Educational Leadership Commons^™

Promoting Preservice Stem Education Teachers' Metacognitive Awareness: Professional Development Designed To Improve Teacher Metacognitive Awareness, Andrew John Hughes, Eddie Partida

Educational Leadership & Technology Faculty Publications

This quantitative portion of a convergent complementarity, mixed-methods, exploratory study describes the design and implementation of a 5-week preservice teacher professional development (PD) experience and the associated Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI) measures before and after the experience. The PD experience was designed to explicitly address participants’ domain-general and domain-specific knowledge and regulation of cognition through a highly integrated academic and clinical preparation regimen centered on a cognitive coaching model. The study participants comprised preservice STEM education teachers (N = 11) enrolled in a dual teaching certification and Master’s in Education program. The findings showed an increase in participants’ regulation …

Inclusive Schools For Students Served By Special Education: How Central Office Supports Principals, Lynn Reynolds Saltzgaver

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies: Doctoral Research Projects

Principals shape school culture and the teaching practices that students experience and engage with every day. Today’s leaders need regular access to learning and support that will influence their ability to lead schools for social justice for students identified with disabilities.

District leaders have a responsibility to develop and support principals to provide equitable and high-quality learning experiences for students who have been identified with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to analyze the Mountain Meadow School District’s role in supporting the development of leaders for social justice for students identified with a disability. This qualitative case study examined …

Do You Hear Us? Amplifying Alternative Pathways For High School Pushouts Through Youth Participatory Action Research, Rob A. Duren

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies: Doctoral Research Projects

The school-to-prison pipeline (STPP) metaphor encapsulates and describes a set of legislative policies and educational practices that systematically funnel African American, Indigenous, and Latinx students from the classroom into the juvenile and criminal justice system at disparate rates. An emerging solution to address high school pushout and the STPP has been to develop Alternative Education Campuses (AECs). However, there is a current gap in the research that amplifies the counter narratives of students currently enrolled at an AEC, through their own words, using Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR). Studies conducted with students who have been labeled “high-risk” are especially lacking. …

White Racial Framing In The Principalship: Implications For Culturally Responsive School Leadership, Guerin Gray

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies: Doctoral Research Projects

The history of the American educational system is rife with examples of racism and denial of equal access and opportunity to students of color. Despite efforts to close the opportunity gap, inequity remains. In this action research study, I explored my own leadership, utilizing surveys of stakeholders and focus group conversations to gain perspective on how my leadership impacts the school community. I compared these experiences with the tenets of culturally responsive school leadership that is a path toward greater equity. Concurrently, I reflected deeply upon my leadership, enlisting critical colleagues to help uncover ways in which my leadership toward …

Best Practices In Graduate Education At Western, Carol Beynon

Purple Guides

At Western, we believe that best practices in graduate education require the development of healthy and productive working relationships between supervisors and graduate students. This document provides important information for both graduate supervisors and students and is intended to support the development of that productive working relationship. Graduate students and supervisors are encouraged to read the contents carefully and to use the suggestions provided below as you begin and progress throughout your graduate journey together.

Student Employability In Covid-19 Project Summary, Melody Viczko Dr., Shannon Mckechnie

Education Publications

The impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic on higher education could be seen in education in early 2020. Significant labour market disruptions places students among the group experiencing the heaviest burden from layoffs and work insecurity during this time. Higher education institutions also face financial uncertainty, bracing for shifts in enrolment and tuition revenue, particularly related to international student cohorts. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on student employability are on the radar of policymakers, university faculty and administrators, employers, and students alike.

Differences In Teachers’ Self-Reported Levels Of Gratitude Between High-Poverty And Low-Poverty Schools, Theresa Marie Anderson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teacher turnover is a major issue in the U.S. education system because teachers are leaving the profession at astounding rates (Castro, Quinn, Fuller, & Barnes, 2018; Garcia & Weiss, 2019). Teacher turnover disproportionately impacts schools with higher numbers of students from predominantly low socioeconomic status backgrounds (Castro et al., 2018; Garcia & Weiss, 2019). Exploring gratitude, a positive psychology practice, may provide insight into attrition and teachers’ well-being. The intent of this study was to explore the potential contribution gratitude may have as a tool to help teachers develop resilience in light of the complex and dynamic issues in education. …

Factors That Contribute To High School Senior African American Male Students’ Academic Success, John Jeffrey Baker

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There are many studies that examine the negative academic factors that hold African American male students back from being academically successful students. This research changes the narrative because it examines the positive factors that help African American male students become academically successful in school. These students are the future role models of the African American community, and their footsteps could possibly show other African American male students how to become stronger students. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore factors that contribute to high school senior African American male students’ academic success. The participants were African American senior …

Principals’ Perceptions Of Factors Leading To Academic Improvement In Minnesota Elementary Schools, Sean D. Dubé

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the principals’ perceptions of factors leading to academic improvement in Title I elementary schools in Minnesota. Participants included eight Title I elementary principals who led their schools from 2016-2019 and significantly improved their students’ math and reading Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) scores during that time period. Interviews were coded through MaxQDA and synthesized to develop themes connected to school improvement. The data suggested seven total themes for perceived factors in school improvement: the principal’s focus and intentionality, the principal’s continuous improvement mindset, strategic use of academic data, a culture of …

The Relationship Of Psychological Capital And Leader Humility In Minnesota Secondary Schools, Kristine Fehr Flesher

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to study the relationship between leader humility and teacher psychological capital in Minnesota secondary schools through a quantitative, cross-sectional study design. The four independent variables examined in this study were teacher-reported leader humility, as measured by the Expressed Humility Scale (Owens et al., 2913), principal gender, teacher gender, geographical location of Minnesota schools, and principal longevity. Teacher psychological capital, as measured by the Psychological Capital -12 Questionnaire (Avey, et al., 2011) was the dependent variable. Principals in 597 Minnesota secondary schools were given the opportunity to forward a survey to their teachers. Respondents were …

The Rise Of Segregated Charter Schools In Minnesota, Josiah Jackson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the last decade, urban charter schools gained prominence in the United States. They specifically made substantial growth in the metro areas in Minnesota. The vitality of these schools and their accomplishments were seen and recognized by parents and community stakeholders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the successes and challenges of urban charter schools through the lens of principals in metro area schools. The respondents for this study were six elementary principals in metro Minnesota. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed for themes. Eight themes emerged from the interviewees' responses specific to the successes and challenges …

Professional Learning Communities And Collective Mindfulness, Melissa J. Johnson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine faculty perceptions of professional learning communities, collective mindfulness, and student achievement in high-poverty Minnesota schools. The School Professional Staff as Learning Community Questionnaire (SPSLCQ) and School Mindfulness Scale (M-Scale) collected data from K-12 faculty in high-poverty schools across Minnesota. Results of the t-test indicate there was a difference between the level of collective mindfulness and faculty perceptions of professional learning communities in high-achieving, high-poverty schools and low-achieving or average-achieving, high-poverty schools. Collective mindfulness increased in high-achieving, high-poverty schools and faculty perceptions of professional learning communities increased in low-achieving or average-achieving, high-poverty schools. …

Determinants Of Professional Practice Experience Satisfaction In Health Information Management Students, Katie Lea Kerr

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental, correlational study was to determine the degree to which factors of a high-quality professional practice experience (PPE) in undergraduate health information management (HIM) programs relate to HIM student PPE satisfaction. This study utilized a web-based PPE satisfaction survey of HIM students who completed a PPE from an accredited undergraduate HIM program during the 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, and 2019/2020 school years. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics for survey Likert scale items, the use of Pearson correlation to determine the relationship between the independent variables and student PPE satisfaction, Cronbach alpha for the full PPE scale …

Case Study: Formative Assessment Driven Instruction And Standardized Test Scores For 10th Grade Biology Students, Gregory Laurence Nelson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Accountability measures have been employed in United States schools to meet the demands of a globalized society with a standardized testing system used to assess student growth. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between a research-backed pedagogical instructional approach, formative assessment-driven instruction, and success in a large-scale standardized test system. Standardized testing is a practical necessity for an accountability system and if an authentic instructional process could be of support, a key piece of evidence will be brought forward to the educational equation. This was a quantitative ex-post facto archival case study. An analysis of data …

Understanding The Whole Student Approach And Its Influence On The Graduation Rates Of Hispanic/Latino Ell Students Within Catholic High Schools, Pamela Marie Patnode

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Spanish speaking English Language Learners (ELLs) represent a large and rapidly growing student population. Although many Hispanic/Latino ELL students are at risk for academic failure, Hispanic/Latino students who attend Catholic schools are more likely than their public school peers to graduate from both high school and college. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential role that student validation plays within the academic, cultural, and spiritual practices that lead to Hispanic/Latino ELL student academic achievement in Catholic high schools. The researcher performed on-site observations, document analysis, as well as interviews and focus groups at a culturally diverse, high …

Becoming A Stem Magnet School: The Story Of Two Schools, Leanne M. Peterson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods study explored the journey of two elementary STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) magnet schools. Both schools are marketed as using integrated, hands-on, problem solving approaches; science is the focus at one school while the other uses engineering. A survey was used to collect data to analyze the frequency of use of science and engineering practices between. No statistical differences in frequency of use was found between the two STEM magnet schools. Interviews revealed practices were used more often than reported on the survey. A chi-squared test was completed to compare five years of data on state assessments. …

Elementary Charter School Enrollment And Economic Segregation In Two Urban Minnesota Public School Districts, Jeffrey Michael Sambs

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study used a quantitative historical research design and multivariate mixed method analysis to examine whether there is a relationship between charter school enrollment and economic segregation at the elementary level in the public schools of two urban Minnesota districts, Saint Paul Public Schools and Minneapolis Public Schools. Economic segregation is measured using dissimilarity index scores calculated from 2006 to 2010. Data were collected from the Minnesota Department of Education using the federally mandated October 1 reporting statistics database. The results of the study were different for each school district. There was a statistically significant, and positive, relationship between charter …

Positive Behavioral Intervention And Supports: Effective Elementary School Tier Two And Three Interventions, Ashley Schaefer

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explored how one ambassador school that has been implementing PBIS with fidelity over the last few years is meeting the needs of all students using the Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports (PBIS) framework. An ambassador school is defined as a cohort that has a sustained exemplary state rating, measured Tier 1 fidelity within the last 12 months, is committed to measuring fidelity every 12 months, has data to show progress. This study looked closely at one school and their uses of interventions to meet the needs of students in Tier 2 and 3, and the perceptions teachers had regarding …

Exploring Lived Experiences Of University Students Attending A Residential University In The Midwest Who Have Moved Home As A Result Of Covid-19, Hendrika B. Schoon

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

College students’ stress levels and mental health problems continue to rise (Acharya, Collins, & Jin, 2016; Galatzer-Levy & Bonanno, 2013; Gallagher, 2009; Gallagher, 2012; Giamos, Lee, Suleiman, Stuart, & Chen, 2017; Li 2018; Ketchen-Lipson, Gaddis, Heinze, & Eisenberg, 2015; Shepherd & Edleman, 2009; Wood, 2012). Social support experienced in a residential university setting mitigates the negative impact of these dynamics on student success, health, and retention (Bland, Melton, Welle, & Bigham, 2012; Buote, 2007; Gosnell, 2019; Nicpon et al., 2006; Watkins & Hill, 2016). However, in mid-March 2020, a major disruptor in the form of an outbreak of COVID-19 (a …

The Cause And Impact Of Charter School Leadership Turnover, Curtis Grant Windham

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes and impact of charter school leadership turnover. Participants in this study included 10 charter school leaders in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area. Data discovered in this study included challenges in the following areas: policy and legal, organizational management, and student and family. Key concepts identified included the benefits of previous leadership experiences, business management experience, which included financial and facility management, and human resources experience. Key challenges identified included support of charter school leader’s increased workload, range of skills and previous experience necessary for successful leadership, minimal support systems …