Texas Digital Library
University of Houston-Clear Lake: UHCL Institutional RepositoryNot a member yet
4292 research outputs found
Sort by
An Analysis of Teacher Perceptions of Successful Reading Interventions for Emergent Bilingual Students in Middle School
Full text linkThe purpose of this study was to examine middle school English teachers' and interventionists' perspectives on how to provide effective reading interventions for Emergent Bilingual middle school students. This study centered on two theoretical frameworks: Lev Vygotsky's (1978, 1986) Sociocultural theory to explain how teachers' beliefs and knowledge are constructed, and Bandura's (1986, 2006) self-efficacy theory. For the purpose of this study, teachers' sense of self-efficacy is defined in terms of how they view their efficacy in providing Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) reading interventions for Emergent Bilingual students, and how teacher self-efficacy influences the delivery of classroom instruction. The overarching question guiding the study was: What are teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of various reading interventions, including Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and computer-aided instruction (CAI), on English reading achievement in middle school Emergent Bilingual students? The study used a focus group and semi-structured interviews of five middle school English teachers and interventionists working with EB populations in two suburban school districts in southeast Texas, to gain their perspectives on the use of MTSS and CAI. The findings were then analyzed and coded to produce a descriptive overall response. The findings revealed that teacher participants highly valued differentiated instruction, collaborative learning, and vocabulary development, which are core tenets of MTSS. CAI's role in differentiation and interventions for EBs were also recognized. The findings highlighted the importance of sociocultural factors and how they interact with teachers' self-efficacy. The study suggested that professional development focused on the nuanced implementation of MTSS, specifically concerning EB student needs, is crucial. Recommendations include developing a bank of appropriate CAI programs for EBs, allocating collaborative time for planning, and advocating for adequate resources to support MTSS and CAI implementation. Future research should investigate factors influencing MTSS implementation fidelity, the effectiveness of specific CAI programs for EBs, and the long-term impact of MTSS and CAI interventions on EB literacy development
Exploring the relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intent: A study of higher ed students participating in a global pitch competition
Full text linkThe purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between entrepreneurial intent and entrepreneurship education among higher education students who participated in a global pitch competition. The quantitative research utilized a survey database comprising over 150 college and university students from the global pitch competition. Each participant was evaluated using a well-recognized survey instrument to obtain an Intent score measuring their Intent construct. Additionally, demographic measures were taken, and each participant was evaluated on their entrepreneurial education. The research tested eleven hypotheses, including five on the Intent construct by demographics, five on entrepreneurial education by demographics, and one on Intent by entrepreneurial education. The study findings suggest a positive relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial Intent among college and university students participating in global pitch competitions
The Role of Receptive Music Therapy in the Reduction of Stress and Anxiety
Full text linkAnxiety is the most common form of illness in America. The expression of anxiety differs depending on the disorder that an individual is diagnosed with. Anxiety is manifested from various stressors. Biological bases are shared between stress and anxiety. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is a primary factor to consider when researching both. Stress exists in two forms: acute and chronic. The DSM-5 recognizes various anxiety disorders such as separation anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder, substance-induced anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). There are various biopsychosocial factors of anxiety. Both forms of stress have been studied using rats and human participants. Various physiological and non-physiological measures can be utilized to study anxiety, all protocols reflecting high validity. A plethora of treatments are available including pharmacological treatments, therapy, and music therapy. Receptive music therapy is a growing practice; to grow, gaps in research need to be filled
Studies on Chiral HPLC Separation of Succinimide Antiepileptic Drugs
Full text linkEpilepsy, as a common neurological disorder, has been studied for hundreds of years. Since 1912, many antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were discovered. However, two challenges remain in the treatment of epilepsy. First, many AEDs have serious side effects. Second, seizures in as many as one-third of patients cannot be controlled using currently available AEDs. Studies on solid-state chemistry (including its chiral aspects) are necessary for further improvement in pharmaceutics of AEDs. Methsuximide and phensuximide are two FDA-approved AEDs, and the racemic forms of them were introduced to the market more than 50 years ago. The enantiopure forms of these drugs have never been studied. To obtain the enantiopure forms of these AEDs, chiral HPLC is the best separation method. From preliminary data and studies, polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phases (CSPs) are suitable for columns used for the separation of N-substituted cyclic imides. In this study, Chiralcel OJ-H, Chiralcel OD-RH, Chiralpak AD-RH, and Chiralpak AS-RH were used as stationary phases. Various mobile phase-stationary phase combinations were tested to achieve the optimal separation of each compound. The ideal analytical scale separation methods for methsuximide, phensuximide, MPPD (the active metabolites of methsuximide), and PPD (the active metabolites of phensuximide) were developed. A semi-preparative scale separation of methsuximide and phensuximide was also achieved. The best void volume marker for each column was determined. Void volume for each column was calculated, and the effectiveness of several void volume markers was discussed
Fulfilling the Paperless Promise: A Means to Reduce Environmental Impact and Covid-19 Risk
No full textTo become more environmentally responsible universities need to drastically reduce, or eliminate, paper in undergraduate classrooms. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine the user perceptions regarding the environmental benefits and issues surrounding the paperless classroom. This mixed methods study, conducted at a university in southeast Texas, utilized a survey to determine overall environmental concern scores for each subject based on a five point Likert scale. Subjects for the qualitative portion were selected and grouped by age and environmental concern average score with these qualitative results then being analyzed to establish common themes. It was found that there was a generally positive attitude toward the paperless classroom specifically, and reducing paper use in many areas of life in general. While there was strong agreement found in reducing paper to help the environment, an overall lack of environmental impact awareness education was present in all the subjects. A digital fluency model was found to be a more accurate method to determine individual technological affinity, as opposed to dichotic segregation by age alone
Third Through Fifth Grade English Language Arts and Reading Teacher Perceptions of the Five Dimensions of Professional Learning Communities and the Impact on Reading Achievement
Full text linkThe purpose of this mixed-methods case study was to examine the relationship between third through fifth grade English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) teachers' perceptions of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and student reading achievement. This study included data collected from the Professional Learning Communities Survey-Revised from a purposeful sample of 35 ELAR teachers from a mid-sized suburban school district. A convenience sample of nine ELAR teachers were also interviewed in an attempt to provide a more in-depth understanding of the potential influence of teacher perceptions of PLCs on student reading achievement. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, and Pearson's product moment correlations (r), while an inductive coding process was used to analyze the collected qualitative data. The quantitative analysis found no significant relationship between teachers' perceptions of PLCs and reading achievement; however, survey responses indicated an overall positive perception of PLCs. The qualitative analysis yielded mixed results; some participants believed there was a positive relationship between PLCs and reading achievement, while other expressed differing opinions
Foreigners are Taking Our Land: The Price of Large-Scale Land Acquisition in Ghana
Full text linkWith approximately 80% of Ghana’s land falling under customary land tenure, how then are multinational corporations able to buy mass amounts of land that are collectively owned by different communities? This study seeks to address the ways in which the Ghanaian government appropriates customary land tenure in the context of Large-Scale Land Acquisitions for private or foreign investors. Additionally, how do mining-induced communities become deprived of their rights when it comes to LSLAs done on customary land holdings? Using multiple case studies, this study provides a historical overview of colonial land laws and examines how earlier colonial legislation continued to shape contemporary land governance and policy. It analyzes the intersections between the Mineral and Mining, (Act 703), customary land tenure systems, and current land policies to reveal structural weaknesses that enable exploitation. Finally, the study offers recommendations to promote fair and just land transactions, particularly protecting mining-affected communities, women, and smallholder farmers. The study focuses specifically on how mining-induced communities are deprived of their land rights during these transactions, despite the customary protections traditionally associated with customary land holdings
An Audit Tool to Evaluate Employee Performance of Low-stress Handling in a Texas Animal Shelter
Full text linkLow-stress handling increases animal well-being, but few animal shelters train shelter staff to use these skills. One large municipal animal shelter in Texas deployed a training program with this approach, producing an animal care team with the knowledge and skills to assess and modify animal behavior. This study is the first phase of testing the effectiveness of the program using a dog handling audit. The dog handling audit is a performance assessment instrument created to assess employee use of the skills taught in the training program during standard daily dog handling tasks. The structure of the audit follows the principles in the training class, through which employees are taught information and procedures required for low-stress handling and given opportunities to practice the mechanical skills of implementing the procedures with coaching from experienced team members. Observations during on-the-job tasks examined whether employees are applying what they learned directly to their daily work, which involves handling dogs repeatedly. This study encompasses audit development, training of supervisors to administer the audit, and establishing audit reliability for use in ongoing employee performance evaluations. Regular audits will also allow continual assessment of the training program to ensure employees are learning the information and skills they need to use low-stress handling procedures for the benefit of the animals. Shelter managers and supervisors participated with the researcher in adapting the tool over the development period and in establishing inter-rater reliability. Overall, the audit was found to have adequate reliability to provide fair and useful employee assessments
What Drives Successful School District Tax Rate Elections?: Insights from Superintendents and Election Data
Full text linkAs Texas school districts face escalating operational costs and stagnant state funding, Voter-Approval Tax Rate Elections (VATREs) have become a vital mechanism for securing local revenue and maximizing state contributions. However, outcomes vary, prompting district leaders to seek strategies for success. This study examines the electoral, political, and community factors influencing VATRE outcomes, integrating quantitative election data with qualitative insights from superintendents who have firsthand experience leading VATRE campaigns.
This mixed-methods study analyzed 182 Texas VATREs held between November 2020 and November 2024. The quantitative analysis employed chi-square tests of independence and binary logistic regression to examine election timing, voter turnout, demographics, board support, and election outcomes. The qualitative component involved semi-structured interviews with eight superintendents, analyzed using an inductive coding process.
Findings revealed that election timing is the most critical factor in successful VATREs, with off-cycle elections passing at higher rates (86.1%) compared to on-cycle elections (42.7%). Lower voter turnout was also associated with higher approval rates, suggesting that focused, engaged stakeholders, rather than broad voter participation, drive VATRE outcomes. Contrary to prior research, income, education levels, and political partisanship did not significantly influence passage rates. Additionally, while school board support was often seen as beneficial, statistical analysis revealed no significant relationship with voter approval, highlighting the greater impact of external voter engagement efforts.
Superintendents emphasized clear communication, voter education, and social media engagement as key strategies to secure community support and counter misinformation. VATREs were framed not just as tax increases but as long-term financial investments to retain local tax dollars and maximize state funding. These findings underscore the urgent need for legislative reforms, including increased state funding, clearer ballot language, and policies that support local control over tax adoption while ensuring fair school funding.
For district leaders, this research provides practical, data-driven insights into VATRE success, emphasizing proactive leadership, targeted voter engagement, and strategic election planning in politically charged environments. Ultimately, these findings provide a clear roadmap for fostering informed voter participation, enhancing VATRE success, and securing sustainable funding to strengthen the financial stability of public schools
Exploring Attributions of Student Behavior and Intervention Preferences of Teachers by School Level
Full text linkThis mixed methods study explored how teacher attributions for student behavior influence their intervention preferences for how they respond to perceived misbehavior. Grounded in Attribution Theory, the study examined which dimension (blame & intentionality, internal/external, and stability) teachers are more likely to view student behavior through and how those impact their choices between exclusionary or supportive interventions. Quantitative data were collected using the Teacher Attributions for Student Behavior Measure (TASBM) with teachers across all school levels: elementary (grades preK-5), intermediate (grades 6-8), and high school (grades 9-12). Significant differences in attribution scores were found by school level, with intermediate teachers scoring higher than elementary. Results also indicated a moderate positive correlation between TASBM and Unsupportive Intervention scores and a weak negative correlation between TASBM and Supportive Intervention scores. These results were consistent across school levels. Qualitative data were collected through responses from open-ended questions on the TASBM survey and interviews with teachers at various school levels, as well as a range of TASBM scores. The consistent themes that emerged included (a) support from the office, (b) supportive intervention strategies, (c) the why behind the behavior, and (d) parent involvement/home life. The findings suggest that professional development focused on attribution and structured reflection can help educators recognize implicit biases and better understand the roots of student behavior in an effort to promote equity through more supportive interventions