Thesis (Ph.D.)--Fairleigh Dickinson University, 2003. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 64-07, Section: B, page: 3516. Chair: Linda A. Reddy. Available also in print.

Thesis (Psy.D.)--Fairleigh Dickinson University, 2005. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 66-01, Section: B, page: 0612. Chair: Charles E. Schaefer. Available also in print.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Dept. of Counseling and Educational Psychology, 2005. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 66-12, Section: A, page: 4296. Adviser: Thomas J. Huberty. Title from dissertation home page (viewed Oct. 11, 2006).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Dept. of Counseling and Educational Psychology, 2005. / Adviser: Donald J. Cunningham. Title from dissertation home page (viewed Oct. 18, 2006). Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 66-02, Section: A, page: 0486.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-07, Section: A, page: 2466. Adviser: Allison Ryan. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 40-47) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

<p> Although districts and schools have implemented several types of parental engagement programs, numerous programs fail to meet the needs of African American parents, especially during the high school years. One reason may be the lack of awareness and sensitivity toward the needs of African American parents. Using a two-part conceptual framework informed by Hoover-Dempsey Sandler&rsquo;s (1995, 1997) model of parental engagement and critical race theory, this qualitative case study examined how African American parents defined parental engagement during the high school years. This study also explored parents&rsquo; role construction and self-efficacy, and if and how parents understood district parental engagement policies. Data were collected from documents and semi-structured interviews from 15 African American parents of high school children. Data were analyzed using thematic network analysis (Attride-Stirling, 2001) and a variation of constant comparative analysis (Strauss &amp; Corbin, 1990). Study findings revealed that parents described high school parental engagement as a fluid process that changed over time to best fit the academic and nonacademic needs of their children. This impacted parents&rsquo; parental engagement behaviors and practices. Whereas parents were unfamiliar with the district&rsquo;s parental engagement policies, they were familiar with other school practices and policies that impacted their engagement behaviors. Parents defined their role in broad terms, such as being their children&rsquo;s protector, teacher, and advocate. Parents&rsquo; self-efficacy was mainly based on their children&rsquo;s academic performance in school and a village of supporters. Parents reported creating informal information networks to access information and services to assist them in supporting their child academically during high school. Although parents reported engaging in school-based activities, the primary method of engagement was home-based engagement practices.</p><p>

<p> Mindfulness is a growing topic of discussion across the United States, particularly in education. There exists an array of studies on mindfulness as an intervention used in schools to promote academic achievement and social and emotional well-being. While the research has consistently supported the benefits of mindfulness, it has not addressed its implementation into the classroom (both formally and informally) as thoroughly. Specifically, it has not examined the perceptions of those teachers that are charged with implementing this intervention into their classroom. Nor does there exist research to identify possible barriers to teachers&rsquo; implementation of mindfulness into the classroom. </p><p> In order to investigate these areas, this study employed a survey to collect data from 78 elementary school teachers from a school district in the Denver metropolitan area. The survey measured teachers&rsquo; knowledge (definition, familiarity, and use) of mindfulness, as well as their perceived barriers to its implementation. Results showed that two-thirds of teachers reported that they had somewhat of an understanding of mindfulness and were informally using it in their classroom, and that a need for training is the highest barrier to teachers&rsquo; implementation. Further research on informal mindfulness training is needed to guide future implementation efforts.</p><p>

<p>Parenting stress (PS) is a phenomenon experienced by all parents to varying degrees due to the demands of meeting a child?s needs. This distinct type of stress is caused by an imbalance between the perceived demands of parenting and the perceived coping resources available to parents. The construct of twice-exceptionality (2E) is defined as the co-occurrence of giftedness and disability or possessing both high cognitive abilities and at least 1 of 13 potential disabilities identified under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004. The purpose of this study was to understand how PS is experienced by parents of children who have been identified with 2E. The theoretical perspectives of stress appraisal, coping, and attribution guided this study and provided a framework for understanding the lived experiences of parents and the meaning they ascribe to these experiences. The goals of the study were accomplished through in-depth interviews with 13 participants, an extensive literature review, and reflective journaling. Interview data were analyzed using the phenomenological techniques of epoche, bracketing, horizontalization, and imaginative variation, and several relevant themes and subthemes were developed. High levels of PS described by the parents in this study indicate that further research is indicated for better understanding and serving the significant needs of this population. The social implications of this research include raising awareness of PS and 2E; increasing the potential for positive outcomes for children and families; and addressing misconceptions concerning giftedness, gender bias in the perceptions of parental roles, and the impact of PS on family systems.

<p> This mixed-methods study examines the experiences of academically talented students of color (ATSOC) who attend or have recently graduated from predominantly white independent schools. The participants of the study who were enrolled in independent schools at the time of this study were in grades 6 through 12. Participants who recently graduated from independent schools ranged from first-year college students to students one year out of college. This study focuses on three domains of ATSOC independent school experiences: sense of belonging, racial coping self-efficacy, and emotional wellbeing. This study also examines the relationships between these conceptual frames. As a proxy for ATSOC, this study collected data from participants who are students or alumni of a highly selective educational access and leadership development program in New York City (The Program). The Program identifies talented students of color from low to moderate socioeconomic backgrounds in the New York City area and places them in highly regarded independent schools in the Northeast. As of December 2017, The Program had 720 students (in 7th through 12th grade) at nearly 80 different independent day and boarding schools in the Northeast as well as close to 4000 alumni. The study collected data through surveys, individual interviews, and focus groups. The study adds to the current literature on the experiences of students of color at independent schools. In particular, the findings identify and examine the relationships between ATSOC sense of belonging, racial coping self-efficacy, and emotional wellbeing. This study also examines implications of these relationships for independent schools and other predominantly white institutions that serve students of color.</p><p>

<p> A great amount of research has shown the importance of the teacher-student relationship, especially as it relates to students&rsquo; academic, and social and emotional outcomes. Pianta (1999) explains that the relationship between children, teachers, and non-parental adults have a significant role in the students&rsquo; development of competencies, their social and emotional wellbeing, and their willingness to participate in school regularly. Ellerbrock, Abbas, DiCicco, Denmon, Sabella, and Hart (2015) also agree that through meaningful relationships grounded in genuine care, educators nurture a responsive classroom environment that can help set the foundation for student success. This study examines the relationship between Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) students in grades 11 and 12 and their AVID teachers. Participants of the study were from five local high schools in one school district. Data was collected from students surveyed on their relationship with their AVID teachers of whom they have had over their AVID career. Measurements such as using a Likert scale survey and focus group interviews were used to determine the influence the participants&rsquo; AVID teacher(s) had on the participants&rsquo; academics, social and emotional growth, and a willingness to attend school regularly. Results of the measuring tools reveal a strong correlation between the relationship of the AVID teacher and the impact it has on the participant, especially the positive influence in academics and social and emotional outcomes.</p><p>