McKinney Scholars Program Archives - The Graduate School’s Student Success program

9:00-9:20	Jasmine Evans Presentation Time: 9:00-9:20 Home University: Bennett College Research Mentor: Ann Sam, Jessica Steinbrenner, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute Program: McKinney Scholars Program Research Title: Self determination in early Childhood Abstract During this presentation, I will share information on self-determination in early childhood. Self-determination is a way that provides support to individuals so they can have the ability to learn, grow, and much more. There are several aspects of becoming self-determined: choice-making, decision-making, goal setting, problem-solving, planning, self-management, and self-advocacy. Throughout my presentation, I will be speaking about the self-determination Learning Model of Support (SDLMS). The self-determination learning model of support guides children towards independence by helping them set a goal, take action, and adjusting to that specific goal. In addition, I will be providing a case study example from my life. It will illustrate what self-determination can look like to help children with or without a disability. I will share an interview with my parents that I conducted. In this interview, they spoke about everything I experienced in the early stages of my life related to self-determination, from my challenges to my success. In conclusion, self-determination can be essential for children with or without a disability. Self-determination skills enable individuals to assume greater responsibility and control. Moreover, when people with disabilities take responsibility for planning and decision-making, others change their views and expectations. The reason why I choose this project was that I could make a connection.	Self determination in early Childhood	McKinney Scholars Program
9:25-9:45	Caryn Fletcher Presentation Time: 9:25-9:45 Home University: Fayetteville State University Research Mentor: Christina Kasprzak and Thomas McGhee, Technical Assistance Program: McKinney Scholars Program Research Title: How can we Educate, Empower and Connect Families about their Rights within the Individualized Education Plan ( IEP) My research project is focused on finding ways to educate, empower and connect families about knowing their rights within the IEP process. I had the opportunity to interview five individuals within the education arena: a teacher, administrator, provider, parent, and lastly, a student. I interviewed them to see the different issues they are facing and how we can improve communication within the IEP process. There was one common thread throughout all my interviews: the process and their rights are not explained with a clear understanding. Throughout my presentation, I will provide recommendations that will help improve the issues so that we can start closing the gap of families not understanding the rights.	How can we Educate, Empower and Connect Families about their Rights within the Individualized Education Plan ( IEP)	McKinney Scholars Program
9:50-10:10	Paula Mason Presentation Time: 9:50-10:10 Home University: North Carolina Central University Research Mentor: Julie Austen, Ariel Everett, FPG Child Development Institute, Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center Program: McKinney Scholars Program Research Title: It Takes a Village - The Exploration of Education and the Socioecological Model This presentation focuses on various aspects of a child’s life that impact their educational views and experience. However, all the aspects can be categorized into four sections — individual, relationships, community, and societal — using The Socioecological Model. The purpose of this project is to explore those factors using multiple approaches, such as: interviews with community leaders, brief literature review, reviewing data, and conducting a windshield survey of a local school. I have discovered that factors that occur outside of the classroom can have a bigger impact than factors that occur inside of the classroom; this is why it takes a village.	It Takes a Village - The Exploration of Education and the Socioecological Model	McKinney Scholars Program
10:15-10:35	Jarvis I Blanding Presentation Time: 10:15-10:35 Home University: North Carolina Central University Research Mentor: Iheoma Iruka, Leslie deRosset, Equity Research Action Coalition Program: McKinney Scholars Program Research Title: Equitable Policies That Positively Impact Black Families and Children Prenatal-to-3 COVID-19 and the racial reckoning over the last 24 months has brought attention to structural racism and system inequities faced by Black people in the United States. Black children and families’ optimal development are being threatened on a daily basis, visible with the racial disparities in health, income, and education. The objective of this presentation is to examine policies that support the health and development of Black children and families, especially mothers and their babies. Through the lens of social determinants of health and racial disparities, this presentation will connect the complex factors that link race, social context, and policy. This presentation identifies prenatal-to-3 policies that demonstrate effectiveness at creating the conditions in which Black families and their children can thrive. This presentation will highlight the following policies: Prenatal Health and Emotional Well Being, Healthy and Equitable Births, Sufficient Household Resources, Nurturing and Responsive Child-Parent Relationships, and Nurturing and Responsive Child Care in Safe Setting. This presentation will illuminate some of the disparities that effective policies are seeking to mitigate to ensure a healthy future for Black families and children.	Equitable Policies That Positively Impact Black Families and Children Prenatal-to-3	McKinney Scholars Program

SUP Program: McKinney Scholars Program