Education Commons^™

A Program Evaluation Of An Alternative Educational Program In A School District In North Carolina For High School Students At-Risk For Dropping Out, Janice Duffie

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to conduct a program evaluation of an alternative educational program in North Carolina for high school students at-risk for dropping out. The CIPP model was used to evaluate to what extent the alternative educational program is achieving its stated mission. This mixed-method evaluation consisted of quantitative and qualitative data that included interviews with district- and school-level leaders, surveys from selected staff at six high schools and the alternative educational program, and historical data. The program evaluation explored the program’s strengths and weaknesses, and recommendations for improvement. Based on the findings, the research questions examined …

Life After High School For Students With Moderate To Severe Disabilities: An Assessment Of Postsecondary Preparedness, Audrey Moore

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to evaluate the effectiveness of transitional preparatory programs from the perspective of parents and teachers in North Carolina. The following three research questions guided this research inquiry: Based on parent and teacher perspectives, how did the high school transitional program facilitate success after high school for students with moderate to severe disabilities? To what extent do the parents and teachers of students with moderate to severe disabilities perceive that a transitional program is a necessity for post-high school success? The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004 (IDEA, 2004c) section on transition served as …

Impoverished Schools That Are Performing Successfully In South Carolina: How Do They Differ From Impoverished Schools That Are Underperforming?, Sheka Houston

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This case study examined four impoverished middle schools in South Carolina to identify the factors prevalent in successfully performing impoverished middle schools which set them apart from underperforming impoverished middle schools. The study’s objective was to provide principals working in similar (impoverished) settings an understanding of the factors they might wish to replicate in improving school achievement. Data were collected from several sources. Qualitative data points were collected from the principal and teacher interviews as well as obtained from school report cards to assess student performance, school environment, student engagement, and teacher retention rates. A walkthrough was to be conducted …

The Impact Of Implementation Drivers On Teacher Efficacy Beliefs Within A Multi-Tier System Of Support Framework, Heather Jennings

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Schools are implementing a Multi-Tier System of Support (MTSS) to address being met with increased pressures to ensure every student has an equal opportunity to reach proficiency standards and close the achievement gap. An MTSS is characterized as a systematic approach to identifying and problem-solving barriers to learning. In implementing an MTSS, teachers have experienced added responsibilities and have had to increase or refine their skill set in data analysis, data-based decision-making, implementing interventions, and managing academic and behavioral interventions. Through a case study, qualitative and quantitative in nature, the study identifies implementation drivers in the areas of leadership, competency, …

Teacher Perceptions Of Behavioral Programs Serving Emotionally Disabled Students, Joshua Weese

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has undergone numerous revisions since 1965 when the first federal statute dealing with the education of students with disabilities was implemented. A revision completed in 1975 instituted the concept of least restrictive environment (LRE), which demands that all students with disabilities be exposed to the maximum amount possible with their regular education peers, regardless of disability. Full inclusion is the primary mode schools use to meet this requirement. Research has illustrated the positive effects of inclusion-style classrooms and LRE, both for regular and special education peers. However, contemporary research has begun to show …

Push And Pull: Factors Influencing Parent Motivation And School Choice In A South Carolina School District, Kelli Passmore

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The demand for school choice options is increasing, as is the number of families selecting to educate their children through alternative means, including homeschooling, faith-based schooling, and charter schooling. As both the number of school choice options and the number of families choosing such options increase, the relationship between the two is worth examining. The purpose of this explanatory sequential study was to determine the factors motivating parents to select alternatives to traditional public schools and to find those similarities and differences existing across the three subgroups (homeschooling, faith-based schooling, and charter schooling). The phenomenon was examined through the lenses …

Exploring The Relationship Between Teacher Leadership And Student Achievement In High-Poverty Schools, Chaundra Snuggs

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This quantitative study was developed to gather an understanding of how teacher leadership may affect student achievement in high-poverty schools. This study used Angelle and DeHart’s (2010) Teacher Leadership Inventory to assess teachers from two elementary schools, one low performing and the other high performing. Teacher leadership is explored through four variables including sharing leadership, sharing expertise, supra-practitioner, and principal selection. By investigating how teacher leadership may affect student achievement, this study may provide influential information for teacher leaders, principals, and other educational stakeholders who desire to learn more about student achievement in high-poverty schools. This study should add to …

Teacher Technology Self-Efficacy And Its Impact On Instructional Technology Integration, Paige Mitchell

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study is an extension of Slutsky’s (2016) dissertation about technology self-efficacy. The purpose of this study was to extend the generalization of the original study, considering the knowledge of teacher technology self-efficacy as it relates to integrating technology in the classroom. I built on previous research and added related knowledge to the original study. This study examined teacher levels of technology self-efficacy, identified specific factors affecting their current level, and examined the role and impact professional development opportunities have on technology self-efficacy.

The Relationship Of Career And Technical Student Organizations To College And Career Readiness, Brenda Haynes

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Many schools are waking up to the reality that students need programs that will keep them alert and ready for their next level in life. Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) are the co-curricular programs associated with every career and technical education course and promise to offer opportunities for a peek into the real world. This study examined the relationship of CTSOs to college and career readiness. Career and technical education is oftentimes overlooked. Qualitative data were collected in the form of interviews of former high school students who were CTSO participants and teachers who were advisors of CTSOs. This …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Social Emotional Support Offered And Received Following The Return To School During The Global Pandemic In Two South Carolina Regions, Mindy Duckworth

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study determined teacher perspectives of the social emotional learning (SEL) support offered and received following the return to school during a global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus. The study is important, not only to those who returned during the global pandemic or because states are requiring districts to think of the whole child but for educational leaders who are understanding the importance of delivering SEL for the purpose of educational growth. The research questions were answered through the lens of a mixed methods design through a combination of survey items and the results of the focus group. The …

Grit In The Performing Arts: A Mixed-Methods Study Of High School Theatre Student Perceptions Of Grit, Kelsey Gibson

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Previous grit research has not yet studied how the performing arts may have an impact on student grit scores and perceptions of grit. Grit is defined by two main characteristics: consistency of interest and perseverance of effort. Continued participation in an extracurricular theatre production requires students to maintain interest and sustain effort throughout the rehearsal and performance period. This mixed methods interpretivist research study examined how high school students from three groups (performing arts, non-performing arts, and non-arts) measured on Duckworth and Quinn’s (2009) Grit-S scale, as well as how performing arts students perceived their own grit after participation in …

What Teachers Say Versus What They Do: Examining The Relationship Of Teacher Dispositions And Teacher Behaviors As It Impacts Learning Environments, Carrie Mckeown

Doctor of Education Dissertations

When focusing on the teacher as the key variable in the classroom, professional dispositions are the greatest factor impacting student achievement (Diez & Raths, 2007; Haberman; 2004; Marzano; 2001). The intent of this study was to answer three questions: What professional dispositions impact student success in the learning environment as measured by North Carolina End-of-Grade Assessments (NCFE) data? What observed behaviors do effective practicing teachers demonstrate that stimulate student success as measured by NCFE data? To what extent do observed behaviors correlate between teacher self-professed dispositions and observations of an administrator? A key element was whether dispositions teachers indicated they …

Can We Build It? An Action Research Study Of Integrated Academics And Resilience, Shanda Jones

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study was an action research project seeking to gather evidence regarding the impact of integrating academic objectives and resiliency-building topics. As the focus on trauma and mental health increased, literature provided rich descriptions of how trauma may negatively impact students. Research presented findings indicating potential physical, mental, emotional, social, academic, and behavioral effects resulting from trauma. What was lacking were studies investigating the impact of implementing trauma-informed instructional strategies. In an effort to address gaps in the literature and improve professional practice, action research in a mixed methods approach was conducted with two research questions exploring the impact, if …

Teacher Evaluation In The Christian School Setting: A Program Evaluation Of The T.E.S.T. Program, Mark Apgar

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Since the early 1800s, various educational experts and philosophers have contributed to an ever-growing database regarding teacher evaluation. This valuable research has been instrumental in shaping teacher evaluation in our public schools as we know it today. While much research has taken place in public schools, there has been limited research conducted in the private Christian school setting. This research was in response to the limited research data available and sought to identify best practices regarding teacher evaluation in the Christian school setting. The T.E.S.T. (Teacher Evaluation, Support, and Training) program is a teacher evaluation program specifically designed for implementation …

Multi-Tiered System Of Supports: A Case Study Examining Effective Mtss Implementation At The Middle School Level, Amy Marlowe

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This dissertation was designed to examine the effectiveness of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) implementation at the middle school level. MTSS is a comprehensive framework for targeting educational support for all learners, providing academic, behavioral, and social services. A case study design was used to analyze the stakeholder experiences of the impact of MTSS implementation on a group of sixth- and seventh-grade students. Qualitative data were collected to analyze the personal experiences of the teachers’ professional development, collaboration, implementation, and understanding of their roles in regards to the MTSS process. This case study provides insight into a middle school making …

The Qualitative Study On The Effect Of Teacher/Student Relationships On Student Academics And Behaviors, Dionnya Pratt

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to review and analyze the strategies teachers use in order to develop positive teacher/student relationships in the classroom of a high-poverty, at-risk school district. The cross-case analysis was performed to determine teacher perceptions of their interactions with students and how they influence academics and behavior. Determining the mindset changes needed to maintain positive relationships will provide information that will be used to build effective schools through teacher trainings. Through analysis of teacher interviews, classroom observations, and journal entries, five predominate themes were determined. Relationships, culture, classroom management, high-quality instruction, and engagement were found to …

Farm To School Program Evaluation, Patrick Sellars

Doctor of Education Dissertations

A large school district in the southeastern United States has embraced the national Farm to School (F2S) movement. The school district grows organic produce at its farm as well as two greenhouses. The goal of the program is to improve the eating habits of students while giving them insight into the importance of agriculture through educational opportunities. The study of the school district’s F2S program was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the program. The effectiveness was determined utilizing two metrics: the cost of production and the qualitative educational dynamic. The study found that the production aspect is sustainable. The …

The Avid Effect In High School: A Quantitative Study Of The Avid Effect In A Large Urban School District In The South, Darrell Potts

Doctor of Education Dissertations

According to the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) website, there are multiple studies comparing the academic achievement of AVID students to non-AVID students. This research study was uniquely designed to determine the effectiveness of the AVID program in large urban school districts in the south based on students’ junior year academic performance on state assessments such as the ACT, English III, Math III, and chemistry exams. This study also examined comparisons between graduation rates, suspensions, and attendance. A one-way ANOVA was conducted to compare means of three groups during this study including AVID elective students, non-AVID elective students attending non-AVID …

Secondary Principal Perceptions Of Preparatory Experiences, Renita Griffinjordan

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain insight from current principals regarding principal preparatory experiences and to reveal which assistant principal experiences contributed to principal readiness. Through this study, 17 current secondary principals in an urban school district completed a 21-item survey using a 5-point Likert scale; 10 principals also participated in a follow-up interview. The survey instrument was constructed based on practices within seven primary standards of the North Carolina Standards for School Executives. The content validation index was utilized to measure the validity of the survey tool. The theoretical framework chosen to explore these relationships was …

Program Evaluation Of The J-1 Visa Teacher Exchange Program From The Perspective Of Exchange Teachers Within A Rural School District, Gradesa Lockhart

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Teacher shortages have had a significant impact on student learning outcomes in a time of immense testing accountability; yet, the way rural school districts handle the teacher shortage varies, from policies to incentive pay, to the use of international teachers. International teachers have become a significant resource for some rural districts to address teacher shortages. This study focused on the lived experiences of a subset of international teachers who are working in United States schools via the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP). The findings of the study authenticated the purpose of the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1946, more commonly known as the …

Evaluation Of An Elementary Alternative Learning Program, Joshua Sain

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Schools across the country have an increased responsibility to support appropriate mental health development for their student populations, especially those who have been diagnosed or are at risk of an emotional or behavioral disorder. Increased responsibility has led school leaders and stakeholders to make certain they have processes in place to ensure early identification of at-risk students, along with appropriate learning pathways to support academic achievement (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019). This study evaluated Trilogy, an elementary alternative learning program, which provides enrolled students with access to a learning environment that supports academics, behavior, and mental health in …

Impact Of Student Voice On Self-Efficacy, Melanie Shaver

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to (a) relate the impact of the development of student voice in middle school to the perception of achievement measured by self-efficacy and (b) explore how the transformative learning theory affects developing adolescents through the development of student voice in a project-based learning model. The theory is grounded in Mezirow’s (1991) Transformative Learning Theory. The study explored if an instructional method such as project-based learning allows the development of student voice and builds self-efficacy. Utilizing the explanatory sequential model, survey and achievement data were collected and compared between treatment school to nontreatment school to …

Parent Perceptions Of Quality Early Childhood Education Programs, Lichelle Jones-Wilkins

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Early childhood education (ECE) programs play an important role in a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. ECE programs strive to prepare the students for kindergarten. The importance and value of ECE programs have increasingly become more important to state and federal officials. As a result, these officials have made significant efforts to make ECE programs more accessible. When it comes to selecting educational programs for their children, parents are frequently the primary decision makers. Rather than parental choice, studies usually focus on stakeholder perspectives on quality care. The goal of this 3-phase study was to better understand the factors …

Identification Of High-Performing School Characteristics In Successful Low-Wealth, Rural North Carolina Elementary Schools, Tammie Padgett Ash

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Poverty has been identified as an obstacle to educational success. In 2003, Washington state researchers, Shannon and Bylsma (2007), conducted a study to uncover the commonalities found in schools outperforming their socioeconomic indicators. Their work identified nine characteristics of high-performing schools and determined all successful schools had five or more of the characteristics firmly in place, although no characteristic was rated most important (Shannon & Bylsma, 2007). The desired outcome of this research study was first to determine if the nine characteristics identified by Shannon and Bylsma were still aligned with current research. Second, I sought to determine if five …

The Role Of Math Anxiety And Math Self-Efficacy Levels On High School Equivalency Student Math Performance, Barbara A. Clarke

Doctor of Education Dissertations

One of the most predominant measures of a community’s appeal is the high school graduation rate. National “best places to live” ratings utilize educational statistics to rank the quality of life in a community (Morse & Brooks, 2020). Additionally, an individual’s future prospects depend on a high school credential (HSC) as the minimum needed for postsecondary academics or gainful employment. One hindrance high school equivalency (HSE) students encounter is the inability to perform math sufficiently to earn an HSC due to the affective state of math anxiety and reduced math self-efficacy, particularly under pressure on tests/assessments. This quantitative study, using …

A Study Of The Impact Of Career And Technical Education In Determining The Skills Gap In Selected Rural Communities In North Carolina, Chad Beasley

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study was an investigation of three rural high schools in western North Carolina to examine the perceptions of community employers, principals, and career and technical education (CTE) directors as to the skill levels of graduates from CTE programs. The study also determined if the skills being taught in secondary schools meet the needs of community employers. Qualitative data were collected from high school principals, CTE directors, and regional employers via open-ended questions and one-on-one interviews. Findings indicated participants perceived that CTE has a positive effect on student ability to be career and college ready. In addition, participants perceived CTE …

The Motivation To Stay: Teacher Perceptions Of Factors That Influence Teacher Retention In High-Performing, High-Poverty Schools, Keisha Gabriel

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This is a qualitative study of teachers in high-poverty elementary schools in an urban school district. Participants who have been employed for at least 5 years in a high-needs school responded to surveys tracking their perceptions of their school environment. Follow-up interviews were conducted to provide a more in-depth study to gain further insight into why these teachers chose to work in Title I schools, despite the numerous challenges. Teachers reflected on how the following factors encouraged them to remain employed in the high-needs school setting: intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, professional development, and commitment.

The results of this study indicate …

Teacher Perceptions Regarding The Impact Of Multicultural Literature, When It Is Implemented During Guided Reading Instruction, On Reading Comprehension For African American Male Students In Early Childhood, Cassandra Gregory

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Reading is an essential skill, used in every aspect of daily life. It is the foundation for every other form of learning (Alberti, 2010). Over the years, there has been a gap in reading achievement between African American male students and other demographic groups (Milner et al., 2013). This study examined the effectiveness of small group reading using multicultural literature in kindergarten through third grade, especially for the African American male student. A framework based on Vygotsky’s (1978) theory of cognitive development provides support for a systematic literacy approach. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine teacher …

Perceptions Of Classroom Teachers On Read-Aloud Practices Implemented Within The Elementary Setting, Kimberly J. Perry

Doctor of Education Dissertations

A problematic imbalance of academic discrepancies continues to exist within our schools today, leading to school failure for many of our students. Teachers must be prepared to provide effective instructional methods that increase the reading outcomes for all students. The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze the perceptions of elementary teachers, as compared to observable data, regarding the implementation of teacher read-aloud opportunities within the classroom setting. This dissertation analyzed and compared how elementary classroom teachers described their read-aloud practices to the tangible practices implemented in their classrooms, in order to determine a relationship between perception and …

Digital Literacy: The Impact Of A Blended Learning Model On Student Motivation And Achievement, Jennifer Miller

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Educators continue to search for a balance between preparing students for a marketable future and integrating face-to-face instruction. Many factors influence various educational models related to best instructional methodologies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between student perceptions regarding student motivation to read and the corresponding effect on student achievement within a blended learning environment. This mixed methods study determined whether the use of digital collaborative learning, as it applies to literacy, within a blended learning environment would have any corresponding effects on student motivation and achievement. Participants included fifth-grade students at the elementary level and …