Education Commons^™

The Correlation Between Professional Learning Communities & Collective Efficacy & The Resulting Impact On Student Growth Data, Joleta Gallozzi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study in 2007 conducted by the National Center of Education Statistics revealed that the students in United States are scoring lower than several other countries in the areas of science and mathematics. Students in other countries are able to compete globally for employment in professional occupations that were previously occupied by graduates from the United States. Therefore, there is a sense of urgency to increase student achievement throughout the United States. No Child Left Behind (2001) mandates that public schools develop accountability systems to ensure that all students achieve at the proficient or …

Career Pathway Experiences Of Three Female School Superintendents: A Phenomenology, Liann M. Hanson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Women represent 75 to 80 percent of the teachers across the U.S. (Glass, 1992), and the percentage of female superintendents is not in alignment with the female workforce. Research indicates that the career pathways of male and female superintendents differ. While male superintendents often have a sequential pathway to a superintendency, women tend to take more of a labyrinth type of pathway resulting in a longer, indirect path to the superintendent position (Eagly and Carli 2007). This study examined the career pathways of female superintendents, and the support needed to increase gender equity for the superintendency. This dissertation examines the …

Gifted Students' Perceptions Of High School Transition, Beverley R. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the perceptions of gifted middle school students who attended one of two middle school gifted service options as they transitioned into high school. Gifted middle school students from either a center-based gifted service option or a school-based gifted service option from middle schools in a suburban district in Central Virginia participated in the study. Participants who had completed three consecutive years within the gifted service option were purposively selected for the study. Students completed a pre-transition survey at the end of their eighth grade year and a post-transition survey early in their ninth grade year. The survey …

The Sustainability Of A Coaching Model For Beginning Principals, Virginia Loving

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract THE SUSTAINABILIY OF A COACHING MODEL FOR BEGINNING PRINCIPALS By Virginia F. Loving A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011 Director: R. Martin Reardon, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Education This phenomenological study sought to determine what coaching-induced practices are acquired during novice principals first year as principal, and the sustainability of coaching-induced practices once the coach has been removed. This study identified skills learned while novice principals participated in a coaching program, and the extent to which these practices continued into …

What Are The Educational Aspirations Of African American Males Raised In Mother-Only Households?, Patsy Chavis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship of Black males being raised in a mother-only household and their career aspirations. The absence of the father in a home stands at the forefront as the cause of family dysfunction, which subsequently leads to the destruction of many hopes and dreams of the Black male.Is a mother-only household a preconceived environment for failure for the Black male?

Effects Of Poverty Funding On Math And Literacy Achievement In Arkansas, Karen L. Cushman

Dissertations

This research project was designed to provide a foundational study of the effectiveness of a state categorical fund directed at poverty students called NSLA funding on literacy and math achievement in Arkansas. Poverty funding for students in Arkansas is realatively new and there have not been any studies to examine the impact of this funding to date. Literacy and math achievement scaled scores were evaluated for one year for fourth, sixth, and eighth grades by four NSLA levels, NSLA level 1, NSLA level 2, NSLA level 3, and NSLA level 4.

This causal comparative study was conducted with data from …

The Effects Of Content Enhancement Routines By Gender On Literacy Achievement In Arkansas Schools, Kimberly Renee Calhoon

Dissertations

This research project was intended to provide further insight into the impact of the methodologies utilized in the Arkansas Adolescent Literacy Intervention (AALI) on student achievement and teachers‘ practices. The purpose of this study was to determine by gender the effects of classes whose teachers utilized the Content Enhancement Routines versus classes whose teachers did not utilize the Routines on literacy achievement for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students in three regions of Arkansas. In addition, another purpose of this study was to determine how teachers feel about using the routines in their classrooms and how effective they felt the …

Expanding A Validated Model: Effects And Antecedents Of Student Engagement, Barbara Nesbitt

All Dissertations

This study attempted to identify aspects of student engagement and capital inputs that impacted student achievement. The primary research question in the study asked: Does student engagement mediate the effects of capital inputs at the student, school, and class level to improve student achievement? The study also sought to understand how student engagement, capital inputs, and student achievement differed between White and African American students. This study used the 1990 and 1992 follow-up waves of the NELS:88 dataset. Two standardized scores defined student achievement: 12th grade reading and mathematics. The data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural …

Understanding Black Student Perceptions Of Targeted Student Support Services On A Predominantly White College Campus, Kendra Stewart

All Dissertations

Black students' perceptions of their experiences on predominantly White campuses have been marred by a sense of isolation and alienation from the overall campus community. Black students do not feel they have sufficient access to important resources to satisfactorily navigate an unfamiliar campus environment. Support services for Black students, such as ethnically-themed student organizations or mentoring programs, have been implemented to react to and address such perceptions. A review of literature focused on Black student challenges on predominantly White campuses implicated the need for such support services, but there is a need in higher education to have a more detailed …

Educational Leadership And School Culture: A Study Of The Perceptions Of Effective Leadership, Pearly Milton

All Dissertations

Effective leadership has been cited as essential for creating and sustaining effective schools. Selecting, assigning, and retaining such leaders is a difficult task at best. Characteristics and/or skills deemed essential for effective leaders have been identified by researchers; however, many of our schools continue to produce results that are less than desirable. In addition, leaders who may be effective in one setting may not be in another. Research indicates organizational/school culture may be a contributing factor to the success of these leaders. Moreover, research indicates culture may have an impact on the characteristics perceived as effective/ineffective leadership attributes within these …

Understanding How Institutional Leadership Affects Civic Engagement On University Campuses, Prairie Leigh Burgess

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Higher education in America has a long tradition of civic engagement education. Although there is theoretical and rhetorical support, many institutions still struggle with implementing effective civic engagement on their campuses. The aim of this study was to provide an understanding of factors that contribute to successful civic engagement, specifically focusing on the affect of presidential leadership. The study used a limited sample of two groups to provide comparative analysis and offer much needed statistical research for civic engagement. Institutions were identified through the organization Campus Compact and the Carnegie Foundation's elective Community Engagement classification. Institutions that had joined Campus …

Characteristics Of Leaders Of Change For Principals In Al Ain Schools, The United Arab Emirates, Fatima Murad Ali Khaja Al Mazam

Theses

This study investigates the characteristics and skills of leaders of change that are exhibited by AI Ain Education Zone school principals. The research design is mainly a quantitative survey study. Data were gathered from 434 teachers in AI Ain schools. Means, standard deviations, t test and one-way analysis of variance were used as statistics to analyze the data. The study found out that school principals in AI Ain exhibit the characteristics of leaders of change regarding sharing vision and values, valuing human resources, fostering collaborative relationships, communicating effectively, being proactive, creating and sharing knowledge, and managing resistance to change. The …

How Undergraduate Women At A Predominantly White Institution View Leadership: A Phenomenology, Carolyn Dupre

All Dissertations

Traditionally, men have been the main actors and storytellers in the history of formal education. The United States is seeing progress in recruiting women into higher education classrooms, but does this increase in numbers equate to an increase in the understanding of their experiences? Further, are we supporting undergraduate women in their growth as student leaders, both for their benefit on campus and their lives post-graduation? This study begins with a literature review of the history of education in the United States. Gender is reviewed from the perspective of various disciplines to serve as a conceptual basis for understanding undergraduate …

A Dynamic Network Analysis Of Vision In Complex Organizations, Jon Christiansen

All Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to model the role of vision in a complex organization and the roles that agents, tasks, knowledge, roles, resources and beliefs play. For this purpose, an investigation into the current structure of this model is conducted. Additionally, this study sought to develop a better understanding of how agent's individual vision and beliefs about the organizational vision can be influenced over time. This purpose sought to identify the evolution of vision, therefore, required a method that simulates how these entities change over time. Dynamic Network Analysis was utilized to capture an understanding of the existing …

Resistance To Educational Change From The Perspective Of Teachers In Al Ain Educational Zone In Uae., Wafaa Mohammed Ali El Zaatar.

Theses

The study aimed to investigate the factors for teacher resistance toward the educational change in government schools in the U.A.E. The factors this study investigated are the: psychological, personal, school culture, and organizational factors. The study was guided by one research question and used the descriptive research method. Data for this study were collected through a survey using Likert Scale. It was sent to 414 teachers in public schools in different grade levels. Teachers selected were males and females, from different age group, years of experience and qualifications; and they were UAE national and foreign teachers. Only 255 teachers responded. …

Features Of Effective Educational Leadership From The Perspectives Of Teachers., Aysha Saeed Rashed Saeed Al Nuaimi

Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the important characteristics and features influencing effective educational leadership from the perspectives of teachers. There were six main features that were investigated in this study. These are: model the way, inspire a shared vision, challenge the process, enable others to act, encourage the heart, and have a global mind set. The study was guided by one research question. Data for this study were collected through a survey questionnaire. It contains 36 close ended-questions and one open-ended question. The instrument rated responses on a five level Likert Scale questionnaire which is rated from …

Resistance To Educational Change From The Perspective Of Teachers In Ai-Ain Educational Zone In Uae, Wafa Mohammed Ali El Zaatar

Dissertations

This study aimed to investigate the factors for teacher resistance toward the Educational change in government schools in the U.A.E. The factors that this study investigated are the psychological, personal, school culture, and organizational factors. The study was guided by one research question and used the descriptive research method. Data for this study were collected through a survey using a Likert Scale. It was sent to 414 teachers in public schools who taught in different grade levels. Teachers selected were males and females, from different age group, years of experience and qualifications; and they were UAE national and foreign teachers. …

Perceptions Of Bermudian Leaders About The Philosophies, Major Purposes, And Effectiveness Of The Public School System In Bermuda Since 1987, Vincent Sinclair Williams Jr.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This is a study of the perceptions, philosophies, purpose, and effectiveness of public education in Bermuda. It includes a purposeful sample of Bermuda leaders in education, government, business, and public life. I prepared a series of questions that I used as an interview guide to obtain the opinions of participants in the study. Most participants did not provide specific information about the official philosophy, major purposes, or specific educational outcomes of the public education system since its restructuring began in 1987. Many indicated their frustration about the lack of such basic data as enrollment, graduation, and dropout rates. Nearly all …

Third Grade Taks Reading Performance Differences, Textbook Adoptions And Texas Reading First Initiative Participating And Non-Participating Campuses, Erica Briana Guerra

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this study was to compare the reading performances of third grade students in Texas Reading First Initiative participating and non-participating campuses. Additionally, comparisons were made on third grade reading TAKS campus performance based on three Texas Education Agency textbook supported adoptions. Furthermore, campus TAKS reading performance was compared based on curricula and reading textbooks. Lastly, an examination of the participating and non-participating campus TAKS reading results and teacher interviews were described. The three textbook adoptions used during the Texas Reading First Initiative produced the same results. The campuses that did not participate in Reading First outperformed Texas …

The Leadership Experience Of Female Chief Admissions Officers: A Phenomenological Research Study, Krista Timney

All Dissertations

College admissions is a highly-competitive, business-oriented, and collaborative profession where women continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions. A study is needed of the barriers that have the potential to hinder the advancement of women in this unique and challenging field, as well as the opportunities and approaches to leadership that may lead to their success. The southeast region of the U.S. was chosen for this study because it is an area where women have been successful in advancing into leadership roles in admissions. The primary research question was: How do female chief admissions officers describe their lived leadership experiences? …

Student Achievement In Block And Non-Block Schedule Schools, William Shelton Smith Jr.

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the number of minutes allocated for high school instructional periods influences student achievement. The study also examined the perceptions of principals regarding one method of instructional time allocation, block scheduling.

The study examined the differences in student achievement on a high school exit examination in the content areas of Reading and Mathematics between schools in a southern state using a four-period block schedule and schools using a non-block schedule in order to ascertain if the type of schedule has any impact on student achievement. Additionally, information pertaining to scheduling was collected …

The Relationship Between Situational Leadership And Student Achievement, Hope Owens Beaver

Dissertations

The study of leadership has been one of great interest for many years and many leadership theories have since surfaced. Bolman and Deal’s (1991) situational leadership theory places leadership styles into four unique frames and suggests that the most effective leaders are able to utilize the most appropriate leadership frame that a situation might require. This study investigates these situational leadership frames which are structural, political, human resource, and symbolic and the relationship they may have with student achievement based on school performance labels given by the Mississippi State Department of Education.

The study was conducted in two months and …

The Merit Of Intensive Leadership Development Programs On Building-Level Administrators' Sustainability, Sonja Jean Robertson

Dissertations

With recent research identifying the propensity and ability of principals to lead as a key culprit of school and district failure, it would seem that one of the most reasonable steps should be to better determine how effective specially designed leadership development programs in the area of educational leadership are at not only equipping principals and school-based leaders, but at creating a foundation and a prevailing culture for longevity or sustainability in those positions. If the development of principals and other school-based leaders is vital to the improvement of schools, the effectiveness of the measures implemented to bring about that …

A Relational Study Of Elementary Principals' Leadership Traits, Teacher Morale, And School Performance, Carla Jean Raines Evers

Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine if a significant relationship existed between elementary principals' leadership traits and teacher morale. The study sought to identify the impact of the principal-teacher relationship on school achievement as it relates to student performance on state standards as outlined in the Mississippi state academic frameworks and as measured using the Quality of the Distribution Index (QDI) on the Mississippi state end-of-grade test, Mississippi Curriculum Test, Second Edition (MCT2). The end-of-year assessments, collectively known as MCT2: Reading-Language Arts and Mathematics, administered to students in grades 3 through 8 in the spring of each school …

Factors Influencing International Students' Academic And Sociocultural Transition In An Increasingly Globalized Society, Chung-Hsien Hsu

Dissertations

This study is a mixed-method study. It consists of a quantitative study and a qualitative study. The quantitative study focused on international adult learners’ experiences of adaptation to American academic and social cultures. The qualitative study then investigated their experiences of cultural transition.

Based on the definition of globalized influences (Finger, 2005) and existing studies discussing the effects on globalized educational environments (Merriam & Young), factors related to globalized influences were selected and used to examine the extent to which these factors have affected international students’ adaptation to learning and life in the American university. Additionally, the other two variables, …

Set Up For Success: An Examination Of The Ronald E. Mcnair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program's Mentoring Component, Dwuena Cene' Wyre

Dissertations

Often, individuals are set up to fail. However, effective mentoring can set individuals up to succeed. This nonexperimental cross-sectional, predictive study examines the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program's mentoring component. Specific focus is placed on faculty mentor competency and its impact on McNair student intent to attain a doctoral degree and awareness of graduate school.

Cohen's (1993, 1995) Principles of Adult Mentoring Scale-Postsecondary Education Scale is utilized to assess McNair student perceived faculty mentor competency. Carrera's (2002) measures of effectiveness for the McNair Program's mentoring component are also used in this study.

Sequential multiple regression is the employed method …

The Perspectives Of Practicing African American Female Superintendents In The Commonwealth Of Virginia Regarding The Impact Of Spirituality On Their Leadership Practices, Shannon Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study utilized a phenomenological approach to discover how African American female superintendents in Virginia integrated spirituality into their leadership practices. The struggles and experiences of these women as a population have been uniquely marginalized by both race and gender. These distinct influences have resulted in the development of generations of women who freely proclaim to be grounded in the spiritual. To investigate this topic, data were collected in face-to-face interviews conducted on site in the school division where each superintendent was employed. The data were analyzed using a modified version of Moustakas as proposed by Creswell (2007). Once …

How Virginia Public School Superintendents Spend Their Time, Eric Armbruster

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to examine how Virginia public school superintendents spend their time. The primary goal of this study is to determine the differences in how superintendents allocate their time in regards to their involvement with specific tasks. This descriptive study is designed to determine the level of involvement of superintendents throughout the state of Virginia in the areas of fiscal management, facility management, personnel, student personnel and special services, support services, instruction and curriculum, and community relations. This study investigates how much time is spent by superintendents in specific performance areas as defined by the Guidelines …

Learning Communities Or Support Groups: The Use Of Student Cohorts In Doctoral Educational Leadership Programs, Christy J. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-method study explored how students in a doctoral educational leadership cohort at one university used the cohort structure as a learning community or as a method of social support. Survey data were collected from 45 past and present cohort students and qualitative data were collected from three focus groups of 15 participants total. The survey measured four factors: General Cohort Experience, Trust Within the Cohort, Network, and Community of Learners. Quantitatively, one cohort was found to be significantly different from the others in terms of Trust Within the Cohort; and the 60 hour cohorts were found to be more …

The Effect Of Leadership Orientations On Student Achievement, Rhonda Davis

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between and impact of principals' leadership styles on student achievement as determined by school performance scores (SPS). Bolman and Deal's (1984; 2003) four leadership frames model (structural, human, political, and symbolic) were utilized to identify principals' leadership styles. The sample for this study consisted of 15 principals from low socioeconomic status (SES) schools and 17 principals from high SES schools located in north and middle Louisiana.

Schools were chosen by searching the Louisiana School Directory, which is based on grade configuration, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. All schools in selected parishes …