Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration Commons^™

What Complicates Or Enables Teachers’ Enactment Of Leadership, Jill Bradley-Levine 8881892

The Qualitative Report

This article presents findings from a case study that describes the ways that four teachers pursuing their master’s degree in teacher leadership engaged in leadership activities in their schools. In order to explore this purpose, this study examines two research questions: (1) How do teachers enact leadership in their schools and (2) What complicates or enables teachers’ leadership activity? Findings indicate that the norms of the teaching profession including equality and privacy affect teachers’ enactment of leadership in their schools. Teacher leaders limit their work based on their knowledge of these norms, their past experiences engaging in leadership, and ...

Trust Formation When Youth And Adults Partner To Lead School Reform: A Case Study Of Supportive Structures And Challenges, Catharine Biddle

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

This study examines the beliefs and practices that support and undermine trust formation in school leadership efforts that invite students into discussions of continuous improvement. Through a case study of a youth-adult partnership initiative, the study finds that trust between youth and adults was supported by having a shared, accessible language for discussing teaching and learning, opportunities for strengths-based dialogue around school practices, and regular opportunities to meet. However, there was also a perception gap between youth and adults around how well group members fulfilled their roles in the actual data collection process, causing conflict and undermining the long-term stability ...

Teachers' Perceptions Of School Climate In High Performing Schools And Low Performing Schools, Briget Ethier

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal comparative research study was to determine if there was a significant difference in teachers’ perceptions of school climate between high performing schools and low performing schools. The study investigated teachers’ perceptions of overall school climate, collaboration, decision-making, instructional innovation, student relations, and school resources. Data was collected from 75 teachers in three high performing schools and 75 teachers in three low performing schools from one school district. The Revised School Level Environment Questionnaire (Revised SLEQ) was the instrument utilized in the study to measure teachers’ perceptions of overall school climate in addition to the ...

Predicting Teacher Value-Added Results In Non-Tested Subjects Based On Confounding Variables: A Multinomial Logistic Regression, Nathan Street

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teacher value-added measures (VAM) are designed to provide information regarding teachers’ causal impact on the academic growth of students while controlling for exogenous variables. While some researchers contend VAMs successfully and authentically measure teacher causality on learning, others suggest VAMs cannot adequately control for exogenous influences on the classroom. Furthermore, because VAMs are primarily connected to student performance on standardized, high-stakes exams and those exams are resoundingly considered to be inadequate measures of true student learning, educators and educational leaders assert VAM results are moot. The purpose of this study was to consider the potential for student background, teacher preparation ...

Culture Change In A Rural High School, Kristen Levesque

All Theses And Dissertations

Rural high schools are most impacted by a negative organizational culture. Toxic behaviors prevail over the positive ones. Perspectives about what is possible to attain become jaded when school outcomes do not match individual expectations. If leadership does not treat sustaining a positive school culture as a priority, then the successful transition to the new demands of education is unlikely. The qualitative research was founded in the conceptual framework about change and culture in schools. A grounded theory approach was used in the methodology to examine the role collaboration and leadership play in establishing culture. Research questions addressed the role ...

Review Of The Literature: Impact Of Music On Children With Special Needs

Scholarship and Engagement in Education

Music helps children with special needs improve their socialization skills.

School Principals’ Views On Administration Work, Their “Frequent Turnover” And Its Effects On Their Work, Aydin Balyer

The Qualitative Report

School administrators’ “frequent turnover” has been discussed intensively in the Turkish Educational System recently. Currently, principals are selected for 4 years after an interview conducted by a committee of directors of national education. After that period, they either go back to their classes or are chosen for another 4 years for the last time. This frequent turnover can be disruptive for schools. This study was conducted to determine school principals’ views on administration work and this frequent turnover. The study employed a qualitative research design. The participants were 20 principals chosen with maximum sampling method. The data were analyzed with ...

Student And Teacher Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports In A Metropolitan Atlanta Elementary School, Angelique Mitchell

Electronic Theses & Dissertations Collection for Atlanta University & Clark Atlanta University

The goal of this study was to ascertain student and teacher perceptions of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) effectiveness as based on PBIS tiers and other select variables: school discipline, school safety, school climate, student acceptance of PBIS reward system and administrators’ implementation of PBIS policy. Through a Pearson r correlation, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and regression test based on survey results, this study revealed which variables have the greatest significance on PBIS effectiveness. Based on the findings, it was concluded that all variables: school discipline, school safety, school climate, student acceptance of PBIS reward system had a significant ...

College And Career Readiness—Starting At The Beginning: Implications For An Urban School District On The Impacts Of Pre-Kindergarten, Dranita Lynette Morrow

Electronic Theses & Dissertations Collection for Atlanta University & Clark Atlanta University

This quantitative study focused on the impacts of the pre-kindergarten experience in a large urban district in Georgia. With the ongoing pursuit across the nation to be globally competitive with the education of our youth, this study analyzed multiple factors that can impact student achievement, with an emphasis on the kindergarten readiness variable. The research was conducted within two schools in the same urban district with third graders (who were continually enrolled in the school since kindergarten) and their parents, along with kindergarten and first grade teachers in the same schools. The data collected was analyzed using Pearson correlation, ANOVA ...

The Relationship Between Student Achievement And Other Selected Variables And Teacher Engagement, Derrick L. Williams

Electronic Theses & Dissertations Collection for Atlanta University & Clark Atlanta University

It was the goal of this study to determine the relationship between student achievement and other selected variable such as principal years of experience, student socioeconomic status, teachers’ perceptions of administrative support, students’ perceptions of teacher support, and teacher attendance to teacher engagement. The study also determined if the variables along with teacher engagement were predictors of attrition. Pearson correlations were used to analyze the data that had the greatest significant relationship to teacher engagement. Regression tests were used to determine if the variables were predictors of attrition. The researcher concluded that student achievement, teachers’ perceptions of principal support, and ...

Generative Leadership: A Thematic Book Review, Rebecca S. Monroe

Wisdom in Education

This thematic book review looks at how four texts interweave the topic of generative leadership into a cohesive structure so the reader can bring about change in our educational system. The authors of these texts begin by defining generative leadership and complexity, then move on to discuss mirror neurons and empathy, relationships and the importance of feeling a part of something, and how experience equals learning, which in turns sculpts the brain physically. As you think of the leadership style you want to emulate as you build your own and your staff’s capacity, these resources may easily sum this ...

A Case Study On The Influence Of Frequent Superintendent Turnover On The Culture Of A K-12 Suburban School District, Victoria C. Velazquez

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The role of school superintendents is varied and complex. Further complicating this role is the issue of frequent superintendent turnover. While there is ample research addressing the links between superintendents and student achievement, superintendents’ relationships with school boards and the shortage of qualified superintendents across the country due to high turnover rates, there is little research focusing specifically on superintendent turnover’s influence on the culture of a district.

The purpose of this study was to conduct an ethnographic, cross-case case study on the influence of superintendent turnover on the culture of a northeastern United States suburban K-12 school district ...

Sustainability Of Catholic Parish Elementary Schools In The Twenty-First Century And The Driving Forces Of Leadership, Ryan Killeen

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The most prevalent model of Catholic schools has always been and remains the parish elementary school. Catholic schools are not simply private schools but a faith based arm of a larger parish. The interconnected leadership of schools by pastors and principals is at the core of understanding the model and inseparable in long-term viability. The purpose of the study was to explore the commonalities and divergences within the pastor and principal relationships in New Jersey Catholic, suburban, elementary schools. The study investigated the following research questions. (1) How do New Jersey pastors and principals of suburban Catholic elementary schools perceive ...

Beyond Socioeconomic Status: The Impact Of Principal Leadership In Urban And High Poverty Turnaround Schools, Mojisola Adejumo

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The quest to transform failing urban and high-poverty schools in America has been a slippery uphill battle since the banner of war was raised against the many schools serving impoverished children. As battle rages, a few are schools leading their students, teachers, parents, and community to victory by turning their once-failing schools into institutions of academic excellence. However, the shouts of victory and strategic planning that led to their success have been overlooked or relegated to mere happenstance. As these successful schools claim unchartered territories of success, a quick glance at the battlefield reveals the reality that the battle is ...

Examining Attrition Through The Hierarchal System Of Education For Zero - Fifth Year Teachers: A Mixed Methods Study, Joshua D. Nation

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teacher attrition was the focal issue of this mixed-methods study. Teachers, for a wide variety of reasons, have left the profession of education due to issues surrounding school leadership, compensation, and student behavior, just to name a few. This study intended to expand the understanding of zero through fifth year teachers, and if this population of teachers is satisfied, and staying in the field, or if they are dissatisfied. By using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, the factors within in the hierarchal educational system were explored to identify which part of the educational system is connected to teacher attrition: the ...

The Influence Of The Length Of The Instructional Day On The Percentage Of Proficient And Advanced Proficient Scores Of The New Jersey Assessment Of Skills And Knowledge For Grades 6, 7, And 8., Christopher Michael Tully

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study was relational, non-experimental, explanatory, and cross-sectional in nature, using quantitative methods to explain the influence of student, staff, and school independent variables on 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade student achievement in both Language Arts and Mathematics on the 2011 NJ ASK. The variable of interest was the length of the instructional day and controlled student, staff, and school variables. This study provides descriptive research on the relationship between the length of the instructional day and other predictor variables and student achievement. The study used approximately 200 schools for each grade level and subject area combination ...

Understanding The Learning & Advocacy Needs Of A Twice-Exceptional Student Through A Strengths-Based Lens: Review Of The Literature, Lisa Krausz

Scholarship and Engagement in Education

Twice-exceptional students possess both high ability and learning disabilities. The complex interaction of their gifts and disabilities perplexes both educators and parents. Educators often use a deficit approach when working with these learners; new research calls for multi-dimensional, strengths-based approaches to engage these students. Strengths-based approaches draw upon student strengths, interests, and talents to help address their disabilities. They also call for the involvement of parents and the student herself in the process of better understanding and meeting the student’s needs. Collaboration is a key component of strength-based approaches. While parents are key advocates for their special needs children ...

Review Of The Literature: Scientific Argumentative Writing, Gabriela A. Mastro

Scholarship and Engagement in Education

In light of the essential science and engineering practices identified by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), this study focuses on the specific science and engineering practice, "engage in argument from evidence," and how classroom practices can serve to strengthen this skill (National Research Council, 2012, p. 71). The NGSS focus on inquiry necessitates students’ use of argument, particularly in writing, to communicate their knowledge and scientific findings and to develop an understanding of scientific practice. The contents of this literature review will link the practice of scientific inquiry to writing in the science curriculum, and how argumentative writing can ...

The Influence Of Administrators On Literacy Instruction Through The Promotion And Selection Of Professional Development, Lucy K. Johnston-Josey

Dissertations

Literacy is a key component to success in school and in life. Literacy has been a focus of education since 1965 when President Jimmy Carter announced a “war on poverty.” Since then, history has shown that educators should place an emphasis on literacy within schools. Because literacy is so important, I set out to explore how administrators influence literacy through the promotion and selection of professional development.

Mississippi was chosen as a basis for the study because it falls below the nation in terms of literacy rates on the National Assessment for Educational Progress assessment. Nineteen participants from four school ...

Mississippi’S Teacher Observation Rubric: Administrator Perceptions Of Appropriateness By Grade Level, Danette Irvine Moore

Dissertations

The focus of this study was to measure elementary, middle, and high school administrators’ beliefs regarding the appropriateness of the Mississippi Statewide Teacher Appraisal Rubric domains, as well as their perceptions regarding the Mississippi Statewide Teacher Appraisal Rubric’s overall alignment with the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium standards. This was a quantitative study that investigated whether a statistically significant difference existed between administrators’ beliefs regarding the appropriateness based on their grade level assignment. A 48-statement questionnaire was developed using the current Mississippi Statewide Teacher Appraisal Rubric domains and standards to obtain the quantitative data. A five-point scale ranging from ...