Educational Leadership Commons^™

Examining Rural High School Students’ Perceptions Toward And Experiences With The Reading Plus Intervention Program: A Qualitative Case Study, Deshonda Wolfe

Dissertations

Reading is the gateway to all other academic skills and across all disciplines of learning. Content courses at the high school level central focus are on reading to learn core curriculum verses learning to read. However, research shows that if students read significantly behind their typical peers, the reading gap widens throughout high school. Learning is stalled, and access to other contents, curriculums, and instructions becomes limited. To address the reading proficiency gap of high school students struggling to read in grade level, school districts have turned to computer assisted interventions programs, such as Reading Plus, to combat the reading …

The Impact Of Educators’ Perceptions Of Neurodivegence On Their Self-Efficacy In Teaching Middle And High School Students With Adhd And Autism In Rural Minnesota, Nicolle D. Bettcher Erickson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to explore how we can best support our teachers in matching our ever-changing educational landscape, specifically our neurodivergent learners. When educating neurodivergent students (students with autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), we must understand how to teach these creative, sometimes misunderstood individuals and unleash their full potential. To do so, we need educational practitioners who have healthy perceptions of what it means to be neurodivergent and educators who understand both the talents and hurdles that being neurodivergent may entail. This study examined how non-special education teachers' perceptions of neurodivergence correlated with …

2025-03-26 University Graduate Committee Meeting Minutes, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate., University Graduate Committee.

Faculty Senate Records

Meeting minutes from the University Graduate Committee from March 26, 2024.

Dual Enrollment Course Location And Retention In Higher Education, Joanne Krueger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

College students in the United States begin their higher education journey intending to graduate, but almost 37% do not earn a degree. The problem addressed in this study is that while dual enrollment has been shown to affect graduation rates in higher education positively, it was unclear if the location of dual enrollment courses, high school or college campus, influenced retention at a southwestern United States community college. Using Tinto’s student integration theory, the research question sought to discover the extent to which the location of dual enrollment courses, high school or college campus, predicts student retention to the second …

A Psychosociocultural Exploration Of Connection Among First-Generation Latina Undergraduates, Elizandra Sandoval M.S., Mary Dueñas Ph.D

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Using a narrative inquiry, we explored the educational experiences of first-generation Latina college students and highlight opportunities for integrating their educational wisdoms in resource and service development. We center notions of critical consciousness to focus on how students’ language identity kept them connected to their home pedagogies in higher education.

Bridging The Gap Between Muslim Students And School Leadership In The United States, Sahar Khawaja

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Entering the third decade of the 21st century, the political landscape in the United States presents a challenging environment for Muslims, mirroring the global trend of oppression and discrimination faced by this community (Neptune, 2021). Despite being the fastest-growing demographic in the nation (Lipka, 2017), Muslim Americans increasingly encounter discrimination. By actively addressing and dismantling these stereotypes, educators can cultivate an inclusive environment where the needs of Muslim students are understood and respected. Understanding the stories and experiences of these students is vital for school leaders, as it enables the creation of an environment where every student feels a genuine …

Empowering Educators, Transforming Futures: An Explanatory Multiple Case Study Of The Smou Schools In Saudi Arabia, Hana Ali Alzandi Alghamdi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 emphasizes educational reform as a critical pathway for national development, highlighting the role of educators in fostering student success. The Smou program, a professional development initiative, seeks to enhance the instructional and leadership capacities of school leaders and teachers in elementary public schools. This study explores how school leaders navigate their role in supporting teachers’ application of Smou program strategies and how teachers perceive their preparation for implementing these strategies in their instructional practices. Using an explanatory multiple case study approach, the research explores two elementary schools in the Mecca region—one high-performing and one low-performing—selected based …

Maintaining Well-Being: Coping Strategies For Prolonged Traumatic Experiences From The Stories Of Ukrainian Educators During The Wartime, Natalya Rakevich

Educational Studies Dissertations

This qualitative, phenomenological study aimed to better understand how and whether educators can maintain well-being during prolonged trauma. This study examines the experiences of Ukrainian educators living in non-occupied territories during wartime. The following research questions guided the study: What coping strategies do educators use to take care of themselves? What coping strategies do educators use with their students? How do educators perceive mindfulness and storytelling? A conceptual framework was created to better understand the topics of stress, trauma, being, well-being, surviving, suffering, and coping mechanisms through a literature review. Data collection occurred in February and March 2024, two years …

Persistence, Mentorship, And Educational Achievement: Exploring The Daca Student Experience, Patricia F. Mejabi

Education Doctorate Dissertations

The study aimed to understand demographic, cultural, and ecological factors, as well as supportive assets like mentorship on the academic persistence and educational achievement of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students. DACA protects qualified individuals who arrived in the United States as children from deportation and grants them lawful permission to seek employment and educational opportunities.

Interviews of DACA students, and mentors and advocates of DACA students, were conducted to identify similarities, differences, and common themes. Despite DACA protection positively impacting the students' financial and academic success, limited socioeconomic conditions created a need for guidance or mentorship to help …

A Transcendental Phenomenology: The Lived Experience And Descriptions Of Teacher Motivation – The Essence Of Economic And Occupational Satisfaction, Kyler Andrew Mahar

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the multifaceted lived experiences of teachers’ motivations that influence occupational satisfaction in a small, rural school district in a state in the Southern United States. The theory guiding this study was Maslow’s motivational theory, as the philosophy explains teachers’ motivations to satisfy their occupational needs. The central research question was\: How do the lived experiences of teachers’ motivation influence occupational satisfaction in a small, rural school district within the Southern United States? The chosen design for this study was a transcendental phenomenology because of the social meaning and personal significance …

Lived Experiences Of High School Teachers' Professional Development Post-Covid-19 Pandemic In Rural Georgia: A Transcendental Phenomenology Study, Jesse Regalado

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the lived experiences of high school teachers' professional development post-COVID-19 pandemic in rural Georgia, U.S.A. The theories guiding the research are Piaget's theory of disequilibration, addressing how one accommodates and assimilates to adapt to change, and Festinger's (1957) theory of cognitive dissonance, explaining how one adapts, assimilates, and accommodates to avoid disharmony. The study's central question is, what are high school teachers' perceptions on the practical or academic professional development they received post-COVID-19 pandemic in rural Georgia, United States, used to promote leadership, teaching mastery, or pedagogical practices? This study utilized …

Empowering The African American Community Through A Support Network Program At St. Luke Cathedral, Tasha Sharron Baston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This action research dissertation-in-praxis project designed and implemented a strategic intervention to enhance the effectiveness of reciprocal support networks within an African American church. The researcher collaborated with a predominantly African American church and community facing socioeconomic challenges in need of an anchor for community support, a role historically filled by the Black church in these circumstances (Moore, 2014). Under the praxis project plan, the researcher worked with a strategic team and coach from the collaborating organization, St. Luke Cathedral, to design, develop, and implement reciprocal support network-building activities for the church. The project was based on the findings of …

Fayol's Unity Of Direction Principle Implemented In The Gospel Baptist Church Of America, Sam F. Aung

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There are many Myanmar churches in the USA, and many of them are based on their ethnicities. Since many are working classes, some church members have difficulty attending church worship services and participating in other church activities. This negatively impacts the Gospel Baptist Church of America (GBCA) church's mission, vision, and goals to implement them every year. The leadership team and their management skills at Gospel Baptist Church must address and find solutions for the issues so that members cannot perform their character as followers of Jesus Christ in the church. This praxis program helps the author implement the management …

The Sanders Effect: Disruptive Leadership And Its Implications At Jackson State University, Kevin A.D. Stiff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative intrinsic case study was to explore how Deion Sanders’s leadership style influenced Jackson State University (JSU) and to examine the potential for disruptive leadership to drive change in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sports settings. Disruptive leadership is an emerging concept in leadership literature and has been underexplored, particularly in addressing the systemic challenges historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) face. These challenges include underfunding, limited resources, and reduced visibility. Sanders’s appointment at JSU provided a transformative example of disruptive leadership, resulting in significant institutional and cultural shifts. This study employed multiple data collection methods, …

Curricular Development With Adaptive Leadership In Instructional Design, Juhong Christie Liu Ph.D., Andrea H. Adams

Libraries

This paper presents the implementation of an adaptive leadership framework for instructional design (ID) services that support curricular development and faculty collaboration/consultation. Transitioning from a passive responsive norm to the advocacy of intentional design, one instructional design department examined the processes, experiences, and phased outcomes of adaptive leadership. The results include proactive anticipation of ID projects and consultations for emerging technologies and pedagogies, clearly articulating and fulfilling ID recruitment and talent management needs with sustainability, adapting decision-making processes for partnership and project cycles, and promoting transparency for accountability. The efforts of ID services in supporting faculty and curricular development have …

Instructional Decisions Of Elementary Principals For Implementing Dual Language Programs For Emergent Bilinguals, Susana M. Arredondo, Michelle H. Abrego, Velma D. Menchaca

School Leadership Review

This study explores the instructional decisions made by elementary principals in implementing dual language programs, with a focus on the choice of language for state reading assessments. Utilizing a qualitative phenomenological approach, the research examines the lived experiences of eight principals in a South Texas school district, offering insights into the challenges of maintaining program fidelity while meeting state accountability demands. Key findings highlight the tensions principals face in balancing the integrity of the dual language model with the pressures of standardized testing. The study underscores the need for flexible district policies and enhanced leadership training, advocating for a leadership …

Understanding Ai In Education: Perspectives From Midwest School Stakeholder, Chelsea Feusner, Bryan Artman, Judy Henning, Michael Teahon, Chris Knoell

School Leadership Review

This research project aimed to delve into the perceptions and comprehension of artificial intelligence (AI) policy and usage among key stakeholders in Midwest schools, including superintendents, principals, teachers, and school librarians. This qualitative study explored the nuanced perspectives and insights of these individuals, shedding light on their understanding, concerns, and attitudes towards the integration of AI technologies within educational settings. Through in-depth focus groups and thematic analysis, the study endeavors to contribute valuable insights into the evolving landscape of AI in education, informing policy decisions and educational practices for the benefit of students and educators alike.

Digital Vs. Non-Digital Interventions: A Study Of Intervention Types To Reach Fluency In Operations With Integers In Seventh-Grade Mathematics, Kathleen Brad

Education Doctorate Dissertations

Students in junior high school are struggling with mathematics (U.S. Department of Education, 2023). Mathematical fluency—the automatic and accurate recall of facts—is critical to mathematics learning. There is limited research on junior high school general education students and how we can help them master the foundational concepts. Without fluency, students rely heavily on their working memory to learn new mathematics skills. Fluency in operations with integers is one of those foundational topics of junior high school. With many new digital tools available, are digital interventions more effective than the methods teachers have been using? The researcher compared three intervention styles: …

Classroom Teachers' Approaches To Values Education: Exploring Explicit And Implicit Strategies For Teaching And Modeling Values, Maria Ukamaka Clare Okeke

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

Abstract This study explores the approaches Nigerian secondary school teachers in Anambra State use to teach values through explicit and implicit methods. Recognizing the need to understand how values are effectively communicated in the classroom, this research delves into the dual strategies employed by educators and their impacts on student moral development. The research used a qualitative interview study approach, which included semi-structured interviews with ten experienced secondary school teachers and a document analysis of teaching resources. This method allows one to investigate the explicit instruction and implicit modeling strategies applied in values education in depth. Findings reveal that teachers …

African American Superintendents’ Reflections Of Their Lived Experiences To Become Superintendent, Terrell M. Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through the study was the underrepresentation of African American superintendents in public school districts across the United States. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore African American superintendents’ descriptions of their lived experiences becoming and being superintendent and to gather their reflections on the underrepresentation. Elements of Super’s developmental self-concept theory and cultural identity literature formed the framework. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 active, former, or retired African American superintendents who came from K-12 public school districts across the United States and had a minimum of 3 years in the superintendency. Open coding …