This convergent, parallel, mixed-methods study with qualitative and quantitative content analysis methods was conducted to identify what type of thinking is required by the College and Career Readiness Assessment (CCRA+) by (a) determining the frequency and percentage of questions categorized as higher-level thinking within each cell of Hess'…

The United States' Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) businesses must be innovative to remain competitive in today's global forum (Authenrieth et al., 2018; Autenrieth et al., 2018; Genareo et al., 2016; Watters & Diezmann, 2013). New business employees must enter the workplace knowing the practical application of a 21st…

This research project investigated teacher perceptions, understanding, and instructional practices in one local school district in Louisiana through the lens of the WorkKeys assessment as an indicator of career readiness. Within the school district, 40 secondary teachers in the subject areas of English, mathematics, and science completed a…

This study analyzed the strengths and areas for improvement in the resources and support provided to college access practitioners serving in urban charter and public-school communities. Prior research has examined the impact that college and career readiness resources and support have on students' postsecondary preparation and success. Limited…

As college graduates transition to practice in their chosen professions, research findings have indicated that SDLR is foundational to continual learning on the job. The Self-directed Learning Readiness Scale for Nursing Education (SDLRSNE) was the basis of this quantitative correlational study. Graduates from accelerated, blended media arts…

Once deaf and hearing-impaired students with cochlear implants were exposed to sound, their parents began exploring oral education in the regular classroom setting. Limited research has explored the preparedness of teachers to teach DHH students. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore eight kindergartens through grade 6 (K-6)…

Over the course of several years, universities have noticed a trend that is affecting enrollment at their institution. Students want to make sure that wherever they chose to go to college they will have the best possible outcomes upon graduation. To ensure that students are well prepared, some universities have established professional readiness…

School principals are responsible for improving low College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores; however, little was understood about how K-12 school principals' leadership practices were perceived to improve CCRPI scores in schools. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine the leadership practices of K-12 school…

The topic of emotional intelligence has garnered much attention from professionals in the business field as a crucial skill for employees to differentiate themselves in an increasingly automated environment. The ability to demonstrate leadership skills and collaborate effectively with others is essential, especially for new professionals. However,…

This qualitative study examined the career readiness practices of high schools in one rural school district. Specifically, the researcher investigated how school counselors spent their time, the role of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) in the career readiness practices of the district, and how leaders influence the school…

This study aimed to investigate the relationships, if any, between Ready to Graduate indicator, average ACT scores, chronic absenteeism rates, and school counselor to student ratios in Tennessee's four urban counties surrounding Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville, Tennessee. Only eight of Tennessee's 95 counties have a population that…

The problem addressed in this study was the ineffectiveness of federally implemented college and career readiness programs to ensure that at-risk African American male students are adequately prepared for academic and career success. Academic performance for at-risk African American males in high schools is significantly lower than their peers. In…

Purpose: The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to determine the degree of relationship between school protective factors, student internal assets, and College and Career Readiness Indicator outcomes. The population for this study included comprehensive, public high schools across California, including only schools that…

Teacher recruitment and retention consistently emerge as problematic in research and practice. This is particularly true in difficult to staff areas, such as rural school districts in the United States. As the teacher pipeline continues to decrease and various challenges continue to plague the field, this problem will quickly turn into a crisis.…

The purpose of this capstone project was to study the student-athlete experience, including post-sport life. Participants were invited to engage in the research study so long as they met the following requirements: must be between ages 21-31, male or female, played a NCAA Division I sport for all four years of college and no longer have athletic…