The purpose of this study is to explore special education teacher and teacher educator perceptions of the Standard Outcome Lesson and Reflection (SOLAR) Guide. Even though research shows that special education teachers need the skill of curriculum mapping in their roles in the classroom, a dearth of research has identified effective ways to help…

Modern nations operate within a global economy, relying heavily on the aviation industry for efficient and effective transportation of passengers and goods. The Boeing 2018 Pilot and Technical Outlook Report indicated that over the next 20 years, the aviation industry will need almost two and a half million new aircrew and maintenance employees to…

This phenomenological dissertation explores the lived experiences of secondary social studies educators situated in the Appalachian region. Hermeneutic phenomenology was used as a philosophical and methodological approach to gather insights into this phenomenon. Interviews were conducted with three educators to capture their experiences from their…

This study explored experienced high school science teachers' perceptions of their positive experiences with professional learning and their impact on pedagogical beliefs and classroom practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six high school science teachers from six different high schools representing four different public school…

Instructional coaches support teacher professional improvement and subsequent student learning through their instructional leadership; however, individual interpretations of district-wide instructional goals influence the work each instructional coach carries out at different school sites. This leads to a lack of systemic focus to ensure the work…

The issue of teacher professional development is an important factor shaping the career trajectory, efficacy, and ultimately the success of the JROTC instructor, and ultimately, the performance of the secondary students they serve and whose lives they affect. Although there exists a rich body of research associated with teacher preparation and…

James MacGregor Burns (1978) stated that leadership was one of the least understood phenomena in the world even though it was one of the most studied. This lack of understanding was even more prevalent when high school leadership development was examined. At present, a knowledge deficit exists between research and practice, as individuals…

Schools across the country are struggling to retain STEM teachers, particularly secondary math and science teachers. Mentoring has been a successful tool to help build the confidence of novice teachers and to help lower attrition rates. Further, because it takes time and support to develop robust pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), the mentoring…

Students entering the workforce or college after high school must demonstrate both technical skills and highly sought-after durable skills in order to be prepared for college and careers. This study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to study the lived experiences of 10 students who participated in a secondary Career and Technical…

The United States' Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) businesses must be innovative to remain competitive in today's global forum (Authenrieth et al., 2018; Autenrieth et al., 2018; Genareo et al., 2016; Watters & Diezmann, 2013). New business employees must enter the workplace knowing the practical application of a 21st…

This paper presents the findings of a Consensual Qualitative Research partial program evaluation of the effectiveness of a secondary transition-to-work training program in a Southeastern public school system. Current literature regarding the history of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, barriers they have faced to…

Project-based (PBL) learning has been found to improve student achievement, engagement, and interpersonal and intrapersonal skills; however, it is not widely implemented in K-12 schools in the United States. Prior research has established several barriers and challenges to implementing PBL in K-12 schools including challenges related to teacher…

Problem: In 1972, the Marland Report included visual arts in the federal definition of giftedness, yet service for those with artistic aptitude remains elusive (Rinn, Mun & Hodges, 2022). This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study (Creswell, 2014; Finley, 2009; Leavy, 2017; Marme Thompson, 2014; Van Manen, 1990) explores the…

As instructional leaders in their schools, principals are tasked with finding ways to increase student achievement. Research has shown that of all the variables that influence student achievement, the teacher is the greatest factor of which we can control. But how do principals increase their teachers' desire to engage in the professional…

The required literature (frequently referred to as "the canon") taught in the secondary English Language Arts curriculum often focuses on the "classics," which do not always connect to modern students or reflect their identities. This study sought to investigate how the ELA canon could be adapted to better reflect students'…