Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration Commons^™

Assessing The Impact Of Illinois Revised Statutes 122, Article 24a On The Identification And Remediation Of Unsatisfactory Performers, Teresa Lane

Masters Theses

Article 24A of the Illinois School Code was enacted in order to improve instruction in the State of Illinois. One of the underlying beliefs of the legislators who designed and passed the School Improvement Act of 1985, which contained Article 24A was that one way to improve instruction is to eliminate the unsatisfactory performers in the classroom. Since the implementation of Article 24A no data based studies have been conducted on the effects of this legislation on those teachers evaluated as unsatisfactory. This study is intended to gather data on the number of unsatisfactory performers as well as the characteristics …

Exploration Of Alternative Methods Of Providing Quality Educational Programs In Five Small Illinois Rural School Districts, Odus T. Cheek

Masters Theses

This study explored alternative methods that might be used by five selected small Illinois rural school districts to provide quality educational programs. Many Illinois school districts are facing problems that are unique to today's educational setting. Declining enrollments and decreasing farm land assessments along with small increases in state aid have compounded the problems of school districts. School board members must be aware of the condition of the school districts and what warning signs show impending problems. This study explored the enrollment projections, financial conditions and the instructional setting of five Shelby County Illinois school districts. Then options available to …

An Analysis Of The Impacts Of The Illinois Board Of Higher Education' S Admission Requirements On Selected High Schools In East Central Illinois, Stephen C. Selle

Masters Theses

The Illinois Board of Higher Education in 1985 instituted mandatory subject admission requirements for all state universities beginning in the year 1990. Subsequent legislative action by the Illinois General Assembly has moved these requirements back to 1993. This field experience investigated the possible impacts of these requirements on rural schools of under 500 students in east central Illinois. A cover letter explaining the purpose of the study and a two page questionnaire were mailed to twenty- one schools. Sixteen schools in the counties of Vermillion, Ford, Iroquois, Kankakee, and Will responded and were the focus of the study. Enrollment patterns …

Planning And Managing School Facilities, Theodore J. Kowalski

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

Theodore Kowalski addresses the administrative procedures associated with planning and managing school facilities. Practitioner interest in school facilities has been growing rapidly in recent years because decades of neglect, poor planning, and cost cutting have created a situation in which large numbers of America's school buildings are in need of major repair or replacement.

At the same time, the realization that costs related to repair and replacement have escalated significantly has fueled a new concern among school facility planning and management.

Writing for school administrators, superintendents, and board members as well as graduate students in education, Kowalski discusses planning from …

Teacher Perceptions Of And Satisfaction With The Power Base Uses Of Elementary And Secondary Principals, John P. Franzoia

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was (1) to determine how elementary and secondary teachers in a large North Dakota school district perceived the power base use of their principals and (2) to determine how satisfied these teachers were with the power base use.

The researcher administered the Power Perception Profile- Perception of Other and a brief questionnaire to the teachers to study the relationship between satisfaction and background variables. Of 544 teachers in the district, 410 participated resulting in 379 usable responses, a total of 69.7% of all teachers in the district. Interviews were conducted with principals after results were …

An Analysis Of Selected Initial Phase Iii Plans Developed From Iowa's Educational Excellence Program H.F. 499, Randall B. Clegg

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Phase III of Iowa's Educational Excellence Program has provided Iowa school districts with the unique opportunity to improve and enhance the quality and effectiveness of Iowa teachers through the development of performance-based and supplemental pay plans. With 50 million dollars in state funding Iowa school districts were in a unique position to develop and implement their own prescription for achieving educational excellence.

The purpose of this study was to conduct an analysis of initial performance-based supplemental pay plans developed by Iowa school districts. As a result of the analysis this study described the reform efforts initiated by local school districts …

The Status Of Field Implementation Of Clinical Supervision, Kathleen Sullivan Mulholland

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which clinical supervision is practiced in American public schools. The investigator gathered data on the form of the practice, central office support for it, principal training in clinical supervision, the purposes for which clinical supervision was used, and principal's valuing of the process for improving practice. The sample of building administrators used for this study was drawn from a list of schools recognized as effective by the U.S. Department of Education from 1982-83 through 1985-86. The population consisted of 778 principals, the sample, 311; 218 principals responded to a …

The Relationship Among Principal Power Tactic Usage, Leadership Style And School Climate In Selected Iowa Elementary Schools, Steven R. Decker

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

One purpose of this study was to determine primary principal power tactic usage in Iowa elementary schools. The study also investigated the associations among principal power tactic usage, leadership style, and organizational climate.

The study utilized the Leadership Effectiveness Adaptability Description (LEAD-Self) survey to determine primary leadership style. The Organizational Climate Description Questionnaire (OCDQ-RE) was utilized to identify teachers' perceptions of school climate. The Perception of Principal Power Tactics Survey (PPPTS) was utilized to assess teachers' perceptions of principal power tactic usage.

A total of 573 surveys were included in this study. Completed survey instruments were received from 80 principals …

Parental Perceptions Of School: An Analysis Of Contacts & Non-Contacts With Parents Of Sixth Graders At L.C. Curry Elementary School, Johnny Douglas

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Experimental and control groups were randomly selected in Johnny Douglas' sixth grade homeroom class to determine if contacts made to an experimental group of parents produced different perceptions of school as opposed to a control group of parents who received little or no contacts from the school. The experimental group of students' parents received a minimum of seven contacts from the school during the twenty day period of the study, while the control group received a minimum of three contacts in the same period.

A questionnaire sent to the parents at the conclusion of the experiment yielded three statements of …

A Texas State Plan And Guidelines For The Education Of The Gifted And Talented: Is There Evidence Of Discrimination Toward Minority Children?, Danny C. Dillard

Graduate Theses

This paper addresses The Texas State Plan and Guidelines for the Education of the Gifted and Talented which was developed by the Texas Education Agency in 1980 to assist local school districts in planning and implementing programs for the gifted. The purpose of the paper is to address the plan and guidelines and determine whether or not they tend to lead to discrimination against the minority populations within schools. It examines five major areas of concern: the local definition of gifted and talented, the biases and attitudes of members of the community and educators in the school system, the criteria …

Perceptions Of Teachers And Students Of School Effectiveness Factors At Knoxville High School, Roger A. Stevens

Masters Theses

This field study was designed to investigate teacher and student perceptions of school effectiveness factors as related to Knoxville High School. Specifically, this study compared actual perceived school effectiveness factors between teachers and students. A comparison of past achievement tests was also initiated to determine what effect, if any, school leadership might play in the process.

Two instruments were designed for this study, Teacher Feedback Survey and the Student Opinion Survey. Dr. David Bartz, of Eastern Illinois University, developed the survey instruments based on research conducted by Edmonds, Brookover, Lezotte and Weber and a review of current literature addressing the …

The Development Of A School Emergency Plan For The Blue Ridge School District #18, Farmer City, Illinois, Robert D. Hooker

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to devise an emergency preparedness plan handbook for the Blue Ridge School District #18, Farmer City, Illinois. The handbook was designed to aid the school administration and staff by defining definite administrative action in carrying out the steps necessary to protect students and staff in the event of an emergency situation. A data base was formed from several sources. Information was received through a review of the literature; a review of organizational materials; a review of information from school districts through a questionnaire; interviews with individuals from professional agencies; and a review of school …

An Analysis Of Factors Associated With The Change In Graduation Requirements At Champaign Centennial High School, David H. Pike

Masters Theses

The graduation requirements for the students at Champaign Centennial High School, Champaign, Illinois, changed effective with the class of 1988. This field experience investigated the possible effects of the new and more stringent graduation requirements. A comparative analysis using students in the classes of 1985, 1986, and 1987 for the baseline data with the students in the classes of 1988 and 1989 was completed. Specifically, the evaluator designed a procedure to statistically study the students' American College Test and SRA Survey of Basic Skills Test scores. A two tailed t-test for the difference of the means at the .05 level …

School Effectiveness Model For Enterprise Elementary School, Lloyd A. Moma

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field study is to develop a school improvement model for use at Enterprise Elementary School, District #61 in Decatur, Illinois based on effective schools research. There has been a slow, steady change in the student population of this school in the past twenty years. The influx of hard to educate children, combined with the loss of some services, such as Chapter I, required that staff adjust teaching practices to maintain the high level of achievement that past test results have indicated. Because of the increased awareness of effective schools research and an increasing demand for school …

A Model For Determining Attitudes Towards School District Reorganization, James A. Voyles

Masters Theses

The focus of this study is to provide a model for determining current attitudes toward school district reorganization so that a school board can gain local community data. The small rural school districts of central Illinois are finding fewer and fewer options when considering maintaining or increasing the quality of education in their communities. Illinois school reform legislation of 1985 included a section on school district reorganization which was an effort to reduce the number of districts and increase the quality of education. However, the sentiment was so strong against forced reorganization that the plan for reorganization died a political …

A Practical Reference For Students, Parents, And District Employees For The Governing Of Sterling Middle School, Debra J. Lacy

All Graduate Projects

A study was conducted of several aspects of Washington State Law, including portions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), plus an in-depth study on search and seizure rights of the school. The search and seizure study was limited to locker searches by school personnel. The study primarily included relevant aspects of school attendance, bus behavior, corporal punishment, student discipline, student and school property, student dress, search and seizure, and first amendment issues (i.e., publications by students). From this study, an in-depth handbook was produced for use by school administrators and students of Sterling Middle …

Creating A Model For A Student Assistance Program For High School Students Involved In Substance Abuse, George C. Lewis

Masters Theses

Substance abuse is a problem faced by schools, parents, students and communities. The purpose of this field experience was to provide a plan to help educators, parents, students and communities deal effectively with youth involved in substance abuse. The need for this field study became evident to the researcher when twenty-five students from the student body of Salem Community High School were placed in in-patient substance abuse programs during the 1985-86 school year.

The literature was examined and certain reactions and trends indicated in the literature were identified. Many substance abuse programs were reviewed. Key programs reviewed include the following: …

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Policies In Central Illinois: A Survey, Analysis, And Model, Daniel Lathrop

Masters Theses

One purpose of this study was to develop model policies for school districts to use in dealing with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). A second purpose was to identify which school districts in the Educational Service Region (ESR) comprised of Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Edgar, Moultrie, and Shelby counties had addressed the issue of AIDS policies. The population surveyed in the initial phase consisted of 22 superintendents within the ESR. A survey was developed utilizing many items from a national study (Keough and Seaton, 1987). The survey was administered during a monthly meeting of superintendents hosted by Regional Superintendent Rosemary Shepherd. …

Superintendent Internship In Argenta-Oreana School District #1, Jerry D. Zachary

Masters Theses

The purpose of this superintendent internship was to provide practical experiences for the student germane to the role of superintendent. These experiences were selected under the advisement of Dr. Larry Janes with cognizance of the general objectives of the internship (Attachment A) and the student's own voids in administrative experience.

The internship has been under the direction of Superintendent Donald Magee of the Argenta-Oreana Community Unit District Number 1. District Number 1 is a consolidated district with 1,226 students. Dr. Magee has been a high school teacher, coach, and principal and has served as superintendent in four school districts for …

Iowa Middle Level Schools: Grade Level Groupings, Titles, Instructional Patterns, And Pupil Control Orientations, Patricia Mary Holthaus

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Iowa middle level schools during the spring semester of 1988 were described in terms of grade level groupings, titles, instructional patterns, and pupil control orientations of teachers. This data was compared to data about Iowa middle level schools collected during the 1970-71 and 1979-80 years as well as data collected in recent years form studies across the nation. Changes in middle level education were documented.

The study was divided into two major parts with separate samples, instruments, data collection, and data presentation procedures. During the first part of the study, all 4-6, 4-8, 5-6, 5-8, 6-8, 6-9, 7-8, and 7-9 …

A Descriptive Study Of School Dropouts By Ethnicity, Socio-Economic Status, And Neighborhood Schools At Pecos High School 1983-1987, Albert Joe Bishop

Graduate Theses

An abstract was not provided.

Student Failure As Associated With Socio-Economic Status, Racial Ethnicity, And Single Parenting, B. Dan Green

Graduate Theses

Academic failure is a problem in American schools all over the nation. Many factors play a part in the academic achievement of students. The purpose of this study is to investigate student academic failure among students from lower socio-economic status families as compared with students from families with a higher socio-economic status, with sub-groupings identifying students as to racial and ethnic backgrounds as well as those from single-parent homes. The test group for this survey is a group of four-hundred and forty eighth grade students from Goddard Junior High School in Midland, Texas. All students listed as "failing" failed one …

Evaluation Of The Language Arts Curriculum In Cerro Gordo Community Unit School District #100, Keith Ashcraft

Masters Theses

Cerro Gordo Community Unit School District #100 in Cerro Gordo, Illinois has a student population of approximately 700 pupils. The schools are located within Cerro Gordo, a village of 1600 residents, but gain students from surrounding areas in the ninety-nine square mile district. Most of the parents are employed in farming or in Decatur which is twelve miles to the east.

During the 1985-86 school year teachers were surveyed as to what academic area needed evaluation. The teachers selected language arts as the subject for study. A committee of volunteers was formed and began meeting.

The researcher served as committee …

Personal, Professional, And Educational Characteristics Of Illinois Women Superintendents In 1987, Joyce Simpson Kaufman

Masters Theses

This study reviewed the personal, professional, and educational characteristics of the Illinois women superintendents in 1987. A questionnaire was mailed to the twenty-two women superintendents. Eighteen of them replied.

The three specific problems addressed by the study were:

1. What are the personal, professional, and educational characteristics of Illinois women superintendents in 1987?

2. What are the special problems encountered by women superintendents?

3. What advice do the present women superintendents in Illinois offer to women aspiring to become superintendents?

The responses were based on the perceptions of the eighteen women superintendents who replied. The questionnaire results were reported in …

A Study Of Perceptions Of Superintendents Of Illinois Public School Districts That Had Teacher Strikes During The 1984-85 School Year, James E. Mcnellis

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of public school superintendents before, during, and after the teacher strikes in the state of Illinois during the 1984-85 school year regarding: teacher organizations, negotiations personnel and influences, progression of events related to the strike (before, during, and after the strike), issues that contributed to the strike, time spent working on strike-related activities, terms and conditions of contract settlement, and cost of the strike. The 1984-85 school year was selected for this study because this was the first year teachers could legally conduct strikes in the state of Illinois after …

A Curriculum Review And Coordination And Articulation Study Of The Niantic-Harristown Unit School District #6, David O. Bills

Masters Theses

Reform of the public schools is a major issue in Illinois today. Numerous reports claim that public education is mediocre at best. These reports have fostered public concern that has led to a call for school accountability that has caused those involved in education to take a close look at their schools. In this atmosphere of school accountability, a careful and thorough examination of the school curriculum by the local administration can be useful.

Strong instructional leadership from the Superintendent of Schools in a local school district is an important characteristic of an effective school. In the face of state …

Administrators Interview Model (Aim) Interview Instrument For Illinois Educators, Dianne Kay Warren Strufe

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field study was to develop an instrument which could be used by school administrators in the State of Illinois for certified staff selection. Research topics utilized include the interview process, qualities of effective teachers, and legal guidelines for interviewing. The instrument will focus on the five areas of teacher evaluation mandated by Illinois as components of effective teaching: classroom management, lesson planning and organization, teaching techniques, competence and attendance. The specific objective of the field study was the development of an instrument which is research-based, includes the competencies mandated by law upon which teachers will be …

A Comparison Of Principals' And Teachers' Perceptions Of Administrative Performance In Iowa Senior High Schools, Darrell D. Druvenga

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The major purpose of this study was to determine if the perceptions of Iowa senior high school principals and those of their teachers differed significantly when applied to 11 categories of administrative performance. The study also describes the relationship between principals' willingness to participate in 11 hypothetical in-service programs and the assessment principals make of their performance in 11 categories of administrative performance.

The study utilized the Educational Administrator Effectiveness Profile (EAEP) instrument to assess perceptions of administrative performance. The instrument is produced by Human Synergistics, an international management consulting firm, under a grant from the Danforth Foundation.

A total …

Participative Management: A Critical Analysis, Adrian Talbot

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Development of the open-systems view of organizations has made participative management an attractive alternative to traditional bureaucratic methods of managing. The purpose of this dissertation was to determine whether it is possible to generalize about the effects of participative management. Given empirical generalizations, it would be possible to make recommendations for practicing school administrators.

Utilizing the framework of Locke and Schweiger (1979), the author took a purposefully selected cross-section of studies on participative management. The empirical evidence was analyzed in four subsections: laboratory studies, correlational field studies, multivariate experimental field studies, and controlled experimental studies. It was concluded that the …

Compliance Patterns And Teacher Personalities In Private And Public School Organizations In West Virginia, Raymond Augustine Dunleavy

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to explore administrator compliance orientation and teacher personality relationships and differences between Catholic private and public school organizations in West Virginia. The Personality Research Form, Form E (Jackson, 1974) was administered to 41 teachers of a Catholic private school organization and to 38 teachers of a public school organization. Statistical analysis of the Personality Research Form, Form E (PRF-E) data using an ANOVA method revealed significant differences between the school organizational groups for 5 of the 22 personality traits measured. The results indicated public school teachers were higher achievers, more that aggressive, more concerned …