Education Commons^™

Professional Development And The Police: A Study Of Institutional Change, Gehrig Kenneth La Velle

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of the study was to examine curricula change in the area of police professional development in England and Wales. More specifically, it was an examination of the process of change in a professional development institution. The intent was to investigate a comparative institutional model that could assist United States police educators and career development. The Police Staff College. known as Bramshill, agreed to participate in the study. A quantitative-interpretive paradigm was used and three study visits were conducted at Bramshill from May 1990 to September 1991. Participants included the Police Group, Directing, and Support Staff. Each participant was …

A Descriptive Study Of Perceived-Effective Rural Superintendents In The State Of Iowa, Bonnie Korver Baum

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The nature of the superintendent's responsibilities has changed significantly since the first school superintendent in the United States was hired in the 1830s. Superintendents today have a great influence on education. That influence is felt in rural schools as well as urban and suburban districts. Rural schools have certain unique administrative problems. Solving those problems depends on the vision, leadership, and effectiveness of the administration.

The purpose of this study was to identify selected characteristics of effective rural superintendents. Five rural Iowa superintendents, identified as effective by their peers, were studied in depth. The qualitative dissertation identified characteristics in four …

Determining An Alternative Organizational Structure Within Two Small/Rural Iowa School Districts: A Case Study Of An Innovative Decision Making Process, David Wayne Stoakes

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The issues confronting small/rural schools in the state of Iowa are very complex, raging in scope from the loss of student population, limited financial resources, quality of academic and extra-curricular programs, and even to the very survival of the community in which the school is located. Because of these issues school administrators, boards of education, and school district patrons are confronted with finding a new organizational structure for their school. Processes and procedures used to make these decisions have typically led to emotional battles within the school and community.

The purpose of this study was to apply the Nominal Group …

An Investigation Of The Instructional Management Behaviors Of Principals In Mid-Sized Public High Schools In Iowa, Marcus J. Haack

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The major purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of superintendents, principals, and teachers regarding the instructional management behaviors of principals in mid-sized public high schools in Iowa when applied to 10 job functions of instructional management behavior. The study utilized the Principal Instructional Management Rating Scale (PIMRS) instrument, developed by Dr. Philip J. Hallinger, to assess perceptions of instructional management behaviors of principals.

A total of 165 individual assessments were included in the analysis. Completed survey instruments were received from 55 superintendents, 55 high school principals, and 55 high school teachers in mid-sized pubic high schools in …

Effective Secondary Special Education Programs: Administrative And Instructional Practices In Identified Iowa Schools, Robyn Lynn Moen Kramer

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This descriptive study with exclusive focus on identified secondary special education programs in Iowa, investigated the interactions of administrators, general classroom and special education teachers to determine common administrative and instructional practices and behaviors within three characteristics -- Facilities Leadership, General Classroom Teaching Behavior, and Special Education Teaching Behavior. Directors of Special Education from six Iowa Area Education Agencies (AEAs) were asked to select five schools form their respective AEAs with exemplary secondary special education programs. From that initial population of 30 schools, 11 schools were selected to participate in this study.

A survey was administered to 354 secondary school …

Principal And Teacher Views On Cooperative Action In The Administration Of Iowa's Secondary Schools, Stephen R. Nicholson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which Iowa secondary school principals and teacher building representatives support a model for cooperative action in the administration of the state's secondary schools. In addition differences in the perceptions of those principals and teachers are examined and the extent to which practices in the schools reflect cooperative practices is determined.

The population for the study included all secondary teachers in Iowa identified by their local education associations as the building representative and the principals of the schools where the building representatives were employed. Data were gathered using a survey …

The Status Of Field Implementation Of Clinical Supervision, Kathleen Sullivan Mulholland

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which clinical supervision is practiced in American public schools. The investigator gathered data on the form of the practice, central office support for it, principal training in clinical supervision, the purposes for which clinical supervision was used, and principal's valuing of the process for improving practice. The sample of building administrators used for this study was drawn from a list of schools recognized as effective by the U.S. Department of Education from 1982-83 through 1985-86. The population consisted of 778 principals, the sample, 311; 218 principals responded to a …

The Relationship Among Principal Power Tactic Usage, Leadership Style And School Climate In Selected Iowa Elementary Schools, Steven R. Decker

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

One purpose of this study was to determine primary principal power tactic usage in Iowa elementary schools. The study also investigated the associations among principal power tactic usage, leadership style, and organizational climate.

The study utilized the Leadership Effectiveness Adaptability Description (LEAD-Self) survey to determine primary leadership style. The Organizational Climate Description Questionnaire (OCDQ-RE) was utilized to identify teachers' perceptions of school climate. The Perception of Principal Power Tactics Survey (PPPTS) was utilized to assess teachers' perceptions of principal power tactic usage.

A total of 573 surveys were included in this study. Completed survey instruments were received from 80 principals …

An Analysis Of Selected Initial Phase Iii Plans Developed From Iowa's Educational Excellence Program H.F. 499, Randall B. Clegg

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Phase III of Iowa's Educational Excellence Program has provided Iowa school districts with the unique opportunity to improve and enhance the quality and effectiveness of Iowa teachers through the development of performance-based and supplemental pay plans. With 50 million dollars in state funding Iowa school districts were in a unique position to develop and implement their own prescription for achieving educational excellence.

The purpose of this study was to conduct an analysis of initial performance-based supplemental pay plans developed by Iowa school districts. As a result of the analysis this study described the reform efforts initiated by local school districts …

Iowa Middle Level Schools: Grade Level Groupings, Titles, Instructional Patterns, And Pupil Control Orientations, Patricia Mary Holthaus

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Iowa middle level schools during the spring semester of 1988 were described in terms of grade level groupings, titles, instructional patterns, and pupil control orientations of teachers. This data was compared to data about Iowa middle level schools collected during the 1970-71 and 1979-80 years as well as data collected in recent years form studies across the nation. Changes in middle level education were documented.

The study was divided into two major parts with separate samples, instruments, data collection, and data presentation procedures. During the first part of the study, all 4-6, 4-8, 5-6, 5-8, 6-8, 6-9, 7-8, and 7-9 …

A Comparison Of Principals' And Teachers' Perceptions Of Administrative Performance In Iowa Senior High Schools, Darrell D. Druvenga

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The major purpose of this study was to determine if the perceptions of Iowa senior high school principals and those of their teachers differed significantly when applied to 11 categories of administrative performance. The study also describes the relationship between principals' willingness to participate in 11 hypothetical in-service programs and the assessment principals make of their performance in 11 categories of administrative performance.

The study utilized the Educational Administrator Effectiveness Profile (EAEP) instrument to assess perceptions of administrative performance. The instrument is produced by Human Synergistics, an international management consulting firm, under a grant from the Danforth Foundation.

A total …

Participative Management: A Critical Analysis, Adrian Talbot

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Development of the open-systems view of organizations has made participative management an attractive alternative to traditional bureaucratic methods of managing. The purpose of this dissertation was to determine whether it is possible to generalize about the effects of participative management. Given empirical generalizations, it would be possible to make recommendations for practicing school administrators.

Utilizing the framework of Locke and Schweiger (1979), the author took a purposefully selected cross-section of studies on participative management. The empirical evidence was analyzed in four subsections: laboratory studies, correlational field studies, multivariate experimental field studies, and controlled experimental studies. It was concluded that the …

An Experimental Cost Index Model For The Analysis Of Service Cost Differentials Of Iowa School Districts, Dean W. Meier

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of the study was to construct a service cost index (SCI) for a sample of Iowa school districts and to use the SCI to examine the relationship school district size has to efficiency of educational services delivery. The SCI was based upon the computation of the cost of delivering a fixed market basket of services to a typical student in each of 44 randomly selected Iowa high schools. The Minimum Curriculum Requirements and Standards for Approved Schools, as outlined in the Code of Iowa, comprised the market basket of services. Instruction, administration, support, and transportation cost components comprised …

Selected Characteristics Of The Iowa Elementary Principalship, 1980-81, Dennis A. Heth

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to provide current information and analyses of selected characteristics of Iowa elementary principals for the 1980-81 school year. Data concerning the current status of Iowa elementary principals was sought by the Iowa Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals.

The study reported data available from Iowa, other individual states and the nation. Comparisons were made of data provided from this study and those previously reported.

Data was collected by means of a questionnaire sent to 225 persons listed as elementary principals with the Iowa Department of Public Instruction. For comparative purposes, the data was …

The Staffing: A Naturalistic Study Of The Educational Placement Process, Susan Laurene Law

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The intent of this study was to do a naturalistic observation of a series of staffings in order to generate a descriptive basis for theoretical notions or working hypotheses concerning the procedures, functioning and social relationships within the process. Relevant categories that emerged from the data were: labelling, test validity and reliability, laws and regulations, encouraging a decision, space, and parental participation. The study suggests that there are differences between the formally prescribed procedures and functions of a staffing and the actual behaviours of professionals and parents involved with the process. The variety of necessary coping strategies used by professionals …

A Study Of The Administrative And Instructional Usage Of Electronic Data Processing In The Iowa Public Schools During 1979-1980, Gary B. Shontz

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The major purposes of this study were: (1) to determine electronic data processing usage in the Iowa public school districts during the 1979-1980 fiscal year, including administrative and instructional uses of electronic data processing services and their sources; and (2) to determine the planned use of statewide computer software for administrative and instructional applications.

Questionnaires were mailed to all 443 Iowa school districts in existence as of July 1, 1980. A total of 384 districts (86.7 percent) participated in the study. For analysis purposes, the school districts were divided into seven size codes as defined by the State of Iowa …

A Study Of Principals’ Opinions About Minimum Competency Testing In Their Schools, Thomas J. Renze

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Minimum competency testing (MCT) has been a controversial educational issue for the past several years. Much of the literature on this topic has been written by educators and/or members of the public who are not directly responsible for implementation, administration, or evaluation of test results. This study was designed to gather information from primary sources concerning their opinions about the use of minimum competency testing programs in their own schools. Data was gathered during the 1978-79 school year.

Professional literature indicates that the minimum competency testing movement was generally initiated by individuals and groups outside of educational circles who were …

Administrative Accountability In Special Education: A Survey Of Area Middle-Management Personnel In Iowa, Arnold Ernie Lang

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The past decade has recorded increased demands by parents and legislators for leadership accountability in special education. However, contemporary research on special education leadership accountability has been largely directed at instructional or support professional personnel. Literature on accountability concerns at supervisory, middle-management, and top management positions is noticeably sparse. This study centered on the collection and comparison of survey data concerning middle-management accountability attitudes and practices utilized in Iowa's fifteen area education agencies (AEAs). The major concern of this study was how middle-management/supervisory functions in special education were viewed and held accountable by both top management and middle-management/supervisory personnel.

Participants …

A Survey Of The Selection Procedures And Practices Used In The Employment Of Superintendents In Iowa Public Schools, Joseph Hrecz

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of the study was to determine the selection practices used in the employment of public school superintendents in the State of Iowa. The study was centered on how closely and how extensively Iowa public school boards followed recommended selection procedures.

The method used was a survey instrument mailed to the president of the board of directors of the sixty-five Iowa public schools in which a vacancy for the superintendency occured during 1977. Forty-five replies were received for a response of 69.2 percent. Data was tabulated according to school enrollment and for all schools.

The prominent findings were (1) …

A Study Of In-School Suspension Programs In Area 7 Of Iowa, Stephen Darryl Glass

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Suspension has increasingly become one of the foremost problems confronting educational administrators in American public schools. The controversy over the advantages and disadvantages of out-of-school suspension has been on stage in the current educational scene. This conflict has evoked public skepticism and some intervention on the part of courts.

Educators have begun to develop in-school suspension programs as an alternative to out-of-school suspension. The major objective of in-school suspension is to have suspended students remain in the educational setting. This change in practice enables the school and community resources to be more readily used in remediating and facilitating the improvement …

A Comparative Analysis Of Actual And Desired Performance Dimensions Of Selected Iowa Secondary School Principals, Leroy C. Leidal

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study was intended to discover how the practicing principal views his role. Specifically, it focused on how he feels he spends his time and how he feels he should spend his time. Characteristics of the personal life, the professional preparation, and the current position of the practicing Iowa principal were studied as factors which influence the role,

Several studies were found to be descriptive of the role and its problems, but not to have clear and precise directives for performance. Analysis of the literature revealed a role encompassing many tasks, foremost of which included tasks performed for the supervision …

A Survey Of A Selected Public Group In The Vinton Community School District With Implications For The Improvement Of Certain Educational Services In The Senior High School, Arnold H. Gaumnitz

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The objectives of this study were (1) to determine what a selected group considered to be the major role of a high school education: (2) to determine some attitudes of this public relative to certain educational services being offered in the Vinton High School; (3) to determine the feelings of the group concerning the need for changing certain educational services in the Vinton High School; and (4) to determine some attitudes of the select group concerning what forces have produced change and the best way to bring about educational change in the Vinton High School.

The principal method used was …

Iowa High School Principals’ Perceptions Of The Innovative Role Of The Secondary School Counselor, Russell Newlin

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study had three purposes. The first was to describe the perceptions of Iowa high school principals with regard to some innovative counselor functions. The second was to compare the principals' perceptions of the innovative functions with Iowa secondary counselors' own role conceptions. The third purpose was to compare secondary counselors' perceptions of their principals' response with the principals' actual response.

The literature indicated that the major determinant of the counselor's role and function in the school, other than the counselor himself, was the principal. It was suggested that there was high agreement by principals and counselors on the actual …

Career Education: A Third Grade Mass Production Project, Jack Julian Hanson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study was undertaken to determine if a mass production project could be used as an effective method to acquaint third grade students with the world of work through practical experience and provide information about specialization of labor and industrial organization.

The literature reviewed included three areas concerning career education at the elementary school level: general education, industrial education, and guidance. The writer, a former industrial arts teacher, developed the total teaching unit. The actual instruction was carried out with the support of the teachers and counselors of the participating classes.

The experimental group for the study includes six third …

Participation Of Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod Elementary Schools In Federal Aid Programs, Marvin Brandt

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The issue of federal aid for nonpublic education is intensifying year after year with the ever increasing enrollments in nonpublic schools and with the increasing number of federal programs which provide various types of aid for children in public as well as nonpublic schools. Already in 1955 Dr. Arthur L. Miller, executive secretary for the Board of Parish Education of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod stated that the issue of federal aid to nonpublic schools was intensifying because of the growing financial needs of the schools and the growing demand for federal aid to education in the public schools. …