Educational Leadership Commons^™

I'M Gonna Write That Down: Research On Bullying And Recognition Of Perception Toward Initiation Of Intervention A Whole-School Approach To Bringing All Stakeholders' Perceptions On Bullying In Line And Training Students To Distinguish Tattling From Reporting In Grades 3-6, Brad Tassell

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Research on whole-school bullying programs shows some effectiveness in creating awareness and a reduction in overall bullying with vigilant supervision. Roleplaying games repeatedly taught to students help them deal with bullying in specific situations, but all these interventions leave a great deal to be desired when conditions are not in line with the training, most of which most are not (Smith, Schneider, Smith, & Ananiadou, 2004). In addition, student perceptions can differ from the staff and administration. A wide gap exists between how students, parents, teachers, and administrators perceive bullying. Students remain confused and flounder in the moment when they …

Ua3/9 Challenging The Spirit: 2013 Progress Report, President Gary Ransdell

Presidential Publications

No abstract provided.

Ua3/9 Opening Faculty And Staff Convocation Speech 2013, President Gary Ransdell

Presidential Speeches

No abstract provided.

A Message From The President Of Western Kentucky University, Gary Ransdell

International Journal of Leadership and Change

No abstract provided.

As Leaders We Can Make A Difference In A Culture Of Change, Sam Evans

International Journal of Leadership and Change

No abstract provided.

The Prioritization Of And Time Spent On Fundraising Duties By Public Comprehensive University Presidents, Robert L. Jackson

International Journal of Leadership and Change

This article focuses on the prioritization of and time spent by public comprehensive university presidents on their fundraising duties. This research is a component of a larger, more comprehensive study completed in 2012 entitled, The American Public Comprehensive University: An Exploratory Study of The President’s Role in Fundraising.

This research is timely since public universities, which educate nearly 80% of all college students in America, are going through a period of great change. They are struggling to balance their budgets as states further reduce higher education appropriations. Specifically, state appropriations for public universities are at their lowest point in …

Inaugural Message To Our Readers From The Editors, Joseph Cangemi, Tony Norman

International Journal of Leadership and Change

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Supportive Leaders At Top Performing Universities: Best Practice Lessons From American Institutions For Indonesian Higher Education, Gerardo M. Gonzalez, Margaret Sutton

International Journal of Leadership and Change

Leaders at top performing American universities share the fundamental belief that the faculty is the engine of quality within the university and that supportive leadership can fuel it. Academic administrators who function as supportive leaders help create the interpersonal, institutional, and financial conditions necessary to support high levels of performance by members of the faculty. This paper discusses and illustrates supportive leadership in top performing American universities in order to stimulate dialogue about whether and how supportive leadership can be fostered in Indonesian institutions of higher education.

Examining Relationships Between Urban Principal Change Facilitator Style And Student Learning, Gene E. Hall, Italia A. Negroni, Archie A. George

International Journal of Leadership and Change

The Change Facilitator Style of all 27 elementary school principals and student test scores in one urban school district were examined. Analysis of covariance was employed to identify relationships between principal Change Facilitator Style and fifth grade student scores on the Connecticut Mastery Tests in writing, editing & revising, reading comprehension, and a total score and two sub scores for mathematics (computational and conceptual). Students in Initiator and Manager CF Style schools had significantly higher test scores in comparison with students in schools with Responder CF Style principals. Students in schools with Manager CF Style principals had higher computational and …

Intrinsic And Extrinsic Motivation: Abraham Lincoln As An Adult Learner, Warren Greer

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Over the last two decades, research has identified factors that foster versus undermine human motivation and well being with important implications for learning and performance. Much of the research is concerned with intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation and autonomous versus non-autonomous learning environments. The data suggests that learning and performance are often significantly enhanced in autonomy-supportive environments that foster intrinsic motivational perspectives. This study examines the lived experience of Abraham Lincoln in the context of his adult learning motivation, forming a qualitative narrative around his adult educational experiences. It was hypothesized that Abraham Lincoln benefited from learning experiences with high levels …

Leadership, A Question Of Power And Vision, Douglas Biklen

International Journal of Leadership and Change

Leadership! Books have been written about it, yet we still seem to want more accounts of it. In large part, the desire for ever more examples and models of leadership derives, I think, from the fact that leadership occurs in context, and particular contexts seem to call for particular kinds of leadership qualities. In this brief paper, I will discuss leadership for school improvement and two core principles that can help explicate it: power and insight.

The Development Of Campus Academic Leaders, Walter H. Gmelch

International Journal of Leadership and Change

What are universities and colleges doing to provide preparatory leadership experiences for our next generation of academic deans and department chairs? They typically come to the position without leadership training, without prior executive experience, without a clear understanding of the ambiguity and complexity of their roles, without recognition of the metamorphic changes that occur as one transforms from an academic to a leader, and without an awareness of the cost to their academic and personal lives. A radical change to developing academic leaders must be achieved if we are to respond to today’s challenges. The purpose of this research is …

It's Not Just About The Technology: Changing The Focus From Technology To Collaboration In Videoconferencing Room Design, Tamela W. Smith

Dissertations

Videoconferencing technologies are being increasingly utilized in today’s business and educational environments. However, implementation rates continue to be lower than projected, and user perceptions on the level of collaborative environment provided by videoconferencing rooms vary widely, depending on room design. This study found that, while few videoconferencing professional characteristics impact the level of collaborative environment designed for end-users, the perceived closeness levels provided to end-users significantly impacted their perceptions on the technology. The study also found that videoconferencing professionals’ views and end-users’ views on the level of collaboration within videoconferencing environments vary significantly. By shifting the design of videoconferencing rooms …

An Analysis Of The Factors That Influence Global Mindedness In First-Year College Students, Kristie Broadbent Guffey

Dissertations

This non-experimental, quantitative descriptive study was designed to determine what factors influence a first-year college students’ global mindedness and if any of those factors were predictors of the five subscales of global mindedness. Surveys were used to measure students’ global mindedness and their type of personality (N=424). Demographic questions were administered that included gender, county population, Pell grant eligibility, and first generation college student. Results indicated that first-year college students at a four-year public Master’s Large institution were moderately global minded. To predict global mindedness and its subscales, a regression model was developed using the Myers Briggs scores for extravert, …

Double-Loop Learning: A Coaching Protocol For Enhancing Principal Instructional Leadership, Gary Houchens, Janet Hurt, Rebecca Stobaugh, John L. Keedy

School of Leadership & Professional Studies Faculty Publications

Executive coaching has become increasingly commonplace in both the corporate and non-profit sectors as a means of improving professional effectiveness but there is a dearth of empirically-based protocols geared specifically toward the growth needs of school principals. This qualitative case study explores the implementation of a principal coaching protocol using a theories of practice framework based on concepts originally articulated by Argyris and Schön (1 974) and further explicated by the authors in previous publications. This study examined the extent to which a coaching protocol based on theories of practice enhanced principals’ self-perceived capacity for reflection and effective instructional leadership. …

Ua3/9/2 Gary A. Ransdell Hall Dedication Program, Wku President's Office

WKU Administration Documents

Dedication program for Ransdell Hall.

Ua12/11/2 Scrapbook, Wku Dynamic Leadership Institute

WKU Administration Documents

Scrapbook created by students involved in the Dynamic Leadership Institute and includes: Ericka Bardin, Kayla Caudle, Hailey Burke, Jamiesha Sandifo, Hannah Jones, Molly Kirks, Jeremy Matteoli, Lydia Hall, Lynlee Jackson, Sue Kafoglis, Alecia Natale, Michael Bush, Zachary, Ritchey, Cory Weikel, Megan Weedman, Hannalore Clause, Jeremy Webb, Elaine Burchett, Samantha Burnett, Katie Pay, Madeline Beath, Chris Hancock, Josh Rodriguez, Sierra Rhodes, Ashely Tutt, J.E. Greene, Kayla Tyson, Jennifer Palmer, Benjamin Kemble, Alicia Beach, Cody Hutchins, Kaitlyn Henderson, Allison Feikes, Samuel Knott, Mackenzie Farrar, Michelle Porter, Amanda Pursell, Sarah Nikolai, Darren Tinker, Katie Honadle, Scott Lanter, Allison Parks, Sabrina Heinrich, Barley Mack, …

Theories Of Practice: Understanding The Practice Of Educational Leadership, Gary Houchens, John L. Keedy

School of Leadership & Professional Studies Faculty Publications

Argyris and Schön (1974) first articulated the concept of theories of practice, and elements of the concept have become standard vocabulary in literature on organizational learning. Relatively few empirical studies, however, have explored the legitimacy of this concept for understanding how educators approach problems in their professional practice (Lipshitz, 2000). As accountability pressures for school improvement mount, the imperative for understanding effective school leadership behaviors makes the concept of theories of practice more appealing. The purpose of this article is to examine the structure of theories of practice as understood by Argyris and Schön and the implications for understanding the …

The Relationship Between Meaning In Life & The Occurrence Of Drug Abuse: An Epidemiological Retrospective Study, Thomas Nicholson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Humans have been using plant-derived drugs for as long as we have recorded history. Significant negative drug abuse related consequences occur in the areas of health, social issues, family relations, legal systems, and economic productivity. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between meaning in life and drug abuse. An epidemiological, retrospective study was performed to compare personal meaning in life between 49 individuals receiving in-patient treatment for drug abuse and a group of 49 matched, non-drug abusing controls. Study participants completed the Purpose-In-Life Test and Life Attitude Profile-Revised. On both instruments, the in-patient drug abusing subjects …

Teacher Influence In Site-Based Decision Making: A Descriptive Study, Keith Restine

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Site-based decision making has been the focus of considerable research. However, the study of perceived teacher influence in schools utilizing site-based decision making has been neglected as applied to specific sites. Much of the research on participatory decision making has focused primarily on the effective group behaviors of decision making bodies, the structural components of programs, descriptive case studies of programs, or on general themes such as school restructuring. Much of the literature on decision making has been remiss in describing the process from a human orientation, as opposed to a product orientation.

This study examines the perception of teachers …

A Study Of An Academic Enrichment Program At Western Kentucky University, Huda Melky

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The principle objective of this study was the investigation of whether or not an enrichment program would increase the success of remedial students attempting to complete a university program of study. An descriptive analytical design was utilized to test a null hypothesis related to selected control and experimental samples of remedial students.

Analysis of variance and descriptive statistics were utilized to compare differences between the control and experimental samples. A two sample t-test treated for equal or unequal variances was utilized to determine significant difference (.05) between grade point average (GPA) and earned hours (ER) of the control and experimental …

A Survey Of Factors Affecting Enrollment In Mathematics Teacher Education Programs, Rebecca Miller

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Concern for an adequate supply of competent mathematics teachers prompted this research. The study was implemented to identify the factors believed to be of importance in a student's decision concerning whether or not to become a public school teacher.

A comparison was made between two groups of mathematics students at Western Kentucky University. Mathematics students were separated according to whether or not they were pursuing teacher certification.

A two-part questionnaire was administered. The first part asked students to rate the importance of 10 selected career factors in their career decision. The second part asked students to rate these same 10 …

Comparative Instructor Attitudes Toward College Level English And Mathematics Experiences For Gifted High School Students, Bruce Vickers

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Samples derived from a mailed questionnaire were compared. The sample represented high school, community college and university instructors of mathematics and English. The Kentucky public schools sampled were equally represented among high school, community colleges and universities. The research indicated that of those instructors sampled a very high percentage (97.7%) feel that those high school students shown to be academically gifted would benefit from a college experience before high school graduation. The attitudes of those instructors sampled indicated that multiple criteria – grades, recommendations, standardized test scores and personal interview – were considered the preferred method of selection (82.5%). The …

The Effects Of General Equivalency Diploma (Ged) Acquisition On Parole Success In Kentucky, William Ratliff

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Post release follow-up was conducted on a total of 95 Kentucky Correctional Facilities inmates, who had acquired a General Equivalency Certificate in the years 1981-1983.

The rate of Recidivism of this group was compared to that of all parolees released during that period.

It was found that the parolees in general who were released during that time period returned to the institution at a rate of 36.7 percent, The parolees who had completed the GED Program in the institution prior to release returned at a rate of 35.78 percent.

The average length of time spent in society by those who …

The Effects Of Various Kinds Of Background Music On The I.Q. Scores Of Ninth-Grade Students, L.C. Bud Johnston

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

One hundred 9^th-grade students were divided into four groups of 25 each through systematic sampling procedures. Each of the groups were tested, pre and post, by the Otis-Lennon Mental Ability Test, forms J and K. During the pretest for all groups, the background condition of silence was observed. During the posttest, one group was again tested in silence. The other three groups were each tested to one of three background conditions: pop music, hard rock music, and soft rock music. Pop music played was characterized as more mellow, more melodic, and less intense than rock music. Hard rock …

Impact Of The Educational & Life Planning Course On Undecided Students: An Evaluation Model, Diana Shores

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this project was to establish a working model for a longitudinal evaluation of the effectiveness of the "Educational and Life Planning" (CNS ED 100) course at Western Kentucky University. This study, entitled "CELPS," was an action project designed to serve as a model for the establishment of a data bank against which future efficacy studies could be made by the faculty. A pilot study of 80 CNS ED 100 students was conducted to test the CELPS model described in this paper and also to provide preliminary information about the effectiveness of the "Educational and Life Planning" course. …

An Evaluation Of The Guidance & Counseling Program Of The Bishop David Memorial High School, Richard Staples

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the guidance and counseling program of the Bishop David Memorial High School. Methods and procedures included the use of the Evaluative Criteria utilized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in evaluating secondary schools, an analysis of the needs of students, a review of guidance information reported on a Supplementary Data Form, and a review of guidance practices reported in literature.

This study provides information that could be used by administrative personnel, instructors, counselors, and persons performing counselor-related functions in an effort to utilize the guidance and counseling services at the …

The Development & Study Of A Competency-Based Vocational Education Drafting Program, Kenneth Mussnug

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this curriculum project was to develop, revise, and field test a competency based vocational drafting program which was accomplished in four phases. An existing CBVE drafting program, developed by this author, was revised prior to the field test. New modules and audio visual presentations were developed, the program was tested in two vocational programs, and the program evaluated again after the test.

Twelve modules were revised and one new module developed. Nine new slide tape presentations were developed to supplement the modules and existing slide tapes.

The program was tested at the Russellville Vocational School, Russellville, Kentucky, …

A Survey To Assess The Awareness Of The Bowling Green Community In Regard To The International Student Community At Western Kentucky University, Susan Tesseneer

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Mutual benefit can accrue from the awareness held by a local community concerning the international student community within its geographical area. This survey attempted to develop an instrument which could assess the level of awareness of the Bowling Green community regarding the international students attending Western Kentucky University. A thirty-one item, short answer survey was administered by the interview method to a twenty-five member sample of persons randomly selected from the list of civic organizations published by the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce. The survey results indicated that in this particular study the local citizenry held a low level of …

The Effect Of Summer Recess On The Reading Achievement Of Title I Students At L.C. Curry School, Bowling Green, Kentucky, Virginia Scheider

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of the study was to determine if there were significant differences between spring reading achievement scores and fall reading achievement scores in the Title I students of L. C. Curry School, Bowling Green, Kentucky, and if significant differences did occur, were these differences related to grade level, IQ, sex, or reading achievement level.