Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Educational Leadership Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 121 - 139 of 139

Full-Text Articles in Educational Leadership

Urban Underrepresented Minority Students In Science, Technology, Engineering, And Math: An Analysis Of The Differences Between Developmental Assets And Academic Achievement, Jovan Grant Wells Jan 2013

Urban Underrepresented Minority Students In Science, Technology, Engineering, And Math: An Analysis Of The Differences Between Developmental Assets And Academic Achievement, Jovan Grant Wells

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between the developmental assets and academic achievement of urban underrepresented minority male and female students in a specialized science, technology, engineering, and math program, and the developmental assets and academic achievement of urban underrepresented minority male and female students in traditional comprehensive high school programs. The findings of the study provide information regarding the influence of gender, school setting, and developmental assets that may help impact student achievement for underrepresented minorities in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. The study findings also contribute to developmental assets theory and …


The Effect Of Tonality And Rhythm On Memory Recall In Elementary General Education Classrooms: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Matthew R. Varnell Jan 2013

The Effect Of Tonality And Rhythm On Memory Recall In Elementary General Education Classrooms: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Matthew R. Varnell

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of rhythm and tonality on an academic memory task by comparing three different treatment conditions: a poem, a rhythmic chant (or rap), and a melodic rhythm (or song). A quasi-experimental experiment was designed and implemented, specifically a pretest-posttest-posttest control-group design. This study took place in the North Texas area in an urban school district on four campuses that were minimally 50 percent economically disadvantaged.The study included 139 second-grade students who gave consent and fully participated in the research study. Data were obtained through pretesting students" knowledge of the countries of …


Teacher Attitudes And Perceptions Of The Influence Of Professional Development On Minority Student Achievement In Reading, Clarissa Jeanne Plair Jan 2013

Teacher Attitudes And Perceptions Of The Influence Of Professional Development On Minority Student Achievement In Reading, Clarissa Jeanne Plair

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

This qualitative study is written from a phenomenological standpoint using Van Manen's (1990 ) hermeneutic lived experiences of the participants. Fourth grade teachers from a large urban school district in the southwestern U.S. completed an online questionnaire and participated in a focus group interview to provide insight into their attitudes and perceptions about how professional learning experiences influenced high levels of reading for urban, minority students living in poverty. There are few studies which connect teacher professional learning to student achievement in reading. The current study uses a Vygotskian (1978) theoretical perspective to analyze the data collected and add to …


Exploring Principals' Perceptions Of Characteristics, Practices, And Programs That Influence College Readiness For Low Socioeconomic Students In Smaller Texas High Schools: A Delphi Study, Theodis Lamar Goree Jan 2013

Exploring Principals' Perceptions Of Characteristics, Practices, And Programs That Influence College Readiness For Low Socioeconomic Students In Smaller Texas High Schools: A Delphi Study, Theodis Lamar Goree

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

The purpose of this study was to investigate characteristics, practices, programs, and other factors of smaller Texas high schools that are successful at producing college-ready low-SES graduates. The analysis of the data provides insight into the characteristics, practices, programs, and other factors that influence college readiness for low-SES students. A Delphi panel of thirty-five high school principals participated in this study. The qualifying principals were leaders of Texas high schools with less than 1,000 students that had 50% or greater of the low-SES students classified as college-ready. Over the course of three rounds, the expert principals provided feedback to the …


Educator Perceptions Of The Use Of Power And Student Responses To The Use Of Power At A Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (Daep): One Texas Perspective, Rayetta M. Johnson Jan 2013

Educator Perceptions Of The Use Of Power And Student Responses To The Use Of Power At A Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (Daep): One Texas Perspective, Rayetta M. Johnson

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

This study was conducted to reveal educator perceptions of the uses of power and student responses to that power at the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) in one suburban Texas school district. The study was conducted in a mid-size, suburban independent school district in North Texas known as "Main ISD". Surveys were analyzed from 75 educators: 55 home campus teachers, 14 home campus administrators, and 6 DAEP teachers. All educators had the opportunity to observe students before, during, and/or after completing a placement at the DAEP. Additionally, the survey served to identify participants who were willing to be interviewed as …


An Analysis Of The Professional Self-Esteem Of Texas Teacher Educators, Benesha Bholan Jan 2013

An Analysis Of The Professional Self-Esteem Of Texas Teacher Educators, Benesha Bholan

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

Increased pressures from a multitude of sources have directly impacted all educational institutions. A predicted shortage of qualified teachers over the next decade means it is crucial that new teachers remain in the profession and are well prepared to deal with the challenges that await them. Although teacher educators play a vital role in preparing future teachers to enter and remain in our schools, research over time has shown that they have been historically held in low esteem by faculty at colleges and universities. Self-esteem can impact job performance as well as one's own feeling of self-worth. The purpose of …


The Relationship Between Teachers' Sense Of Efficacy And Perceptions Of Principal Instructional Leadership Behaviors In High Poverty Schools, Tamela Horton Jan 2013

The Relationship Between Teachers' Sense Of Efficacy And Perceptions Of Principal Instructional Leadership Behaviors In High Poverty Schools, Tamela Horton

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between teacher perceived principal instructional leadership behaviors and teacher self-efficacy in high poverty schools. Data on these variables was gathered using the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale (Tschannen-Moran, 2001) and the Principal Instructional Management Rating Scale (Hallinger, 2011). The study also explored the relationship between teacher self-efficacy and years of experience. Hierarchical multiple regression and correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between the variables. The study found a significant relationship between teacher perceived principal instructional leadership behaviors and teacher self-efficacy. Of particular note was the repeated observation that …


High School Principal Transformational Leadership Behaviors And Teacher Extra Effort During Educational Reform: The Mediating Role Of Teacher Agency Beliefs, John Eric Boberg Jan 2013

High School Principal Transformational Leadership Behaviors And Teacher Extra Effort During Educational Reform: The Mediating Role Of Teacher Agency Beliefs, John Eric Boberg

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

Transformational leadership has been shown to affect organizational commitment, capacity development, and performance. However, these relationships have received very little attention in schools, especially high schools in the United States that are experiencing educational reform initiatives under No Child Left Behind. Using a sample of 1403 high school teachers from 12 Texas urban and major suburban independent school districts, this study tested the relationships between teacher perceived school-based transformational leadership, self-reported teacher agency beliefs, and self-reported school-wide teacher extra effort. The teacher agency beliefs included capability beliefs about collective teacher efficacy and context beliefs about the supportive nature of school …


A Qualitative Analysis Of Mexican-Immigrant Mothers' Involvement In A High-Performing Low-Income Elementary School, Isela Russell Jan 2013

A Qualitative Analysis Of Mexican-Immigrant Mothers' Involvement In A High-Performing Low-Income Elementary School, Isela Russell

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

This qualitative study explores how low-income first- and second-generation Mexican-immigrant mothers, the largest sub-group of the Latino population, support the academic success of their children who are in a low-income successful elementary school. The specific setting was Roosevelt Elementary located in North Texas. Participants were selected through purposeful sampling, with a total of 10 participants: six Mexican-descent mothers and four teachers. The intent is to provide an understanding of the mother's role in home-based and school-based involvement and why they are involved in the academic success of their children. Moreover, Bandura's theory (1989) of self-efficacy is selected to guide this …


Factors Of Attrition In Cohort Doctoral Education: A Self Determination Theory Perspective, Linda Ann Garcia Jan 2013

Factors Of Attrition In Cohort Doctoral Education: A Self Determination Theory Perspective, Linda Ann Garcia

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

Attrition rates, completion rates, and time to degree are the key areas researchers have sought to examine influencing factors and patterns of behavior that describe the departure process of students in doctoral study. Through the lens of self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985), the purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to examine and describe the intrinsic motivation experiences of doctoral level education cohort program students, those who are still in process and those who have completed. Specifically, this study focuses on investigating the variables of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in nine doctoral-level education cohort program participants who are in …


Transformational Leaders Wanted: Dallas Independent School District's Aspiring Principals Program, Jennifer Lee Parvin Jan 2012

Transformational Leaders Wanted: Dallas Independent School District's Aspiring Principals Program, Jennifer Lee Parvin

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

The purpose of this research was to explore and describe the development, implementation, andimpact of the Dallas Independent School District's (ISD) Aspiring Principals Program. This study of principal preparation has relevance as a K-16 issue for two primary reasons. First, K-12schools are focused on graduating students who are college and career ready and strong principal leadership is an essential component in achieving this post-secondary success. Second, most school leaders are prepared--and certainly certified--through a university program so a discussion of best practices in principal preparation is pertinent as a K-16 issue.Following the review of literature which examined the changing role …


Rural Principals' Perspectives Of Social Justice Leadership In Schools, Holly Nicole Bishop Jan 2012

Rural Principals' Perspectives Of Social Justice Leadership In Schools, Holly Nicole Bishop

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

This qualitative study explores how principals who are leaders for social justice in rural high schools perceive student diversity, specifically lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ) students, and if, how, and why they support all students through the establishment of a socially-just school climate. Additionally, the study investigates how the context of the schools, specifically rural communities with conservative values, affects principals' perceptions and implementation of a positive climate for all students. This study offers modifications to Theoharis' (2007, 2009) social justice leadership theory and extends Theoharis' (2007) model of resistance, offering insight into how rural school communities reflect …


Exploring College Readiness: The Role Of Dual Credit And Ses On College Persistence And Student Success, Charles Rowett Jan 2012

Exploring College Readiness: The Role Of Dual Credit And Ses On College Persistence And Student Success, Charles Rowett

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

Texas' 2006 House Bill 1, which required all high schools in Texas to provide students with the opportunity to earn a minimum of 12 hours of college credit prior to their graduation beginning the fall of 2008, changed the high school experience. The goal of the bill was to smooth the transition from high school to higher education. By looking at data from before, during, and after the implementation of House Bill 1, the results of this study shed light on the success or failure of Texas' 2006 House Bill 1 regarding college persistence and student success. The study used …


" . . . But The Light's Better Here," He Said: Mischance, Misapplication, And Misdirection In Data-Driven Applications, Ramona Lowe Jan 2012

" . . . But The Light's Better Here," He Said: Mischance, Misapplication, And Misdirection In Data-Driven Applications, Ramona Lowe

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

The primary purpose of this study was to provide quantitative data on the use of released Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) exams as benchmark test instruments in a sample population. Teachers have expressed concern over "teaching to the test," especially with the use of benchmark testing. This study was specifically undertaken to determine the extent of this practice, especially in light of published material from Texas Education Agency (TEA) that states this practice is not an appropriate use of the released instrument. An additional purpose was to gain quantitative data on the use of data harvested from both …


Academic Optimism And Academic Success: An Explanatory Case Study, Jeffrey Neil Mishoe Jan 2012

Academic Optimism And Academic Success: An Explanatory Case Study, Jeffrey Neil Mishoe

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

Increasing student academic achievement continues to be a national call to action. Early student academic success can help prepare future citizens to be college and workforce ready. One construct, academic optimism (Hoy, Tarter, & Woolfolk Hoy, 2006a; McGuigan & Hoy, 2006), has been used in quantitative studies to examine increased student achievement. This study aims to contribute to the research on academic optimism by extending the School Academic Optimism Scale (SAOS) survey results through a qualitative case study description of a lower SES middle school. The selected school held a campus rating of Recognized as measured by the Texas Assessment …


Teachers' Orientation To Teaching And Their Perceived Readiness For 21st Century Learners, Diane H. Bunker Jan 2012

Teachers' Orientation To Teaching And Their Perceived Readiness For 21st Century Learners, Diane H. Bunker

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

In a 21st century world where students will need mastery of both core subjects and applied skills, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the congruence of teachers' orientations to education and the 21st century learning needs of students. The educational orientation of participants/teachers was measured by the Educational Orientation Questionnaire (Quam, 1998) with follow-up interviews and classroom observations focused on exploring their perceived readiness for 21stcentury learning in the classroom and congruence of their orientation to learning and the development of 21st century skills. Study findings will raise awareness of where teachers are on the continuum of …


Motivation For Academically Gifted Students In Germany And The United States: A Phenomenological Study, Steven James Bourgeois Jan 2012

Motivation For Academically Gifted Students In Germany And The United States: A Phenomenological Study, Steven James Bourgeois

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

Recent trends toward globalization have engendered interest in comparative educational systems, pointing toward more fundamental change beyond the current focus upon accountability measures. This phenomenological study considered the effect of extrinsic motivators on the intrinsic motivation of academically gifted students in Germany and the United States. Nine top performing 16 and 17-year olds attending private schools in Germany and the United States participated in open-ended interviews to determine their motivational orientation toward academic tasks. Teachers and administrators from both schools provided comments to support the contextual understanding gained from classroom observations. Although numerable quantitative studies have measured levels of intrinsic …


Accountability In Texas: Predicting District Ratings Based On Indicators, Sarah Fitzhugh Jan 2011

Accountability In Texas: Predicting District Ratings Based On Indicators, Sarah Fitzhugh

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

The major purpose for the study was to determine if a relationship existed between district ratings, as assigned by the Texas Education Agency, and population groups, funding, and class size. The variables utilized for this study included the following number of student ethnicity/ race (African American, Hispanic, and White) utilized in a district rating as well as, the Economically Disadvantaged group indicator. The groups were coded to indicate each district that had a particular student group applied towards the district's accountability rating. It was then determined how many race/ ethnicity indicators counted in a rating for each district. In addition, …


An Analysis Of School Principals' Perceptions Of Change And The Implications For Dual Language Program Success, Marisa Hellawell Jan 2011

An Analysis Of School Principals' Perceptions Of Change And The Implications For Dual Language Program Success, Marisa Hellawell

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

The primary purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between principals' view of Dual Language program implementation as a First-Order or Second-Order Change and variables of administration experience, Dual Language program experience, language ability, view of Dual Language program as similar to previous bilingual education programming, and their perception of their district Dual Language program's success. Other purposes included determining if principals' certification coursework relating to bilingual education prepared them to lead Dual Language programs and to determine if parity exists between the number of Hispanic male and female principals heading Dual Language programs. Finally, this …