Digital Commons Network^™

Examining How Artistic Expression In The Classroom Can Increase Students' Academic Performance And Understanding Of Course Material, Jake Taylor Marrazzo

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research study examined how artistic expression in the classroom can increase students’ academic performance and understanding of course material. This study consisted of graduate students in the Masters of Arts in Higher Education program at Rowan University, during the Fall/Spring 2023-2024 semesters, enrolled in at least one of the following courses: Crisis Management, Higher Education in America, and The College Student. The study utilized an artistic expression activity, painting, in connection with participants' course material and readings to understand the benefits of artistic expression on student success in the classroom. Some findings of this study show that artistic …

The "Essence" From Within: A Phenomenological Study Examining The Lived Experiences Of Racial And Ethnic Minoritized Women (Raemw) Senior Level Administrators At 4-Year Predominately White Institutions (Pwis) In The United States (U.S.), Felicia Crockett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of senior level RAEMW administrators who work at 4-year PWIs in the U.S. and analyze the impact of institutional environments on their success. The theories that guided this study were: Crenshaw’s (1994; 1989; 2015) intersectionality framework and four tenets of CRT which include counter-storytelling, the permanence of racism, interest convergence, and intersectionality (Hiraldo, 2010, 2019). This study was guided by the three research questions: 1) How do RAEMW senior level administrators describe their experiences navigating higher education, 2) How do senior level RAEMW administrators describe the impact of institutional environments …

The Journey Toward Ascension: Understanding The Narratives Of Latinx Women In K-12 School Principalship, Manuela Jimenez

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the unique leadership journeys of Latinx women holding principal positions in K-12 schools across New Jersey. The research findings revealed that these women's career paths were significantly influenced by their social identity characteristics, specifically as female Latinx individuals. The study serves as a crucial reminder to challenge and eliminate negative perceptions and biases towards Latina school principals and their leadership growth and methodologies. The study focused on the leadership journeys of Latinx women holding principal positions in K-12 schools in New Jersey. The findings also showed that their career paths were aided by their social identity characteristics …

The Work Of Their Hands: Black Women And Critical Visionary Pragmatism, Natoya D. Coleman

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the leadership principles, practices, and perspectives of Black women principals serving schools that are populated by primarily Black students. A portraiture of the participants' description of their racial and gender identities was conducted using kitchen table talks, to understand how identity development informed their leadership choices. Through the lens of Critical Race Feminism, Black Feminist Pedagogy, and Visionary Pragmatism, I highlight practices that lend to the development of a theoretical focus that speaks directly to the leadership practices of these Black women working in schools that serve Black student populations: Critical Visionary Pragmatism. Findings illuminate the ways …

Using Distributed Leadership To Impact Student Achievement, Jeffrey Pierro

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study is to examine the properties of the distributive leadership scores and to investigate whether the scores predict student test scores. This research was conducted during the 2019-2020 school year at Rowan University. The sample for this study will be selected from the principals from public school districts in New Jersey. Data was collected using one instrument with two parts: a pre-survey and Distributed Leadership Readiness Scale (DLRS) developed by Gordon (2005). SPSS 26 software was used to analyze the data and answer the research questions. While both linear regressions have significant variables impacting the …

Superintendent And Public Board Of Education Members Overcoming Controversial Policy, Donna Ambrosius

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive multiple case study was to explore the actions of educational leaders when implementing policy that may be deemed controversial, through the lenses of sensemaking theory. Findings provide insight on how districts leaders are able to operate efficiently and effectively, and shows that it is essential for board members and the superintendent to adapt to the given situations, to reflect on the current setting, and to be committed to moving forward. The organization looks to the superintendent to be the educational leader, but also to be the one to provide the guidance and means to create …

Fiscal Inequity: A Case Study Of Superintendents And Business Managers In Pennsylvania High Poverty School Districts, Vanessa Renee Scott

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this embedded, single case qualitative case study was to explore how business managers and superintendents in Pennsylvania school districts work together to develop adequate and equitable school district budgets in a time of funding inequity and uncertainty. This case study focused on business managers and superintendents in school districts that are identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as high poverty districts based on the district's aid ratio. Eight business managers and five superintendents from Pennsylvania school districts participated in a semi-structured interview that explored the experiences that they encountered in the budget development process. School board …

Exploring Educational Leadership In New Jersey: A Case Study Of Achievenj And Principal Practice In A Public School Setting, James Altobello

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how school leaders in one New Jersey Public School District currently connect the AchieveNJ legislation with their capacity to lead. A qualitative understanding of how school leaders connect AchieveNJ to their personal leadership capacities such as this empowers policy makers to rationalize its influence on: vision, culture, professional development, and empowerment; all of which are espoused goals of this legislation. Additionally, gaining an understanding of how standards-based, value-added evaluative frameworks such as AchieveNJ informs the thinking, actions, and professional practices of school leaders offer policy makers the opportunity to evaluate …

Surrendering To Gender In Education? Complacency And The Woman Leader, Kimberly Clark, Ane T. Johnson

College of Education Faculty Scholarship

The purpose of our study was to better understand the role of gender performance for aspiring school leaders through a reflection of their journey through the administrative pipeline. The transformation of professional aspirations throughout and following the certification process and during employment was also analyzed. Also, the appealing factors of a nontraditional administrative preparation program were evaluated. Using heuristic qualitative methods, women graduates of and expedited certification for educational leadership program participated in focus groups and a select group returned for individual interviews. Coding was employed to analyze the data. Our participants entered into school leadership as a result of …

The Supervision Of School Nurses In New Jersey: Parallel Needs, Actions, And Impacts On Student Care, Lee-Ann Halbert

Theses and Dissertations

New Jersey Certified School Nurses (NJ-CSNs) practice in an environment of parallel needs and actions where the primary goal is the education of the students in the building, yet the health and safety of each student are paramount. The research presented here evaluates how the supervision provided to the NJ-CSNs affects their clinical practice and other areas of decision-making in the school setting. This mixed methods research study of 557 NJ-CSNs reveals that school nurses who are supervised by an educator whose background includes being a registered nurse are better able to provide the optimal support for the nurses, and …

Overcoming Isolation As A Woman In The Male-Dominated Superintendency, Melissa Ann Mccooley

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study was to explore the attributes associated with the leadership of women superintendents and how they overcome isolation in a predominantly male-dominated field. Through a feminist lens, I explored the manner in which women serve as superintendents, particularly, the manner in which they overcome isolation in a male-dominated field. Eleven women, including myself as the researcher, currently serving as superintendents in New Jersey participated in this study. Through the use of graphic elicitation and interviews the participants revealed an array of instances that enhance the feeling of isolation as a woman in the male-dominated …

Influence Of Mentors Of Female Development Among Higher Education Administrative Professionals, Courtney Van Leuvan

Theses and Dissertations

Leadership is a socially constructed concept that has been seen as a masculine quality; because of this women struggle reaching leadership positions and face many challenges when holding leadership positions. This study investigated the development of leadership styles and qualities of selected female administrative leaders at Rowan University through survey and interview data. The study specifically looked at the influence of these women’s mentors on their leadership development. The findings of the study showed that the women reported no negative experiences with male mentors, however several with female mentors. The interviews also revealed that there were differences among qualities and …

Empowering High School Students To Develop Leadership Skills And Increase Student And School Engagement, Corlette D. Mays

Theses and Dissertations

Schools that invest in building leadership capacity among students realize that learning and leading cannot be separated (Lambert, 2003). This action research study explored the developmental leadership experiences of urban minority students at Aesculapian High School in New Jersey. The study involved a learning community of 20 members from the National Honor Society and five faculty members who served as mentors. The purpose of the study was to determine what leadership skills and qualities along with learning and social needs students perceived were valuable to increase student engagement. Student leadership development was integrated into the curriculum and administered following Kouzes …

An Analysis Of A Middle School Curriculum: Through The Lens Of Personal Responsibility, Social Responsibility, And Social Justice, Kristen Ashley Clark

Theses and Dissertations

One of the fundamental goals of 21st century schools is for students to become independent thinkers through the use of comprehensive academic curriculum that merges academic and social skills to prepare students to compete and engage in an increasingly changing world. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify the ways in which three of Schwab’s four functions, social responsibility, personal responsibility, and social justice, were embedded and measured within core academic curriculum. The study also examined how teachers perceived students’ behaviors as a result of a social justice mindset.

The study was conducted using a traditional qualitative methodology …

The Impact Of Involvement In Educational Politics On New Jersey Teachers' Job Satisfaction, Self-Efficacy, And Work Locus Of Control: A Survey Research Study, Kayla Lott

Theses and Dissertations

A paradigm shift has occurred for the field of education with a renewed focus on accountability and performance. This increase in accountability along with new mandates and regulations are factors that lead to low teacher retention, especially for young teachers with less than five academic years of experience (Shen et al, 2002). Unfortunately, teachers have little influence on the creation or implementation of new education reform initiatives. The purpose of this survey research was to explore the relationship between teacher involvement in educational politics, job satisfaction, self-efficacy, and work locus of control. This study measured these variables using the Brayfield-Rothe …

A Hidden Culture Of Carelessness: A Comparative Qualitative Study Of Gender Inequality And Its Implications For African American And South African Black Women Higher Education Administrators, Dawn S. Singleton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and compare the lived and career experiences of Black women higher education administrators in the United States and South Africa. This comparative study elucidated the women’s experiences while giving voice to Black women, whose experiences and status are often further marginalized under new managerial practices. This research used the theoretical lenses of intersectionality and carelessness, a new managerial practice within higher education, to uncover the challenges, opportunities, and contexts experienced by these women within gendered, racialized organizational structures and practices. A major finding of the research is that Black women shared …

Self-Authorship: A Teaching Approach During The After-School Community Program, Fatjona Lubonja

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of integrating self-authorship pedagogy applied to a younger population. Integration of a self-authorship program during an after-school community program examined the self-authorship pedagogy approach following the developmental theory designed by Baxter Magolda (1999, 2001). Much of previous research in self-authorship was influenced by college student population. There was a literature gap on self- authorship theory applied to younger age population. This research investigated students' responses to the self-authorship program, the impact self-authorship had on students' learning, the impact self-authorship had on after-school programs, and my leadership throughout the research. The …

Math Anxiety And Attitudes In Pre-Service Elementary Teachers, Kelly Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was twofold. First, I identified the attitudes held by pre-service elementary teachers, investigated whether the attitudes could be improved and anxieties reduced, and determined if there was evidence that long-lasting changes in attitudes were achieved. Second, I evaluated my own leadership to see what styles I practiced both inside of, and outside of the classroom. Data was collected through an attitudes questionnaire, student journal data, student interviews, student surveys, and my own journal. Students did show negative attitudes and high anxiety that seemed mitigated by classroom activities. My leadership style in the classroom was primarily …

Gender Advantage? A Case Study Of Male Nursing Students At A New Jersey Community College, Kathleen Michell

Theses and Dissertations

Nurses face many challenges in the health care arena. However, male nursing students face a unique set of challenges in a female dominated profession. Limited research looks to understand the male student perspective and success. This qualitative, case study explored the success of male nursing students at a Community College in Northern New Jersey. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews took place with the male nursing students in their second year of the program. Three main themes were identified including gender advantage, male students find that their gender provides an advantage in the classroom and clinical settings; encouragement and support, the …

Community College Transfer Student Identity, Development And Engagement: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Approach, Sheri Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this constructivist grounded theory study was to explore community college transfer student identity, development, and engagement at four-year institutions due to the lack of literature in these areas. Relational maps and interview questions were crafted as part of the research design to explore meaning making, painting a holistic picture of the population's experiences at four-year institutions and taking into account the intersections between identity, development, and engagement. Twenty five (n=25) participants were interviewed from two four-year institutions located on the eastern seaboard until data saturation was reached. Findings revealed three theories, suggesting that community college transfer students …

Principals' Outlooks On Suspension Based On Socioeconomic Status, Gender, Years Of Experience, And School Type, Jennifer Ohara

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore socioeconomic status within a school district, the years of experience, school type, and gender of a principal, supervisor, or disciplinarian and the effect that these variables would have on their attitude toward suspension. According to previous research done by Dr. Russell Skiba of Indiana University, high rates of suspension have been due to racial identity. Even after controlling for poverty status, racial disparities do not disappear (Skiba, Michael, & Nardo, 2000). After wanting to understand more on suspension and its future in schools, this study explored the attitudes that principals, supervisors, and …

My Sisters Myself: Exploring The Health And Wellness Practices Of African American Women, Carmen Alexis

Theses and Dissertations

African American women contribute disproportionately to disease in the United States. Researchers have repeatedly turned to issues related to poverty, access to medical care, and stress to explain this syndrome, however studies have shown that the disparities persist even in the absence of poverty and impaired access. Stress remains a constant in every discussion of disease in African American women, but what is it that fuels their particular brand of stress and how does it impact the health of African American women? The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore the perceptions held by African American women in …

Stimulating Diversity Outcomes? A Multicase Study Exploring Entrepreneurial Architecture And Storytelling In Higher Education Institutions, Noel Criscione-Naylor

Theses and Dissertations

There is limited research that explores the relationship between entrepreneurial architecture and diversity and its significance to the university and in higher education (Morris, 2010; Nelles & Worley, 2011; Nelles & Worley, 2010). This qualitative, multicase study explored how entrepreneurial architecture and storytelling by administrators contributes to university diversity agendas by investigating the linkages between entrepreneurial structure, process, and strategies and institutional diversity outcomes at two, New Jersey, public, four-year institutions. Semi-structured interviews took place with 12 administrators in which the characteristics of entrepreneurial architecture and storytelling at the universities was evident. Three main themes were identified including diverse voices, …

The Effects Of External Controls On Teachers' Development Of Technology Competencies In An Economically Disadvantaged District, Oscar Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

Exponential growth in technological innovations has changed the dynamics of global economic competition. These changes have redefined the relationships between economy and education, which has redirected national and state interest toward the development of human capital within public schools to meet the demands of a new knowledge-based economy (Martens, Rusconi, & Leuze, 2007; Sahlberg, 2006). This study will explore the effects of external controls on education as they affect reform policies, the technical core of teaching and learning, and teachers' development of technology competencies at an elementary school level within a socioeconomically disadvantaged setting. The study will attempt to determine …

Secondary School Counselors' Identification Of Strategies For Meeting The Needs Of High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder Students Placed In The General Education Program, Sandra Griffin

Theses and Dissertations

The rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder has resulted in more children being educated in the general education setting resulting in concern about their educational experience. School counselors as advocates, leaders, and collaborators in schools have special training and skills to educate and assist teachers design more effective and useful strategies. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to examine what secondary school counselors identified as the issues and challenges they experienced when working with students diagnosed with HFASD, the strategies they employed to assist these students, the strategies counselors utilized to collaborate with parents and teachers, and the …

Faith Capital: A Persistence Study Of Two Student Learning Communities At A Northeastern Community College, David Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this embedded single-case study is to explore and better understand what social and institutional factors account for the success or lack of success in developing, delivering, and sustaining learning communities in support of at-risk, underprepared students enrolled at the community college where the research was conducted. Towards that end, theories of social capital, social justice education, and emergent organizational strategies are aligned with practitioner perspectives in an examination of two student learning community initiatives at the college. Faith capital (Hanson, 2001) is a secular notion aligned with the principles of social capital as an integrative locus for …

Middle School Plunge: A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring 6th Grade Students' Perceptions Of Their Transition To Middle School Experiences And Its Influences On School Achievement And Performance For Urban Youth, Lakecia Hyman

Theses and Dissertations

Minority students from inner cities care greatly about their education and want to be successful in school (Corbett & Wilson, 2002). This mixed-methods study sought to explore the correlation between urban students' perceptions of their middle school transitional experiences and The Middle School Plunge academic decline phenomenon that impacts minority youth once they move into 6th grade (West & Schwerdt, 2012). Some researchers on the topic assert that middle school grade configurations influence student achievement outcomes and that students who remain in K-8 settings outperform their peers who attend stand-alone 6th-8th grade middle schools (Carrell & Hoekstra, 2009; Jacobs, 2012; …

A Qualitative Study: Student Mothers' Perceptions Of Homogeneous And Heterogeneous Advisory Groupings In Secondary Settings, Vanessa Pellington

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research study explored the perceptions of young student mothers in high school regarding their experiences in homogeneous advisory groupings as compared to heterogeneous advisory groupings. An extensive review of the literature revealed a gap in research regarding the grouping methods for non-academic classes, such as advisory program groupings (Benson & Poliner, 2013; Galassi, et al., 1998; Hallam, et al., 2004; Song, et al., 2009; Weilbacher & Lanier, 2012). The purpose of this qualitative research study was to add to the body of knowledge that addresses the types of advisory grouping students perceive best meet their needs. In this …

Examining The Underlying Currents Of High School Girls' Perceived Stem Self-Efficacy And Science Course Options: A Mixed Methods Study, Jill Patterson

Theses and Dissertations

Increased demands for a STEM-literate workforce have emerged in response to sustainability issues that threaten human welfare. A workforce capable of addressing such issues would need to be competent, have an understanding of Earth as a system and related physical science principles, and available, be willing to pursue such fields. Workforce concerns about contributors' competency and availability are further fueled by students' persisting underachievement in science and women's underrepresentation in STEM degrees and careers. While New Jersey students, in comparison to other states, are achieving in science, girls remain underrepresented in physical sciences. From a feminist lens of social cognitive …

Exploring The Impact Of Group Work On Communication Apprehension For Business Students, Cynthia Vieth

Theses and Dissertations

Group work can have an impact on the experiences that students have in college. Specifically, working in groups can help students lower their level of public speaking anxiety. The purpose of this study was to determine how a group public speaking assignment can impact the overall level of public speaking anxiety experienced by business students in a required oral communication course. Two established and widely-used instruments, the Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety (PRPSA) and the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA-24), were used to establish students' level of communication apprehension. In addition, two supplemental surveys were developed to collect …