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A Mixed Methods Study Of Efficacy And Digital Learning Competencies For School Administrators In A Rural North Carolina District, Stephanie B. Harrell Jan 2024

A Mixed Methods Study Of Efficacy And Digital Learning Competencies For School Administrators In A Rural North Carolina District, Stephanie B. Harrell

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods research study was to determine the efficacy of digital learning competencies for school administrators in a rural eastern North Carolina district. The study had four research questions that were answered through a survey and a focus group. The survey had 44 quantitative items that participants chose from a 4-point Likert scale and two open-ended questions. A total of 20 administrators from District A completed the survey. A focus group with four participants was conducted following the closing of the survey to gain a better understanding of the results from the survey. Previous research in …


The Impact Of Professional Development On Specially Designed Instruction For Students With A Specific Learning Disability, Stacy H. Huffman Jan 2023

The Impact Of Professional Development On Specially Designed Instruction For Students With A Specific Learning Disability, Stacy H. Huffman

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This research study, rooted in the theoretical framework of phenomenology, examined the impact of professional development related to specially designed instruction for students with a learning disability in reading. Teachers of students who had mastered at least 50% of their IEP goals in reading or had exited from special education services were the participants in this study. In addition to the teachers, administrators and district staff who worked with these teachers and students were included. Through a mixed methods research design, 47 participants were surveyed using Qualtrics, and 14 participants were interviewed. Findings demonstrated that professional development related to specially …


Elementary Principal Perceptions Of Their Roles In Literacy Leadership: Collective Efficacy, Preparation, And Literacy Orientation, Monique Marie Jones Jan 2023

Elementary Principal Perceptions Of Their Roles In Literacy Leadership: Collective Efficacy, Preparation, And Literacy Orientation, Monique Marie Jones

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Literacy disparity is a widespread problem for schools across the country. Children with reading difficulties are present in every school in the United States. Although literacy is the foundation of all academics, many students lag behind regardless of their socioeconomic, racial, or gender status. There is mounting pressure on schools to produce students who read proficiently. The elementary school principal plays a pivotal role in creating a thriving literacy culture. For inexperienced and seasoned school administrators, the inability to produce proficient readers by the end of third grade is a significant concern. This dissertation examined the principal's role as a …


Growing Sustainable Quality Dual Language Immersion Programs: The Impact Of Key Leadership Preparation, Training, And Support, Vera Woolard Jan 2023

Growing Sustainable Quality Dual Language Immersion Programs: The Impact Of Key Leadership Preparation, Training, And Support, Vera Woolard

Doctor of Education Dissertations

As principals take the lead on planning, implementing, and ensuring the sustainability of their dual language immersion (DLI) programs, there is extant literature on the appropriate actions for conducting such work. However, there is a lack of research on principal preparedness and training for those leading bilingual education programs, specifically DLI programs. This mixed methods study explored specific leadership behaviors and/or practices necessary for program preparation as well as the internal and/or external support and professional development that is paramount for principals to lead and maintain successful and sustainable DLI programs. Subsequently, the study was designed to help identify key …


Flattening The Curve: Elements Impacting K-12 Teachers’ Technology Self-Efficacy With Distance Learning During Covid-19, Rochelle Stanley Jan 2022

Flattening The Curve: Elements Impacting K-12 Teachers’ Technology Self-Efficacy With Distance Learning During Covid-19, Rochelle Stanley

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to examine the elements impacting K-12 teachers’ technology self-efficacy while implementing distance learning during a global crisis, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this examination, the gaps in teachers’ technology self-efficacy and learning opportunities may give teachers the assistance needed to hone skills that will enrich student learning within distance learning platforms. It will also provide insight for teacher education programs; school districts; and more specifically, teacher organizations within communities.


Examining School Administrator Perceptions Of Preparational Experiences Of Effective Educational Leadership, Jared S. Jones Jan 2022

Examining School Administrator Perceptions Of Preparational Experiences Of Effective Educational Leadership, Jared S. Jones

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to determine what preparational experiences are necessary for assistant principals to effectively transition to the principalship. Fifteen principals completed a 21-item survey and answered seven interview questions to better understand how the North Carolina Standards for School Executives aligned with the daily tasks and responsibilities of school principals. The data also gathered principals’ leadership perceptions, the impact of preparational experiences, and assistant principal preparation. Results from the study concluded that all seven primary North Carolina Standards for School Executives accurately reflected and aligned with the tasks and responsibilities that school principals encountered …


Identification Of High-Performing School Characteristics In Successful Low-Wealth, Rural North Carolina Elementary Schools, Tammie Padgett Ash Jan 2021

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 Impact Of Research-Based Professional Development On Teacher Self-Efficacy And Collective Efficacy Beliefs With Respect To Applying Techniques From Teach Like A Champion 2.0, Rhonda L. Partin-Dunn Jan 2020

The Impact Of Research-Based Professional Development On Teacher Self-Efficacy And Collective Efficacy Beliefs With Respect To Applying Techniques From Teach Like A Champion 2.0, Rhonda L. Partin-Dunn

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This mixed methods research examined the impact of professional development on teacher self-efficacy and collective efficacy beliefs with respect to applying techniques from Teach Like A Champion 2.0. Increasing research shows there is a positive correlation between student achievement and high levels of teacher self-efficacy. Studies on teacher preparation acknowledge the role professional development plays on both teacher self-efficacy and collective efficacy beliefs. Additionally, research-based best practices like the techniques found in Teach Like A Champion 2.0 have been established as behaviors of highly efficacious teachers. The study assessed teacher self-efficacy and collective efficacy beliefs, provided research-based professional development, …


Perceptions Of Co-Teaching In Secondary Inclusion Classrooms, Tori Hill Jan 2020

Perceptions Of Co-Teaching In Secondary Inclusion Classrooms, Tori Hill

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study examined secondary teacher and administrator perceptions of co-teaching practices as they relate to preservice and in-service training. In this mixed-methods study, general education math and English teachers and special education teachers in three suburban high schools were given a survey to provide input regarding co-teaching practices in their school/district. The survey results were analyzed to determine trends of variables relating to teacher perceptions. Additionally, interviews with four administrators (three schools and one district) were conducted to correlate expectations, strengths and weaknesses, and training with the results of the teacher survey. Multiple themes emerged, which included collaboration/planning, administrative support, …


A Case Study On The Self-Perceptions Of The Role, Responsibilities, And Professional Development Needs Of Instructional Coaches, Karen Auton Jan 2020

A Case Study On The Self-Perceptions Of The Role, Responsibilities, And Professional Development Needs Of Instructional Coaches, Karen Auton

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This case study was an exploration of how instructional coaches self-perceived the role and the responsibilities of the role, the barriers encountered in the role, and the professional development needs of both novice and seasoned instructional coaches. Results revealed that the role of an instructional coach is ill-defined, and the role can often be complicated by the lack of a shared definition of the role. Data also revealed that a lack of time allocated for carrying out duties assigned to instructional coaches along with the lack of experience and understanding of the role serve as significant barriers encountered by coaches. …


Collaborative Professional Learning In Early Literacy: The Impact On Teacher Knowledge, Actions, And Beliefs, Jaime Henderson Dawson Jan 2020

Collaborative Professional Learning In Early Literacy: The Impact On Teacher Knowledge, Actions, And Beliefs, Jaime Henderson Dawson

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Literacy is the foundation for individual success and economic independence. Early literacy development is an area of importance; thus, professional learning in early literacy is critical and significant. This study examined the impact of a collaborative professional learning model in early literacy on teacher knowledge, actions, and efficacy and how learning transfer resulted in changes to instructional practices. The study utilized an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. Data were collected from participants in a specific collaborative professional learning model, the Early Literacy Professional Development (ELPD) model. Quantitative data were collected through surveys to identify professional learning topics perceived as having …