Writing & Research
This page contains selected longer-form writing and research related to education policy, school discipline, and student behavior. Shorter versions of some essays may appear elsewhere; full working versions are hosted here for transparency and documentation.
Featured Essay
Order, Opportunity, and Consequences: What Urban Crime Policy and School Discipline Have in Common
This essay examines how principles from criminology—particularly deterrence theory and order maintenance — apply to school discipline and classroom management. Drawing on historical crime trends, contemporary policy contrasts, and education research, it argues that consistent enforcement of minor rules is a necessary precondition for effective learning environments.
The paper connects:
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Academic Research
Determination of the Relationship Between Students’ Perceived Value of Education and High School Dropout Rates in an East Tennessee High School
Doctoral Dissertation (EdD, 2014)
This mixed-methods study examined whether students’ perceived value of education influenced their decision to drop out of high school in a rural East Tennessee school district. Using surveys, interviews, and statistical analysis, the research found that students who returned to formal education generally did perceive value in education, suggesting that other structural and socioeconomic factors played a more significant role in dropout decisions.
Full dissertation
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Notes on Methodology and Disclosure
Longer-form work hosted on this site includes full citations and methodological detail that may not appear in shorter, edited versions published elsewhere. Where applicable, AI-based writing tools were used for drafting, organization, and citation support; all arguments, interpretations, and conclusions reflect the author’s views.