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Full-Text Articles in Educational Leadership

Teacher Self-Efficacy And The Inclusive Christian School Classroom, Richard J. Mudrow Oct 2023

Teacher Self-Efficacy And The Inclusive Christian School Classroom, Richard J. Mudrow

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Research indicates that one in five students nationwide struggles with a learning difficulty or disability that affects the student’s ability to learn (Galiatsos et al., 2019). Nationwide, Christian schools are enrolling students with disabilities (SWDs), but it is difficult to determine the specific number of SWDs enrolled in Christian schools (Association of Christian Schools International, 2021). In the inclusive school setting, whether public or private, teachers and administrators are often underprepared in their approach to the education of SWDs (Cooc, 2019; Kirk et al., 2021; Krämer et al., 2021). The purpose of this study is to explore how teaching SWDs …


A Qualitative Analysis Of Augustine’S Philosophy Of Education, Erik D. Thomas Apr 2022

A Qualitative Analysis Of Augustine’S Philosophy Of Education, Erik D. Thomas

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

A philosophy of education consists of varying values and beliefs that coalesce to form a coherent and structured approach to curriculum and instruction. Today, a diverse number of philosophies exist, each with its own set of standards, priorities, and points of emphasis like intellectual and vocational development. However, philosophies emphasizing moral development as an integral feature of both intellectual and vocational development are not as popular. Although some forms of moral education exist, disagreements over its value, purpose, and implementation remain prevalent. The following qualitative study examined the works of Augustine of Hippo, a proponent of moral education, to identify …


The Effects Of Using Adult Learning Principles In Sermons, David Pierre Apr 2022

The Effects Of Using Adult Learning Principles In Sermons, David Pierre

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental study was to assess the effects of adult learning principles (ALP) in sermons on parishioners’ spiritual growth. Sermons have been central to the spread of Christianity. Given the significant role sermons play in parishioners’ spiritual formation and growth, examining sermons’ effectiveness is crucial. One-hundred-and-twenty participants responded to the researcher-created research instrument. An initial screening was first conducted with the study's data; as a result, 13 participants were removed from the data set for complete non-response to the 15 survey items. Three research questions and hypotheses were formally stated to address the study’s topic. Over …


Teachers’ Lived Experiences And Perspectives Of School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Plans, Susanna J. Brice Apr 2022

Teachers’ Lived Experiences And Perspectives Of School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Plans, Susanna J. Brice

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this case study was to examine how teachers from Title 1 elementary schools implemented school-wide positive behavior plans in Northeast Florida. This qualitative study was founded on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). According to TPB, an individual’s behavior can be predicted by attitude and purposes for the behavior. The research participants were six Title 1 elementary school teachers with whom semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather the data. Themes that emerged were professional development, consistency, teacher buy-in, administrative support, and the effectiveness of the plan. Participants indicated the importance of continued support through check-ins, collaborations, professional …


The Lived Experience Of Teachers’ Socratic Practice: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Mark A. Jedrzejczyk Apr 2022

The Lived Experience Of Teachers’ Socratic Practice: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Mark A. Jedrzejczyk

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This hermeneutic phenomenology studied the lived experiences of four high school teachers’ Socratic practice. The purpose of the study was to describe the essence of high school teachers’ lived experience of Socratic practice and explore what the teachers’ lived experiences suggested about their understanding of Socratic practice. The data for this study were collected in semistructured interviews with four teachers. As a hermeneutic phenomenological study, the researcher did not bracket himself. Instead, he clarified his reflexivity and examined transcripts of the written interviews through a hermeneutic circle. The study found four significant themes among teachers’ descriptions of their lived experiences …


Comparing The Job Satisfaction Of Virtual School Educators To That Of Traditional Educators, Eric L. Sierra Apr 2022

Comparing The Job Satisfaction Of Virtual School Educators To That Of Traditional Educators, Eric L. Sierra

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Virtual education in the K-12 environment is a growing field in the education industry. Not only does virtual education provide new opportunities for students, it also changes how teachers work in the industry and how they perceive the job satisfaction. Using the Teacher Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (TJSQ), this study compares perceived job satisfaction of virtual educators to that of traditional educators in the K-12 environment. Data collected from 112 educators suggested that both virtual and traditional educators were satisfied with their jobs. When teachers in both environments were compared to one another, there was no statistically significant difference in their …


The Confidence Of High School Special Education (Sped) Teachers To Deliver Instruction In A 100% Virtual Learning Environment Due To Covid-19, Darius E. James Apr 2022

The Confidence Of High School Special Education (Sped) Teachers To Deliver Instruction In A 100% Virtual Learning Environment Due To Covid-19, Darius E. James

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic had substantially altered others' daily social interactions and the delivery of education globally. From preschool to universities, educational institutions worldwide temporarily closed their brick-and-mortar facilities to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The transition from in-person to virtual learning was very abrupt, and the transition forced teachers of all experience levels to adapt to a new normal of virtual instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of high school special education teachers’ confidence to deliver virtual instruction to students within a school district that was …


Who Can Teach Us? An Exploration Of The Influences Of Pedagogy On The Disempowerment Of Indigenous Peoples Of Oaxaca, Mexico, Mariaelena G. Steiner Apr 2022

Who Can Teach Us? An Exploration Of The Influences Of Pedagogy On The Disempowerment Of Indigenous Peoples Of Oaxaca, Mexico, Mariaelena G. Steiner

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Persistent poverty coupled with inequality and marginalization continues to broaden the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous populations of Oaxaca, Mexico. Particularly in the field of education, Oaxaca exhibits an insufficient and inadequate pedagogical system. Federal, State, and NGOs educational interventions have been unreliable at best, demonstrating minimal outcomes predominantly in the degree and percentage of engagement that the indigenous of Oaxaca demonstrate at creating and implementing educational alternatives suitable to their local and state needs. The development of an ethnic pedagogical system—with all its propositions of community engagement for the purpose of progress—is critical to poverty exits as demonstrated by …


A Qualitative Study Of Middle School Science Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Transition To Online Instruction During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Brian S. Ward Mar 2022

A Qualitative Study Of Middle School Science Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Transition To Online Instruction During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Brian S. Ward

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this study was to explore the unique lived experiences of four middle school science teachers from North Carolina and South Carolina during and following the transition from in-person to online instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Four predominant themes were identified from individual, semi-structured interviews of the teachers: technology change; organizational change; changes in curricula, delivery, and student interaction; and career and personal changes. The teachers in this study described the challenges and opportunities experienced during the rapid transition in March 2020 to virtual teaching and learning. The teachers’ lived experiences seamlessly aligned with the stages of …


The Intersection Of School-Based Leadership Practices And School Grades In The State Of Florida, Wendelynn A. Mcpherson Oct 2021

The Intersection Of School-Based Leadership Practices And School Grades In The State Of Florida, Wendelynn A. Mcpherson

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative study was to examine to what degree 12 self-reported leadership behaviors were associated with and predictive of school grades in the state of Florida. The study participant sample was exclusively comprised of educational leaders from elementary schools located in Florida. In this descriptive study, elementary principals were surveyed to determine the frequency of leadership behaviors (independent variable) and school grades (dependent variable). Two research questions and hypotheses were posed to address the study’s research problem. Research question one utilized a simple linear regression to assess the predictive variable of the overall leadership practices for …


Discovering The Importance Of Engagement In A Virtual Learning Experience For K-12 Educators, Kristen A. Condella Oct 2021

Discovering The Importance Of Engagement In A Virtual Learning Experience For K-12 Educators, Kristen A. Condella

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to discover how a virtual learning opportunity using various digital tools influenced professional development for teachers in a rural school district. The qualitative study was conducted through virtual interviews and participant lesson plan submissions and was aligned with the Technology Integration Matrix. The case study included participation in a virtual professional learning opportunity for K-12 educators on the topic of digital tool use, with an interview at completion focusing on engagement and implementation of learned tools as a result of the virtual learning experience. Participant submission of lesson plans were reviewed to …


An Evaluation Of Student-Led Data Notebooks, Desiree M. Thompson Oct 2021

An Evaluation Of Student-Led Data Notebooks, Desiree M. Thompson

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this study was to examine teachers' perceptions of data notebooks after implementation in an elementary school in Northeast Florida. This quantitative study was founded on the goal-setting theory, which focuses on setting attainable goals for motivation. The research participants were 45 teachers from a K-5 school. The participants varied in grade level and experience. Data were collected via a survey after teachers had fully implemented data notebooks in the classroom. Understanding teachers' perceptions of data notebooks will encourage school leaders to implement data notebooks to strengthen student accountability, student motivation, and the instructional process in the classroom.


Getting Started: The Impact Of Training On Teacher Self-Efficacy And Implementation Of Arts Integration Strategies, Sharon J. Reid-Kane Oct 2021

Getting Started: The Impact Of Training On Teacher Self-Efficacy And Implementation Of Arts Integration Strategies, Sharon J. Reid-Kane

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Arts integration is a proven cross-cultural methodology for instructing through and with the arts (Sterman, 2018). Professional development experiences are met with enthusiasm and interest; however, a disconnect exists between completion of training and implementation of learned practices. Providers are, therefore, led to question program design and delivery (The Kennedy Center, n.d.). The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate the impact of training on perceptions of self-efficacy of teachers participating in The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ professional learning programs and the implementation of arts integration strategies. Using a researcher-created instrument, 51 teachers from within …


Teachers' Implementation And Application Of Social-Emotional Learning Training In The Classroom, Ricky Pierre Oct 2021

Teachers' Implementation And Application Of Social-Emotional Learning Training In The Classroom, Ricky Pierre

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Social-emotional learning (SEL) has become a part of education to enhance learning by catering to students' personal and social advancement. Unlike many other districts, this local district has pushed for a more unified process to implement SEL in the classrooms. The implementation of SEL varies from one district to another. However, a factor to SEL's successful implementation is adequate training for classroom teachers. Another factor that affects its implementation is the perception with which classroom teachers apply the concepts acquired from the training. The research data highlights the benefits of SEL effectively implemented at the classroom level. Classroom teachers are …


A Phenomenological Study To Understand The Transformation Of The Education System In A Rural Missouri High School In The Wake Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Amanda R. Burdick Oct 2021

A Phenomenological Study To Understand The Transformation Of The Education System In A Rural Missouri High School In The Wake Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Amanda R. Burdick

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the transformation of the education system in a rural-distant Missouri high school in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven content-area educators participated in the study. Data was collected through interviews and archival documents. The data analysis revealed three themes: transition to virtual learning, the new classroom experience, and emotional impact. Within those themes, participants described specific institutional and curricular changes that were made, and the emotional impact that the COVID-19 teaching experience had on them. Results of the study indicated that teachers felt very alone navigating through all of the …


Culturally Diverse Student Engagement And Professional Development Needs Of Undergraduate Faculty: A Qualitative Case Study, Christina R. Luther Apr 2021

Culturally Diverse Student Engagement And Professional Development Needs Of Undergraduate Faculty: A Qualitative Case Study, Christina R. Luther

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This qualitative single-site case study explored how undergraduate faculty members engaged culturally diverse students and determined the professional development needs of those faculty members to engage culturally diverse student populations. Exploring culturally sensitive practices will enable faculty members of institutions of higher education (IHEs) to engage diverse student populations. Determining the professional development needs of IHEs faculty members will assist IHEs’professional developers to implement training that will enhance the engagement of culturally diverse student populations. Qualitative data were collected through interviews from five undergraduate education faculty members at an institution of higher education (IHE) in the southeastern region of the …


Examining The Lived-Experiences Of International L2 Phd Students: A Narrative Study, Sydney B. Basford Apr 2021

Examining The Lived-Experiences Of International L2 Phd Students: A Narrative Study, Sydney B. Basford

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The primary purpose of this qualitative narrative study was to explore the lived experiences of international PhD students who used academic English literacy during their research for their theses/dissertations. The second purpose of this study was to identify ways international PhD students mitigated academic language challenges for their theses/dissertations. This qualitative narrative study was founded on the theoretical framework of constructivism and sociocultural theory created by Vygotsky. The research participants were three L2 international PhD students who lived in America while conducting research for their dissertations or theses. Video recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted with all participants to gather rich, …


A Phenomenological Study On Novice Teachers’ Perceptions Of Instructional Coaching Support, Shameka J. Brown Apr 2021

A Phenomenological Study On Novice Teachers’ Perceptions Of Instructional Coaching Support, Shameka J. Brown

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Experiencing instructional supportive structures that help teachers to overcome barriers to meeting the diverse needs of their students is vital to the success of novice teachers (Kraft et al., 2018). The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions novice teachers developed while experiencing instructional coaching support. Five novice teachers in elementary Title I schools participated in the study. Two themes emerged from the data analysis and indicated that novice teachers perceived first year success as a result of the instructional coaching support they received. Novice teachers perceived that a collaborative work environment with instructional coaches and …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Former English As A Foreign Language Students, Nguessan T. Yobouet Apr 2021

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Former English As A Foreign Language Students, Nguessan T. Yobouet

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Many people in school settings have been successful in learning foreign languages, including English. While schools have helped provide this opportunity, the increasing rate of student disinterest in foreign languages is evidence that schools have not yet fully achieved their goals in foreign language education. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of former students who have successfully learned English as a foreign language outside of school. Specifically, this study aimed to describe and interpret the sociocultural dimension of EFL (English as a foreign language) learning. To determine the importance of the sociocultural dimension of foreign language …


An Evaluation Of Student Perceptions Of Classroom Environment Factors In Faccs Schools, Pamela J. Piorkowski Apr 2021

An Evaluation Of Student Perceptions Of Classroom Environment Factors In Faccs Schools, Pamela J. Piorkowski

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of the study was to evaluate Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (FACCS) high school student perceptions of the relationship between ideal and real classroom environments. The quantitative, non-experimental research design with a survey was used to understand students' overall perceptions of attending five Christian schools and how they perceived the classroom environments. Student perceptions of their classroom environment are a topic of essential importance to the Christian school. The data provided vital insight using nine dimensions measured using a standardized tool, the Classroom Environment Scale (CES), developed by Edison Trickett and Rudolf Moos. Dimensions in the …


A Case Study Of Pedagogical Practices That Boost Chinese Students’ Oral English Self-Confidence, Michael D. Knapp Apr 2021

A Case Study Of Pedagogical Practices That Boost Chinese Students’ Oral English Self-Confidence, Michael D. Knapp

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Practice is necessary for developing oral English proficiency, but many Chinese learners of English lack the self-confidence to practice oral English; furthermore, students’ self-confidence deficiency is perpetuated by insufficient oral English proficiency. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to discover pedagogical practices that break the cycle of the reciprocal effect of deficiencies in oral English and in self-confidence in Chinese adult PhD non-English major students. Six participants who raised their oral English proficiency and self-confidence during their PhD studies described their English learning journeys by responding to interview questions. Analyzation of data from interview responses developed into two …


The Perceptions Of High School Graduates Regarding The Effectiveness Of Their 504 Accommodations, Jackie A. Wyche Apr 2021

The Perceptions Of High School Graduates Regarding The Effectiveness Of Their 504 Accommodations, Jackie A. Wyche

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of high school seniors diagnosed with mental or physical impairments regarding the effectiveness of their 504 academic accommodations. The approach of this qualitative study was transcendental phenomenology. Phenomenology is defined as the qualitative approach to research that encompasses the exploration of lived experiences of the participants. The participants for this research study were high school graduates who had 504 accommodations during high school. Participants for this study contr ibuted by answering open ended questions from an interview guide. In the course of the in depth data analysis, the interviews …


Mentee Voice: Mentee Perspectives Of The Effectiveness Of Youth Mentoring Programs, Rod S. Crowley, Rod S. Crowley Oct 2020

Mentee Voice: Mentee Perspectives Of The Effectiveness Of Youth Mentoring Programs, Rod S. Crowley, Rod S. Crowley

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of youth mentoring programs from the mentee perspective. An extant survey instrument, the Youth Strength of Relationship (YSOR) was utilized to provide data necessary to address the study’s topic and research problem. The YSOR yielded a good level of internal reliability (George & Mallery, 2016) in addressing study participant perceptions of satisfaction with the mentoring program featured in the study. A nonprobability sampling approach was adopted, featuring a convenient, purposive methodology. The study’s sample of participants were youth mentees (n= 1,183) specifically accessed from a Central Florida agency that provides …


An Evaluation Study Of A Youth Entrepreneurship Program’S Influence On Self-Efficacy And Life Skills, Lauren S. Hopkins Oct 2020

An Evaluation Study Of A Youth Entrepreneurship Program’S Influence On Self-Efficacy And Life Skills, Lauren S. Hopkins

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Youth entrepreneurship programs provide opportunities to learn and to practice strategies that are necessary to start and grow a business. In the summer of 2018, a nonprofit organization in central South Carolina facilitated a modified two-week entrepreneurship education program for 18 students who recently completed third through twelfth grades. Program managers wanted to conduct a program evaluation to determine the effectiveness of the modified program and its influence on the self-efficacy and life skills of the youth participants. Quantitative data were collected from measures of young people’s self-efficacy and life skills before and after the program, from entrepreneurial knowledge after …


A Study Of The Impact Of A University’S Program For Intellectual Disabilities On Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions And Attitudes, Tyanne N. Bailey Oct 2020

A Study Of The Impact Of A University’S Program For Intellectual Disabilities On Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions And Attitudes, Tyanne N. Bailey

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Opportunities for individuals with exceptional needs to participate in inclusive environments have increased in recent years due to the implementation of various laws. Throughout the history of education, individuals with exceptional needs were prevented from attending higher education institutions; however, the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008 provided opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to attend higher education institutions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how a university’s program to assist students with intellectual disabilities successfully transition from high school to adulthood impacted undergraduate students’ perceptions and comfort level of working with individuals with intellectual disabilities. This …


A Case Study Of Science Teachers’ Perceptions Of Self-Efficacy In Teaching The Science And Engineering Practices, Bryanna J. Dennewitz Oct 2020

A Case Study Of Science Teachers’ Perceptions Of Self-Efficacy In Teaching The Science And Engineering Practices, Bryanna J. Dennewitz

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This case study examined South Carolina public school science teachers’ perceptions of self-efficacy related to planning and executing STEM-centric lessons. The adoption of the South Carolina Academic Standards and Performance Indicators for Science in 2014 required science teachers to make substantial pedagogical shifts in their instructional practices, which influenced their self-efficacy. The standards included science and engineering practices (SEPs) embedded in the standards. Understanding how science teachers’ perceptions of self-efficacy influence their instructional competence for planning and executing SEP-integrated lessons might guide schools and districts to create focused instructional support for the teachers designed to meet their unique pedagogical needs. …


Teacher Development In Promising School Turnaround Efforts, Andrew Swanson Oct 2020

Teacher Development In Promising School Turnaround Efforts, Andrew Swanson

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The study was developed to examine the teacher development efforts utilized by leaders of lowperforming schools that had shown promising gains in student achievement. A researchercreated quantitative survey sent to school leaders in one state was utilized to analyze the perceived use and effectiveness of various teacher development efforts in supporting student achievement gains at their schools. Overall, the results showed school leaders focused heavily on teacher development to support their school turnaround efforts and that teacher development was effective in improving student achievement. Classroom walk-throughs were found to be an integral strategy in school turnaround and the results also …


An Evaluation Of Teachers’ Perceptions Of Preparedness To Teach In Dual Language Programs, Cari Andreani Oct 2020

An Evaluation Of Teachers’ Perceptions Of Preparedness To Teach In Dual Language Programs, Cari Andreani

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Students whose first language is not English (English language learners or ELLs) make up the fastest growing demographic in public schools. School districts nationwide have implemented dual language programs as a way to help close the achievement gap between ELLs and native English speaking students, however, a main concern of implementing a dual language program is the shortage of prepared and qualified teachers. The purpose of this study was to assist school districts, dual language schools, and dual language teachers in determining what training and support teachers need to be successful in a dual language program. This study surveyed dual …


Revealing True Images: A Study Of Perceptions Of Confidence And Competence In Reflective Writing On Undergraduate Students To Enhance Written Expression Efficacy, Rasheda J. Cummings Apr 2020

Revealing True Images: A Study Of Perceptions Of Confidence And Competence In Reflective Writing On Undergraduate Students To Enhance Written Expression Efficacy, Rasheda J. Cummings

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Learning improvements do not transpire without understanding the process of reflective writing. The aim of this quantitative, quasi-experimental study was to determine the degree of impact using reflective writing instruction upon study participant perceptions of confidence and competence in the area of written expression efficacy. This study also examined the effect that perceived sense of control had on perceived confidence and competence in the area of written expression. The current study was carried out with 31 participants who were undergraduate students at a small private, four-year university. Study participants’ perceptions were assessed using a three-phase, repeated measures, pre-test/post-test survey during …


Inclusive Classrooms: Elementary Regular Classroom Teachers’ Perceived Stressors And Supports Needed To Effectively Teach Students With Special Needs, Nichole W. Gainey Apr 2020

Inclusive Classrooms: Elementary Regular Classroom Teachers’ Perceived Stressors And Supports Needed To Effectively Teach Students With Special Needs, Nichole W. Gainey

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between the proportions of students with special needs in elementary classrooms and regular elementary teachers’ stressors and needs for professional development support. The conceptual framework for the study was derived from critical mass theory and tipping point theory. The design of this dissertation study was non-experimental survey research of a non-random, purposive sample of 52 regular elementary classroom teachers who taught students with special needs. The researcher used a broad definition of students with special needs to include those who were working on a RtI Tier 2 or Tier 3 …