Previous research has demonstrated initiation of alcohol during adolescence has a negative effect on both school attendance and missed instruction due to behavior. Utilizing longitudinal data comprised of primarily Black American youth between ages 11 and 18 (N = 931), both the short-term and long-term effects of alcohol initiation were analyzed…

Background: Previous research has shown that post-secondary collegiate vocational educational programs often have positive effects on employment outcomes for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Aims: Using secondary data of a program in the United States collected over several years, we examined which intervention…

Asthma is the most common chronic condition in children under 18. In Alabama, 11% of children report a diagnosis of asthma compared to the United States with 9.5%. Childhood asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism due to a chronic disease, and Alabama children with asthma miss approximately 10 days of school each year for uncontrolled…

Numerous studies have contributed to the theoretical, empirical, and practical understanding of teacher empathy, but few have captured the voices of middle school students to understand their lived experiences; no studies have explored the topic in Christian academies. Grounded in Rogers' theory of self and subsequent theories about…

Purpose: To determine the influence of an elementary methods course and early field experience on eight preservice teachers' (PTs') value orientations. Method: The theoretical perspective employed was occupational socialization. Data were collected with the short form of the value orientation inventory and five qualitative techniques (formal and…

Purpose: This study examined and deconstructed socialization experiences relative to the educative teacher performance assessment (edTPA) process of preservice teachers during their physical education (PE) teacher education program and induction year as a PE teacher. Method: Utilizing a multiple case study design, two PE teachers were purposefully…

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the Health Eating Active Living (HEAL) United Curriculum and how HEAL United is leveraging their advocacy efforts to help K-12 students in Alabama live healthier lives.

Diabetes self-management education and support enhance self-efficacy and promote self-management behaviors essential for diabetes management. We investigated the mediating effect of self-efficacy on the association between diabetes education or care coordination and self-care activities. We surveyed a population-based sample of adults with type 2…

This study aimed at averting challenges of overweight and obesity among African Americans in rural Alabama. Focus group discussions and surveys were used to design a 12-week nutrition education and physical activity program. Results showed a significant improvement (p<0.05) in participants' knowledge scores. Values for systolic blood pressure…

Children living in rural areas are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder later than their non-rural counterparts. In rural areas, caregivers have limited access to ASD information and services. Caregivers play a central role in early diagnosis and intervention, only when they have current knowledge about early ASD symptoms. The purpose of this…

The aim of this manuscript is to provide PHETE program coordinators/faculty with recommendations for improving CTs ability to better support TCs during the physical and health education edTPA process. The authors will provide specific examples of how they used their own empirical research findings to improve edTPA success within their respective…

Purpose: Psychometrically sound parenting instruments are a critical aid in guiding clinical assessments of adolescent behavioral outcomes, particularly among clinical samples of adolescents. However, there is a paucity of research on these parenting instruments among adolescents with histories of substance use disorders (SUDs) who represent a…

Higher education today is no longer what it once was. Once upon a time, students only had the option to attend classes in person. The first shift from this format happened when students began taking classes through correspondence, where materials were physically mailed out. Later, as technology increased, a new format led to students being able to…

Athens State University is an upper-division university that serves junior and senior undergraduate students, as well as graduate students. 100% of the students enrolled transfer from another institution. The sustainability of ASU requires policies and procedures that make the transfer process seamless and foster student success. As funding for…

At Athens State University, every student is a transfer student. As an institution that enrolls mostly non-traditional students, faculty and instructional designers understand the importance of accommodating the unique instructional needs of each student in order for them to have a seamless transition into the environment of an upper-level…