Education Commons^™

Load Reduction Leadership: A Cognitive Load Theory-Based Framework Differentiating Performance Patterns In Nyc Schools, Kristopher C. Bertoglio

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation applies cognitive load theory to teacher working conditions in New York City. To connect small-scale cognitive processes with perennial organization-level effects, the theoretical components of this paper develop a novel framework. Load reduction leadership (LRL) illuminates how day-to-day school operations impact staff members’ cognition and school-level student performance. LRL extrapolates various cognitive load phenomena to schools’ complexities and time scales. Eight longitudinal case studies were found through New York State summative exam data. Schools were selected based on their abilities to over- and under-perform at improving their students’ proficiency, including schools that changed from under- to over-performance and …

Untapped Potential: Social Emotional Learning And Intervention Programs For Students Experiencing Underperformance, Kathleen Bridget Healy King

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

This study seeks the voice of practitioners to identify social emotional factors positively influencing students otherwise experiencing academic underperformance. Research has affirmed the positive impact of social emotional learning (SEL) on both short-term and long-term outcomes, while also indicating a correlation between difficulties with social emotional factors and academic underperformance. Intervention programs provide a unique opportunity to leverage SEL assets for more positive outcomes for students experiencing underperformance. This study examines the SEL factors intervention program practitioners identify as having a positive impact on students experiencing underperformance, utilizing triangulated sources: (a) document analysis of intervention program design, (b) interviews with …

Secondary School Principals' Orientations Toward And Uses Of Data For Improvement, Lisa Cala Ruud

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This descriptive and multiple case study was designed to explore and understand secondary principals’ role orientations and decision-making regarding data, evidence, and research in three urban-suburban called “positive outlier schools” (POS). POS are New York State schools that are identified as exemplars in closing educational opportunity and outcome gaps among diverse high school youth, including African American, Hispanic/Latino, and English language learner students (ELLs).

Public High School Principals’ Perceptions Of Leadership Strategies For Improved School Performance, Christine Keyser-Fanick

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore what leadership behaviors and strategies public high school principals perceived to be most effective in achieving school improvement. The qualitative constructivist grounded theory research methodology used for the study was modeled after the work of Kathy Charmaz (2014), who acknowledges that the researcher is a part of the process, as observer, data collector, analyzer, and interpreter of the data. Data were gathered through one-on-one interviews with six principals from high schools with student populations of 1,200 or more whose schools showed improvement based on state standardized test scores and whose high schools …

Teacher Factors And Student Achievement As Measured By The Act Assessment And Subsequent Teacher Perceptions Of Those Factors, Jessica Weaver

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate educator factors that have an impact on student achievement and overall school performance as indicated in the American College Test (ACT) scores from the district and the individual schools. Educators from a moderate-sized public school district participated in an anonymous online survey. According to the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) Report Card, the district ACT composite is a 20.1 (TDOE, 2018e). Two of the district’s schools’ results are higher than the district composite, while the other five are consistent with or below the district composite. Participants of this study shared their …

Teacher Factors And Student Achievement As Measured By The Act Assessment And Subsequent Teacher Perceptions Of Those Factors .Pdf, Jessica Weaver

Jessica Weaver

A Phenomenological Study Of Elementary Principal Experiences With School Improvement In The Age Of Accountability, Leigh Ann Bramlett Sears

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe elementary principals’ experiences with school improvement in Northeast Georgia Title I schools. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s (1977) social learning theory, which explains a triadic view of behavioral, environmental, and personal factors. Reciprocal interactions between factors contribute to self-efficacy beliefs associated with future action to achieve goals such as those in a Title I School Improvement Plan. Triadic reciprocal determinism was defined as cooperative, interdependent components shaping principals’ knowledge, skill, and direction to lead changing federal and state mandated school improvement initiatives. This study attempted to answer the …

Improvement Capacity In Mississippi Schools: A Comparison Between High Needs Improving And Struggling Schools, Paula W. Tharp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite evidence provided through decades of educational research regarding effective practices in high-performing, high-poverty schools, Mississippi continues to trail other states in improving student achievement outcomes (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2016). Educational research provides evidence regarding the importance of school leadership, the specific practices school leaders engage in to bring about sustainable improvement, and school leadership preparation and support to improve struggling schools (Elmore et al., 2014; Manna, 2015; Fullan et al., 2006; The Wallace Foundation, 2010). Research also acknowledges leadership to improve failing schools adds complexity and requires a particular set of leadership knowledge and behaviors (Elmore, 2008b; Marzano …

Turning Around The Culture Of Teaching And Learning: A Turnaround School Success Story, Rachael B. Lawrence

Doctoral Dissertations

In 2009-2010, Riverton Elementary School in Portland, ME was awarded a School Improvement Grant (SIG), supported by the Federal Department of Education (Federal DOE) through the Maine Department of Education. With this funding, Riverton undertook the challenge of the turnaround school model between 2010-2013, which resulted in positive change in academic achievement for their students and an improved teaching and learning climate and culture. This dissertation examines why the turnaround model may work, what is currently known about SIG funded turnaround schools, and what the specific actions and changes that led to the successful turnaround of this school were. While …

Organizational Monitoring Systems And Student Academic Achievement, Adam Swinyard

Education Dissertations

Organizational Monitoring Systems and Student Academic Achievement

By Adam Swinyard

The current context of K-12 education emphasizes a strong focus on standardized test results to inform school improvement planning. Concerns about this phenomena center around the methodology used to determine actions intended to improve student achievement. Some educational experts suggest many schools rely solely on test results to develop school improvement plans (SIPs). Subsequently, solutions often address symptoms rather than foundational issues. As a result, schools fall into a cycle of selecting new initiatives that do not produce sustainable improvements. The concept of becoming a learning organization by using a …

Career And Technical Education: The Impact Of Leadership On School Improvement And Student Achievement, Eric T. Keeling

Dissertations

The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE) College and Career Readiness (CCR) Model elevated CTE in the public education arena forcing a paradigm shift in the administration of CTE across the Commonwealth. Instructional leadership and school improvement are viewed as important components of CCR. The perceptions of teachers concerning school improvement and the leadership behaviors exhibited by principals are essential in the daily operation of CTE schools. The purpose of the current study was to provide a body of knowledge revealing the relationships among Leadership, Instruction, and Student Achievement in the CTE setting. KDE adopted the Standards and Indicators for School …

Teacher Researcher: Creating The Outstanding School, Jake Madden Dr, David Lynch Prof., Tina Doe Dr

Jake Madden

This book comprises vignettes illustrating how professional learning can be integrated into the day-to-day work of schools and, in doing so, focus on continuous improvement, enhancing teaching quality and raising student achievement. In presenting best practice exemplars to illustrate how professional learning can positively impact teaching quality and school improvement, this book will inspire each classroom teacher and school leader. It will support them in creating and sustaining a strong performance culture

Site Visitation: School Leaders' Perceptions Of A Diagnostic Tool For School Improvement, Mary Shannon C. Chiasson

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This case study explored the use of site-visitation as a diagnostic tool for school improvement. Nine charter schools in New Orleans were selected for the study. Based on qualitative research and systems theory, a within- and cross-case analysis of nine semi-structured interviews with school leaders were conducted. The school leaders’ experiences with the state-run site-visitation model and their use of the findings for school improvement was explored. The findings led to the development of a hybrid accountability model that encompasses the components school leaders believe will lead to school improvement. This study aims to assist educators, policy makers, and researchers …

District Support Team Model As A Manifestation Of Central Office Transformation: Experiences From Central Office And School Based Staff, Danielle Pfeiffer

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this study was to examine the described experiences of 20 participants—central office executives and specialists, principals, and teacher leaders—in the district support team (DST) process, a manifestation of central office transformation as an approach to school improvement. The site of this study was the Puget Sound School District in Washington State. The district was in its third year of central office transformation employing a differentiated support service model to assist its lowest performing schools. This case study utilized qualitative data from semi-structured interviews, document review, and field observations to understand the prevalence of the six elements of …

The Relationship Between Principal Leadership And Improving Achievement Status In Secondary Schools: A Multiple-Site Case Study, Anne Catherine Butcher

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

For all that is revealed in the research literature identifying and describing traits and behaviors exhibited by principals who make a positive difference in student learning, many schools are still failing. With all we know, how does this continue to happen? The goal of this study was to develop theory to expand and enrich the existing research by defining and describing what three successful principals - a middle school and two junior high schools - did to turn their failing schools around and positively influence the levels of student achievement in their respective schools. The significant contribution this study adds …