Defense of the Research Project!

Author: Claire Lindley | Major: English Education | Semester: Spring 2024

My name is Claire Lindley, and I am a graduating senior from the College of Education

and Health Professionals. My major is in English Education, and I will be graduating with two

minors: English and Rhetoric & Writing Studies! During this past year (since Summer 2023), I

have been working to conduct research and write my honors project, which is entitled Mandated

Reporting in Arkansas Public Education.

My mentor for this project was Dr. Angela Elsass, an Associate Professor of Teaching for

the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Funding for this project was restricted to the

Spring 2024 semester, though the work and time put into it stretched from Summer 2023 to April

10, 2024. I first chose the topic late in the Spring 2023 semester. At the time, I was the Director

of Philanthropy for my sorority, Kappa Delta. Through this role, I was able to visit and work

with the Child Safety Center (CSC). I was in constant contact with them regarding fundraising

and educational opportunities. Because I was already putting so much time and effort into the

CSC, I knew that I wanted my honors thesis to tie into this as well. I needed something that

connected the work that was being conducted at the CSC to my major. Therefore, I thought of

educators and their role as mandated reporters. I began to wonder if all educators do as they are

supposed to when faced with a suspected case with child maltreatment, or if there is cause for

hesitation prior to making an official report. A trusted professor of mine heard my idea, then

recommended that I email Dr. Elsass. In the Summer of 2023, I began to work with Dr. Elsass to

research and investigate this question further. We found, of course, that there are many reasons

why an educator would hesitate to make a report of child maltreatment when reasonable

suspicion is present. Six themes arose throughout current literature that explain and contribute to

this hesitation. This then led to the question of whether or not these themes are present in

Arkansas, and if so, what could be done to eliminate this hesitation? By the end of the project, I

was able to create recommendations for each theme within Arkansas public schools.

The process began with printing research articles, pieces of legislation, legal definitions,

etc. I compiled all my research into a binder and slowly read through all of it. Sorting through the

plethora of research and information was by far the most difficult part of the process. There was

almost too much information, and deciding what was necessary to include proved to be

challenging. Luckily, this part of the project was conducted during the summer, when I had no

other classes to attend and a large amount of time to sort through the research. One of my best

friends was also conducting research for her honors project at the same time, so many days

consisted of us sitting in Mullins Library together with iced coffees and piles of research. I

learned the importance of a strong support system and strict time management during this time.

By the time the fall semester started, all of the research had been sorted through and I had a

rough outline of my Review of Literature.

Throughout this past school year, Dr. Elsass and I met occasionally to discuss my

progress and next steps. Together, we ensured that the IRB proposal was up-to-standard and

submitted on time. We applied for grants and sent out surveys. The majority of the writing I did

on my own, and Dr. Elsass reviewed and edited as we drew nearer to the defense date. The final

project ended up being 91 pages in length, and I defended on April 10, 2024!

Though my major is in education, and I have loved every minute of my internship and

observations, this project has shown me that my biggest passions lie elsewhere. Therefore, in the

Fall 2024 semester, I will be at the University of Oklahoma College of Law! The goal is that I

will one day be able to advocate for abused children and work for a nonprofit like the CSC. This

project showed me my true passions and dreams in life, and I am forever thankful for the Honors

program at the University of Arkansas!