Research

At Ad Astra Research Institute, we are dedicated to maximizing college and career success for PreK-12th grade students by investigating the process of transition. Our team of experts conducts research and develops programs that equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed academically and professionally beyond high school.

Research Projects

IN PROGRESS

Home to School Transition Study

Status: In Progress

Focus: Home to School Transition Study

Site: U.S. Midwest

Principal Investigators: Radhi Al-Mabuk, Ph.D., Patricia Hughes, Ed.D, Cengiz Karatas

Partners: TBA

Description: Our research team is interested in transitions made by students, i.e. those made from home to school, those made during the K-12 educational years, and those made after graduation. We believe that students who make transitions successfully are those who also succeed in schooling as a whole and post-graduation as well.

JUNE 2021 - JUNE 2022

A one-year project revealing the best practices of the pilot school's kindergarten classes

Status: Data collected in Fall 2021 and Spring 2022

Focus: A one-year project revealing the best practices of the pilot school`s kindergarten classes.

Site: Horizon Science Academy Columbus Primary

Principal Investigators: Radhi Al-Mabuk, Ph.D., Patricia Hughes, Ed.D, Cengiz Karatas

Partners: Horizon Science Academy Columbus Primary

Description: The purpose of this research is to reveal the best practices of the pilot school`s kindergarten classes.

MARCH 2019/20/21/22 - JUNE 2019/20/21/22

High School Seniors’ Educational & Career Plans and Their Self-Assessed Preparation

Status: Data Collected Each Spring

Focus: 12th graders’ plans and perceived preparation for the transition from high school to college or to work

Site: U.S. Midwest

Principal Investigators: John Klatt, Ph.D. & Roberta Gentry, Ph.D.

Partners: 12 Public High Schools in the Mid-west.

Description: This data collection examined students’ educational and career plans for after high school graduation as well as their perceived preparation for the transition. Data were used to examine overall trends and to identify areas for program development within the high schools the students attend.

Counseling session with a student sitting in the background and a councelor who is taking notes and not visible in the picture.

FEB 2020 - FEB 2021

School Counselors’ Conceptions of Transition

Status: Finalized

Focus: School Counselors' conceptions of transition from high school to college or to work

Site: U.S. Midwest

Principal Investigators: Radhi H. Al-Mabuk & Cengiz Karatas

Partners: 9 Midwest Public High Schools

Description: This study examined school counselors’ conceptions of transition from high school to college or to work. The general focus of this investigation was threefold: to find out what school counselors do, how they do it and why. More specifically, the study aimed at finding out school counselors’ perceptions and definitions of transition from high school to either college or to the world of work. The study was based on the premise that the way school counselors perceive, think about, and define the process of transition from high school shape how they prepare students for the transition.

MARCH 2021 - JUNE 2021

Program Evaluations 2020-2021

Status: Finalized

Focus: 2020-2021 Evaluations of Future Leaders Initiatives (FLI) and Future Legacies Programs

Site: U.S. Midwest

Principal Investigators: Mabel C. Okojie, Ph.D. & Hou Chun Kuong, Ed.D.

Partners: Future Institute

Description: The evaluation of the Future Leaders Initiatives (FLI) and Future Legacies (FL) programs is to assess the perception of the students toward the programs. Structured and unstructured questionnaires, including interviews, were used to collect data from the participants (students). The findings revealed that FLI and FL students had favorable perceptions of the programs. The results also indicated that both FLI and FL students believed that the programs prepared them for future leadership roles, allowed them to explore career options, and created opportunities to acquire job skills. The parents of the students in the FL program also participated in the evaluation by completing an online questionnaire. They (parents) acknowledged that the FL program improved their children’s life chances and career opportunities. The evaluation has been finalized, and the evaluators have prepared and presented reports for the stakeholders.