Education Commons^™

Top Of The C.L.A.S.S. Connecting Leadership And Student Success, Natasha N. Johnson, Thaddeus Johnson

CJC Publications

This chapter highlights the direct correlation between effective leadership and student achievement. The development – and execution – of a concrete leadership framework is necessary for organizational structure and serves as a standard of excellence that surpasses any potentially harmful influences (such as race, socioeconomic status, family structure, gender, culture, and disability, among others). The establishment of this agenda occurs as individuals continually strive for self-fulfillment. Through this process, one can effectively guide others while working towards their own personal and professional objectives. Ultimately, this distinguishes successful leaders from the rest and represents the goal to which leaders should aspire: …

The Sound Of Silence: The Educator’S Perspective On Silence During Staff Meetings, Anne Zito Edd, Karen H. Larwin Phd

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

Staff meetings are a regular occurrence in schools, yet both teachers and principals typically report dissatisfaction with these meetings. The current investigation seeks to understand the viewpoints of public-school teachers on silence during staff meetings. This was the first known investigation on the topic using Q methodology. Data analysis extracted three distinct viewpoints: Get the Party Started, I Don’t Care Anymore, and Don’t Stop Believin’. This study provides the results of data analysis, responds to research questions, and makes recommendations for meeting design and facilitation. The findings indicate how the principal facilitates the meeting seems to have …

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 …

Evaluating Principal Effectiveness: A Review Of The Literature, Jerry Burkett

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

The evaluation of a campus principal can be a challenging process due largely to the complicated factors that exist to capture an accurate assessment of a principal’s leadership effectiveness. Generally, principal evaluations are conducted by district-level officials who often do not have the time or the resources to observe campus principals on a regular basis. Further, principal evaluation systems (PES) are designed to improve the practice of principals (Clifford & Ross, 2012; Davis, Kearney, Sanders, Thomas, & Leon, 2011; Fuller & Hollingworth, 2014a; Fuller et al., 2015), and there has historically been an acknowledgment that these evaluations do not always …

Interorganizational Practices That Foster Reciprocal Trust Between Central Office Administrators And Principals, Andrea M. Derdenger

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

Reciprocal trust among leaders in education improves the learning outcomes for students, which is the primary goal for educators. Researchers studying administrative teams have found the degree and level of reciprocal trust that exists in a learning organization between district-level leaders and principals can aid or impede the implementation of policies and initiatives. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the practices that develop reciprocal trust between principals and district-level school administrators. This study was informed by semi-structured interviews with five principals who serve in K-8 schools. Participants identified communication, decision-making structures, relationships, and leadership styles as elements …

Weathering The Storm: Veteran Elementary Principals Navigating Hyperstress Through The Covid-19 Pandemic, Matt Hilderbrand

Educational Leadership Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

School Districts across the nation are looking for the best principals to lead their schools. There is a need for highly effective school principals in public schools for the benefit of students, staff, and the general community. The role of the principal can offer extensive challenges and elevated levels of stress. School principals face this elevated pressure and stress on a continuous basis. Veteran principals, those who have led for a decade or more, have come to understand this stress. However, the consuming impact of the COVID-19 pandemic created hyperstressful conditions for elementary principals. Hyperstressful environments are classified as intense …

What’S Your Intention? Examining Elementary School Leaders' Attitudes And Intentions Towards Lgbtq Inclusivity, Nekesha Bynum

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine New York based elementary school principals' attitudes towards transgenderism, gender nonconformity and the use of an LGBTQ inclusive curriculum with K-5 students. Grounded in the theory of Reasoned Action Approach, RAA, the study aimed to investigate the extent to which these attitudes influenced school leaders’ intentions to implement an LGBTQ inclusive curriculum. Utilizing a mixed methods design, principals were surveyed and invited to participate in semi structured interviews. Findings revealed perceived behavioral control, attitude towards transgenderism and attitude towards the use of an LGBTQ inclusive curriculum predicted intention to use an LGBTQ …

School Leadership Behaviors And Practices, Teacher Turnover, And Teacher Retention In The United Arab Emirates: A Triangulation Approach, Ayeda Abdulla Al Shebli

Dissertations

School leadership and school leaders' behaviors and practices can significantly affect the behavior of teachers. Retaining teachers in the teaching profession is important. Unfortunately, many teachers around the world have left or are deciding to leave this profession, a phenomenon called “teacher turnover”. High teacher turnover affects the overall quality of teaching and learning. Based on 2015 data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, teacher turnover is high in the United Arab Emirates. There are many factors that contribute to teacher turnover. This study investigated the factors affecting teachers' turnover by exploring the role of school leadership behaviors …

An Examination Of Culturally Competent Transformational Leadership Influence Of Student Achievement And Stake-Holders Perception, Andre E. Stout

Education Dissertations

This research consists of a non-experimental, descriptive and correlation research design to analyze the relationship between principals’ leadership style as well as principal cultural competency and their impact on student achievement and stake-holders perception. The study took place in the South Puget Sound region of Washington state in one of the fastest growing areas in the U.S. The researcher investigated the impact of transformational leadership in education based on research that posited that transformational leaders inspired and motivated followers to exceed performance expectation and commitment to a shared goal (Bass, 1985a; Burns, 1978;). The study relied heavily on prior educational …

The Role Of Lived Experiences In Culturally Responsive School Leaders’ Administrations: A Phenomenological Case Study, Angela Dolezal

Dissertations

This phenomenological case study explored how the lived experiences of three self-identifiedculturally responsive high school leaders impacted the systemic decisions they made for their school and their students. The study also investigated how these lived experiences informed the leaders’ responses to their stakeholders’ reactions to the systemic decisions. The three school leaders participated in a three-part interview series to answer these three questions (1) What are the personal and educational life histories of three self-identified culturally responsive school leaders in a predominantly White school? (2) How do the life experiences described in the self-identified culturally responsive school leaders’ life histories …

Principals’ Perceptions And Understandings Of Teacher Leadership, Anna Hart

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

No singular definition of teacher leadership (TL) exists in empirical literature or practice in the field. This lack of clarity has greatly impacted the implementation of TL in American schools. The purpose of this study qualitative case study was to investigate public school principals’ perceptions and understandings of TL in an effort to better inform continued efforts toward its ubiquitous application in American schools. Principals’ definitions of TL fell into three categories: action-based, quality-based, and role-based definitions. Principals’ recognition of the work of teacher leaders in schools fell into two parallel categories: action-based and role-based leadership. Findings reveal that many …

The Roles And Responsibilities Of The Covid-19 Elementary Principal In Relation To Job Descriptions And Utah School Leadership Evaluation Metrics: A Case Study, Sarah R. Nielsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the roles and responsibilities of elementary school principals in relation to how they are evaluated and what is included in their job descriptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the numerous policies that surround education and the COVID-19 pandemic, this study examined elementary school principals from a single school district in Utah. Seven principals agreed to participate in an interview that asked principals about their day-to-day responsibilities as a principal and how COVID-19 affected those responsibilities. Six principals agreed to participate in a daily reflection on how much time they spent participating …

The Teacher Viewpoint: How Administrator Gender Impacts Teachers' Perceptions Of Effective Building Leadership, Kathleen Stigliano

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this study was to deeply explore the perceived leadership styles of male and female building administrators, and to identify the ways in which gender may influence how teachers perceive the overall effectiveness of their building’s leadership. The significance of the study is that it looks beyond the intricacies of what it takes to become an effective leader; it considers those leadership skills and practices specifically through the lens of gender and teacher perceptions. For this study, a phenomenological qualitative approach was utilized, guided by two research questions:

1. What characteristics/traits/ attributes, if any, do teachers perceive to be …

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Instructional Supervision And The Covid-19 Pandemic: Perspectives From Principals, Jesse D. Brock, Don M. Beach, Mandy Musselwhite, Ikie Holder

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Six questions that instructional supervisors have been faced with and had to respond to during the COVID-19 crisis include: (a) How do we support teachers in the transition from face-to-face to virtual classes and meetings; (b) How do we focus on addressing the needs of teachers while engaged in remote or online learning; (c) How do we maintain communication, contact, and relationships with teachers; (d) How do we celebrate successes as teachers work with students in the virtual world; (e) How do we assess the quality of the teaching–learning process; and (f) How do we plan for the next steps? …

School Leaders Supporting Students Of Color In Predominately-White Schools, Jonathan Swan

Educational Studies Dissertations

Legal challenges to racial segregation and changes in the racial composition of many suburbs have altered the racial makeup of public schools in the United States. This phenomenological study looked at how principals in Predominately-White schools (PWS) and educator facilitators for a state desegregation program (DP) learn about the perceptions of students of color (SOC) in their schools, address negative perceptions of SOC, and attempt to support SOC; it also inquired about hindrances to their efforts to serve SOC more effectively. Thematic analysis of transcripts of interviews with five principals and four desegregation facilitators led to 10 findings. Critical Race …

Equity In Secondary Schools: Building A Strong Sense Of Belonging For Students Of Color As A Foundation For Academic Success, Joaquin Stephenson

Dissertations

The problem of practice I am investigating are students who identify as Black and Latinx who are experiencing a statistically significant low sense of belonging at Riverview High School in comparison to their White and Asian counterparts, based on survey data for the past two years. Research has shown that students’ sense of belonging stem from four major factors (1) friendship nominations, (2) time on extracurricular activities, (3) bonding with teacher, and (4) perceived discrimination. By focusing on targeted programming, this study aims to determine the two solutions that can target low sense of belonging for Black and Latinx students. …

Replanting A Wild Seed: Black Women School Leaders Subverting Ideological Lynching, Whitneé Louise Garrett-Walker

Doctoral Dissertations

Much race-based educational research is focused on teachers interrupting systems ofoppression in their classrooms, through methods such as curriculum and instruction, and preparing students to engage in the world (Alston, 2012; Bertrand & Rodela, 2017; Carpenter & Diem, 2013; Gooden & Dantley, 2012; Furman, 2012). I intentionally focus my attention on school leadership because while all stakeholders are responsible for maintaining school culture, as school leaders it is our responsibility to create conditions where the work of enacting social justice is expected in our schools. There continues to be a gap in educational research that deeply examines this level of …

International School Heads’ Self-Efficacy And Governance: An Intervention, Joshua Ashley Garrett

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

As international school heads (ISHs) advance through the school leadership pipeline, many find the transition to their new roles and responsibilities as an executive leader difficult, and as a result they struggle to fulfill the expectations of their governing board. In conversations with ISHs in the International Schools Organization (ISO), a pseudonym, several attributed this problem to the lack of preservice, executive leadership training. Most ISO school heads were trained as teacher-leaders and school principals. They excelled in these roles and were consequently promoted to executive leadership. However, very few received formal training in executive leadership, as required of most …

Assistant Principals’ Leadership And Perceptions Of Their Roles: A Qualitative Case Study, Pheneik Baskett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand assistant principals’ (APs) leadership and perceptions of their roles. The study took place in a suburban school system located in the southeastern United States. The central research question asked, “How do assistant principals lead and perceive their role as APs?” The theory guiding this research was situational leadership theory as it demonstrated how leadership styles must be related to the needs of the constituents. Ambiguity and burnout were examined as factors that can impact APs’ leadership and their perceptions of leadership. The data for this case study were collected through …

The Perceptions Of Educators Concerning Self-Efficacy While Working In An Involuntary Enrollment Alternative School, Shaundeidra Bradford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to investigate the perceptions of 10 educators pertaining to their self-efficacy while working in an involuntary enrollment alternative school. The participants were secondary educators from an urban school district in the midwestern United States who served in varying capacities. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s self-efficacy theory. This research investigated the impact of working in an involuntary enrollment alternative school on the self-efficacy of educators, based on Bandura’s four main sources of self-efficacy (mastery experience, vicarious experience, social persuasion, and psychological states). The research question revolves around the theory of self-efficacy influencing …

Job-Related Stress And Burnout In Charter School Leaders: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jamie Douglas Mckay

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the impact of stress and burnout on charter school leaders in the western United States. The research questions were designed to understand how the role of charter school leadership impacts stress and burnout for charter school leaders. The theories guiding this study included the managerial stress cycle theory, and the multidimensional theory of burnout. While existing research has documented the stressors of traditional public-school administrators, little research has explored the distinctive challenges faced by charter school administrators. Data collection included individual interviews, a focus group interview, and observations. The identification …

Elementary Principals’ Constraints And Considerations When Hiring And Assigning Mathematics Teachers, Kathleen Schofield

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Quality issues existed in mathematics instruction in elementary classrooms in a region in Florida. As a possible contributor to that problem, principals were hiring and assigning mathematics teachers who may have possessed insufficient content knowledge. Elementary teachers are frequently teamed in the region, with 1 teacher assigned to provide instruction in mathematics and the other to provide literacy instruction. The purpose of this study was to understand factors elementary school principals considered when hiring and assigning mathematics teachers as well as possible budgetary and other constraints that may have affected the depth of the applicant pool and related staffing decisions. …

School Principals' Understandings Of Student Difference And Diversity And How It Influences Their Work, Katina Pollock, Patricia Briscoe

Education Publications

This article explores how Ontario principals make sense of difference within student populations and how this sensemaking influences how they do their work. The article reports on a qualitative study in Ontario, Canada that included 59 semistructured interviews with school principals from English Public, secular school districts in Southern Ontario. Four themes emerged in principals’ descriptions of student populations: (a) perceiving everyone as the same, or homogeneous; (b) perceiving visible differences associated with particular religions, race, and cultures; (c) perceiving invisible or less visible differences, such as academic differences, socioeconomic status, mental health issues, gender identity, and sexual orientation; and …

Undoing Reform: How And Why One School Leader Cleared A Shifting Path To Goal Attainment, Jennifer R. Karnopp

The Qualitative Report

Research on school reform highlights challenges school leaders face in implementing and sustaining reforms. While some efforts fade away, others are intentionally dismantled, or “undone” as schools revert back to their traditional model of schooling. Considering how often reforms fail to sustain, there is value in understanding why school leaders decide undo reforms, and how leaders support staff through the undoing process. Utilizing path-goal theory as a framework, this paper I examined the case of one elementary school principal who planned in this undoing of a competency-based reform she had previously championed. Analysis reveals that the shift back to a …

Leading For Excellence Dissertation.Docx, Khaled Khaled

Khaled Khaled

Feminism And School Leadership: A Qualitative Study Utilizing Effective Women Principals' Self-Perceptions To Determine What Makes Them Successful, Christina Maria Sylvester

Dissertations

Women are underrepresented in a variety of fields, including educational leadership. Upon assuming leadership roles, women often struggle to effectively lead due to a pervasive context of sexism and genderism in the workplace. Schools are not immune to this phenomenon. Since women comprise approximately 50% of the population, it seems logical that they should assume a comparable percentage of leadership roles in education, but this is not the case. Beyond parity, it is important that there are not only more women leaders in educational administration but also that those women in leadership roles are supported within a context that enables …

How Intra-District School Choice And Competition Among Schools Impacts School Leadership: A Case Study Of Secondary School Principals, Chris Kohan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, explanatory case study was to describe how traditional, magnet, and charter school principals in one Delaware school district responded to an environment of total school choice and how they made sense of their roles as a principal in the era of school choice. Hess’s (2010) organizational theory was the theoretical foundation for this study as selective enrollment schools, such as magnet and charter schools, would have direct and indirect effects on traditional schools The research questions for this study were: (a) How do traditional, magnet, and charter school principals make sense of the competition generated …

The Relationship Between Administrator Interpersonal Skills And School Climate, Student Learning, And Teacher Retention, Marsha Justice

Education Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this mixed-method study was to determine if specific interpersonal skills (trustworthiness, communication, empathy, and problem-solving) possessed by principals, as perceived by teachers, are important characteristics in creating and maintaining a positive school climate, increasing student learning, and retaining teachers in the elementary school setting. The participants in the study were teachers from 13 elementary schools in a North Carolina county. This study used both quantitative and qualitative data from a combined principal soft skill and climate survey, 2015–2016 North Carolina report card on teacher retention, 2015–2016 EOG math/reading scores, and results from teacher interviews to examine the …

Students' Perceptions Of School Connectedness At A Freshman Academy, La'keisha Newsome

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand how school leadership, teacher–student relationships, and school climate impact students’ perceptions of school connectedness at a freshman academy located on a middle school campus in southeast Alabama. The research questions focused on school leadership, teacher–student relationships, and school climate. Hirschi’s social bonding theory provided a framework to understand the association between socialization and social learning by focusing on an individual’s bond to social institutions. Social bond has an impact on perception, emotional well-being, and academic achievement. Data collection included student interviews, a school connectedness survey, and focus group interviews of …

Principal’S Coalition Building And Personal Traits Brings Success To A Struggling School In Malaysia, Mohammad Noman, Rosna Awang Hashim, Sarimah Shaik-Abdullah

The Qualitative Report

This paper presents findings from a single site case study of a school in a rural part of Malaysia. Based on data collected through semi-structured interviews of the principal, teachers, students and parents, and observations, document scanning and field notes, the study attempts to identify the context under which the school operates, the core practices of the school principal and the enactment of these core practices. The data analysis was carried out through data reduction resulting in initial themes which were further refined several times until consensus was achieved. The themes were then discussed under the light of theories resulting …