Education Commons^™

The Importance Of Mentorship, Sponsorship, And Politics For Women Of Color Who Aspire To The Superintendency And Other School Leadership Roles, Cicily Mccrimmon

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if mentorship and sponsorship could help identify the potential political pitfalls or “hidden rules” of senior-level leadership to increase the identification, recruitment, and retention of minority women, specifically African American women in the role of superintendent or executive at the school and district level. This phenomenological study explored how leadership expectations for women of color have changed over time; however, the narratives illustrate that perceptions related to women of color in senior-level leadership have largely remained unchanged. The absence of the narrative for minority women in leadership, including the limited number serving …

Third- Through Fifth-Grade Males And The Reading Gap: Factors That Aid In The Reading Gap In Relation To Their Female Counterparts, Tina Alexander

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The study was designed to provide key factors that impact male reading gaps in relation to females using a quantitative approach. K-5 teachers and reading specialists were given a survey on reading and how it pertains to males and reading. The surveys consisted of the importance of reading, reading efficacy, reading avoidance, reading challenges, recognition for reading, social reasons for reading, reading curiosity, reading for grades, compliance, and competition in reading. I analyzed the perceptions of K-5 teachers and reading specialists as they relate to males and their reading gaps in relation to female students in a small school district. …

"For Me, For Us, For Them": The Impact Of Wise Feedback On Ninth Grade Ela Students, Teachers, And Classrooms, Mary L. Newton

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Feedback from teachers is critical for student academic success, but is all feedback created equal? Within this critical participatory action research study, a teacher and her students in ninth-grade English language arts (ELA) classes in a suburban high school endeavored to transform their mindsets and practices related to giving, receiving, and implementing feedback through a culturally responsive approach known as wise feedback. Through effective, targeted feedback of wise feedback, all students can build their self-efficacy by knowing how to improve their work through the guidance and support of their teachers. Building teacher self-efficacy in providing wise feedback was critical to …

A Sense Of Belonging: An Examination Of The Impact Of Leadership Behaviors On Teacher Morale In Rural Middle Schools, Taquilla Barksdale

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to shed light on the importance of addressing low teacher morale and provide methods for improving teacher morale through leadership behaviors. This study was designed to determine the leadership behaviors that will best heighten morale as perceived by middle school teachers. Thirty-nine teachers who teach middle-level grades (Grades 6-8) in rural areas completed a survey. The survey had 18 leadership behaviors. The teachers ranked the leadership behaviors within five leadership responsibilities based on the behavior’s importance to them. The five leadership responsibilities categories were based on the Wallace Foundation’s (2013) research. Instructional leaders, …

Armored Vulnerability: Stories Of Leader Resilience Among Black Female Principals, Nichole R. Ijames

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The study employed a qualitative phenomenological design in its exploration of leader resilience, as shared through the lived experiences of 10 Black female principals. Semi-structured interviews were used to capture and examine Black women’s perceptions of how they have grown from the challenges they have experienced in the principalship. The study capitalized on the power of stories to amplify the voices and perspectives of this marginalized group of leaders. Their stories of resilience hold significance in improving our understanding of how to better provide culturally responsive leadership development for Black female principals. Findings from the study revealed five dominant themes …

High School Counselors In Low-Performing Schools And Their Perceived Impact On Student Engagement And Outcomes, Genevieve Lyons

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study illuminated the experiences and perceptions of high school counselors in low-performing schools. The study specifically explored the impact of the role of high school counselors on student engagement and outcomes (i.e., chronic absenteeism, dropout rate, and graduation and completion). A literature review revealed a need for research to probe the experiences and perceptions of high school counselors to determine how they regard their roles and discern if their assigned responsibilities impact school performance. Quantitative results revealed that the high school counselors in low-performing schools in Virginia prioritize student academic performance by advocating and developing strategies to change policies …

Do Spanish Immersion Programs Increase Student Proficiency On Reading End-Of-Grade Tests For Students Of Color?, Lavette Alston-Braswell

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This quantitative, longitudinal matched pairs study determined whether elementary Spanish immersion students performed better on reading end-of-grade exams in Grades 3-5 than their non-immersion traditional peers in the same grades. African American and Hispanic students from two Spanish immersion schools in a suburban North Carolina district were studied. Results found that there was no statistical significance between student ethnicity and choice of immersion or non-immersion program. Time over years was found to be statistically significant. Although there was no statistical significance between program type and ethnicity, immersion students outperformed their non-immersion peers in Grades 3-5. African American students scored higher …

An Evaluation Of The Implementation And Impact Of Restorative Practices In A Small, Rural District, Carla Miller

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study examined the use of restorative practices in one school district. As examined in this study, restorative practices are defined as processes that precede wrongdoing in an attempt to prevent discipline offenses from occurring and processes used to respond once an offense has occurred. The purpose of the study was to examine teacher perceptions of restorative practice implementation and to examine the impacts of the implementation of restorative practices in a small, rural district. Gaining insight into successful implementation practices will assist districts that intend to implement restorative practices as an alternative to suspension. Further, knowledge gained from this …

Instructional Coach Feedback: Investigating The Impact, Anna Coats

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This mixed methods study was conducted to investigate the impact the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and coaching style of an instructional coach has on middle grades teacher instructional practices. The results of this study can be used to inform school leaders, administrators, and instructional coaches on methods for improving instructional coaching practices. The study was conducted utilizing a survey instrument and interviews. The survey indicated the instructional coaches have a role in developing instructional practices, though the qualitative data indicated possibility of greater impact than in current practice. Interview participants identified opportunities for a greater impact, such as incorporating timely, balanced, …

A Program Evaluation Of A Social-Emotional Alternative Learning Program, Patricia Horton-Albritton

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The names of the participants and the school district used in this program evaluation are pseudonyms to protect the participant’s identity. This program evaluation was from the perceptions of the parent/guardian and faculty of the Garnett County School District (GCSD) K-8 Alternative Learning Program. The study focused on the middle school program. The school district received the AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience Education) grant from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). GCSD used part of the grant funds to strategically implement programs to support students who attend the alternative …

Lay It All On The Line: The Effect Of Teacher-Student Conferencing In Middle Grades Mathematics Classrooms, Natalie Ostrander

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Increasing math achievement continues to be a commonly talked about subject in the educational setting. This case study observes one classroom teacher who implemented teacher-student conferencing in middle grades mathematics classes. The purpose of this study was to reveal the perceived impact of teacher-student conferencing on student engagement and with student achievement. Through a qualitative approach, perceptual data were collected through teacher journaling, conference logs, observations, and an interview. Research occurred in one school district in southeastern North Carolina with middle grades students in sixth and eighth grades. After the qualitative data were collected by me, data were analyzed using …

Teacher Perception Of Synchronous Hybrid Learning In A Rural Elementary School, Lisa Lamonica Moore

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative research was to gain understanding from teachers regarding their experiences with providing instruction in a synchronous hybrid learning environment in a rural elementary school during the 2020-2021 school year. This study reveals the role of teacher perception in education, the evolution of technology as an instructional tool, defines synchronous hybrid learning, and describes how it is evolving at the elementary school level. Through the investigation of this study, five teachers assigned to the same rural elementary school participated in a semi-structured interview to discuss their experiences teaching in a synchronous hybrid learning environment. The participants …

Developing Effective Professional Learning Communities At Target Elementary School, Bianca S. White-Jeffries

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This explanatory design was used to develop and implement effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) at Target Elementary School (TES). The theoretical framework for this study began with the assumption that there was a direct link between PLCs, student data, and self-efficacy of educator collaboration. It should be the goal of every educator to provide a quality education for each student. When educators collaborate to provide success in each classroom, various goals can be met within each site. Several instruments were used to develop and implement professional collaboration. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected to determine the effectiveness of the current …

School Resource Officers And Elementary School Patrol: A Study Of Best Practices For Training, Duties, And Memorandums Of Understanding, Lisa Duffey

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine practices for school resource officers (SROs) in elementary schools to gain a compilation of best practices for this position in schools. Through this study, three district leaders, three law enforcement leaders, and 12 law enforcement officers serving in elementary schools from three school districts in North Carolina completed 10 open-ended response items and fifteen 5-point Likert scale response items. The survey instrument was constructed based on practices regarding trainings, duties, responsibilities, and memorandums of understanding (MOUs). The content validation index was utilized to measure the validity of the survey tool. …

A Mixed Methodology Study Of How Neuroscience And Social-Emotional Learning Impact Students’ Academic Achievement And Behavior, Laura Shipman

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study is a mixed-method case study using a qualitative and quantitative study structure. The intent of this study was to measure the impact of neuroscience or brain-based social-emotional (SEL) skills and strategies on students who have been identified with disruptive behavior and/or trauma. The impact is evaluated through the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL framework of five competencies (CASEL, 2020). The SEL program used in this study was the Second Step program. There were 33 students who were in an intervention pull-out group. Eight teachers and eight parents participated in the study. Quantitative data were gathered …

Education And The Gender Spectrum: Addressing Gender Identity Needs In The High School Environment, Donna Eason

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored the experiences of teachers and administrators in addressing the needs of transgender and nonbinary students. Because most current research focuses mostly on the experiences of students, this study specifically investigated the beliefs, behaviors, challenges, and successes of educators. By analyzing the data provided by the participants, teachers and administrators could be made aware of how best to create and maintain inclusive school environments. The qualitative methodology included interviews with teachers and administrators from a charter school and a private school and focused on their thoughts, feelings, and actions regarding interactions with students who identify as transgender …

A Program Evaluation Of The Marilyn Friend Co-Teaching Models, Emily Wilkins

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study was prompted by the continuous rise in expectations for students with disabilities to have access to the general education curriculum within the general education classroom. This study was a program evaluation on the Marilyn Friend co-teaching models that utilized Stufflebeam’s (1960) Context, Input, Process, Product (CIPP) program cycle at three middle schools in one upstate South Carolina school district (Social Science Space, 2017). Data were collected via teacher surveys and follow-up interviews with general education and special education teachers, middle school administrators, and appropriate district office personnel. The survey population included 31 middle school general education and special …

An Examination Of Student Perceptions Of Career And Technical Education Teachers' Interpersonal Behaviors And Their Impact On Student Achievement, Gail Gallman

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine career and technical education (CTE) students’ perceptions of CTE teacher interpersonal behaviors and their impact on student achievement. This study is important because teacher-student relationships impact student achievement and CTE struggles with students earning concentrators and/ or completers. Wubbels et al.’s (1985) 48-item student questionnaire of teacher interaction was administered to CTE students enrolled in CTE courses. Descriptive statistics revealed students perceive their teachers as having more leadership, understanding, and helping/friendly behaviors and less uncertain, student responsibility/freedom, admonishing, dissatisfied, and strict behaviors. Due to the small sample size, the nonparametric Spearman’s …

A Program Evaluation Of A Beginning Teacher Support Program In A Small Rural School District In North Carolina, Nicole B. Mcghee

Doctor of Education Dissertations

As beginning teachers face challenges and seek support, many never receive the guidance needed to help them become effective teachers. Lack of support can build obstacles that lead to job dissatisfaction and failure to retain teachers. Nationwide, states have adopted legislation to require induction programs for new teachers to improve teacher retention and student achievement.

This study evaluated the components of a beginning teacher support program in a small rural school district and the perceptions of beginning teacher participants, mentors, and school administrators. In addition, this program evaluation aimed to identifying areas of strength and weaknesses. The analysis of the …

Shift In Education: The Impact Of Covid-19 On Face-To-Face And Virtual Learning, Donya Jones

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This qualitative study was conducted to investigate the impact COVID-19 had on teachers’ instructional practices, technology preparedness, and social and emotional well-being. The results of this study can be used to inform school leaders, administrators, and teachers about methods to support teachers who teach during a worldwide crisis. The study was conducted utilizing a survey instrument and interviews. The survey and interviews indicated that COVID-19 affected teachers who taught virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey and interview participants identified supports that teachers needed to have in order to successfully teach virtually during a pandemic, such as technology, professional development …

The Influences Of Equity And School Culture On Black, Latinx, And Mixed-Race Student Enrollment In Advanced Secondary Mathematics Courses, Fyniss Nixon

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This quantitative, descriptive analysis of three large, urban secondary schools in the South used equitable practices to intentionally increase the percentage of Black, Latinx, and mixed-race students in advanced mathematics courses. Each high school observed in this study acknowledged a disproportionately higher percentage of White students taking rigorous college and career-ready courses when compared with the Black and Latinx population. This disparity was not just isolated to the schools in this study. District, state, and national initiatives across the country are becoming acutely aware of the accessibility gap between (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) BIPOC and non-BIPOC secondary …

The Use Of Video Analysis To Improve Performance, Dillon Sain

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This case study was an exploration of how sport coaches, teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators use video analysis to improve performance. The study helped to reveal the usage of video analysis and its perceived advantages and barriers. The case study helped to determine frameworks for practical use by school districts or individual educators. Data revealed a lack of use due to the lack of understanding of how to use video analysis to improve performance as well as limited frameworks for use. Professional development remains a high need in education, and the case study revealed self-video analysis as a viable option …

An Exploratory Quantitative Study Of The Impact Of Stem-Focused Middle Schools On Student Persistence And Performance In Stem, Shandua Ellis

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) continue to be a major challenge for the United States (U.S.), as the U.S. continues to lag behind other countries in this area due to ongoing lack of individuals who are entering STEM fields and many who are entering STEM fields but lack the skills necessary to perform adequately in these roles. The problem related to this study involved the ongoing need to identify how well STEM education programs are addressing this need and increasing the number of students, especially underrepresented minorities, in following STEM career pathways and developing the knowledge and skills needed …

Gifted And Talented Science Instruction At The Middle Level: A Mixed Methods Evaluation Of Teacher Practices And Impact On Student Achievement, James King

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Middle school students (Grades 6-8) face a unique set of challenges. Add a gifted and talented (GT) identification, and the need for differentiation in instruction for the exceptional adolescent becomes critical. This research focused on specific practices such as ability grouping, curriculum compaction, providing students choice, problem-based learning, and professional development among others in a primarily rural school district. This mixed methods research used an explanatory sequential design and sought to examine what practices are being used in a middle school GT sixth-grade science classroom using a survey instrument to assess frequency of practice. The results of the survey indicated …

Teacher Self-Efficacy Levels In Providing Reading Instruction To Students In Kindergarten Through Second Grades, Rebekka Powers

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy levels of kindergarten through second-grade teachers in their ability to provide reading instruction to students with a focus on the five foundational areas of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. In addition, the study sought to make recommendations as to how the district of study can enhance teacher efficacy in delivering reading instruction, as well as assist the district in providing instructional resources and teacher professional development that increase teacher efficacy levels in reading instructional practices. A mixed method approach was used to conduct this study. Data were …

Staying Power: Examining Factors That Influence Educators’ Decisions To Remain In Special Education, Jill Douds

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This mixed methods study was designed to examine the factors that experienced special education teachers report as being influential in their decision to remain in the field of special education. The study collected data using surveys and interviews with experienced special education teachers to gather their perspectives and identify common themes that supported their desire and motivation to remain in the field. Results indicated that relationships with, and advocacy for, students and colleagues were the strongest factors in their motivation to stay in special education.

Career And Technical Education High School Internships: A Program Evaluation Of The Effect Internships Have On The Education And Career Choices Of Students, Randal Hylemon

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The study evaluated the effectiveness of career and technical education internships during high school and gave the administration some insights that can guide the program forward. A key component of the program’s effectiveness is the impact the program has on the overall education and career choices of students involved in career and technical education (CTE). This formative program evaluation collected qualitative data by surveying students who had participated in internships while attending each of the high schools located in a school district in the western part of North Carolina to gain information regarding how their internships affected their educational path …

The Impact Of Noncognitive Skills On Student Achievement In Elementary-Age Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Karen Garmon

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic has created one of the largest disruptions in educational history. The impact on learning loss and social-emotional well-being from the pandemic threatens to compromise achievement outcomes for an extended number of years. Previous research has proven relationships between grit, growth mindset, self-efficacy, and academic achievement (Duckworth, 2016; Duckworth et al., 2007; Dweck, 2008), but little is known about the validity of noncognitive constructs and academic achievement in elementary-age students, particularly how the relationship between these variables affected student achievement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to determine if noncognitive traits had a relationship …

A Case Study Of School Turnaround: How Leadership Behavior, Professional Learning, And Efficacy Building Can Impact Student Performance, Winter Goodson

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomenon of school turnaround through an examination of educator perceptions of the implementation of Voelkel’s (2014) framework for professional learning communities (PLCs), collective efficacy, and transformational leadership, which provided the theoretical framework for the study. This study explored the processes that take place in one of the previously lowest-performing elementary schools in the state to explore the patterns of behavior and beliefs of the team engaged in the work of turnaround. During this study, 19 educators completed a 25-question survey instrument with a 5-point Likert scale that measured the aforementioned constructs …

Middle School Teachers' Perceptions Of Brain-Based Learning And The Implementation Of Physical Brain Breaks As A Classroom Management Strategy, Tiffany C. Neal

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to better understand educators' perspectives of physical brain breaks at middle schools located in the northwestern part of North Carolina as it relates to the brain-based learning theory. This study is important because it helps to bridge the gap between the educational and neuroscience fields by providing teachers’ perspectives about using physical brain breaks, issues implementing them, and the importance of relationships with educational stakeholders. After submitting the survey, participants were asked to share their contact information to show their willingness to participate in a focus group with their peers to answer 10 questions …