operation in 20 different states and the District of Columbia (DC). Ultimately, KIPP's goal is to prepare students to enroll and…

The action research methodology for this study reports descriptive statistical findings from the performance of 19 Early Childhood Education African American teacher candidates matriculating through a state-approved program at an HBCU. Researcher-moderators provided a treatment plan of focused summer workshops, conceptualized based upon the…

A mixed method, sequential explanatory approach provided insights' regarding critical issues relating to K-12 professional growth and development as well as understanding the effect upon their teaching practices and student achievement. The population of this study consisted of a convenience sample that contained a regional group of educators from…

The role of an academic advisor is emphasized in this study. There is only one academic advisor in the School of Engineering at the Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU). The academic advisor addresses the advising needs of more than 1,200 engineering students. The importance of professional advising and the need for higher advisor-student…

Public school education and reform face a myriad of challenges that are uniquely different from those of years past. Tougher curriculum standards, societal differences, cultural diversity and an overall shift in educational attitudes and practices may limit and change the educational success of many children. The cognitive development of students…