<p> Student retention has been consequential to students through an assortment of disparaging labels derived from the retention process. It served to marginalize the academic status of those students considered for retention through such practices as ability tracking, inferior labeling, and other discriminatory measures, as they moved through their respective academic journeys. And while both research current to the time of this writing and past research continued to be overwhelming in its stance that such policies and procedures were filled with negative unintended consequences, there was still little or no effort to abate such practices (Allensworth, 2004). This research explored whether student retention policies and procedures at the elementary level were addressed and exercised with consistency, practiced with fidelity, and fully understood by all who participated in the retention decision-making process. Furthermore, were those who are tasked with the decision to retain, doing so in a manner that provided each student considered for retention a process of fairness and equity. The researcher examined the impact of absence of systematic retention procedures through the lens of a mixedmethods research study of a large Midwest metropolitan school district. This study utilized two instruments to acquire data for the proposed research questions. The <i> Teacher Retention Belief and Knowledge Questionnaire,</i> used by Witmer, Hoffman, and Nottis (2004), followed by interviews of selected elementary principals and district assistant superintendents. The findings from this research proved inconclusive with regard to responses to intervention strategies, resource availability for retained students, and the employment of then-current research literature and practices as part of the student retention decision-making protocol.</p>

<p> Student mobility is &ldquo;students moving from one school to another for reasons other than being promoted to the next school level&rdquo; (Rumberger, 2002, p. 1). In this qualitative study, the researcher detailed how student mobility impacted four rural intermediate elementary schools in two select counties in southwest Missouri. Four principals, four counselors, and four classroom teachers were interviewed to learn how high student mobility impacted these participants, mobile and non-mobile students, and schools overall. There has been ample research on student mobility in the primary grades and in high school, but very little research exists dealing with intermediate elementary students. Many common perceptions among those interviewed arose after data were analyzed. Participants agreed highly mobile students were more likely to struggle academically and socially than stably enrolled peers. In addition, interviewees felt highly mobile student populations presented more difficulties for teachers and administrators to successfully educate all children. The need for more effective enrollment and new student orientation practices surfaced as means to minimize the negative effects of high student mobility in the studied schools. Also, the need for more efficient communication with parents of mobile students was highlighted. Schools in this area must find ways to streamline curriculum and procedures to provide shared mobile students the opportunity to find academic and behavioral success. Conclusions from this study may help school leaders better address the needs presented by a highly mobile student population.</p>

<p> This study focused on the perceptions of students and teachers regarding the use of instructional technology in the classroom. Participants in this study were from three school districts with student populations between 500-1,000 students in the southwest region of Missouri. Students were given a survey to determine a self-assessment of their own abilities to use certain technologies for learning purposes. Their teachers were given a correlated survey; however, teachers were asked to assess their students&rsquo; abilities to use certain technologies for learning purposes. A Mann-Whitney <i>U</i> test was conducted on the results of the surveys to determine if there was a statistical difference between the students&rsquo; and teachers&rsquo; responses. No statistical difference was calculated between students&rsquo; perceptions and teachers&rsquo; perceptions of students&rsquo; abilities to use instructional technology. Further, interviews were conducted with teachers to determine their perceptions of many aspects of the use of instructional technology, including the following: perceptions of teacher training regarding instructional technology, including preservice teacher training and professional development; pedagogical models teachers employ when using instructional technology; and barriers to the effective implementation of instructional technology in their respective classrooms. Findings revealed, overall, teachers think training regarding the use of instructional technology needs to be strengthened at both the preservice level and the professional development level. Further, teachers reported barriers to effective use of technology include a lack of viable equipment. Teachers were generally unfamiliar with pedagogical models regarding instructional technology.</p>

<p> With schools having an ever-increasing interest in reducing acts of violence and reducing the incidence of out-of-school suspension, new interventions are constantly being sought. How the program is implemented can play a significant role in program effectiveness. Durlak (1998) found that many evaluation methods did not consider the implementation process because they were done after the implementation of the program. Whether an evidence-based intervention would have a positive effect depended on closely following the details of the implementation process (Durlak, 1998). This study was motivated by four research questions: (a) Was the process used to implement Positive Behavior Intervention and Support at a suburban high school? (b) Were the seven components for Positive Behavior Intervention and Support program development identified by Colvin addressed? (c) What are the adaptations that need to be made to make Positive Behavior Intervention and Support appropriate for high school students? and (d) Do staff members feel Positive Behavior Intervention and Support is having an impact on discipline at the high school level? The purpose of the study was to (a) Document how Positive Behavior Intervention and Support was implemented in a suburban high school, (b) Explore unique challenges at the high school and how the challenges are met, (c) Document the impact on discipline, school culture, teacher perception and (d) Determine if staff members feel Positive Behavior Intervention and Support is having an impact on discipline. The qualitative method is employed to explore the research questions. Staff members at the suburban high school in the study completed an 18-question survey using an online survey tool. Data were also gathered with six staff members who volunteered to participate in the face-to-face interviews. The online survey tool Survey Monkey was used to gather the data. The findings from the 18 survey questions supported the responses that provided the evidence that implementation processes were followed. The face-to-face interviews allowed the interviewees to share their personal perspectives. The themes that surfaced from the survey questions and the face-to-face interviews were similar. The importance of staff buy-in was a frequent theme that is repeated in the surveys and the interviews. Communication was another common theme. The study highlighted recommendations such as the importance of student involvement at the high school level and student participation of the leadership team for any new initiative that is being implements. Understanding the factors that can influence successful implementation was one of the most important findings of the study.</p>

<p> In this mixed-methods study, the researcher investigated teacher fidelity of implementation with cooperative learning structures, according to the Kagan Framework, related to students&rsquo; academic achievement and perceptions of cooperative learning. An analysis of the variations in teacher implementation of cooperative learning structures utilizing the Kagan Framework, based on the fidelity checklists, was completed during the study. In addition, the researcher examined the differences in mean achievement scores during baseline (i.e., traditional teaching practices) and intervention (i.e., cooperative learning structures) weeks, a correlation of relevant data points, and a discussion of teacher interviews, surveys, checklists, observations, and student surveys. To investigate teacher fidelity of implementation the researcher employed an A-B-A-B, single-case research design to examine the outcomes of the three Kagan structures (Flashcard Game, Quiz Quiz Trade, and Numbered Heads Together) on pupil performance measured by formative and summative assessments and students&rsquo; self-assessments of their word knowledge. Three teachers (i.e., Teacher A, B, and C) with various levels of experience in using cooperative learning structures and 48 students served as participants. The findings indicated high student achievement with Teacher B&rsquo;s students, while student achievement in Teacher A or C&rsquo;s classrooms were inconsistent. Teacher B&rsquo;s implementation (98.4%) of cooperative learning structures, according to the Kagan Framework, resulted in statistically significant student achievement during intervention weeks. Furthermore, the researcher noted relationships between student confidence levels and student achievement scores for Teacher B&rsquo;s students for all baseline and intervention weeks. Teacher A&rsquo;s and Teacher C&rsquo;s implementation of cooperative learning structures deviated frequently and resulted in inconsistent student achievement during intervention weeks. In addition, for students in Teacher A and C&rsquo;s classrooms, the relationships between student confidence levels and student achievement scores were inconsistent and students lacked confidence in their own knowledge and actual achievement. Qualitative data showed overall teachers perceived the cooperative learning structures as valuable instructional strategies that engaged and motivated students to learn. The researcher suggested school districts must ensure high teacher fidelity of implementation according to the defined components of strategies and programs to guarantee consistent academic achievement for students.</p>

<p> The Missouri School Improvement Plan&rsquo;s fourth standard addresses the importance of attendance to the accreditation of school districts. Because of this standard many school districts are in need of a successful plan to increase attendance; therefore, this study was designed to determine the extrinsic motivators educators use to encourage attendance and the influence the motivators have on students. The population for this study included accredited public school districts in the west central and southwest regions of Missouri. A stratified sample consisting of 45 high schools was selected from public school districts with 400 or fewer students in grades K-12 during the 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 school years. From this group, 20 high school principals agreed to participate in the study. Principals completed a survey which was designed to identify extrinsic motivators used to increase attendance rates in their respective districts. Survey results indicated nine different motivators were used among the 20 schools with a final exam exemption identified as the most frequently used and most effective motivator. Attendance data from the Annual Performance Report (APR) for each participating high school were collected. The data revealed only four of the 20 high schools recorded an increase in average daily attendance in school years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015; however, the majority of the 20 high schools&rsquo; attendance rates were higher than the average daily attendance rate of the state. When attendance rates were reviewed with the survey results, there was little or no increase in attendance rates based on the number of motivators used in the participating high schools.</p>

<p> This purpose of this study was twofold: (1) investigate effective instructional strategies for athletic training education, and (2) investigate a correlation between research-based instructional strategies and first attempt success on the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. Research based instructional strategies exist within allied health education, however, no previous research set out to specifically identify instructional strategies which lead to first attempt success on the BOC examination. Therefore, a mixed-method investigation of research based instructional strategies was performed, and correlation data between instructional strategies and success on the BOC examination were collected. Data produced by the study revealed that instructional strategies based on feedback and metacognition, inductive instruction, and teacher-centered instruction correlate to first attempt success on the BOC examination. In addition, data produced also suggests that a prevalent misconception of the perceptions of instructional strategies exists between athletic training students and athletic training instructors. Based on the data presented, researcher recommends the use of a blended design to instruction, which allows for guided instructions, feedback interactions, and frequent meta-cognitive development opportunities for the athletic training student.</p><p>

<p> Low socioeconomic status is widespread throughout the United States (Makarewicz, 2013). Education is one factor to help people break the cycle of poverty (Payne, 2013). This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of one-to-one technology on equipping students from low-income families with the education needed to break the cycle of generational poverty. A rural school district in southwest Missouri was selected for the study. Students, parents, and educators were surveyed to gain their perspectives concerning the efficiency of one-to-one technology. Data were gathered to assess the statistical differences in English II end-of-course exam scores, attendance rates, graduation rates, and free and reduced price meal counts prior to versus after the implementation of one-to-one technology. A <i>t</i>-test was performed on the data gathered. After analyzing the data, it was discovered attendance was least affected by the one-to-one technology program. Graduation rates unfortunately dropped; however, English II end-of-course exam scores increased, and free and reduced price meal counts decreased.</p><p>

<p> In pursuance of analyzing attendance at Midwest High School (a pseudonym), the researcher examined the attendance program&rsquo;s effect on the junior class. The goal of the researched attendance program was to find what worked in the program, what needed to be changed, and how effective was the program. In order to evaluate the program, the researcher used a software system, Pulse, to collect all quantitative data. The data system gave all numerical information covering attendance from the 2015&ndash;2016 school year. Qualitative data was used to analyze the students&rsquo; reactions and responses to the then-current attendance program. Students who were juniors in the 2015&ndash;2016 school year were asked to take a voluntary survey about the attendance program. This data was coded and used to make recommendations regarding changes to be made and essentials already within the program. A focus group was also held and led by a student at Midwest High School. The focus group&rsquo;s answers were used to elaborate upon the program&rsquo;s faults and positives. The researcher analyzed both the quantitative and qualitative data and compared answers of the students to find out what were the most popular and least popular aspects of the attendance program, along with how the students perceived the program. Additionally, the rate of attendance was measured and analyzed to validate if the program was working by examining the percentage of students attending school. The data showed the program as working, and many of the students in the survey and focus group liked pieces of the program. Overall, a theme emerged that the program worked, but changes needed to be made. The researcher suggests that incentives be added to the program and contact with parents shift from weekly to a modified grouping of students who are in need of reminders and on a bi-weekly basis.</p>

<p> The researcher conducted a mixed study to determine whether or not a Talent Search program in a metropolitan area in North Texas was successful in enrolling students in post secondary education during 2011 to 2014. The <i> Program Evaluation Model 9-Step Process,</i> design was used to evaluate and guide the study. Additionally, the researcher designed a conceptual framework <i> College Enrollment Evaluation Steps</i> which was used to help analyze Talent Search performance. The researcher collected and analyzed data for the quantitative component of the study. The researcher conducted interviews to collect information for the qualitative component of the study. Three main themes emerged from coding the interviews. </p><p> The quantitative component of the study answered the study&rsquo;s subresearch questions directly and provided evidence to show Talent Search achieved all of its college enrollment objectives and goals from 2011 to 2014. The quantitative component also answered the study&rsquo;s Subresearch Questions 6 to 8 directly and provided evidence to show Talent Search had a higher rate of college enrollment than the Talent Search target independent school district, Texas, and the United States from 2011 to 2014. </p><p> Three main themes emerged from the qualitative component of the study; College Enrollment Barriers, Talent Search Intervention and Areas in Need of Improvement. The qualitative component of the study showed that Talent Search intervention was instrumental in helping seniors overcome college enrollment barriers (especially barriers pertaining to financial aid) that would have otherwise prevented the students from enrolling in post secondary education. </p><p> Furthermore, the quantitative and qualitative components of the study synthesized together to emphasize that the financial aid application completion step was the most challenging college enrollment step for students. The quantitative component showed the financial aid completion rate for 2011 to 2014 was lower than all the other college enrollment steps completion rates. Likewise, lack of knowledge on the financial aid application emerged as the greatest college enrollment barrier in the qualitative component. The results of the study provided evidence to conclude Talent Search was successful in helping students enroll in postsecondary education from 2011 to 2014.</p>