<p> The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning population has high prevalence rates of nicotine dependence in comparison to their heterosexual counterparts, creating a health disparity that is under-researched. Past research has indicated that factors such as minority stress and anxiety play key roles in the development of smoking behaviors in the general population but has not been researched in the LGBTQ population. In addition, internalized homophobia has been linked to substance abuse but its role in nicotine dependence has not been examined. This study proposed that anxiety and internalized homophobia would predict nicotine dependence in the LGBTQ population. A total of 61 LGBTQ individuals participated by completing an online survey. A hierarchical multiple regression was conducted and results suggested that anxiety and internalized homophobia were not predictors of nicotine dependence in the LGBTQ population. However, it was found that individuals questioning their identity did experience more internalized homophobia than those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. </p>

<p> Online professional development (online PD), the acquisition of new skills and knowledge related to the teaching profession via the Internet, is an emerging field for teachers. This mixed- methods research explored the impact of an online PD program on high school teachers&rsquo; self-efficacy levels, classroom instruction, and the role that school culture played on teachers accepting or rejecting the online PD. Within a social cognitive theory lens, this study helped frame teacher attitudes and adult learning in the context of school culture. </p><p> Phase 1 of this study used quantitative data from two surveys called PRE and POST, which were taken before and after the online PD program, respectively. Qualitative data were collected in Phase 2, using the International Society for Technology in Education Classroom Observation Tool (ICOT), participants&rsquo; journal reflections, and interviews. Findings indicated statistically significant changes in self-efficacy levels for eight of the 21 survey items and minimal changes in technology use during instruction. Furthermore, various aspects of school culture independently affected teachers&rsquo; inclination to accept or reject the online PD. Findings supported the concept of designing personalized professional development programs tailored to the individual&rsquo;s specific learning styles, attitudes, and experiences of school culture.</p>

<p> The focus of this research is in the area of Response to Intervention (RTI) and its effect on academic achievement in elementary schools in rural Missouri. In light of the regulations within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 and its accountability requirements for schools, this study is important and timely in order to provide valuable examples of effective RTI processes. The research approach adopted in this dissertation was a quantitative approach; therefore, quantitative analysis was utilized during a statistical comparison of elementary schools in Missouri and a review of information from a survey distributed to elementary principals in Missouri. The findings from this research were statistically significant in relation to improved academic achievement after the implementation of RTI processes. The goal of school administrators and teachers is to implement strategies to meet the educational needs of students. The RTI processes may serve as a viable strategy for this goal to be achieved.</p>

<p> A critical component of teaching social skills to people with autism is the generalization of behavior change across a variety of untrained situations during which social skills are appropriate. The script-fading procedure is an effective technology for teaching social skills to people with autism, but few researchers have established cues in the natural environment as the discriminative stimuli for social initiations. The purpose of this study was to use a script-fading procedure to teach young children with autism to initiate to one another across various activities in the school setting, and to program for generalization across untrained stimuli in the school setting and in the untrained home setting with a sibling. The three participants, ages 7 to 10 years, demonstrated deficits in social initiations with their peers. During the baseline condition, the participants did emit initiations to one another, although this behavior was variable and did not endure over time. With the introduction of the script-fading procedure, however, social initiations increased systematically for all participants. Moreover, the data demonstrated that the effects of the script-fading procedure generalized across untrained stimuli, responses, and to an untrained setting with an untrained conversation partner. Overall, this study demonstrated the effectiveness of the script-fading procedure in teaching children with autism to initiate to their peers. This study has expanded upon previous research by demonstrating generalization from school with peers to the home setting with siblings, and by providing social validity data obtained through outside observers that support the effectiveness of the script-fading procedure in producing an important behavior change.</p>

<p> The effect of emotional intelligence (EI) among students in education settings could prove essential to determining the needs of student satisfaction leading to retention and graduation. However, lack of research has yet to determine whether EI is an important factor of student satisfaction. The purpose of this quantitative survey study was to determine whether a relationship exists between EI in graduate students and satisfaction with their overall academic experience at their online institution of higher education. Participants included graduate students enrolled in a masters' or doctoral program at an online institution of higher education. They were surveyed to measure their level of EI by Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test v. 2 and satisfaction of overall academic experience measured by the Priorities Survey for Online Learners. Research questions were focused on satisfaction of graduate students and elements of EI including overall EI and the 4 branches of the EI model. Statistical regression analyses revealed no significant relationships between EI, branches of EI, and overall satisfaction. Nevertheless, the results have implications for positive social change. No significant relationship demonstrated between EI and satisfaction may help accentuate other factors such as motivation and expectations that affect student satisfaction. These results can contribute to social change by supporting focus and improvement of the quality of factors that do affect overall satisfaction of students.</p>

<p> Latina/os are the fastest growing minority group in the United States and in California, yet they have not been able to maintain an adequate educational attainment and achievement level in comparison to other ethnic groups (Marin &amp; Marin, 1991). Typically, Latinas are not able to achieve the amount of education they set out to accomplish because of factors such as poverty, family responsibilities, attending low quality primary and secondary schools, being placed in lower tracked classes, poor self-image, a limit in community resources, gender role expectations and the lack of role models (Zambrana &amp; Zoppi, 2002). It is essential to examine how Latinas are able to integrate their families' expectations, the community, perception of campus climate, and coping styles through the pursuit of the higher education process. </p><p> This study explores how cultural, social and psychological factors contribute to pursuing the attainment of a bachelor's degree utilizing bicultural identity theory. It is hypothesized that biculturalism is associated with Latinas being able to attain and achieve a bachelor's degree because of their ability to navigate through various environments in which they can adapt. </p><p> Nine current undergraduate women that identify as Latinas were interviewed. The participants each answered a demographic questionnaire during the qualification telephone interview as well as two demographic questions during the actual interview. The participants' age ranged between 18-36 years old with the mean age being 21-years-old. All the participants live in Northern California. All nine participants identify as Latina. Four participants attend San Jose State University, two attend California State University, Stanislaus, one attends the University of California at Berkeley, one attends Chico State University and one attends Santa Clara University. </p><p> There are several significant themes that emerged from the interviews and they include: 1. Cultural Awareness and Ethnic Pride 2. Family Support with Pursuing Higher Education 3. Discouragement 4. High School and College Campus Support 5. Peer Support in High School and College 6. Experience of College Peers 7. Self-Motivation and Ambition 8. Role Models 9. Barriers 10. Support Prior to Entering as Well as During College. The results of the study are thoroughly discussed, as well as study limitations, implications for practice, and suggestions for future research.</p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to investigate how self-regulated learning and ethnic/racial variables predict minority first-generation college student persistence and related constructs. Participants were drawn nationally from the U.S. Department of Education funded TRiO Student Support Services Programs. Additional participants from the Talent Development program and General Psychology classes from the University of Rhode Island were also included if they were first-generation college students. Preliminary analyses of group differences based on minority status revealed few significant differences in self-regulated learning, ethnic/racial, and college persistence variables. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that academic self-efficacy, program use, and race rejection sensitivity were the strongest predictors of minority first-generation college students' persistence. Implications for practice, study limitations, and directions for future research are also discussed.</p>

<p> Children with autism are at an increased risk of experiencing coping challenges in healthcare environments. Since Child Life Specialists [CLSs] seek to maximize development and coping in hospitalized children, their understandings of autism are key to intervention. To better understand CLSs' perceptions of autism, this researcher surveyed 126 CLSs using a combined qualitative and quantitative questionnaire. CLSs were expected to express both strengths-based and deficit-based perceptions of autism, with more strengths-based perceptions from CLSs with education or training in disability or access to a special educator. Overall, participants expressed more strengths-based sentiments. No differences were found among CLSs based on education or access to a special educator. However, having a relative with autism was associated with more positive feelings about autism. Additionally, participants drew from child life theory; education, training, and experience; and their understandings of autism to inform their interventions with this population. This research adds to the current literature on perceptions of disability among healthcare professionals and opens the door for future research on how those perceptions are established.</p>

<p> Children often use social exclusion both to establish friendships and to protect interactive space during early childhood (Fanger et al., 2012). However, previous research has focused on elementary school age. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between friendship and exclusion among preschool children. The current study observed 16 focal children (named either part of a best friend pair or non best friend pair) for all behaviors related to being a perpetrator or victim of six types of exclusion as named by Fanger et al. Results revealed that children who were part of a best friend pair excluded others more, but were excluded by peers less while children who were not named as having a best friend excluded less, but were excluded by others more. These results identify a need for further research on social exclusion within the preschool context.</p>

<p> The cultural capital of first generation community college students is crucial to their college persistence. Research that underscores cultural wealth is often overlooked in higher education research. Contrary to a deficit oriented approach that focuses mainly on <i>what</i> first-generation students' lack, this study concentrated on the strengths, knowledge, abilities, and skills students possess to succeed in college. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of family, institutions, and people in helping first-generation students use and build cultural capital to meet their personal, career, and academic goals. A convenient sample of 15 first-generation student participants and 1 advisor from a southern California community college was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed. Transcript analysis produced 5 major themes: (a) Pushing Agents, (b) Accountability Promotes Student Persistence, (c) Career Aspirations, and (d) Pivotal Programs and People in High School. The most salient finding, <i>Pushing Agents </i> detailed the far-reaching affect that family, institutions, and people had on the participants' higher education experience. Pushing agents were a positive factor that frequently, constantly, and intimately pushed participants to carry out their aspirations. In conclusion, participant interviews revealed numerous strengths, assets, and abilities that allowed them to accomplish their personal, career, and academic goals.</p>