The Department of Educational Leadership, Curriculum, and Special Education prepares the school leaders and special education faculty of tomorrow by offering graduate degrees and certificates in over ten specialized areas. Students are encouraged to participate in the pursuit and dissemination of the results of educational research.
Theses/Dissertations from 2025
Tutoring and Its Impact on Mitigating Covid-19 Reading Learning Loss in a Rural Title I School District For 3rd Grade Students, Julie Nicole Goodin
Exploring The Use of Artificial Intelligence as an Instructional Learning Tool in Middle School Mathematics Classrooms, Maurice Guest Jr
What Happens When Teachers Explore Choice in Low-Choice Educational Environments? A Holistic Case Study on Classroom Autonomy., Jamie Renee Millican Johnson
The Three Ps: Political Polarization, Perception, and Pedagogy, Tianka Renee Sheard Mitchell
Teachers’ Perceptions of Co-Teaching—A Phenomenological Inquiry, Courtney Spann
A Case Study of Special Education Students' Transition into Postsecondary Opportunities, Lacy Stanford
Teacher Persistence: A Narrative Study on the Perceptions of Career Oklahoma Teachers, Reggy Yount
Theses/Dissertations from 2024
Factors Influencing the Selection and Change of Major for Students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, David Allen
The Relationship Between Student Performance on Assigned Mastery Goals and STAAR Performance in K-8 Texas School Students, Agamyrat Altyyev
A Qualitative Study of Early-Career Secondary Teachers' Experiences with Organizational Constraints and Supports as Related to Job Satisfaction, Jaime Lee Arnold
Blended Learning in the Elementary Classroom: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Leslie Barger
The Relationship Between Secondary Stem Students Motivational Perceptions, Engagement, And Academic Achievement, Cecil Kevin Belt
Examination of Health Sciences Students’ Attitudes Towards Simulation-Based Interprofessional Education, Lindsay Blake
Teachers’ And School Leaders’ Perceptions of a Community School Model’s Impact on Student Achievement, Kelsey Brabo
Multitiered Systems of Support and The Achievement Gap in the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Mid-Atlantic Region: An Analysis of Teacher Perceptions of Effectiveness, Demarco Ray Brooks
Educator Perceptions of Secondary Students’ Pleasure Reading: Obstacles and Motivation, Andrew Mark Brunner
Exploring Secondary Science Teacher Knowledge, Understanding, Skills, and Training to Support the Teachers' Ability to Infuse World Class Skills in The South Carolina Science Curriculum, Ashlee Penn Buchanan
Perceptions of Academic Letter Grades In K-8 Public Schools Located Inside of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, Corey Eugene Bunch
The Impact of Motivators and Hygienes on The Job Satisfaction and Classroom Efficacy of Community College Facutly in Arkansas, Anthony Burkhammer
Current Students’ Perceived Effectiveness of Early Alert Intervention Strategies at a Public Two-Year College in Arkansas, Catherine Burton
An Examination of the Relational Aspect of Cohesive Co-Teaching Relationships, Debra L. Byers
Teacher, Student Support Staff, And School Leader Perceptions About Utilizing a Block of Time Daily to Meet the Academic, Social-Emotional, And Behavioral Needs of Students, Olivia P. Cammon-Stevenson
Navigating Challenges in Higher Education: Narratives of Undocumented and DACA Recipient Latine Students in Arkansas, Christian Miguel Canizales
Examining The Influence of a Mariachi Program on Hispanic Students’ Cultural Identity and Schooling Perceptions, Martin Cantu
Teacher Perceptions of Reading and Mathematics Achievement Gaps Among Elementary Students Resulting from The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kayla Lynn Caprio
Examining The Influences of Professional Learning Communities and The Data-Driven Decision-Making Process on Elementary Teachers’ Instructional Practices, Arrica Chandler
Understanding Teacher Perceptions of Intentionally Nurturing Students' Social and Emotional Competencies in the General Education Classroom, Chelsea Austin Clark
The Role of Parental Engagement in Closing the Achievement Gap, Samuel Maurice Coleman
Private, Public, and Head Start Prekindergarten Programs and Their Effect on Kindergarten Readiness Scores, Brianna Brasseaux Comeaux
Disproportionality In Discipline and Academic Achievement of African American Students In South Carolina School Districts, Joyce Haigler Conyers
Changing The Culture of Secondary School Mathematics: What Are the Effects of Interventions on Student Attitudes, Beliefs, And Motivation?, Meagan Coronado
Professional Development Considerations: Social Studies Standards Which Diverge from a Singular Cultural Script, Jacqueline D. Costales
Teachers’ Perceptions of Preparedness for Instruction During and After Collaborative Planning, Alicia Daniels
High School Reimagined: Student, Teacher, Parent, Administrator Perceptions of One High School’s Experience with the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, Lawrence J. Eberlin, Jr.
Building A College-Going Culture for Middle School Eighth Grade Students in A Historically Low Number College-Bound Area, Silvia Elizondo
Novice Teacher Retention and The Partnership School Model, Pamela Mangrum Everitt
Teacher Perceptions of The Boundless Learning Professional Development on Instruction in A Co-Taught Class, Debbie Fleming
Differing Outcomes: A Qualitative Study on the Experience of Required College Admission Testing among Graduates at an Urban Charter School in Oklahoma, Stephen-Scott Frazier
School Leader Experiences of Entrepreneurial Education Accessibility in Rural High Schools in Arkansas: Phenomenological, LaTeasha Gaither-Davis
Examining the Influence of Student Autonomy, Competence, and Student-Teacher Relatedness on Student Performance on High-Stakes Tests, Jennifer Gaston
Exploring Teachers' Participation in A Literacy-Focused Professional Learning Community, Kerri Gentry
Transforming Arkansas Schools: Leadership Practices to Promote the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities, Amanda K. Goddard
African American Male Overidentification in Special Education Services: Teacher Perspectives on The Referral Process, Amanda Gray
The Impact of Family Education on Social-Emotional Learning in Early Childhood, Amanda Leann Green
Did School Reform Initiatives in the United States Support Multicultural Teaching Practices in a K-12 School Setting?, Shereen Holmes
The Examination of Hindering Factors of 2-Year Community College Students’ Vertical Transfer to 4-Year Colleges, Rahime-Malik Howard
Perspectives of Novice Teachers to Prepare For and Work Equitably With Students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Marilyn Hunt
The Influence of Accommodations on Academic Achievement for Middle School Students with Dyslexia in a Private School Setting, Kendra McVay Johns
Impact of Implementing a Growth Mindset Intervention on Academically At-Risk Students, Rebecca Anne Kaste
Test Optional Admissions: A Case Study on Access and Persistence for Underrepresented Students in Higher Education, Lori M. Kemmet
Examining Secondary Mentor Teacher Experiences in a Midwestern Novice Teacher Induction Program, John Phillip Liberto
Factors That Influence Third-Grade Reading Performance on The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), Angela Monette Long
Investigation Into the Influences of Emotional Intelligence and Cultural Intelligence on Students’ Public-School Experiences, Rania Maalouf
The Impact of Smartphones on Middle School Students, Michael C. MacKenize
An Analysis of Factors Influencing the Success of Dual-Enrollment Students Through the Perspectives of Faculty and Counselors, Starlett Mack
Enhancing Students' Motivational Capacities in Music Classrooms Through Gamification of Curriculum, Nikita Mamedov
A Phenomenological Exploration of Educators’ Perspectives on Social-Emotional Learning Instruction and Their Supporting Role for the Guidance Counselor, Cristen Skylar McBride
The Impact of COVID-19 On Higher Education Enrollment, Samuel Tanner McKnight
Do Student Achievement Scores Differ for Those Taught by Teachers with High Emotional Intelligence as Compared to Low Emotional Intelligence?, Carlos Daniel Mock
Effect of Social Impact Project on Student Motivation, Engagement, and Achievement, Jayna Lise Moffit
Family Engagement: Barriers, Perceptions, And Responsibilities, Carla Jean Singleton Narlesky
Diversity Management as a New Organizational Paradigm: Leading With Cultural Intelligence (CQ), Meghry Nazarian, Ibrahim Duyar, and Mohamed Alhosani
Examining the Influence of Students’ Mental Health Problems on Their Social and Emotional Health: Perspectives of Counselors and Mental Health Therapists in a Post-Pandemic World, Brandi Leigh Newsom
Exploration Of Secondary Co-Teachers' Shared Experiences Co-Teaching Students with a Reading Disability: A Phenomenological Study, Tiffany Parie Parie
What Fine Arts Teachers in Public High Schools Report the Quality of Their Programs: A Narrative Analysis, Zachary Perry
A Mentor's Effect on Beginning Teacher Self-Efficacy, Emily Alison Peters
A Phenomenological Case Study of High School Administrator Perceptions of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, Kimberly Renee Pittman
Impact of Career and Technical Education (CTE) on Adolescent Literacy in the Mississippi Delta, Shawana Lee Powell
Examining The Influence of Teacher and Student Variables on Teachers’ Levels of Self-Efficacy, Rachel Pugh
Technology Use within a Charlotte Mason Liberal Education: A Phenomenology Study on Critical Thinking, LueCrecy Ragan
Socioeconomic Status and Stereotype Threat: Does Stereotype Threat Associated with Low Socioeconomic Status Impact Academic Performance, Gwendolyn Rains
Education of Grandchildren within Skipped-Generation Households: Challenges and Experiences Influencing Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Myra ann Randolph
Examining The Influence of Principals’ Servant Leadership Practices on Teachers’ Perceived Stress in Elementary Schools, Jennifer Ann Rankin
Retention Of Female Sophomore Students Who Participate in Recreational and Wellness Program, Angie Jane Reay
The Perceptions of Experienced Teachers on Administrative Support in Rural Classrooms and the Implications on Teacher Retention, Mitchell Reed
The Influence Of K-12 Stem Education on The Retention of Black Women Stem Majors in Texas Higher Education Institutions, Brittany Shallyne Reid-Phillips
Influence Of Teachers’ Secondary Traumatic Symptoms on Teacher Attrition in Low Socioeconomic Status Schools, Danielle Ryan Reilly
Novice Teachers: Thriving In Urban Turnaround Schools, Lacee Rodgers
Project-Based Learning and Its Impact on Student Engagement, Well-Being, and Learning Outcomes: A Study of Teachers’ Perspectives., Stefania Rubino
Exploring the Relationships Between Policy, Instructional Time, and Instructional Practices in Elementary Science Classrooms, Amanda Sciarpelletti
Reducing Math Anxiety in Middle Level Students Through Mastery-Based Learning, Jonathan Scrivner
Community College Advisors’ Perceived Levels of Self-Efficacy Providing Career Counseling to Students in Alabama, James Eric Sewell
Perceptions Of English Learner Success Among Hispanic Students in English Learner Programs: A Case Study, Reagan Le'Ann Shoemaker
Student And Principal Perceptions on Social Pedagogy for Immigrant Students, Jennifer Shure
The Exploration of a New Accelerated Radiology Program and Its Preparation of Students Entering the Healthcare Field: A Phenomenology Study, Christina Lynn Smith
A Quantitative Investigation of Teacher Personality on Teacher-Student Relatedness, Student Intrinsic Motivation, and Academic Performance, Nickie P. Smith II
Increasing College Retention and Access for Disadvantaged McKinney-Vento Students by Exploring Disproportionate Entitlement to Collegiate Resources, Quincy Samuel Smith
The Integration of African American History into State History Curriculum Standards: Examining the Commonwealth of Virginia, Roxanne Souma
Building Productive Relationships With Differing Personalities Among Middle School PLC Group Members, Jennifer L. Spiegel
