High-quality work-based learning opportunities enable students to develop necessary skills and contribute to positive employment outcomes. State leaders are recognizing the value of work-based learning experiences -- not only for individuals but in service of state attainment and workforce development goals. As leaders recognize the value,…

In this paper, I introduce a new term to the online learning lexicon, "mesocredentials," an emerging and transformative approach to integrating massive open online courses (MOOCs) within the higher education system. A mesocredential connects MOOC achievement with academic credit applied to a traditional academic degree. I distinguish…

In 1906, the Carnegie unit, or credit hour, was introduced to standardize U.S. public education. It defined the precise number of minutes students needed to learn a particular subject and the number of credit hours required to earn a high school or college degree. At the dawn of the 20th century, the Carnegie unit served the important purpose of…

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of interdependent and independent group contingencies on pre-service teachers' performance on class quizzes that reflected their knowledge of evidence-based practices for students with extensive support needs. In the interdependent condition, the course instructor awarded extra credit…

Due to increased industry demands for specialized experience, students and sport industry professionals alike often feel stifled during the job search process. As a result, practices have been absorbed into the curriculum to provide this link to future employability, with a distinct focus on internships. Therefore, if we seek to create a diverse…

This dissertation describes the impact of a new blended virtual program on a school district. The dissertation focuses on the 2021-22 school year, when the school district initiated a blended virtual program to help educate students. The research compared credits earned and not earned by students in grades 9-12 who participated in the blended…

Academic entitlement formation will have adverse effects on both students and instructors, influence the teaching effectiveness and the learning experience, and threaten academic integrity and quality. Thus, it is crucial to know not only what factors may facilitate the development of academic entitlement, but also what strategies can be used to…

Degree attainment is a shared goal of college students, higher education institutions, and the larger society, as graduates have lower rates of unemployment, higher rates of civic engagement, pay higher taxes, and are able to better prepare future generations for academic success as compared to their counterparts (Museus et al., 2008).…

Public perception of agriculture represents a significant barrier in preparing people to enter the agricultural sector because careers in agriculture are outdated, low paying, or less desirable. However, emphasis on science has been shown to attract students to school-based agricultural education (SBAE) programs. Research has shown that offering…

M-DCPS had 21,354 graduates in the 2022-2023 academic year. Ninety two percent of students achieved a standard diploma (24 credits). Some students opted for an international curriculum pathway, with 846 (4%) attaining an Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) diploma, and 436 (2%) obtaining an International Baccalaureate (IB)…

This study aims to examine whether recent educational attempts to prepare students for the future can open up the future, using South Korea's 'high school credit system' as an example. To provide differentiated instruction that recognizes differences and maximizes students' potential, the Korean government recently launched a 'high school credit…

Speech-language pathologists often report a lack of preparedness to provide augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services, suggesting the need for improved graduate level training. Recent studies of AAC coursework offerings found 86% to 88% of programs offered AAC coursework, but these studies relied on survey methods with limited…

There is increasing interest around the use of microcredentials for upskilling, employability, professional development, and reaching a wide range of learners. However, little discussion exists around the use of microcredentials to contribute towards broader qualifications and accreditation. This paper investigates the use of a series of…

An increasing percentage of students entering postsecondary institutions are working at least part-time and balancing multiple identities, responsibilities, and demands on their time and resources. As student demographics change, postsecondary institutions must rise to meet these students where they are. Two effective ways to do that include…

Police officers are front-line mental health responders who make daily decisions regarding persons with mental illness. However, little is known about what mental health training (MHT) states require from their future police officers. This study aims to evaluate the emphasis placed on MHT for police recruits across the United States. Specifically,…