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Policymakers' Perceptions On The Application Of Research Evidence In The Policymaking Process Within West Virginia's Higher Education System, Christopher Treadway

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this descriptive, mixed-method study was to explore the role that research evidence plays in policy-related decision-making within West Virginia’s higher education system, policymakers’ perceptions on the reliability and usefulness of various sources of information, and their insights related to factors that facilitate and/or impede the use of research evidence. Using data obtained through an internet-based questionnaire administered to more than 100 higher education policymakers, the study resulted in several notable findings, many of which reinforced similar findings uncovered in the review of the literature.

Most researchers agree that the results of high-quality research can be a tremendous …

Factors That Influence The Career Stability Of Assistant Principals, Mary Lu Maccorkle

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In light of potential shortages of administrators in public education, this study was designed to investigate factors that could influence assistant principals to remain in their current positions as assistant principals or to aspire to principalships. The following factors were examined to determine whether current assistant principals felt they were significant in their career decision-making: administrative process, mentoring experience, role conflict, and role ambiguity.

The survey study asked a sample (n=612) of assistant principals (N=9777) 21 questions on the Assistant Principal Career Stability Survey. The data were analyzed in correlation with the participants’ career plans. Participation in a mentoring …

Filling A Need: Administrative Practices In Mason County, Wv One-Room Schools From 1935-1950, Douglas A. Sturgeon

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how administrative practices were carried out in Mason County, West Virginia’s one-room schools from 1935-1950. These practices were examined using Gulick and Urwick’s (1936) seven functions of the administrator and school-community relations as the framework. Twelve persons were interviewed for this study over the span of three months. Eleven of these persons were former one-room school teachers in Mason County. Of these eleven former teachers, two became central office administrators overseeing one-room schools. The twelfth person was a community leader in Mason County who attended a one-room school. The results of …