Current research indicates that when properly implemented, professional development (PD) can positively affect teaching practice and student academic achievement. However, teachers at Lincoln High School (pseudonym) questioned the effectiveness of their district's PD: Balanced Assessment. Given the paucity of research on teachers' viewpoints of PD and how it impacts implementation, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine teachers' perspectives of Balanced Assessment as it relates to implementation in the classroom. Guided by Knowles adult learning theory, which states that adults need to make a connection to what they are learning to real life, this study examined 4 English language arts teachers and their perspectives of Balanced Assessment. The guiding research questions explored teachers' perspectives of Balanced Assessment, PD, and ways to enhance the training. The research design was a case study of 4 English language arts teachers and data collection included interviews and classroom observations. The data were analyzed by using HyperRESEARCH, and 4 themes emerged: voice, follow-up, same strategies but different names, and trust, results consistent with Knowles adult learning theory. Findings indicated that teachers' perceptions impact implementation and led to the creation of a 3-day PD plan. This PD incorporated the study's finding, and therefore provided teachers relevant sessions that incorporated teachers' voices and included follow-up. Social change implications include creating PD that includes the tenets of adult learning theory which could improve teacher instruction and increase academic achievement for all students.

Increasing numbers of student veterans in the United States are transitioning into a higher education culture that reflects major differences from the military culture. Higher education leaders need to understand what these students require and what will help them transition smoothly into higher education. The purpose of this quantitative case study was to understand why freshman student veterans stop attending community college temporarily or permanently. Schlossberg's transition model that includes the 4 concepts of situation, self, support, and strategies was used as a conceptual framework. The research questions focused on perceptions of student veterans and faculty/staff related to challenges faced by student veterans during their freshman year of college, as well as the support that student veterans need to succeed with their transition into higher education. Data were collected interviewing 8 freshman student veterans and 5 faculty/staff members at a local community college to address the research questions. Qualitative data analysis was used to identify categories and common themes in interview data. The findings from this study showed 3 themes: (a) mismatched environment, (b) leaders/mentors/friendships, and (c) veteran community and connections. The study findings may help reduce the number of student veterans who temporarily or permanently withdraw from community college and thus increase the institutional completion rates. Based on the findings, a 3-day professional development/training program was created that incorporates both online learning and face-to-face engagement. The project outcomes may lead to positive social change by increasing responsiveness to student veterans and removing barriers when transitioning into a higher education culture.

In 2007, the state of Georgia answered the call of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 with training that introduced differentiation instruction in the classroom. However, to date, few studies have investigated whether differentiated instruction in Georgia high school classrooms are associated with student success. The purpose of this quantitative study was to fill this gap in the literature by determining whether a significant relationship existed between levels of differentiated instruction and 11th-grade student scores on the standardized End-of-Course Tests (EOCTs) in a Georgia high school. The modern concept of differentiated instruction to improve pedagogy and erudition constituted the theoretical foundation for this study. The purposeful sample for the study included 15 teachers and 323 EOCT scores. Classroom differentiated instruction was assessed using 3 months of archival data from the Georgia Teacher Assessment Performance Standards (TAPS) rubric, such that each teacher received a differentiated instruction score based on each classroom of students (independent variable). Student success on standardized tests was operationalized as 11th-grade student scores in each classroom on the EOCT (dependent variable). Teacher TAPS scores and corresponding student EOCT scores were high, but due to a lack of variability in the data, a significant positive relationship could not be shown. Teachers indicated positive attitudes toward differentiated instruction in the classroom and reported that areas of need for implementing differentiated instruction were resources and administrator support. The implications for positive social change include the potential to create stronger support systems (consisting of educators, students, parents, administrators, and the community) for differentiated education, in order to enhance student academic achievement.

The problem that anchored this study was district leaders' and administrators' lack of clarity regarding teacher concerns about the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) implementation in high school math. The purposes of the study were to (a) examine the perception of high school math teachers regarding the barriers for successfully implementing the CCSSM, and (b) to elicit recommendations for teacher preparation. Ely's theory of change was utilized to relate the entity of the CCSSM to this new shift in education. To better understand this phenomenon, 2 research questions accompanied this study. The research questions were geared to not only understanding teacher perceptions but also discovering strategies to assist educators with implementing the new CCSSM. Using purposeful sampling, 5 participants participated in this case study; the data collection components were an open-ended survey, interviews, and field notes. Data were analyzed by hand, using inductive reasoning and the process of coding to determine themes. The results indicated that teachers needed to know more about the standards and needed the time to gain this efficacy. Based on the themes of the study, a professional development was chosen to represent the project. Implications for positive social change are to bring awareness to teachers who are implementing the CCSSM in secondary schools, by ensuring teachers articulate consistent conversations with stakeholders, gain a form of self-efficacy, and think not only procedurally but conceptually to implement the standards. Teachers will acquire knowledge and skills to effectively educate students to become thinkers and problem solvers. This outcome will contribute to the development of college and career ready individuals.

Many students enter 9th grade as non-proficient readers who have not been successful on the state reading assessment. Response to Intervention (RTI) is a required program for teachers to use to increase students' reading proficiency. Guided by Bruner's constructivist theory and Vygotsky's theory of the zone of proximal development, this study examined the connection between these 2 theories and explored approaches to the creation of instructional delivery methods for reading to assist struggling readers. The research questions focused on teachers' perceptions about RTI implementation, training, and best practices. The participants were Grade 9 English teachers (n = 6) who were trained in RTI strategies and who taught reading to incoming at-risk students. A qualitative study design was used to capture the insights of the teachers through individual interviews, a modified version of Wilson's RTI survey, and observations. Emergent themes were identified from the data through open and axial coding, and findings were validated through triangulation and member checking. Key findings indicated that there was a general understanding of RTI; however, teachers identified a lack of training and experience with RTI. Recommendations included increased professional development in using effective RTI strategies, particularly differentiated teaching strategies and scaffolding. A school-wide recommendation was to incorporate RTI strategies in all subject area courses. A project of customized content was designed to guide English and content teachers to develop the awareness and capacity to develop improved RTI instructional strategies. Implications are that teachers will be empowered to become more deeply involved in professional development opportunities, which could influence instructional delivery to nonproficient readers.

Transnational nurse migration has evoked a growing interest in the phenomenon of professional integration of expatriate nurses into their host societies. Despite research connecting employee and organizational outcomes such as job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior to the quality of leadership styles, there remains a lack of research linking professional integration of expatriate nurses to nurse leadership styles in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The purpose of this grounded theory study was to develop a theory that would explain how nurse leadership styles and behaviors impacted the professional integration of expatriate nurses into the multicultural work environment of the UAE. The research questions addressed the perceptions of the expatriate nurses on effective leadership styles and behaviors of nurse leaders in a culturally diverse work environment, the lived experiences of the expatriate nurses, and the impact of the organizational culture on the process of integration. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 10 expatriate nurses, demographic surveys, documents review, and researcher memos. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method and initial, focused, axial, and theoretical coding. Results indicated that nurse leadership styles and the conditions surrounding the integration process influenced the success of the expatriate nurses' adaptation, integration, and assimilation into the host society. Implications for social change include the preparation of nurses while in their home country on what to expect in the host country, and development of leadership training programs to prepare nurse leaders for leading in a culturally diverse work environment.

There is a gap between organizational commitment to professional value of the nurse and the achievement of quality outcomes. This study explored the relationship between the productivity model and the professional value (PVS) model of the hospital-based registered nurse (RN). It was essential to understand how to measure nursing's contribution to patient care as a means to promote patient care outcomes. The current professional nursing dynamic provides an unprecedented opportunity for nurses to achieve their highest professional potential through increased demonstration of advocacy and accountability for the central tenets of nursing. The intent of this project was to explore the elements of the professional nursing workforce in a modern-day hospital. This study was conducted on the medical, surgical, progressive care unit (PCU) and critical care unit (CCU) of a community-based acute care hospital Washington State. A quantitative approach was undertaken utilizing a descriptive correlational study design. RNs on the identified units received electronic invitation and survey via organizational email system, resulting in a participation rate of 47.1% (N=48). The study found that PVS model achievement explained patient outcome variable variance (fall rate 86.4%, HAPU 83.1% and CAUTI 40.9%). Further, large effect size (98%) with work unit variance was demonstrated with PVS model achievement. The innovative PVS model was found to demonstrate a statistically significant difference from existing productivity model, and alignment of RN staffing with organizational quality goals. Recognizing the professional value of the RN could promote meaningful change in the healthcare landscape and optimize patient care and quality outcomes.

This qualitative study focuses on the motivations and decision-making processes of parents who choose to send their children to new German immersion schools. Immersion programs have been identified as the vanguard of effective K-12 foreign language teaching. Despite their proven effectiveness and benefits they remain relatively unknown to the larger public. Yet the recent national momentum toward developing a language-competent society has brought with it an opportunity to both improve and learn from these programs. Parents, as primary stakeholders in their children's education, are a key feature in making a school program effective and successful. Attitudes and beliefs have been recognized to influence parents' decisions to become involved in their child's education. In their research, Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler (1995, 1997) found motivational beliefs to be a foundational part of parents' involvement process. Their construct of parents' motivational beliefs formed the conceptual framework for this study. Based on this construct, semi-structured interview questions were developed to examine how parents' educational goals, language beliefs, program perceptions and expectations impact the educational decisions they make. As a second aspect, this study investigated the kinds of roles parents have constructed for themselves by asking parents about their own school experience, and perceived roles and responsibilities in their children's education. Using content analysis, this study examined sixteen parent interviews. The study found that parents are of utmost importance to immersion programs. Participants enrolled their children in immersion programs because of reasons such as their family language background or a true passion for language learning. Parents appeared very reflective and knowledgeable of immersion education, child rearing, and their impact on their children's education. They had very high expectations but saw themselves as partners to schools in providing their children with the best education possible. Implications for immersion administrators, teachers, and parents are offered.

The focus of this study was threefold. First, the study sought to determine the validity and reliability of an instrument being used to measure teacher efficacy. After psychometric analysis, the Utah Teacher Efficacy Scale (UTES) was deemed as both a valid and reliable instrument for the purpose of measuring preservice and novice elementary school teacher efficacy. Second, this study analyzed teacher self-efficacy of preservice and novice elementary school teachers at two different points in a time - once at the end of their teacher preparation program, and again after they had taught for one academic year. The sample (N = 123) for this study was created from graduates of teacher preparation programs throughout the state of Utah. A two-factor repeated measures ANOVA design was used to measure one between-subjects factor (Factor A) and one within-subjects factor (Factor B). Factor A involved a comparison between two independent groups of prospective teachers based on the type of student teaching assignment, number of student teaching placements, and the number of literacy methods courses completed. The two levels of Factor B consisted of two different UTES measurement occasions. Results of this analysis indicated that preservice teachers in this study reported high teacher efficacy. As these individuals became teachers, their teacher efficacy fell, indicating there is room for improvement in presenting the realities of teaching. Additionally, teacher preparation program characteristics such as the type of student teaching experience (student teaching or internship), and the number of student teaching placements (one or two) do not seem to provide statistically significant advantages over time. The number of literacy methods courses, however, does seem to provide statistically significant advantages in securing and maintaining high teacher efficacy over time in the areas of global and reading teacher efficacy. Third, the study also analyzed how school context variables affect teacher efficacy. Novice teachers (N = 136) were asked to rate the usefulness of professional development and the helpfulness of the mentoring support they received. Results of this analysis showed that professional development and mentoring support, if perceived as useful and helpful, had a positive and statistically significant correlation with teacher efficacy.

Globalization increases the integration and interdependence of international, national and local business and stakeholder communities across economic, political and cultural spheres. Communication technology and the international role for English suggest the integrating global communication reality is simplifying. Experience indicates integration produces complex heterogeneous dialogue and asymmetrical relationships with no shared interpretative systems. The global/national/local nexus presents management with universal and particular paradoxes mediated through diverse contextual micro communication practices and behaviours. This thesis derives from a professional service (environmental engineering) TNC request for help to address the business communication and performance concerns implicated in the production of professional bi-lingual English and Indonesian reports for clients. At the heart of this corporate concern lie the multicultural nature of interactions between the individuals, organizations and wider stakeholders involved in the Jakarta, Indonesian branch office operations. A developing nation adds further complexity. This thesis contends that these micro organizational concerns link to critical macro economic, political, and cultural societal concerns for the development of more responsive ethical and sustainable management and governance. This thesis argues for an elevated notion of the role of communication management to enable business to pursue more sustainable goals, improve business performance, and address the issue of risk. The thesis reviews multidisciplinary literature to develop a multifaceted theoretical framework that links macro management issues to this micro contextual concern. / This framework guides a qualitative research strategy to apply an ethnographic-oriented case study-based methodology to map the diverse worldviews of a sample of the Indonesian professional staff, their local senior expatriate management, and Headquarters. The case study assesses the impact of diverse worldviews on the interactions, relationships and performances involved in a specific project involving the international investment sector, a national proponent developer, the national regulatory agency, local and indigenous stakeholder communities and the consulting TNC. The findings have implications for the management of international business, the higher education sector and civil society organizations.