This dissertation examines the way novice social studies teachers learn to support multilingual learners in their social studies classes. I take a critical lens to practice-based teacher education (PBTE) to understand the decisions novice teachers make as they support multilingual students in their content classes. In this way, I bridge…

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects (as articulated by Stephen Ball) of global and national inclusive education policies on the education of children with disabilities. The study focused on global and national policy influences and stakeholder engagements (perceptions, understanding, interpretations, and translations) of these…

K-12 educational outcomes are a powerful reflection of social opportunity, both by meaningfully predicting adult wellbeing across measures like health and income, and by encapsulating the breadth of factors that contribute to a child's preparedness, ability, and opportunity to learn and persist in school. In this light, the persistent deficits in…

This dissertation critically examines the Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act (READ Act) through the lens of Critical Discourse Analysis, focusing on the discursive construction of the Act and its impact on educational opportunities for multilingual learners. The study explores the role of power and knowledge in shaping the READ…

This dissertation investigates the social determinants of STEM curriculum tracking and changes in the nature of STEM tracking in both US and cross-national settings over recent decades in five NCES High School longitudinal datasets and in seven TIMSS studies. Methodologically, this dissertation contributes to the field by developing a consistent…

This dissertation explores the participation dynamics of BIPOC students in voluntary paid internships at a Midwestern HBCU, highlighting critical systemic barriers and the effectiveness of support systems. The study was prompted by a recognized gap in engagement among BIPOC students despite available internship opportunities. This research aimed…

Research on mathematics classroom learning opportunities shows that student's experiences with mathematics affects not only what they learn, but also how they view themselves as learners and doers of mathematics (Boaler, 1997, 2016; Jackson, 2009; Langer-Osuna, 2016). High-stakes testing policies have implications for the kinds of mathematics…

This study explored the massification of Saudi higher education by utilizing contemporary Chinese higher education expansion as a framework to identify the drivers of expansion, challenges encountered, and diversification within the massification process. This study employed a qualitative approach of policy analysis of background literature,…

This study was aimed to explore systemic educational equity, educational policies, equity determinants, and equity leadership as they affect performance excellence at Chinese higher education institutions. 4 research questions were developed from this research topic. A qualitative case study analysis methodology was applied. An interpretative case…

Higher education research supports that diverse faculty reflecting the students' ethnic and gender diversity is best practice to facilitate students of color academic success. Yet regrettably the underrepresentation of faculty of color in higher education is a historic and ongoing problem. Further, may scholars point to college senior leaders as…

The purpose of this dissertation was to provide teachers, principals, district administrators, and local, state, and national legislators with an understanding of what the perception is of Hispanic American Immigrant parents regarding their access to parental engagement and agency through the American public school system, specifically elementary…

The systematic oppression of Black men and women throughout U.S. history has resulted in persistent unequal access to opportunity. U.S. leaders have long attempted to improve the outcomes of Black Americans through public policy. With nearly all key long-term measures--employment, wealth, incarceration, health--correlating with educational…

This dissertation explores teacher preparedness to engage with a diverse Westo, Georgia, student population effectively. The study emphasizes the pivotal role played by teacher training and ongoing professional development in shaping this preparedness. Employing a quantitative research approach, the investigation evaluates the preparedness levels…

It is generally accepted that education is a powerful enabler of social mobility in the modern world. However, access to quality and specialized education is still highly unequal, creating pathways for some groups of people and barriers to others. This dissertation explores three approaches to understanding and addressing inequalities of…

One of the barriers most often cited by higher education faculty impacting the professional development of their pedagogical skills is the lack of support from the administrators in their institution. Identifying barriers, opportunities for support, and an approach for quality teaching using pedagogical techniques may contribute to a sustainable…