Journal of Multidisciplinary Graduate Research Volume 3

Volume 3, Issue 1

Exploring Positive Psychology, Cultural, and Family Predictors of Latina/o Students’ Psychological Grit

Yvette Hinojosa, Ming-Tsan P. Lu, and Javier Cavazos Vela
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

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Exploring Positive Psychology, Cultural, and Family Predictors of Latina/o Students’ Psychological Grit

A positive psychology, cultural, and family framework is useful to understand Latina/o college students’ psychological grit. In the current study, we examined how presence of meaning in life, hope, gratitude, enculturation, and family importance influenced Mexican American students’ grit. Using a multiple regression analysis, we found that hope predicted and accounted for 21% of the variance in psychological grit. A discussion regarding the importance of these findings and recommendations for future research and practice are provided.

Key words: Positive Psychology, Mexican American students, psychological grit

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Effective Transition to College: Perspectives from Transition Specialists

Mariya Davis and Diane Myers
Texas Woman’s University

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Effective Transition to College: Perspectives from Transition Specialists

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. Students with ASD face unique challenges in accessing postsecondary education (PSE). The increasing number of students with ASD entering PSE necessitates the identification of evidence-based transition practices to support these students. Given the limited literature base, researchers gathered data from the perspective of two transition specialists, district-level transition experts. Findings from this case study indicated the need to explicitly teach transition skills, provide early support to teachers and students, and encourage collaborative programs that include family engagement.

Key words: autism spectrum disorders, transition, postsecondary education

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An Evaluation of Teachers’ Acquisition of and Preference for Stimulus Preference Assessments

Alyxandria Miskell and Kristina K. Vargo
Sam Houston State University

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Professional Development and Effective Technology Integration

Stimulus preference assessments (SPAs) are objective methods of identifying items or activities that might serve as reinforcers for students. In this study, three teachers were individually taught to conduct four SPAs using behavioral skills training to evaluate whether differential rates of mastery resulted. All teachers learned to implement each SPA correctly and maintained the skills during post training.

Key words: applied behavior analysis, concurrent-chains arrangement, stimulus preferences, teacher training, assessments

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Professional Development and Effective Technology Integration

Michelle Norton and Casey Creghan
Sam Houston State University

Kathleen Adair Creghan
Columbus Independent School District

Robert Maninger
Sam Houston State University

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Professional Development and Effective Technology Integration

Technology drives our society and plays a crucial role in classrooms today. Technology is being purchased and put into classrooms at an alarming rate. While the impact on learning has not reached its potential; educators need to explore how we go about integrating technology so that it positively impacts educational processes and learning outcomes. This research study explored both teacher and administrator perceptions of technology integration and professional development with the intent of finding ways administrators can support teachers with integrating technology in the classroom in order to impact learning.

Key words: professional development, technology, classrooms

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