Educational Administration and Supervision Commons^™

Instructional Leadership Practices Of High School Principals Regarding Proficiency In Literacy, Daphne C. Blue

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High school principals at an urban public school district located in the northern United States were inconsistently implementing instructional leadership practices to support teachers teaching literacy. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how high school principals have inconsistently implemented instructional leadership practices to support teacher's teaching of literacy. The conceptual framework was the instructional leadership theory, which emphasizes emphasized that educational leaders should encourage instructional staff to execute specific goals that lead to student academic success. Purposeful sampling was used to identify 8 high school principals. Data were collected via video conferencing interviews using Skype. Data …

Urban High School Principals' Leadership Practices And Academic Progress For At-Risk Students, Mary Delouise Duhart-Toppen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have shown that principals are vital to improving student academic achievement. Urban principals often face significant challenges in their environments and have large populations of at-risk students. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore and describe the perceptions of urban high school principals regarding the type of leadership practices needed to support the academic progress of at-risk students. Elements from transformational leadership, transformative leadership, and effective leadership practices informed the conceptual framework. Research questions addressed how principals described and perceived the practices, processes, and procedures used to create environments that support students in urban high schools …

Afterschool Reading Intervention Program With At-Risk 10th Grade Students, Phyllis Alexander Hampton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThis study investigated the effectiveness of an afterschool reading intervention program (ASRIP) in addressing the problem of at-risk English 10 students in an urban high school in danger of failing the Tennessee End of Course Test (TEOCT) because of low TEOCT pretest scores, poor regular school attendance (RSA), and low grade point average (GPA). The theoretical framework for this study was based on Dewey’s constructivist learning theory. The purpose of this quantitative ex-post-facto research study was to determine whether participating in the ASRIP led to changes in the official TEOCT scores, RSA, and GPA for at-risk English 10 students who …

Instructional And Managerial Challenges Of School Principals In Small Rural Schools, Brenita Jordan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Principals in rural schools often must do more work with fewer resources and serve in many capacities performing both instructional and managerial duties. School principals in small rural school’s experience challenges when performing instructional and managerial tasks. The purpose of this case study was to examine how school principals in small rural districts handle instructional and managerial tasks and the perception of their readiness to manage these instructional and managerial tasks. The conceptual framework was Hersey and Blanchard’s situational leadership, which defines main quadrants of leadership as (a) telling or directing, (b) selling or coaching, (c) participating or supporting, and …

Principals’ Perceptions Of Fostering A School Culture For Elementary Trauma-Exposed Students, Laura Ann Kelly

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Experiencing trauma can affect children’s ability to achieve academically. School principals are responsible for creating a positive school culture to support all children academically, yet there is limited knowledge of how principals create such a culture for children exposed to trauma. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand the practices of elementary school administrators in fostering a safe and trustworthy school culture that supports academic achievement for students who have experienced trauma. Maslow’s conceptual framework of human motivation informed this study, and research questions centered on how elementary principals perceive practices necessary to create and maintain a …

Elementary Principal And Assistant Principal Instructional Leadership Practices Influencing Student Literacy, Jennifer England Magnusson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe problem of a rural school district’s declining reading scores for students in Grades 3 through 8 was a significant concern because effective reading skills are of paramount importance to student success in school and life. Evidence suggests that principal instructional leadership practices influence student achievement; therefore, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine the district’s elementary principals’ and assistant principals’ instructional leadership practices that influenced student literacy. Murphy’s model of instructional leadership served as the conceptual framework. The research question for this study addressed how these elementary administrators implemented instructional leadership practices at their schools to …

College Student And Faculty Perceptions Of Need For Remedial/Writing Support, Stacey Mcrae

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A public college in the Midwest experienced a significant increase of students enrolling in writing support classes, indicating a gap between the writing level students have leaving high school and the expected writing skills upon entering college. The local problem of inconsistencies in the writing skill level of students leaving high school and entering college on remedial status was addressed in this qualitative case study to better prepare them as competent students and eventual graduates. Perry’s theory of intellectual development provided the framework for understanding the challenges facing first-year students in support writing classes. The research questions focused on college …

College Freshmen Perspectives Of Teaching And Learning About Emotional Wellbeing, Kathrine Ann Pigeon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This case study responded to a problem reported by freshman on evaluations from a university experience course. The students identified mental health as a significant barrier to succeeding academically, and the most critical area of students’ need. The rationale for this study was to develop policy recommendations based on the content of the interviews that provide new insights and information to improve student experiences, offer adequate support and relief, and more effectively meet student needs. The first research question explored the perceptions of first-year students enrolled in a freshmen experience course at a local 4-year college regarding their learning about …

Elementary School Principals’ Instructional Leadership Practices To Retain Novice Teachers In The Philippines, Gonzalo Miguel Pitpit

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Elementary school principals at the study site were inconsistently implementing instructional leadership practices to retain novice teachers in the Philippines. The purpose of this basic qualitative research design was to explore the instructional leadership practices implemented by elementary school principals that help retain novice teachers. The conceptual framework was the instructional leadership model characterized into three dimensions: (a) defining the school mission, (b) managing the instructional program, and (c) promoting a positive school learning climate. The research question was about what instructional leadership practices are implemented by elementary school principals to retain novice teachers in their job. Purposeful sampling was …

Strategies Insurance Company Managers Use To Retain Employees, Christopher Ramel Robinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Insurance business managers who fail to retain employees experience reduced profitability and productivity. Employee retention issues in the insurance industry negatively affect recruitment and training costs, employee engagement, and operational efficiency. Grounded in Herzberg’s 2-factor theory of motivation, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies that insurance company managers use to retain employees. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 5 insurance managers in New York and a review of company documents on employee retention strategies. Data were analyzed using Yin’s 5-step process of compiling, disassembling, reassembling, interpreting, and concluding data. The 3 themes that …

Instructors’ And Administrators’ Perspectives On Culturally Responsive Teaching In Rwandan Higher Education, Ephrard Rulinda

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In Rwanda, the number of culturally minority students in higher education institutions has been increasing in recent years, yet the role of instructors and school administrators in utilizing culturally responsive teaching (CRT) methods for those students remains unclear. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe instructors’ and school administrators’ views of their roles in utilizing CRT methods. The conceptual framework for this study included CRT best teaching practices and approaches; institutional, personal, and instructional dimensions of CRT; and components of the preparation for and practice of CRT. The study was conducted at a university with three campuses …

Principals Managing The Expectations Of Instructional Leadership, Shonda Ham Collins-Richey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have shown that principals are second only to teachers in their impact on student learning. The problem studied was principals’ abilities to balance their responsibilities as operational managers while placing primary focus on instructional leadership. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the processes established by school principals to balance the expectation of managing their buildings while being instructional leaders and how their sense of self-efficacy influenced their ability to establish and adhere to those processes and structures. The theories of complexity self-efficacy guided this study. Data were collected using structured and semistructured interviews with six elementary …

Administrators' Perceptions Of Arts Integration And Literacy Support For Elementary English Language Learners, Renee Marie Nebolon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In a suburban California elementary school characterized by significant numbers ofEnglish language learners (ELLs), school and district personnel were concerned that literacy among these elementary students remained low despite a recent district focus on literacy. This qualitative study addressed the problem of elementary ELLs not achieving the literacy skills necessary for success in English Language Arts (ELA) courses in school. The purpose of this study was to examine administrators' perceptions on implementing arts integration (AI) as a strategy to support the literacy of ELLs in ELA courses, the potential challenges associated with this strategy, and their role in a successful …

Financial Viability Strategies For Leaders Of Small, Private, Nonprofit Universities, Elizabeth Ann Postlewaite

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The percentage of full-time college students decreased by 7% in the United Statesbetween 2010 and 2018. Modern university leaders confront difficult decisions regarding their institutions' future because of financial challenges related to reduced tuition revenue. Grounded in the theory of diffusion of innovations and the balanced scorecard, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies leaders of small, nonprofit, private universities use to remain financially viable in a highly competitive environment. The participants included 6 university leaders from 2 small, private, nonprofit universities in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States who implemented successful …

Using Student Engagement And Reengagement To Reduce Chronic School Absenteeism, Janet Lassiter Dennis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractChronic absenteeism is a problem in an urban school district in Virginia. This problem not only affects the staff and administrators, but it also affects the surrounding communities, students, and parents. The purpose of the study was to the investigate the perceptions of teachers and administrators in the local school district regarding students’ chronic absenteeism. Bowen’s family system theory comprised the conceptual framework that guided this study. The research questions focused on the perceptions of Grade K-12 teachers and administrators about the causes of chronic absenteeism in the local district and their views of the effectiveness of methods that have …

The Perceptions Of African American Females In Educational Leadership, Shonda Matia Harris-Muhammed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractIn a Southeast U.S. state, African American female school administrators had difficulty obtaining administrative roles within the local district. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine the perceptions of African American females in educational leadership roles and the challenges they faced in obtaining leadership positions. Delgado and Stefenic’s Black feminist theory provided the conceptual framework for this study. Two research questions addressed African American female administrators’ perceptions of their administrative roles, contributions, support of diversity, and experiences in obtaining leadership positions. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 10 African American female administrators who had a minimum …

Leadership Strategies For Success Of Small To Medium Urban Enterprises, Gregory Ricardo Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the important role small businesses play in economic success, 50% of small businesses fail within 5 years of startup. Some small-to-medium enterprise (SME) owners cannot sustain operations and face closure because of a lack of leadership strategies to operate their business successfully. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore leadership strategies that have been successful for SME owners in urban areas to sustain their business more than 5 years. The participants were 3 SME owners in urban areas of Atlanta, Georgia, who have been in business for more than …

Designing Leadership: Using Design Thinking To Create, Practices, And Implement A Formal Leadership Development Program, Jon Samuel Wedding

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine what happens when design thinking is used to create a leadership development program, increase leadership competencies, and participants perceptions of design thinking. This study uses action research to examine the experiences and design thinking to create a leadership program in a formal hierarchical. This study collected data during a two-cycle action research process. The findings from this study revealed that design thinking can be used to create a formal leadership development program. The ability to use design thinking’s human centered design can also help increase the leadership competencies of trust and collaborations. …

Personality Characteristics Of Dental Students In Kuwait University Associated With Preferred Teaching Methods, Dalal Hasan

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study examined personality characteristics of dental students at Faculty of Dentistry at Kuwait University and investigated the relationships between personality characteristics of these students and their preferred teaching methods. In order to assess personality characteristics, The Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI) was used. For teaching method categorization Grasha’s (2002) classification was used. This research builds knowledge about personality traits as measured by the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory® of dental students in Kuwait. Further, it adds knowledge about teaching methods preferred by dental students. Two surveys, the Myers- Briggs Type Indicator® Form M and a brief learning preference for teaching methodology survey, …

A Journey Of Determination And Hope: Returning To High School After Dropping Out, Ernest Garcia

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored the reasons and attitudes of people who dropped out of high school and then later returned to complete their high school educations. In order to gather data for this study, interviews were conducted with eleven students who returned to complete their high school education after having earlier dropped out. An analysis was completed regarding the reasons that led those high school students to drop out of high school, and of the motivations and struggles that led them back to school.

Individuals who return to high school and earn a high school credential avail themselves of additional …

Factors Influencing Alumni Giving Of First-Generation Hispanic Women, R. Scott Biedermann

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Alumni giving has become a vital revenue source for colleges and universities in the United States. For private universities, alumni support is integral to the institution’s growth and sustainability. As a result, there is a growing body of research on the factors that influence alumni giving in order for fundraising professionals to identify potential donors. This study aimed to enhance this body of research by examining first-generation, low-income, alumni giving from Hispanic women from a California Private University’s (CPU) Neighborhood Engagement Program (NEP). NEP is a need-based scholarship program for underserved students from CPU’s host city. The purpose of the …

Understanding The Experiences Of Underemployed First-Generation Hmong Graduates, Mong Vang

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Underemployment has a rich and lengthy body of literature spanning across multiple disciplines, such as economics, business, psychology, and sociology. Past scholars studying the phenomenon have provided a framework for understanding underemployment and have identified the harm it has on organizations and individuals. Although underemployment is not a new phenomenon, gaps are present in understanding how it affects first-generation, Hmong graduates. This study provides a framework for bridging this gap. As such, this study answered three questions related to how underemployed, first-generation, Hmong college graduates describe their experience finding adequate employment after graduation, perceive the relationship between their personal upbringing …

The Experience Of The Local Control Accountability Plan, Angela Carter Pascual

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

In 2013 the California Legislation passed a new K-12 School accountability mandate.

The Local Control Accountability Plan was sought to increase the educational equity for targeted student groups in addition to allowing school districts to mine a diverse set of local school data to develop goals in the 8 priority areas that speak to the needs of their local students. A requirement of the LCAP was that school districts include a diverse set of stakeholders to work in a collaborative manner to develop, critique, and refine local goals. Stakeholder groups are required to consist of district-level administrators, teachers, staff, students, …

The Pathways Program: Understanding The Effectiveness Of A Structured And Support Based Standalone Dual Credit Program, Pablo Ortega

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Since the 1970s’, dual credit programs have helped high school students earn college credit and gain college readiness skills. However, the standalone branch of dual credit programs lacks structured advising, educational planning, and student support. As a result, participants of the standalone dual credit option experience frustration and significant difficulties in their dual credit experience. This study adds to the literature by evaluating the effectiveness of a standalone dual credit program designed with Guided Pathways-style support services.

Through quantitative analysis, this study compared two groups of standalone dual credit students. Both groups participated in standalone dual credit programs at the …

The Effects Of The Work Environment On California Community College Counselors' Professional Self-Care, Tina Dang

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Healthy work environments are critical in fostering occupational self-care for helping professionals, but information on the self-care and the work environment is limited among community college counselors in California. Self-care is essential for the counseling profession in California community colleges (CCC), as it promotes wellness, which is needed in order to provide optimal services to students/clients. The lack of self-care results in counselor impairment, leading to undesirable factors (i.e., burnout, health conditions, and decrease in productivity). In educational institutions, counselors often find it difficult to maintain their own self-care. However, work environments have been shown to affect self-care at work …

Chicanas Completing The Doctorate In Education: Providing Consejos De La Mesa De Poder, Sandra J. Castañón-Ramirez

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study described four testimonios from Chicanas who have successfully completed a doctorate in education degree, both Ph.D. and Ed.D. The literature reviewed three important areas of study. The first is a review of the systemic challenges that Chicanas must hurdle; cheap labor, segregation of schools and neighborhoods, being silenced through English-only education, and deficit thinking. The second area of review focused on ways that Chicanas create strategies for success to overcome these challenges. The third was a review of the theoretical literature through a distinctly and relevant Chicana feminist lens.

Chicanas’ strategies for success were collected as testimonios. …

The Relationship Between Mentoring And Instructional Leadership Effectiveness: Gender Differences Between School Site Leaders, Kristina Britton

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Less than 25% of superintendent positions, the highest level of educational leadership, are occupied by women. This is in sharp contrast to the fact that over 75% of the nation’s teaching force are women. A significant barrier cited in the literature is that there is a deficiency in the support needed for women to successfully promote into higher-level administrative positions. Although mentoring has been shown to be key factor for female administrators’ success in educational administration, this study provides quantitative data to demonstrate the need for quality mentoring opportunities for school site administrators.The purpose of this research study was to …

First Year Female Assistant Principals At The Secondary School Level: Transitions, Perspectives, Aspirations, Jennifer Tilton

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Women continue to be in the minority in school administration in public schools in the United States, although the majority of teachers are female. The role of assistant principal is the gateway to school administration. The purpose of this study was to describe the essence of the transition from teaching to school administration, the role of a female assistant principal, and the career aspirations of female assistant principals. This study used a phenomenological approach to understand the essence of the transition for the participants. Six women were interviewed using a semi-structured interview protocol to collect data on their experiences transitioning …

Higher Education Organizational Structure, Quality Assurance Practice, And Teaching And Learning In Arts Disciplines, David M. Chase

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of higher education organizational structure and institutional quality assurance practices to and the culture of teaching and learning in artistic disciplines from the perspectives of three artist-educators. The research questions addressed by this study are as follows:

1. How do participants view the relationship of the organizational structure of their institution to the provision of quality assurance practices in their disciplines?

2. What barriers, if any, do participants perceive about the implementation of effective quality assurance practice and policy, and if barriers are perceived, why do they occur?

3. What …

Impact Of A Student-Athlete Career Preparation Program On Athlete Alumni Affinity, Heather L. Hunter

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has indicated the majority of athlete alumni do not give charitable donations to their alma mater or athletics department. With over 4 million former National Collegiate Athletic Association student-athletes, these athlete alumni should have an inherent affinity for their athletics department. The purpose of this research study was to examine the relationship between a student-athlete career preparation program (“Career Program”) and athlete alumni affinity for the athletics department. This study uses the theoretical framework of Social Exchange Theory to examine if an athlete alumni’s affinity for their athletics department increases when they receive support for their career launch. …