<p> The purpose of this study was to determine if positive teacher-to-student relationships impacted student academic performance. This case study involved examination of the results of data collected from 43 students who participated in a mentor adoption program initiated with the intent to enhance positive teacher-to-student relationships for the 2013-2014 school year. Archival data of students who participated in the mentor adoption program were compared to data from a stratified group of students who did not participate in the mentor adoption program. Data from English language arts (ELA) and mathematics (MA) Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) scale scores, attendance rate, and number of discipline referrals were compiled and analyzed using paired-samples t-tests. The results of the study showed students who participated in the mentor adoption program demonstrated a significant increase in MAP ELA scale scores, increase in MAP MA scale scores, and significant decrease in the number of discipline referrals. Students who did not participate in the mentor adoption program showed significant improvement only in MAP MA scale scores. Perceptual interview data were gathered and analyzed from 10 teachers who participated in the mentor adoption program to determine teacher perceptions and feelings about the program. The results indicated teachers believed the mentor adoption program had value and should be continued in Elementary School A. The analysis of these data showed student academic performance was significantly impacted by the use of a mentor adoption program in Elementary School A.</p>

<p> This study consisted of a mixed-methods comparative analysis of the implementation of the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in public school districts in the state of Missouri. The researcher surveyed nine public school districts similar in demographics of socio-economic representation, free and reduced lunch percentage, and average daily fund expended to educate students. One district administrator responsible for the implementation of MTSS represented each school district. In the qualitative component of the study, the researcher utilized an original electronic survey to gather insights into the unique implementation path each district employed. Coding and analysis resulted in identification of themes, similarities, and differences. The researcher interviewed 2 state-level leaders integral in the design and implementation recommendations from a state-level perspective. Coding and analysis of interview responses resulted in identification of similarities and differences in state and district-level implementation of MTSS. The quantitative component of study included collection and analysis of secondary data obtained from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education via the Missouri Comprehensive Data System. The researcher obtained and analyzed elementary achievement and student attendance data to determine a difference within districts with full and partial implementation of MTSS. Through analysis of the qualitative surveys and interviews, the researcher found unique implementation paths among the study districts. All nine study districts implemented differently and none utilized a recommended path or blueprint. District implementations varied from perceptions held among the state-level leaders interviewed. Through analysis of the quantitative component of the study, the researcher identified no difference in achievement and student attendance in districts deemed full implementation in comparison to partial implementation. The researcher recommended continued attention to successful implementation of MTSS at state and district levels. Future attention with focus on increased technical support and funding at the state level held the promise of prompt, appropriate supports to students who struggle in the academic, behavioral, and social skill areas.</p><p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to complete a mixed-methods comparative analysis of first-generation and non-first-generation students in the Midwest to determine potential differences between students&rsquo; college satisfaction, retention factors, college selection, college experience, and deciding factors on attending college at private, public, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Primary Researcher believed that a students&rsquo; classifications (first-generation or non-first-generation) and the type of university that they chose to attend would yield different results in their overall college experiences. The Researcher conducted the study in different settings and did not compare by the type of university or the type of students who attended the universities. The previous research was conducted in different regions. The Primary Researcher was not able to find extensive then-current research on first-generation and non-first-generation students in the Midwest. The results found did not show that being a first-generation or a non-first-generation student at a Historically Black College and University, public, or private university made a difference. The Primary Researcher found that overall, first-generation students had a more positive perception of their college experience than their non-first-generation peers.</p><p>

<p> This mixed-method research study examined the perceptions of kindergarten through third-grade teachers regarding the use of homework in their classrooms. Electronic surveys were sent to 190 kindergarten through third-grade teachers in seven school districts from five counties in Central Missouri. A total of 47 educators chose to respond to the open- and closed-ended questions. The results of this study showed most of the respondents believed in the benefits of homework for academic achievement. The quality and quantity of assigned homework were important characteristics for educators from both large and small school districts. The lack of parental support was considered one of the top three main barriers teachers expressed they faced when assigning homework tasks. Finally, the actual definition of homework was often confused among the educator respondents, which indicated further research defining homework and teacher expectations would be valuable to administrators, teachers, parents, and students.</p><p>

<p> Student retention in higher education is currently one area most colleges are looking to improve and build upon (Baer &amp; Norris, 2016). Higher education institutions in the United States have been under increased scrutiny from lawmakers and accrediting agencies to provide an affordable education for a diverse population for jobs in a highly technical economy (Boateng, Plopper, &amp; Keith, 2015; Slanger, Berg, Fisk, &amp; Hanson, 2015). Some colleges and universities are exploring programs to engage the modern student through the creation of learning communities, first-year programming, and interventions to bridge the gap of those students who are highly unlikely to persist to graduation (Alarcon &amp; Edwards, 2012; Selingo, 2015). This study focused on an all-male retention program in one private liberal arts college over an eight-year period where invasive interventions were introduced in year five in an effort to enhance the overall program. This quantitative study was designed to determine if there was (1) a difference in the grade point average between male, first-time freshmen who did not receive specific invasive interventions as compared to male, first-time freshmen who received specific invasive interventions; (2) a difference in the number of male, first-time freshmen who were removed from academic probation and did not receive specific invasive interventions as compared to male, first-time freshmen who received specific invasive interventions; and (3) a difference in retention rates of male, first-time freshmen who did not receive specific invasive interventions as compared to male, first-time freshmen who received interventions. Data obtained from the analyses were determined not statistically significant. Future studies should be designed to obtain additional information on what aids students retention, potentially using a mixed method approach. </p><p>

<p> Research has shown that both educators and prospective employers agreed that students needed more than just &lsquo;hard skills.&rsquo; Instead of focusing only on students meeting the academic requirements needed to graduate with a diploma, students also needed to work toward mastering social and emotional skills such as &lsquo;soft skills.&rsquo; This study consists of five parts; (i) seeking information from employers associated with the target school; (ii) seeking information from parents of students in the target school; (iii) the researcher crafted intervention for students based on the literature on soft skills, (iv) the researcher completed intervention in two area churches, and (v) assessment of the outcome of the intervention in terms of greater student awareness of the importance of soft-skills and ability with soft-skills in their interactions. </p><p> This qualitative study inquired: (1) What soft skills are sought by the employers associated with the target school in their new hires? (2) What soft skills are being consciously supported in the home of the students? (3) What evidence is there that the intervention devised was successful at developing useful soft skills in the student engaged in the intervention? </p><p>

<p> Gifted programming provides many children with an opportunity to reach their potential (Olszewski-Kubilius &amp; Thomson, 2015). For years, gifted studies have been underfunded (Azano, Callahan, Missett, &amp; Brunner, 2014). A lack of research into gifted programming has left glaring holes in the current understanding of best practices (Plucker &amp; Callahan, 2014). This study included an examination of gifted programming from the standpoint of cognitive theory. The researcher examined archival data from School District A to determine students&rsquo; overall academic success when compared to the number of years spent in gifted programming. The data yielded a negative correlation between years spent in gifted programming and ACT score, class rank, and GPA. The data also showed a positive correlation between high school attendance and years spent in gifted programming at School District A. The findings demonstrate the methods used in this study may serve as a useful evaluative tool for evaluating gifted programs. These findings may inform administrative decisions pertaining to resource allocation and curriculum.</p><p>

<p> During the late 20th and early 21st centuries, a trend developed for schools to meet the needs of struggling and at-risk learners through the implementation of multi-tiered response to intervention models (Apple, 2014). Response to intervention (RtI) is one of those frameworks and has been extensively researched from the perspective of those working in urban elementary schools (Burns &amp; Gibbons, 2013). This research project was designed to allow for better understanding of the rural secondary perspective of RtI through investigation of the perceptions of administrators, counselors, and educators who have implemented RtI frameworks. This qualitative examination resulted in a narrative gathered through interviews with teachers, counselors, and administrators working in rural secondary schools of southwest Missouri about their experiences with academic intervention strategies and response to intervention. Data were gathered during the fall and spring of 2017. The purpose of this study was to add to the limited body of research about the implementation, operationalization, and improvement of RtI programs in rural secondary schools. Respondents identified difficulties and obstacles and illustrated how the implementation of RtI has affected their roles. Both similarities and differences were discovered between rural secondary-level staff and their urban elementary-level colleagues. Respondents explained how solutions addressed problems with their programs. The researcher noted how this process created one-of-a-kind multi-tiered intervention programs. Lastly, suggestions for additional research were offered.</p><p>

<p> Christian school education is unique in nature. Integrating faith into academics led many families to choose an environment for their students that aligned with the faith, morals, and doctrinal beliefs they held as essential pieces in raising their children. The partnership with the school in instilling a strong foundation of faith for students set Christian schools apart from public and non-religious private schools. </p><p> Because families purposely choose Christian schools based upon like-minded values and beliefs, it was essential that the school seeks to fulfill its mission in practice and vision. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore the congruency of mission and practice in one Midwestern, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade Christian school, as evidenced by program evaluation. The researcher utilized surveys and interviews to collect data from three stakeholder groups (then-current staff members, then-current senior class students, and alumni) to investigate how, if at all, Mission Driven Academy (pseudonym) fulfilled its mission. Data was analyzed and organized by emerging themes into the school&rsquo;s five foundational components, referred to as the Pillars of Excellence. The qualitative data revealed that Mission Driven Academy was successfully fulfilling its mission to equip students with a Christ-centered education, empowering them to impact the world for the glory of God.</p><p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to determine doctoral students&rsquo; reasoning for completing the required course work for their degree, but not completing their dissertation and thus the degree. There had not been formal research conducted on the students at Lindenwood that had not completed the doctoral program and the variables behind their not completing their degree. In order to gain a better understanding, the research looked at four categories of students: completed (achieved doctoral degrees); actively pursuing (on target to graduate in the allotted time); delayed completion (returned to the program or have needed extended time); failure to complete (quit the program). In each category, the research determined the variables that impacted the path of the student. This research may help Lindenwood University in its efforts to determine the reasons behind the success and failure of its graduate students.This looked specifically at the doctoral program and the status of students who were, or were at one time, all but dissertation (ABD), to uncover the barriers to completion. </p><p> This study could help drive the decisions and direction of the doctoral program. The personal investment of the student and the university included a considerable amount of time and dedication. Universities invest in their programs through doctoral seminars, hiring high quality professors, and creating a highly rigorous graduate program. Graduate students invest a large amount of money, time, and trust into the university. The two work together to achieve the ultimate goal of a doctoral degree.</p><p>