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Full-Text Articles in Education
Administrator Perspectives On Teacher Recruitment And Retention During A Pandemic, Matthew Aaron Carr
Administrator Perspectives On Teacher Recruitment And Retention During A Pandemic, Matthew Aaron Carr
Dissertations
The global COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed education across the United States leaving a shortage of highly qualified teachers to fill positions in classrooms (Nguyen et al., 2022; Schmitt & deCourcy, 2022). This research study utilized the theoretical framework of the Four-Capital Theoretical Model of Teacher Retention and Attrition (Mason & Matas, 2015). This qualitative study utilized open-ended survey questions and follow-up interviews to elicit the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine effective strategies to the recruitment and retention of high-quality teachers. Sixty-two public school administrators shared their perspectives through the survey, while eight administrators participated in follow-up interviews. …
Lessons Learned From Emergency Remote Teaching And Learning In A Suburban High School, Stephen Beauchamp
Lessons Learned From Emergency Remote Teaching And Learning In A Suburban High School, Stephen Beauchamp
Dissertations
The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the experience of teachers and students from a Midwest, mid-sized suburban high school during Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The researcher surveyed teachers and students about the challenges, benefits, and what they plan to carry forward post-pandemic. Because the teachers and students, prior to and over the course of the pandemic experienced several schedule options, preferences as to which schedule type they preferred were surveyed. Schedule types included Traditional, Block, Hybrid, or Remote schedules. Results indicated that for teachers, ERT was a time of learning and …
Effect Of Instructional Support Structures On Novice Teachers’ Efficacy And Job Satisfaction, Ashley Nicole Klein
Effect Of Instructional Support Structures On Novice Teachers’ Efficacy And Job Satisfaction, Ashley Nicole Klein
Dissertations
As school districts across the nation continuously struggle to retain high-quality, effective teachers, a closer look into teacher efficacy and job satisfaction was warranted (Ingersoll et al., 2018; Sutters & Savage, 2016). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among novice elementary teachers’ efficacy, instructional support, and job satisfaction in their first through fifth years of teaching. Five hundred sixteen Missouri public school districts were invited to participate in the study, and 48 school districts participated. The instrumentation for this study included the Teacher’s Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES), the Leadership Coaching Competencies Inventory, and the Job …
An Examination Of Recruitment And Retention Strategies Of High-Performing Public School Districts In Missouri, Zebadiah Thomas Wallace
An Examination Of Recruitment And Retention Strategies Of High-Performing Public School Districts In Missouri, Zebadiah Thomas Wallace
Dissertations
Teachers are the most-significant controllable factor that leads to student achievement (Hattie & Anderman, 2013). Accordingly, recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers are the most-significant variables for student success that can be controlled by school leaders (Fraynd, 2013). The purpose of this study was to examine teacher recruitment and retention strategies of high-performing public school districts in Missouri. Specifically, this study was designed to compare the perceptions of human resource directors and teachers to identify trends, commonalities, and differences to more fully understand the recruitment and retention of teachers. Participants received an online survey to elicit their perceptions of effective recruitment …
A Study Of Military-Connected Parental Perceptions Of Support, Engagement, And Climate, John Patrick Finnane
A Study Of Military-Connected Parental Perceptions Of Support, Engagement, And Climate, John Patrick Finnane
Dissertations
This quantitative study was conducted to determine military-connected families' perceptions concerning Family Support, School Climate, and Family Engagement after implementing the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity (Astor et al., 2012). Further, this study aimed to determine whether there were significant differences between the districts participating in the study. Two school districts participated in this study. One school district had a student population of greater than 25% military-connected, and one had a population of less than 25%. A third district, which was 100%, chose not to participate in the study due to personnel's stressors on their garrison caused by the global …
A Tale Of Two Schools: A Study Of Student Risk Factors And Exclusionary Suspension Incidents, Brandy Nicole Williamson
A Tale Of Two Schools: A Study Of Student Risk Factors And Exclusionary Suspension Incidents, Brandy Nicole Williamson
Dissertations
discipline practices can widen the opportunity gap for at-risk students (Baker & Coley, 2013; Black, 2016; Crosby et al., 2018; Gibson & Gibson, 2019; Mallett, 2016; McCarter, 2017; Porter, 2015; Williams et al., 2017). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between student risk factors and exclusionary discipline rates. Identification of a significant relationship between exclusionary discipline and student risk factors could lead to an increased awareness of precertification and practicing educator professional development needs. Identification of a significant relationship between trauma-related risk factors and exclusionary discipline could lead to an awareness of exclusionary discipline alternatives more …
Examining The Impact Of Interscholastic State Activity Association Athletics Expansion At The Middle School Level In A Large Urban School District, Nathaniel Brooks Gillespie
Examining The Impact Of Interscholastic State Activity Association Athletics Expansion At The Middle School Level In A Large Urban School District, Nathaniel Brooks Gillespie
Dissertations
Few studies have been conducted to investigate the educational benefits of participation in extracurricular activities during middle school (Hughes et al., 2016; Knifsend & Graham, 2012). This mixed-methods study involved elicitation of athletic directors’ perceptions and analysis of secondary data to determine the impact of interscholastic athletics participation on school connectedness. The qualitative portion of the study involved an analysis of the perceptions of athletic directors. The quantitative portion of the study involved an analysis of grade-point average (GPA), attendance, and discipline data of middle school students who participated in intramural athletics during the 2016– 2017 school year and those …
The Influence Of Implicit Bias On Student Evaluations Of Teaching At A Missouri Community College, Kimberly Franklin Berry
The Influence Of Implicit Bias On Student Evaluations Of Teaching At A Missouri Community College, Kimberly Franklin Berry
Dissertations
Student Evaluations of Teaching (SET) are the primary instrument used to measure teaching effectiveness by colleges and universities nationwide (Wallace, Lewis, & Allen, 2019). Many colleges and universities use the SET for personnel decisions regarding tenure, promotion, and termination. Yet, the possibility of implicit bias impacting the SET and resulting in discriminatory practices against marginalized faculty continues to be a concern for higher education (Mitchell & Martin, 2018). The effectiveness of the SET continues to be debated by faculty and administrators due to concerns about reliability, validity, and bias (Bonitz, 2011). This quantitative study was conducted to examine the influence …
School-Based Wellness Programs: Educator Perceptions, Rocky C. Valentine
School-Based Wellness Programs: Educator Perceptions, Rocky C. Valentine
Dissertations
The utilization of workplace wellness programs in the field of education has become increasingly popular. Educators are receptive to school-based wellness programming to reduce stress, increase work engagement, and provide opportunities for health and wellness (Schultz et al., 2019). The purpose of this explanatory, sequential, mixedmethod study was to investigate certified educators’ perceptions of school-based wellness programs, wellness program components, and their impact on educator stress, burnout, and retention. An interpretivist theoretical framework was used to make sense of the meanings and understandings of the participants (Creswell & Creswell, 2018). Little research has been focused on the implementation and evaluation …
The Effects Of Principal Feedback On Instruction And Student Achievement, Jeremy Brownfield
The Effects Of Principal Feedback On Instruction And Student Achievement, Jeremy Brownfield
Dissertations
Legislative and educational reform through the first 20 years of this century has focused largely on the impact of the teacher and principal on student achievement (Kraft & Gilmour, 2016; Marshall, 2017). Principals’ influence upon achievement is second only to that of classroom teachers; however, principal impact is indirect and difficult to quantify (Leithwood, Louis, Anderson, & Wahlstorm, 2004). This mixed-methods study involved the analysis of secondary data and elicitation of teachers’ and principals’ perceptions in order to determine the impact of principals on student achievement. The quantitative portion of the study involved an analysis of secondary data including the …
Instructional Coaching: Perceptions Of Midwest Building Principals And Instructional Coaches, Mary Jean Hall
Instructional Coaching: Perceptions Of Midwest Building Principals And Instructional Coaches, Mary Jean Hall
Dissertations
Instructional coaching has gained popularity with school districts to improve teachers’ instructional strategies, and students’ academic performance. Current research supports the use of instructional coaching for schoolwide improvements; however, researchers suggest research is needed regarding the training and support of instructional coaches. Different coaching models are in use today and research into the best coaching framework for effective instructional coaching is needed. This study was conducted to investigate the perceptions of instructional coaches regarding their preparedness when entering the instructional coaching position, the professional development and support offered by school districts to coaches, and whether there is a need for …
The Effect Of The Missouri Preschool Program On School Readiness, Madeline June Allin
The Effect Of The Missouri Preschool Program On School Readiness, Madeline June Allin
Dissertations
National policymakers, practitioners, and researchers have consistently questioned how to develop the necessary skills for the nation’s youth to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The answer points directly to the provision of highquality early childhood programs to prepare children for entrance to kindergarten and put them on a trajectory toward lifelong positive outcomes (Ferrarello, 2017; Phillips et al., 2017). The Missouri Preschool Program is a high-quality, state grant-funded program, with grant priority given to schools serving a large number of disadvantaged children (MODESE, 2018a). The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to compare the school readiness skills …
Personality Type, Self-Efficacy, And Learning Style Preference: A Quantitative Study Of Ninth-Grade Students In Missouri, Katie Lee Mock
Personality Type, Self-Efficacy, And Learning Style Preference: A Quantitative Study Of Ninth-Grade Students In Missouri, Katie Lee Mock
Dissertations
Personality types, learning style preferences, and self-efficacy domains of ninth-grade students in southwest Missouri were explored in this study. The study was conducted to shed light on needs assessments used to identify learner differences due to the rise of mixed-ability classrooms. Five selected schools participated in the study during the 2019-2020 school year. The Big Five Personality survey was used to identify the dominant personality type of each participant: openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, or neuroticism. The Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C) was used to identify the dominant self-efficacy domain for each participant: academic, social, or emotional. The Thinking and Learning …
A Mixed- Methods Study Investigating The Perceptions Of Culture Among Faculty, Staff, Adjunct Instructors, And Administrators In A Four-Year, Private, Midwestern University, Amanda J. Price
Dissertations
This mixed-methods study investigated the different perspectives between faculty, staff, adjunct instructors, and administrators utilizing the Competing Values Framework developed by Cameron & Quinn (2011). The quantitative portion of this study analyzed how each employee type viewed the institution’s current culture and how these perceptions were similar or dissimilar to the preferred culture. The qualitative portion, on the other hand, aimed at understanding each group’s viewpoints on the university’s ability to achieve its mission and purpose, adapt and change, clearly communicate, and to effectively lead. These insights were necessary for the researcher to gain insight into the institution’s culture beyond …
Educators’ Perceptions Concerning The Leading Factors Of Mathematics Achievement In Top-Ranking Nations Around The World, Kendra Snow
Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of post-secondary mathematics educators from countries considered to be highly successful in the area of mathematics based upon results of international assessments. Four instructors were randomly selected from a homogenous sample within the nations of Canada, China, Japan, and Singapore to contribute information about the phenomenon of mathematical achievement. Frameworks from SRI International (2009), Matthews (2013), and Schoenfeld (2014) were integrated to design this study focused on curriculum, pedagogy and instructional approach, teacher knowledge and expectations, and organizational and social climate as possible factors that support student mathematical proficiency. Interviews …
A Quantitative Study Examining Project Lead The Way Gateway Program Outcomes In A Suburban School District, Patrick Joseph Bellinger
A Quantitative Study Examining Project Lead The Way Gateway Program Outcomes In A Suburban School District, Patrick Joseph Bellinger
Dissertations
Within the confines of this study, the Researcher investigated Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Gateway program outcomes at a Midwest suburban school district. The study examined specific academic achievement outcomes and attitudes regarding STEAM courses and STEAM careers among students who completed at least one semester in a middle school PLTW Gateway program. The Researcher attempted to determine if there was a difference in student attitudes related to STEAM between students who enrolled in a PLTW Gateway course and students who never enrolled in PLTW Gateway, as determined in an online survey. The Researcher also attempted to determine if there …
A Study Of Advancement: Female Superintendents Breaking The Glass Ceiling, Tiffany Caywood Brunner
A Study Of Advancement: Female Superintendents Breaking The Glass Ceiling, Tiffany Caywood Brunner
Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to examine the career progression of female superintendents located in southwest Missouri. The inequitable balance of women represented at the highest levels of district leadership is a national, state, and local concern (American Association of School Superintendents [AASA], 2015). Women who do ascend to the superintendent's positions, despite the odds, are in the minority (Brunner & Grogan, 2007). A qualitative, narrative research lens was used in this study to capture individual career accounts and interpretations of career advancement of the female superintendent. Data collection centered on personal, one-on-one interviews with female superintendents located throughout …
Nelly Don: An Educational Leader, Lisa S. Thompson
Nelly Don: An Educational Leader, Lisa S. Thompson
Dissertations
In 1916, Ellen Quinlan Donnelly aka Nelly Don started a fashion empire from her humble Kansas City home. She became one of the wealthiest and most celebrated American women in business with a career that spanned well into the 1960s. The Nelly Don Empire reportedly sold more dresses in the 20th century than any other single person in the United States, and she started as a Lindenwood College student. This study investigated Nell Quinlan Donnelly the “Grand Lady” of the garment industry beyond her millionaire status and revolutionary business leadership at Donnelly Garment Company. The reexamination of Nell Quinlan Donnelly’s …
A Case Study On The Use Of Best Practices Within The Mri Program In A Midwest School District, Maureen M. Green
A Case Study On The Use Of Best Practices Within The Mri Program In A Midwest School District, Maureen M. Green
Dissertations
The ability to read proficiently is a comprehensive skill necessary for success at all academic levels. Students who consistently read below grade level continue to struggle throughout their school years with little chance of recovery. The administrative leaders of the Ocean View School District (a pseudonym) noticed a decline in reading scores and recognized a need for a significant shift in its instructional practices to reach its struggling readers. The purpose of this study allowed school leaders an opportunity to investigate the effectiveness of the Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR) reading strategy within the structure of the Missouri Reading Initiative …
Missouri Legislator And Administrator Perceptions Of Federal Government Involvement In Education, Roger Allen Woods Jr.
Missouri Legislator And Administrator Perceptions Of Federal Government Involvement In Education, Roger Allen Woods Jr.
Dissertations
here are very few studies on the views of school administrators and state legislators regarding federal government mandates for schools. Bolman and Deal (2015) believed people align themselves to survive and thrive in the political framework where resources are scarce, and the aspects of power and conflict inform decisions (Douglas & Mehra, 2015; Pourrajab & Ghani, 2016). This study focused on the thought processes of both school administrators who implement federal mandates and state legislators who navigate funding for federal mandates. Leaders of the political parties of Missouri and school administrators were interviewed to gain insight into the motivation and …