Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
- Keyword
-
- Curriculum (2)
- Instructional leadership (2)
- Leadership (2)
- Shared leadership (2)
- AchieveNJ (1)
-
- Alternate route (1)
- Aspiring Administrator (1)
- Attrition (1)
- Case Study (1)
- Collaboration (1)
- Communication (1)
- Concurrent enrollment (1)
- Critical discourse analysis (1)
- Delegation (1)
- Delphi (1)
- Distributed Leadership (1)
- Distributed leadership (1)
- Dual enrollment (1)
- Education (1)
- Educational leadership (1)
- Family-school connections (1)
- Gender performance (1)
- Higher education (1)
- Implementation (1)
- Induction (1)
- Instruction (1)
- Instructional leader (1)
- Leadership Capacity (1)
- Leadership frameworks (1)
- Leadership identity (1)
- Publication Year
- Publication Type
Articles 61 - 90 of 296
Full-Text Articles in Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration
Speaking Of Rivers: Demystifying Foreign-Born Blacks Through A Secondary Esl Context, C. D. Williams
Speaking Of Rivers: Demystifying Foreign-Born Blacks Through A Secondary Esl Context, C. D. Williams
Theses and Dissertations
Linguistic imperialism and societal assumptions can become dominant issues that lessen the significance of the identity, language, culture, and communication of minorities in English as a second language (ESL) settings, which may hinder the possibilities of acceptance and success (Amin, 1997; Ibrahim, 1999; Morgan, 1997; Ogbu, 1992a). Students from Africa and West Indies, foreign-born Blacks, represent English language learners (ELLs) who have distinct cultural and linguistic mores that often go unnoticed. Foreign-born Blacks possess uncommon mother tongues and cultural behaviors that present struggles with salient entrenched racialization in ESL because the historical aspects of English are associated with Whiteness, dominance, …
The External And Internal Educational Factors That Contribute To Student Achievement And Self-Perceptions Of Urban Middle School Title I Students, Ja'shanna Jones
The External And Internal Educational Factors That Contribute To Student Achievement And Self-Perceptions Of Urban Middle School Title I Students, Ja'shanna Jones
Theses and Dissertations
This study was conducted in order to explore the depths of internal and external factors within the urban school community that effect student self-perceptions and academic achievement, so that programs/interventions are developed to meet the needs of urban students. The internal and external factors identified for the purpose of this study were parental achievement, parental and community involvement, school morale, teacher quality, students peer groups, and resources among internal and external educational factors. The researcher examined test scores and survey data of the entire middle school in the first phase of the study. During the second phase of the study, …
Using Reflective Practice To Study School Leadership, Cheryl Smith
Using Reflective Practice To Study School Leadership, Cheryl Smith
Theses and Dissertations
The purposes of this investigation were to critically examine my principal leadership and to use reflective practice to improve my leadership practice and create positive change in the practices of teachers in the school. While scrutinizing critical incidents of practice, I utilized four reflective practice cycles to develop new action theories and new paradigms of leadership behavior. Reflective practice Cycle I focused on me as an individual. Revisiting who I was conceptually opened reflection about my identity, prompting me to think differently about my leadership. My partnering with another principal consisted of reflective practice Cycle II. Our emphasis was on …
Advisory Programs: Evaluation Of The Planning For Implementation In An Urban High School, Laura Martin
Advisory Programs: Evaluation Of The Planning For Implementation In An Urban High School, Laura Martin
Theses and Dissertations
A major component of high school reform has been to support small, more personalized school structures, along with other complimentary strategies that enhance teaching and learning as being more likely to produce beneficial results. The major purpose of the small schools movement is to convert failing, comprehensive high schools, into smaller, personalized settings in order to increase positive school relationships, student engagement, and higher student achievement. The addition of advisory programs in high schools is at the heart of small schools' efforts to develop more personalization within small schools; especially those that contain small learning communities. Advisory programs are intended …
Establishing A Community Of Professional Learners: Leadership Strategies That Promote Teacher Efficacy, Marie Simone
Establishing A Community Of Professional Learners: Leadership Strategies That Promote Teacher Efficacy, Marie Simone
Theses and Dissertations
During my tenure in several school districts as an educational administrator, I was dismayed to learn that a common theme among bright, energetic, caring, and creative teachers was that morale was low and that teachers rarely felt recognized for their efforts or accomplishments. I was curious to see if recognition and respect offered by educational leaders would help to improve a sense of personal and professional efficacy among teachers, thereby improving school morale and retention of teachers in the profession. Morale is defined by Mendel (1987) as a feeling, state of mind, mental and emotional attitude. Washington, et al (1981) …
Transforming Regular Classroom Instruction To Differentiate For Gifted And Highly Capable Learners, Stephanie Brown
Transforming Regular Classroom Instruction To Differentiate For Gifted And Highly Capable Learners, Stephanie Brown
Theses and Dissertations
This qualitative action research study documented the transformation of a small suburban school district from an educational culture focused on minimal levels of achievement reflective of No Child Left Behind to one valuing the continuous progress of all levels of learners. The participant-researcher led teachers in third through seventh grades with instructional program changes in social studies and science that implemented advanced differentiation using a curriculum compacting model. The two-fold purpose of the study explored how teacher engagement in an effective professional development program impacted their practice and disposition toward meeting the needs of gifted learners, while seeking information regarding …
The Culture Of Instructional Leadership Amongst Principals: A Principal Professional Learning Community's Exploration Of Understanding By Design, Dana Walker
Theses and Dissertations
The overloaded role of the principal is a reality in every district (Evans, 1996; Fullan, 2008). Principals are second only to teachers among school-related factors in student learning (Leithwood, Louis, Anderson, & Wahlstrom, 2004) yet professional learning opportunities for principals suffer at the expense of seemingly more important tasks. In order for principals to be successful in the expected role of instructional leadership (NAESP, 2008), districts must create opportunities for both content and leadership learning (Darling-Hammond, Meyerson, LaPointe, & Orr, 2010). Experts are beginning to realize that professional development for principals is essential to a school and distric's success (Darling-Hammond …
Weighing In On Teacher Attitudes Of Obese Students: A Descriptive Correlational Design, Angelina Pecoraro
Weighing In On Teacher Attitudes Of Obese Students: A Descriptive Correlational Design, Angelina Pecoraro
Theses and Dissertations
The primary purpose of this study was to investigate teacher attitudes towards obese students. The investigation focused on the correlation between (a) attitudes and beliefs about obese students; and (b) predictive abilities of participant's self-esteem with attitudes and beliefs. The three surveys utilized in this study were: (a) Attitudes Toward Obese Persons Scale (Allison, Basile, & Yuker, 1991) (b) Beliefs About Obese Persons (Allison et al., 1991); and (c) Rosenberg Self-Esteem Survey (Rosenberg, 1965). The sample size was 893 certified educators representing all grade levels in Central, Northern, and Southern New Jersey school districts. Respondents were emailed a survey link, …
Using An Internet Learning Profile To Create Customized Plans, Beth Lynne
Using An Internet Learning Profile To Create Customized Plans, Beth Lynne
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research was to develop an Internet Learning Profile for eighth grade students based upon Gardner's Multiple Intelligences and to use the results to develop customized lesson plan activities for each profile that can be incorporated into existing curriculum. Another purpose of this study was to discover if students who are considered more literate (via NJ ASK language arts literacy scores) are immersed in the use of online social networking, role play/interactive gaming online, blogs, discussion boards, online classes, video websites, search engines, paint or animation applications, etc. I used a Multiple Intelligences Scale (Chislett & Chapman, …
Learning To Teach: A Multiple Case Study Analysis On The Role Of Professional Learning Community Participation On Pre-Service Teachers Enrolled In A Professional Development School Teacher Preparation Program, Lissette Gonzalez-Perez
Learning To Teach: A Multiple Case Study Analysis On The Role Of Professional Learning Community Participation On Pre-Service Teachers Enrolled In A Professional Development School Teacher Preparation Program, Lissette Gonzalez-Perez
Theses and Dissertations
Pre-service teaching experiences can influence future teaching practices. The participation of pre-service teachers (PSTs) in a Professional Learning Community (PLC) increases the likelihood of a mental model shift away from the traditional norms of autonomy that characterize teaching. The purpose of this multiple case study analysis was to explore the perceived influence of PLC exposure on PSTs enrolled in a Professional Development School (PDS) teacher preparation program; specifically in the areas of knowledge, interactions, shared practice, and strategies. The design of the study was qualitative; each PST enrolled in the PDS teacher preparation program was viewed as an individual case. …
The Implementation Of Literacy Lab Classrooms As A Form Of Professional Learning For Teachers, Briean Madden
The Implementation Of Literacy Lab Classrooms As A Form Of Professional Learning For Teachers, Briean Madden
Theses and Dissertations
This action research study examined the implementation of the lab classroom professional development concept in a K-5 school district. Teachers who engage is professional development that is ongoing, job-embedded, and collaborative can further their learning and strengthen their teaching practices (Darling-Hammond, 2009; Fullan, Hill, & Crevola, 2006; Reeves, 2010). Teacher practices, knowledge, reflection, and collaboration were explored through the lab classroom implementation to see if this type of professional development was beneficial for the teachers. The power in knowing the organization and planning a change of this magnitude were also reported. Additionally, the researcher looked to gain insights on leadership …
School Culture: A Sequential Mixed Methods Exploratory Meta-Analysis, Cynthia Pritchett
School Culture: A Sequential Mixed Methods Exploratory Meta-Analysis, Cynthia Pritchett
Theses and Dissertations
This multi-national study used systematic review as a data collection technique to determine the current field of empirical studies that posit a definition of school culture and its characteristics. The data gathered from a qualitative synthesis and analysis of the acquired studies informed school culture taxonomy. The taxonomy presented domains, classes, categories, characteristics, and elements, which became the variables for meta-analysis. This adapted methodological process resulted in a valid and generalizable definition of school culture. The adapted sequential mixed methods exploratory approach used in this study resulted in the generation of grounded theory. The grounded theory is a definition of …
Promoting The Integration Of Vocational And Academic Skills Using The Principles Of The Let Me Learn Model: A Case Study Of Transformational Leadership, Debra Ihunnah
Theses and Dissertations
Two educational models, the Let Me Learn Model (TM) and the Integration of Academic and Vocational Skills Model IV were implemented at the Cumberland County Technical School in New Jersey. The purposes of the study were (a) to introduce and enhance the teachers' knowledge about the two educational models (b) to assist teachers in using that knowledge gained from implementation of the models as a catalyst to change their teaching practices and (c) to enhance student learning. This was an action research study that examined the implementation of the two models and examined my transformational leadership skills. The Let Me …
Alternatives To Grade Retention In A Pre-Kindergarten To Second Grade Setting: A Leadership Study, Phillip Neff
Alternatives To Grade Retention In A Pre-Kindergarten To Second Grade Setting: A Leadership Study, Phillip Neff
Theses and Dissertations
Many primary teachers (grades K-4) believe that retention is useful in maintaining grade level standards in light of high stakes state testing (Witmer, Hoffman, & Nottis, 2004). Despite perceived academic advantages, there is a great deal of research that suggests that retention may cause damage in later years, such as increased drop-out rates, while only temporarily addressing the immediate academic issues (Bonvin, Bless, & Schuepbach, 2008). The purpose of my action research project was to give teachers and ultimately students alternatives to grade retention. Through my action research project, Billingsport Elementary School changed from a culture that endorsed retention to …
500 Million Frenemies: A Phenomenological Study Of The Prevalence And Perceptions Of Female Students And Male Students As It Relates To Cyber Bullying On Social Networking Websites, Dana Manzi-Schaed
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to discover the lived experiences of male and female high school students regarding cyber bullying on social networking websites. Previous research has shown that male and female students have very different experiences with traditional bullying; the current phenomenon of cyber bullying has yet to be widely researched. In addition, this research sought to better understand what, if any, the gender differences were in how students perceive adult prevention of cyber bullying as well as how both genders behave in informing adults of instances of cyber bullying. The goal of this research was …
A Study Of The Impact Of Single-Gender Classes On Middle School Students In An Urban Setting, Deniese Barnett-Cooper
A Study Of The Impact Of Single-Gender Classes On Middle School Students In An Urban Setting, Deniese Barnett-Cooper
Theses and Dissertations
With the passing of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the levels of accountability that it has placed upon educators and school districts regarding student performance on standardized assessments, there has been a surfeit of initiatives and options to address appropriate prescriptions for academically ailing students. A potentially dramatic turnaround came in March 2004, when the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) issued proposals that permitted public single-gender schools and classes with few limitations. Additionally, within the past decade, the release of restrictions of Title IX, which originally prohibited the separation of genders, facilitated opportunities to implement single-gender schools and classes …
Assisting Student Cancer Survivors To Re-Enter The School Setting, Rebecca Rothschild
Assisting Student Cancer Survivors To Re-Enter The School Setting, Rebecca Rothschild
Theses and Dissertations
The tremendous increase in the survival rates of children diagnosed with childhood cancer has created an ever-growing number of children who are re-entering school during or after treatment for childhood cancer. Furthermore, there are many long-term side effects following the treatment for childhood cancer. A study was conducted to assess the knowledge base and awareness of school staff members regarding assisting children re-entering school after cancer. Based on preliminary data, a professional development study was conducted and a professional development intervention was designed and presented to make all school personnel aware of potential educational problems that may be related to …
Measuring The Impact Of A Mentoring Program: Preparing African American Males For Success Beyond High School, Cornell Gray
Measuring The Impact Of A Mentoring Program: Preparing African American Males For Success Beyond High School, Cornell Gray
Theses and Dissertations
The academic struggles befalling countless African American male youth have been the source of consternation in many homes, schools, and communities across America. When compared to males from other ethnic groups, as well as females, Black males often lag behind in many academic categories from elementary school through college. As a result of their educational failures, parents, educators, and even government officials have been exploring ways to resolve this dilemma. While a number of solutions have been proposed and even implemented by a variety of stakeholders, too few seem to offer reasonable rates of success to address what appears to …
The Seminarts Experience: Restructuring A Ninth Grade Transitional Program In A Whole School Arts Academy, Mari Celi Sanchez
The Seminarts Experience: Restructuring A Ninth Grade Transitional Program In A Whole School Arts Academy, Mari Celi Sanchez
Theses and Dissertations
The potential problem with a student's high school experience may begin as soon as he/she enters the high school. Freshmen students experience increased changes in school environment, as well as new friends, teachers, rules and regulations, and challenging courses. They need to maneuver all of these experiences with complex social-emotional and physiological upheavals associated with adolescence. For some students, this transition to high school has negative consequences that lead to achievement loss and dropping out of school. Because of this, effective transitional programs that assist new ninth grade students into high school are needed. Freshmen require procedural, social, and academic …
Inclusive Co-Teaching In The Secondary Schools: A Study In Sustainable Change, Marnee Sirolli
Inclusive Co-Teaching In The Secondary Schools: A Study In Sustainable Change, Marnee Sirolli
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this action research project was to change the current implementation of inclusion and co-teaching in the secondary grades at one school in southern New Jersey. Through professional development, establishing core communication strategies, and the development of a common lesson plan template for each teaching partner, teachers were provided with the opportunity to use survey data and participatory action research to develop a new model for inclusive co-teaching that integrated best practices and established cohesion and clarity among co-teaching partners. The data were collected through surveys, interviews, observations, discussions, and reflective journals. The first conclusion was that teacher's …
Implementation Of Cross-Disciplinary Projects To Improve Student Engagement: A Leadership Study In Building Capacity For Collaboration Between Middle School Teachers, Barbara Horner
Theses and Dissertations
Most students, including at-risk students, enter school engaged in the process and eager to learn, like school, and comply with school routines (Alexander, Entwisle, & Horsey, 1997; Nystrand & Gamoran, 1991). Over time students' interest in school declines and they fail to connect within the school context and curriculum (Fredricks, Blumenfeld, & Paris, 2004). Disconnected and disinterested students exhibit off-task behaviors and apathetic attitudes toward school, which often result in student disengagement. The effects of disengagement manifest in the form of poor academic achievement, disciplinary problems, and poor attendance records (Lee & Smith, 1995; Miller, Leinhardt, & Zigmond, 1988). Research …
Reflective Leadership: Effects Of Peer Mentoring On Minority Students Within An Urban School Setting, Sean Mccarron
Reflective Leadership: Effects Of Peer Mentoring On Minority Students Within An Urban School Setting, Sean Mccarron
Theses and Dissertations
The extent to which school and community resources are utilized by partially proficient students affects their academic and social proficiency (Anderson & Pellicer, 1998; Shann, 2001). All too often a school system will initiate new programs and resources without adequately targeting the students who would benefit most, or not provide the management and leadership necessary, causing the support systems to be ineffective (Munoz, Ross, & McDonald, 2007). Regardless of the varying support systems in place at Wayside Middle School, four subgroups of students have not been achieving academic proficiency as identified by the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge …
Utilizing Teacher's Perceptions Of Professional Development To Inform District Level Programming, Gina Friedman
Utilizing Teacher's Perceptions Of Professional Development To Inform District Level Programming, Gina Friedman
Theses and Dissertations
Teachers' beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes toward professional development initiatives have a powerful impact on the effectiveness of those programs after implementation. Specifically, teachers in first order change schools perceive inhibiting factors (i.e. lack of faculty buy-in, scheduling conflicts, limited time for trainings within the calendar, lack of leadership support, etc.) as a hindrance to the success of program implementation. Concurrently, Cedar Creek teacher's perceptions identify many of the same inhibiting factors to effective professional development that are found on a national level. These perceptions suggest a first order mental model perspective. This mixed methods action research study identified a second …
An Investigation On Whether Creating A Culture Of Respect Can Reduce Disruptive Behaviors By Influencing The Social Skills Development Of Four Year Old Children In An Urban Setting, Ruth Cummings-Hypolite
An Investigation On Whether Creating A Culture Of Respect Can Reduce Disruptive Behaviors By Influencing The Social Skills Development Of Four Year Old Children In An Urban Setting, Ruth Cummings-Hypolite
Theses and Dissertations
This investigation explored the impact of a culture of respect on disruptive behaviors of four year old children in an urban setting. A curriculum on respect was implemented, and teachers' and students' views on respect were measured before and after delivering the curriculum. Family involvement was part of the curriculum. The research questions identified teachers' knowledge and attitudes regarding teaching social skills and respect, the influence of teaching respect on children's social skills, and effective strategies for teaching respect. A pilot study and principal study were conducted in a total of 9 preschool classrooms. A mixed research methodology was used …
Connecting Brain Research With Teaching Practice Among Middle School Teachers, Irene Sanders
Connecting Brain Research With Teaching Practice Among Middle School Teachers, Irene Sanders
Theses and Dissertations
The discipline of mind, brain, and education science is the merger of psychology, neuroscience, and education. Its focus is to address complex problems in education and provide evidence-based solutions. One facet of this mixed methods action research study expanded middle school teachers' knowledge of brain function and brain-based strategies through a five-part workshop series and created a ten session professional learning community. Participants selected strategies such as relaxation, working memory tasks, or taught students about their brains to increase academic achievement, and tracked two groups' progress. Strategy implementation was judged to be too time consuming except for relaxation exercises. Alternate …
Professionalizing Practice: How Plc Development Enhances Teaching And Learning, Kelly Roselle
Professionalizing Practice: How Plc Development Enhances Teaching And Learning, Kelly Roselle
Theses and Dissertations
Professional learning communities (PLCs) are groups of professionals who work collaboratively to meet expressly stated goals. The groups analyze data and make decisions based upon that analysis. All parties closely monitor student achievement. A true PLC is focused on a specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, time-bound (SMART) goal. In this study, the PLC is designed to increase teacher use of research-based best practices, which is referred to as "professionalizing practice". This study focuses on a group of volunteer high school teachers who met regularly before and after school to discuss students, share ideas, collaboratively implement strategies, and gather and analyze data. …
Leading Change In A Traditional Teaching Environment: Establishing Positive Student Behaviors Through Proactive Classroom Management, Ann Toth
Theses and Dissertations
Disruptive student behaviors in the classroom jeopardize the learning environment in schools across the United States (Conroy, Sutherland, Snyder, & Marsh 2008; Crum, 2004). Presently, most schools apply a reactionary punitive discipline system in hopes of changing these disruptive student behaviors (Glasser, 1998; Havill, 2004; Jenkins, 1994; Kohn, 2006). At the Long Middle School, the present initiative is to change the teachers' approach from controlling their students' behaviors to building relationships, facilitating intrinsic motivation for appropriate student behaviors, and teaching self-management skills through a proactive classroom management approach in conjunction with a learning team model. The purpose of this research …
Leading A Readiness Program For Low-Income Students Within A Preschool Setting, Renee Murtaugh
Leading A Readiness Program For Low-Income Students Within A Preschool Setting, Renee Murtaugh
Theses and Dissertations
The solution to narrowing the achievement gap between low socioeconomic students and high socioeconomic students has included endless approaches and interventions, including full day pre-school programs (NAEP, 1999; Snow, Burns, & Griffith, 1998).This action research project focused specifically on the needs of low-income preschool students and concentrated on closing the achievement gap among the SES subgroups within the By-the-Sea School District preschool Kindergarten classrooms. Using Monahan's (2003) 9-Step Change Model as a framework for change, classroom teachers worked collaboratively with the researcher to make the necessary changes to their classrooms and school to better meet the needs of low-income students. …
Implementing Professional Learning Communities To Improve Student Writing Achievement, Dori Alvich
Implementing Professional Learning Communities To Improve Student Writing Achievement, Dori Alvich
Theses and Dissertations
Demands are made for schools to improve student learning. In answer to that demand, school leaders are searching for ways to implement new approaches to enhance student learning and teacher professional development. Professional learning communities (PLCs) implemented in a school setting can increase collaboration and improve instruction and learning if focused on three essential characteristics: student learning, teacher collaboration, and results (Dufour, DuFour, & Eaker, 2008). Darling-Hammond (1996) recommends that "schools be structured to become genuine learning organizations for both students and teachers; organizations that respect learning, honor teaching, and teach for understanding"(p. 198). Writing is required for all subject …
Fostering Teacher Leadership: Transforming Learning And Leading To Enhance School Culture, Jennifer Luff
Fostering Teacher Leadership: Transforming Learning And Leading To Enhance School Culture, Jennifer Luff
Theses and Dissertations
The complexity associated with educational leadership and the challenges related to school change require schools to cultivate new sources of leadership (Anderson, 2009; Copland, 2003, Danielson, 2007, Goldstein, 2004). Literature demonstrates that teacher leadership is linked to increased professional learning, sustained change, and improved student achievement (Hart, 1995; Spillane, Hallet, & Diamond, 2003; Trachtman, 1993). The purpose of this action research study was to evaluate the Teacher Leadership Coalition, a cadre of teachers developed to empower teachers, increase professional learning, and improve culture in the Ryan School District. While implementing interventions to improve the Coalition, I sought to learn more …