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African American Public School Principals In East Tennessee: Motivation For Leadership., Joe L. Canada

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore and document the factors that motivated African American public school administrators in a selected school system in East Tennessee to become school leaders. The study highlighted barriers and challenges, support mechanisms, and perceptions of training. If minority educators are to be actively recruited and retained, there must be an understanding of the factors that motivate them to progressively seek administrative leadership positions.

The African American public school administrators' experiences were collected through 17 one-on-one personal interviews. The interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, coded, and used to answer the 4 research questions.

The primary …

How Principals Lead To Promote Inclusive Practices: A Descriptive Study, Janet Armstrong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the role of the principal in developing inclusive schools for students with disabilities. Leading an inclusive school is a significant departure from traditional schooling. An inclusive school is founded on a common mission and vision where all students are valued and everyone works collaboratively to insure that all children are educated and part of the school community. Five practicing principals in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania were studied within the context of their schools and practices. These five principals were identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as having developed and implemented schools where all students were …

There's No Place Like Home? The Effects Of Childhood Themes On Women's Aspirations Toward Leadership Roles, Janet Wojtalik

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The shortage of women in leadership positions remains a far-reaching concern in all management arenas. Although the literature hints at the influence of the internal barriers of lack of self-confidence, poor self-esteem and the overwhelming attitude of instinctive male dominance, the literature fails to address the impact of early childhood themes on the development of these misconceptions. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of childhood themes on women's aspirations toward leadership as suggested by the Eccles Model of Achievement Related Choices. Early childhood gender related experiences of women in leadership and non-leadership roles were solicited using …

Participant Feelings And Views Of The Idpel Center Adventure Program And Its Effect On The Self-Efficacy And Personal Leadership Development, Maurice Flurie Iii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since 1993 Duquesne IDPEL cohort participants begin their educational journey by participating in the Professional Seminar (Pro-Sem). The initial portion of the Pro-Sem is currently held at the Linsly Outdoor Center (LOC). At Linsly participants are involved in several experiential based simulation experiences. The purpose of these experiences is to encourage dialogue and to build Cohort teamwork (Duquesne University, 1996). This study was compelled by the findings of Brufee (1999) and Vygotsky (1978) that social interaction allows the learner to gain knowledge more rapidly. A Heuristic phenomenological case study method was used in this study of the learning experiences of …

Teacher-School Board Member Trust Relationships And Their Perceived Influence On School Effectiveness, Pamela A. Lenz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite the attention devoted to school reform in the past century, mandated initiatives enacted by policymakers have wrought few long lasting improvements in education. Throughout the last six decades of reform, federal and state lawmakers have exercised unparalleled sway on student learning, with political agendas taking precedence over breakthroughs in educational pedagogy. Taking a different approach, recent research suggests that systemic reform is more likely to occur at the local level, with schools whose culture fosters positive trust relationships being more effective than their lower trust counterparts. This collective instrumental case study expands upon extant research by examining the perceived …

Leadership Orientations Of Senior Administrators At American Metropolitan Universities, Diane Trees

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Universities in the United States continue to evolve far beyond traditional concepts. While problems of an academic, economic, governmental, and educational nature beset any university, the metropolitan institution must grapple with these issues not as an individual entity but as a partner in a group of many players. Educational leadership for the American metropolitan university necessitates distinct and unique skills. This study sought to explore leadership behaviors of senior administrators at American metropolitan universities as conceptualized by Bolman and Deal's Four-Frame Model of Leadership (1991). Using Bolman and Deal's (1990) Leadership Orientations Survey (Self) instrument with an additional Respondent Information …

A Comparison Of Mentored And Non-Mentored Novice Elementary Principals In Respect To Job Satisfaction, Colleen Skinner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if mentoring programs had an impact on job satisfaction for beginning elementary principals in the state of Florida. It also examined if the following factors impacted job satisfaction: (a) length of the mentoring program, (b) frequency of meetings, (c) selection process for the mentor, (d) the position of the mentor, or (e) age and gender of the beginning principal. The population for the study consisted of 108 elementary principals with more than six months and less than fours years of experience in the state of Florida. Twenty-four districts participated in the study, …

Educational Vision In Florida School Districts: Vision Alignment And Leadership Style, Cindy Sikkenga

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to address a gap in the organizational leadership research related to the sharing, or alignment, of leadership vision across organizational levels, with a focus on educational vision alignment in Florida K-12 public school districts. The study also sought to determine to what extent, if any, there were differences among Florida school districts exhibiting different levels of educational vision alignment. The broad question addressed by the current research was this: To what degree are the educational visions of superintendents and principals aligned within Florida K-12 public school districts? The following research questions further guided the …