Education Commons^™

The Principal–Pastor Relationship: The Experiences Of Principals Working With Pastors In Lutheran Schools, Corey J. Brandenburger

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Principals of Lutheran Schools work in an environment that includes the leadership of a pastor or pastors. Principals and pastors often serve in Lutheran churches with schools as servant leaders. Within the framework of servant leadership (Greenleaf, 1997), this study focused on the experiences of five Lutheran school principals working with the pastors of their congregations. A case study approach was utilized to gather data through interviews of principals selected from Lutheran schools. Five principals were given the opportunity to reflect upon the preparation and training they received to lead Lutheran schools, with a focus on collaboration with their pastors. …

Life After Death: An Autoethnography Of A Teacher’S Journey Through Personal Grief And Loss, Kimberlyn Oliver

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

This study sought to understand how grief and loss affected me on a personal and professional level. Additionally, the process of grief and loss and its effects on teacher performance was examined. The death of a loved one often leaves a person feeling a great deal of emotions. As an educator, it is incredibly difficult to process grief and loss at work due to the demands of working with students all day. Nine participants were recruited for this study and I used semi-structured interviews to discover more about the experiences of these educators while they dealt with the loss of …

Duty Of Care And Risk Management For Institutions Of Higher Education, Jorge De La Torre

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) authority has evolved from nearly absolute power in the hands of colleges and universities to an approach more focused on individual students and their rights. Yet, while college authority over campus life and student conduct has diminished, the duty of care required in the form of additional student affairs services has increased. The history of the complicated relationship between students and IHE starts with the concept “in loco parentis,” which is Latin for “in place of parents.” A lack of proper and continued risk assessment and a lack of effective and manageable policies and procedures …

An Exploration On Why Parents Choose Catholic Schools, Sara Giza

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

“Though Many We Are One” is one of the mottos of a Catholic school system and is the foundational statement to what Catholic school stand for in the Diocese of the Midwest (pseudonym). My dissertation explores why parents choose alternative education in a Catholic schools. Catholic schools provide the student with the guidance and the ability to grow academically, spiritually, and emotionally. I analyzed the viewpoints of parents, administrators, and pastors within selected Catholic schools in the diocese to determine if there are similar foundational statements among multiple Catholic schools or if each school stands for something entirely different. Interviews …

A Correlational Study: Understanding The Relationship Between Leadership And Morale Within Law Enforcement Agencies, Michael C. Minto

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Law enforcement agencies employ officers who are driven to serving and protecting their communities. However, officers are not only tasked with serving and protecting, but also with dealing with issues of low morale within their law enforcement agencies. The issue of low morale resulting in high turnover rates, and issues with law enforcement agencies struggling with retention rates, is not new, nor is the issue of low morale within law enforcement agencies. This study emphasizes the relationship between leadership and morale, rather than the common factors of stress, pay, benefits, and hours. The study explored 3 factors among law enforcement …

How Career And Technical Education Teachers’ Attitudes And Perceptions Of Students With Disabilities Influence Inclusion In Career And Technical Education Courses, Theresa M. Cortney

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

This qualitative case study investigated how the attitudes and perceptions of Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers toward students with disabilities influenced inclusion in CTE courses. The purpose of this study was to explore how positive or negative experiences of CTE teachers toward students with disabilities impacted the number of students accessing CTE courses. Fifteen high school CTE teachers, along with a focus group of six high school CTE teachers were interviewed. Results of this study revealed that despite positive attitudes toward inclusion in CTE courses, CTE teachers felt unsupported by special education and reported they felt CTE was being …

A Case Study Of Military Transition To Civilian Life, Debbie J. Castaneda

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Service members experience significant challenges reintegrating into the civilian sector following military service. To research causes of the challenges new veterans face, a qualitative case study was conducted in which military veterans were interviewed and participated in a focus group to obtain information about their perceptions of military leadership and the transferability of their skills to the civilian setting. A review of artifacts, such as military basic training and leadership manuals, was conducted to check the consistency with which military veterans perceived their leadership and transition experience to match the military’s stated expectations and training. The conceptual framework for this …

Tribal Colleges: Influences On Native American Students Completing Stem Degrees, Daniel J. Henry

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored the experiences of 13 Native American higher education students attending a Tribal College and University (TCU) and pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The case study also investigated a focus group of TCU faculty members who taught STEM courses. The case study also contains an observation of 13 Native American students during a bridge program activity at a TCU, used as a recruitment tool and preparation strategy for potential STEM students. The research was intended to explore the influence and strategies currently employed by TCUs to help Native American students successfully …

Black Women's Journey To Executive Leadership, Belinda Higgs Hyppolite

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to gain an understanding of the journey of Black women into executive leadership positions at predominately White institutions of higher education within the United States. One research question guided this study: What are the experiences of Black women at predominately White institutions (PWIs) of higher education serving in executive leadership positions? Participants were a purposeful sample of 10 Black women executives who currently serve in executive leadership at various institutions across the country. The data collection instruments were structured interviews, member checking interviews, and a personal reflective narrative. The typological analysis approach …

Correlation Study Between School Administrators’ Technology Leadership Preparation And Technology Integration, Jaime Villarreal

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Technology in the classroom takes many innovative and creative forms and inevitably many different roles. Since the turn of the century educational technology is perceived as possessing an exceeding potential to change the delivery of instruction but more significantly the student learning process. Strategies to implement the use of technology in the classroom continue to evolve with results ranging from effective use of technology that enhances learning to poor use of technology that has no effect on student learning. Past studies focused on teacher roles in technology implementation generated significant data that continues to guide new integration strategies without significant …

Effective Characteristics For Leaders In Afterschool Programs, Kelly Rudd Safran

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this correlational study was to determine the relationship between perceived servant leadership and job satisfaction within 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) program leaders in Maryland. The purpose of the 21st CCLC is to create out-of-school time programs that provide students with academic enrichment opportunities as well as additional services designed to complement their regular academic program. The approach used a quantitative methodology to analyze the relationship between servant leadership characteristics and job satisfaction. The target population for this study were the 21st CCLC program leaders in Maryland. The sample included all program leaders who attended Maryland …

Faculty–Librarian Collaboration: Information Literacy Integration In Second Year English Writing And Composition, Cynthia Charles

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The collaboration of instruction in higher education academic courses leads to integrating information literacy into teaching and learning in the higher education curriculum. Information literacy refers to the skills and strategies necessary for accessing, evaluating, organizing, transforming, and transmitting information (UNESCO, 2007). This qualitative study intended to explore the collaboration of 10 faculty and 10 librarians who integrate information literacy instruction into their academic curriculum. The study explored how faculty and librarians perceived collaborations affecting undergraduate students who were enrolled in required second year English writing and composition courses, and who attended 4-year public colleges and universities in Louisiana. This …

Perceptions Of School Bus Drivers And Their Experiences With Student Behavior: A Qualitative Case Study, Tesha Yvonna Foster

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

School bus drivers play a critical role in the student learning experience. School bus drivers are the first and last persons to interface with students and face many obstacles while transporting them. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how school bus drivers perceive their experiences with student behavior, discipline, and collaboration with campus administration. Bandura’s (1977) social learning theory and Vygotsky’s (1978) sociocultural learning theory provided the theoretical frameworks for this study. Sociocultural learning theory supports school bus drivers taking the steps to set behavior goals, expectations, and reinforcement systems. Sociocultural learning theory also supports the …

Stepping Stone Or Road Block: An Evaluation Of Community Colleges In The Midwest To Improve Attrition And Graduate Percentages Of African American Students, Tamela Odom

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The path towards higher education is not the same for all. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore why African American students enroll into community college in the Midwest at higher percentages than any other racial group but persist to graduation at the lowest percentages. Factors that hinder African American students from persisting toward graduation and eventual degree completion from a 2-year college were uncovered through interviews conducted with participants on community college campuses throughout the Midwest. Considering the findings of this study, it is suggested that professors and instructors use classroom interactions and instructional opportunities to …

The Relationship Between Teacher Communication, And Teacher Credibility, Student Motivation, And Academic Achievement In India, Cyril Fernandes

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

This study was conducted in India, where teachers use the lecture method of communication in the classroom. It is important for the teacher to establish credibility while communicating to motivate the students in the classroom. The study examined the relationship between teacher communication, and teacher credibility, student motivation, and academic achievement. The researcher visited 11 schools in India, and 519 ninth-grade students participated in the research. A questionnaire was prepared to collect data on teacher credibility and student motivation, and four English-subject examination grades of the participants were collected. The participants were also asked to evaluate their English teachers’ communication …

The Effects Of Student-Centered Coaching On The Reading Achievement Of Elementary Students And Teacher Instructional Practice, Merlette Frederick-Williams

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

With student achievement as the focus of educational reform, teachers in today’s classrooms are faced with meeting the needs of a diverse population. These teachers need to have the skill set to meet their students’ varied learning needs. This quantitative quasi-experimental study examined the impact of student-centered coaching on student learning and attitude toward reading using a comparative group (archival data, 2016–2017 school year, of students whose teachers did not receive coaching) and an experimental group (2017–2018 school year, students whose teachers received student-centered coaching). Three teachers and 276 students were taken from a Title I school in a suburban …

Student Connectedness And Academic Achievement: A Quantitative Study Of Career And Technical Education Students, Kern Mcginley

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The focus of this correlational study in an Alaskan career and technical (CTE) school environment was to explore the research question that guided this study: In a large urban school district of Alaska, with a diverse student population, what is the relationship between the CTE student connectedness level and academic achievement levels? Participants included 132 high school students, Grades 10 through 12. Additional research questions were developed to examine the strength of the relationship between student connectedness and academic achievement by gender and ethnicity. Data were collected using an online survey with a combination of demographic questions and Goodenow’s (1993b) …

New Faculty Hire Transition: The Impact Of The Extent Of The Learning Organization Traits Of Higher Education Institutions, Sik Yin Chan

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine the degree to which implementation of learning organization processes in higher education institutions (HEI) affects new faculty hires’ perception of their transitioning success. In this quantitative, ex post facto, comparative study, the researcher also investigated various factors, including academic disciplines, gender and ethnicity, and personality type, to determine if any of these factors would contribute an interaction effect on the relationship between the HEI exhibiting learning organization traits (LOT) and the new faculty hires’ perceived transition success. The researcher collected a convenience sample of 310 full-time professors employed by 33 4-year, private, …

Bridging The Gap Between African-American Families And School Personnel: Effective Home-School Partnerships In Urban Schools, Danita D. Webb

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Parent involvement is a known strategy for school improvement and student success. However, there is a lack of parental involvement in urban schools and among African-American families. The purpose of this qualitative study case study was to explore parent and school personnel voice in an urban school, as it related to their perspectives of parental involvement. Through focus groups and interviews, school personnel and African-American parents shared their lived experiences with parental involvement. Participants discussed their perspectives of their roles, revealing the importance of relationship building, communicating, and the support of students at home and school. In addition, the role …

The Role Of Virtual Communication Platforms In Academically Supporting Post-Secondary Students, Eldora M. Fosmire

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

While many consider college students to be digital natives, who are at ease with multiple forms of technology, many of these students do not adapt these skills for academic purposes. Retention concerns for college students often prompt support staff to seek out and adopt technology approaches to promote completion. This study provided a virtual learning platform to deliver academic support and sought to promote learning community interaction for rural and urban post-secondary students. A subset of vocational major programs that prepare students for employment after completion served as a participant pool. However, participants in the study chose not to use …

Special Education Teacher Turnover & School Leadership, Patricia Moore

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Turnover and retention among special education teachers (SETs) continues to be a problem for many school districts. Studies suggest that the leadership approach of school leaders is a key factor influencing SETs’ decision to stay or leave their jobs. This qualitative phenomenological case study was designed to gain a better understanding of eight SETs’ experiences with their school leadership. In-depth one-to-one interviews, focus group interviews, and participant journaling were employed to collect rich narratives of SETs’ lived experiences. The data gathered from this study clearly showed that servant leadership, in which leaders are attuned to the emotional and professional needs …

Teacher Retention Rates: Variables That Play A Role In Low-Performing Schools With High Minority At-Risk Populations, Christine Gray

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Educational leaders are concerned about teacher retention rates. More teachers are leaving the profession and fewer colleges are enrolling students into their teacher preparation programs (Sawchuk, 2016). This study focused on potential correlations between the dependent variable of teacher retention and 3 independent variables: induction and mentoring programs, incentives, and a school’s socioeconomic status. The author conducted the study in a school district in Florida that contained low-performing schools with high-minority at-risk populations. Data collection involved emailing a survey based on Giacometti’s (2005) instrument to 1,359 members of the district’s teacher’s union, with 401 completing the survey. The author used …

Advanced Systemic Process Approach Vs Michigan Department Of Education Non-Systemic Process Approach To School Improvement, Diane P. Fleming

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The author of this correlational study examined the differences in academic achievement and school improvement between Michigan schools accredited by AdvancED, which uses a systemic process approach for school improvement, and schools accredited by the Michigan Department of Education, which does not use a systemic process approach. The data for the study was a random sampling of Education YES! self-reports, fed by the School Systems Review (SSR) completed by Michigan-accredited schools and the Interim Self-Assessment (ISA) completed by AdvancED-accredited schools. Schools that follow a systemic process were more likely to be successful than schools that do not. In addition to …

Educating Educative Mentors: Video As Instructional Tool, Melissa Meetze-Hall

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

New teachers rarely come to their first years of teaching with the expertise of a veteran teacher. Because teachers need to deliver impactful instruction, the education community has expanded induction initiatives that support new teachers. Understanding how induction mentors develop expertise in feedback and reflection can guide efforts to foster the development of mentor practice. This qualitative case study focused on the use of video and self-reflection to support mentor development practices within a regional induction program in Southern California. The study explored the experience of induction mentors who used both video-aided self-reflection and video-aided peer feedback during the 2017-2018 …

Correlation Between Instructional School Culture And Student Achievement In An Urban District, Wayman Graham

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The Teachers Talent Toolbox needed a tool that could compile usable information on any given learning institution through data collection and analysis and provide usable qualitative and quantitative data that could be used to identify the causes of low achievement and provide necessary interventions within the school to improve student outcomes. To answer this need, the Instructional Culture Index/Insight Survey was developed by the New Teacher Project in 2016 and has been widely used and implemented in many schools and districts. This survey instrument was validated and deemed reliable by the RAND Corporation also in 2016. The purpose of this …

A Phenomenological Study On Leading Transformational Change And Building School Culture In Elementary Schools, Tamera Jones

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

This study followed a phenomenological qualitative approach to understand the complexity surrounding the experiences of the elementary school principals, build understanding around how they describe their daily life of school, and how they lead transformational change and build school culture. I sought to understand the associated skills, knowledge, and behaviors that elementary school principals employed and how the relational and collegial theories of transformational, instructional, and servant leadership were applied by elementary principals in leading transformational change and building school culture. Five key themes provided insight into the experiences of these elementary principals, the associated skills, knowledge, and behaviors that …

Evaluation And Implementation Of An After-School Program For Elementary School Students, Connie Lawler

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this 20-week language-based afterschool program was to develop a group of Hawaiian students’ English cognitive language skills while they learned a second language at their local youth center. The context, input, process, product evaluation (CIPP) model approach was used to evaluate the impacts of a structured language-based afterschool program. A diverse sample of participants was evaluated through semi-structured interviews, surveys, class observations, feedback, and the students’ academic progress. After the collected data were triangulated, it was learned that the language-based afterschool program has a positive outcome, which denotes a statistical significant improvement regarding the students’ English language …

Influences On The Sources Of Teacher Self-Efficacy In A Lutheran School, Kimberly Lavado

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Teacher self-efficacy influences teacher effectiveness and, in turn, affects student academic achievement. Improving teacher effectiveness can improve student achievement. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) measures student growth across the United States, and Lutheran schools consistently record strong achievement scores on NAEP. Exploring the influences on the sources of teacher self-efficacy in a Lutheran school can help deepen our understanding of the influences on teacher effectiveness. Guided by Bandura's social cognitive theory (1977), which asserts that an individual's belief in his ability to affect and control a desired outcome is impacted by mastery experience, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, and …

A Descriptive Case Study Of The Impact Of Leadership Style On Teacher Retention In A Title I School Campus In Texas, Twanna L. Mead

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

This dissertation is intended to complement the conversation in the social sciences about the challenging role of campus principals and the influence they have on teacher retention and job satisfaction. School principals are held accountable for creating positive change within the campus, therefore they supervise the operational and instructional supervision of the faculty and staff.

This study explores the distinct role of principal leadership and its requirements. Leadership in a Title I school, involves demands that related to the school’s success. Leadership style has the power to arouse or impede teacher success. School leaders must know how to operate the …

Teaching Middle School Children Affected By Homelessness: An Interpretive Phenomenological Investigation Of Teachers’ Lived Experiences, Timothy B. Smart

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The human experience occupies the central role in phenomenological research. In this interpretive phenomenological study, the researcher recruited and interviewed secondary school teachers from three public urban schools in the Pacific Northwest in order to have them describe their lived experiences that relate to instructing students affected by homelessness. The researcher used two semi-structured, conversational interviews with six participants who reflected on how their classroom experiences influenced their teaching, engagement strategies, emotional states, and student relationships. The conceptual framework for this study included: Homelessness in America, public school setting, impact of homelessness, and teacher perspective. In this study, the researcher …