Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Strategic Research Project (SRP) Capstone Topic and Problem Approval Form Course: ESRP 9000—Strategic Research project I This is an approval form, not a manuscript. APA manuscript formatting (double spacing,
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Strategic Research Project (SRP)
Capstone Topic and Problem Approval Form
Course: ESRP 9000—Strategic Research project I
This is an approval form, not a manuscript. APA manuscript formatting (double spacing, headings, layout) is not required. However, in-text citations and references must follow APA 7th edition. Writing must reflect doctoral-level clarity and professionalism.
Student Information
Name: ______________________________________________
Ed.D. Concentration: Special Education
Interdisciplinary Theme (select one from list below): ______________________
Interdisciplinary Themes
1. Innovative Practices in Teaching, Learning, and Training: Incorporates pedagogical methods, instructional design, and professional training innovations across various contexts.
2. Assessment, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement: Encompasses evaluation, assessment systems, quality assurance, and continuous improvement methodologies.
3. Strategic Leadership and Organizational Change: Covers strategic planning, leadership styles, organizational transformation, and change management processes.
4. Technology Integration and Digital Innovation: Includes topics on educational technology, digital tools, virtual platforms, and emerging technologies.
5. Professional Development and Talent Management: Focuses on talent development, professional coaching, mentorship strategies, and human capital improvement.
6. Policy Development and Implementation: Emphasizes understanding, creating, and strategically implementing policies within organizational contexts.
7. Community Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Addresses strategies for effectively engaging and collaborating with community members, stakeholders, and external partners.
8. Crisis Management and Strategic Preparedness: Involves planning, managing, and strategically preparing organizations for potential crises or disruptive events.
9. Organizational Effectiveness and Performance Improvement: Examines methodologies for enhancing organizational effectiveness, analytics-driven decision-making, and performance optimization.
10. Global Trends and Internationalization: Explores how global trends, international practices, and cross-cultural competencies impact professional settings and strategic decisions.
11. Other (with instructor approval). If your suggested theme is not included here, please contact your faculty member.
Proposed Project Title (12 words or fewer)
Problem/Opportunity Statement (1 paragraph)
Rationale for Topic Selection (1–2 paragraphs)
Alignment to Concentration and Theme (1 paragraph)
Preliminary References (minimum of 2, APA 7th edition format, last 5-7 years)
Instructor Feedback & Approval☐ Approved ☐ Revise & Resubmit
Instructor Name: __________________________ Date: ____________
Signature/Initials: __________________________
Your school's lack of accessible facilities falls primarily under Theme 6: Policy Development and Implementation and secondarily under Theme 2: Assessment, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement.
· Theme 6: Policy Development and Implementation (Best Fit)
o Legal & Regulatory Compliance: Physical accessibility is governed by institutional, local, and federal policies (such as the Americans with Disabilities Act / ADA and Section 504).
o Institutional Policy: Addressing missing ramps, elevators, and accessible parking requires evaluating policy compliance, creating actionable accessibility guidelines, and implementing infrastructure changes at an organizational level.
· Theme 2: Assessment, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement (Secondary Fit)
o Evaluation & Audits: Identifying structural deficits—such as inaccessible PE fields or multi-story access barriers—falls under facility evaluations, compliance audits, and equity assessments.
o Continuous Improvement: Upgrading school physical plant infrastructure to ensure equitable access is a core part of an ongoing institutional improvement plan.
· Theme 3: Strategic Leadership and Organizational Change (Alternative Context)
o If the focus is on securing capital funding, resource allocation, or managing the organizational shift required to prioritize accessibility upgrades, strategic leadership and planning play a direct role.
