Educational Leadership Commons^™

Community College Student Success During Covid-19 Pandemic Based On Class Modality, Rebecca Aslinger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative, comparative study was to determine whether there were significant differences in Introduction to Education grades as measured by GPA among community college students between 2018-23 with the change of class modality due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This study examined differences in Introduction to Education grades as measured by GPA at three community colleges from 2018-23. Archival data were used for this study. The population for this study consisted of all students enrolled in the Introduction to Education course at three institutions. Both in-person and online classes were examined during the time before, during, and …

K-3 Teachers’ Self-Efficacy For Teaching Reading And Its Relationship On K-3 Students Reading Achievement: A Mixed-Methods Study, Adrienne Dowden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Educators persistently grapple with heightened levels of accountability concerning their professional job performance, concomitant with the imperative to maintain commensurate standards in facilitating student achievement. Such circumstances engender heightened personal strain, potentially precipitating diminished self-esteem and consequently impeding the delivery of effective educational services to students, thereby compromising overall professional performance. Bandura (1997) delineated self-efficacy as the cognitive appraisal of one's capacity to orchestrate and execute specific tasks effectively. Moreover, he posited that individuals' anticipated outcomes are significantly influenced by their assessments of their competence to execute tasks in various contexts. Analogously, teachers' perceptions and attitudes regarding their students' overall …

Career And Technical Educator Transitions From Industry To Secondary Classrooms: A Narrative Study In Rural Schools, Samantha Satterfield

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Effective educators are essential to the success of career and technical education (CTE) programs, yet many schools encounter challenges in hiring and retaining qualified individuals (Peisach, 2023). CTE programs and educators provide workforce opportunities for students and rural communities. Access to evidence-based practices to support occupationally licensed teachers during the transition from industry to full-time teaching is paramount to effective professional development. Administrators play a pivotal role in supplying the guidance necessary for CTE teachers to transition successfully into the classroom. According to Bouwans et al., (2019) the inconsistency in district implementation and support has been attributed to the decline …

An Examination Of The Effect Of The Implementation Of A Trauma-Informed School Initiative On The Attitudes Of The Staff In A School, Michael Riddell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological case study was to investigate the change in the attitudes of teachers pre and post implementation of a trauma-informed school initiative in a school in the Eastern Grand Region of Tennessee. As adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have become more recognizable in school age children by teachers and school staff members due to an increase in knowledge about ACEs, there has been an increase in the number of trauma-informed initiatives undertaken by schools across the United States. Due to the challenges associated with the implementation of trauma-informed initiatives in schools, it is important for administrators …

Stem Teacher Perceptions In East Tennessee About Using Artificial Intelligence In Classroom Operations, David Robinson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the perceptions of Secondary STEM Teachers in rural East Tennessee about Artificial Intelligence instructional use. The researcher examined secondary STEM teachers' positive attitudes toward AI, challenges of using AI in the classroom, educators' confidence in using AI, and perceived benefits of AI. The participants of this study were located throughout East Tennessee, and had to self-identify as a 6-12 STEM teacher teaching in a rural district. The data were collected through Google Forms and the link to respond was posted in two different Facebook groups for distribution. The survey included 16 …

Resilient Students: Traumatic Experiences, Aces, And Resources That Influence University Students’ Perceptions Of First-Year College Adjustment, Audrey W. Besch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The history of understanding the impacts of trauma on individuals has shifted from a narrow focus on physical injuries to a multidimensional understanding of how trauma influences the development of psychological and emotional interactions. This evolving understanding has informed the implementation of trauma-informed practices and interventions across various sectors. Tennessee institutions of higher education recognize the connection between trauma, student success, and systemic interventions. University students who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences have heightened vulnerability to stressful events as they transition from high school to college, increasing the likelihood of lower educational attainment, higher drop-out rates, and higher rates of …

College Student’S Learning Experiences During Covid-19 Among Traditional And Post-Traditional Students Enrolled In Institutions Affiliated With The Appalachian College Association, Jo Anne Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in the learning experiences, feelings and emotions, level of study support, and online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic between traditional and post-traditional college students enrolled in an institution affiliated with the Appalachian College Association.

A two-group comparison research design using a web-based survey was used for the study. Using the College Student’s Learning Experiences during COVID-19 among Traditional and Post-Traditional Students Enrolled in Institutions Affiliated with the Appalachian College Association survey, the research questions were analyzed with a sample size of N = 58, traditional college student group and N=33, …

A Little Bit Of Everything: Persistence Though The Pre-Medical Pipeline For First And Continuing Generation Students., Tana R. Didelot

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research study examines pre-medical college student persistence in their pathway to medical education. Through the framework of Terenzini and Reason’s College Student Persistence Model (2005), this work sought to understand the pre-college experiences, campus support factors, and external environments that help pre-medical college students to continue toward their goal of medical school entry. This study included pre-medical undergraduate students in the campus context of one public institution in the Southern Unites States. Pre-medical upperclassmen students were interviewed using a semi-structured protocol developed with the persistence framework. The analysis was conducted to obtain a more nuanced understanding of the …

Understanding How Social Media Influences Student Engagement Within The Classroom: Middle Grades Students' Perspectives., Anthony Dawyne Myrks-Brewer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigated the concept of student engagement and participation through the lens of middle school students. Studies and research show that overall student engagement amongst middle school-aged students is the most unengaged period throughout students' K-12 educational journey. Today's students live in a completely different generation from their guardians and parents due to the technology component, including smartphones making the element of social media more accessible. Social media is a platform that helps people communicate through various applications, and middle school students engage and participate in various social media applications daily. Student engagement is a critical component within education …

Nonacademic Factors That Effect Early College High School Student's Resilency, Amy Draper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative descriptive study was an exploration of how counselors in early college high

schools (ECHSs), administrators in ECHSs, and the technical coaches who support the ECHS

model contribute to students’ resilience toward academic recovery. Using semistructured

interviews and survey questions, a sample of 15 counselors, administrators, and technical

coaches shared factors that impact ECHS recruiting practices, attrition rates, and the educational

success of individual ECHS students. Three themes were extracted from a sample of educators’

descriptions regarding their perception of the ECHS environment and the benefits and challenges

they experienced while working with ECHS students. They included the combined …

Leading The Charge: A Case Study On The Leadership Behaviors Of Education Leaders At Title I Campuses In Texas Prisons, Ashley Mckelvey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Each year, eligible schools across the nation receive Title I grant funds through the Elementary and Secondary Act. These funds, justified in pursuit of social justice and educational equity, serve to provide supplemental education services to neglected and delinquent students. While the majority of the awarded schools operate within the traditional school setting, a very small number of schools in the United States operate within the correctional setting. These schools receive Title I Part D Subpart 1 funds. Consequently, most of the guidance pertains to best practices within traditional public schools, which provides no provision on the appropriate use of …

Bridging Gaps. The Role Of School Leaders In Implementing The Mckinney-Vento Act For Homeless Student Success, Brian Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative narrative inquiry explores the role of school leaders in implementing the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (MKVA) within a public school district in West Texas. The study addresses the challenges school leaders face in supporting homeless students and the strategies they employ to ensure academic success and socio-emotional well-being. Drawing on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and Bertalanffy’s general systems theory, the research examines how school leaders' personal understandings and professional experiences influence MKVA provisions' implementation. The study employs semistructured interviews and reflective journals to gather participant data, followed by a member-checking process to enhance the accuracy and credibility of …

A Qualitative Study Of The Career Experiences Of Asian And Asian American Female Administrators In U.S. Higher Education, Yunru Shen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the experiences of Asian and Asian American women administrators’ career paths in U.S. higher education. The research fills a gap in the literature regarding the careers of Asian and Asian American women administrators. The recruitment process was completed between May 13 and July 9, 2024. Recruitment emails were sent to 25 potentially qualified participants, including a network of 17 people made up of mentors, professors, and colleagues, as well as eight professional associations and LinkedIn. The participants were six Asian and Asian American biologically female administrators at U.S. colleges and universities. These participants currently hold …

Narratives Of Latina Leadership In Hispanic Serving Institutions In Texas, Deborah Ina Gonzalez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to understand the experiences of Latinas in Hispanic Serving Institutions Leadership Roles during middle adulthood and their perceptions of the factors, if any, that may influence their leadership development in Hispanic Serving Institutions in Texas. As the increased Latina student populations increase in Hispanic serving institutions it is crucial for students to see themselves in the leaders that influence them. Using the narrative life stories and LatCrit as the theoretical lens this study provided themes regarding the factors that influence leadership development during middle adulthood of the participants. Through the life stories, the study’s findings described and …

Understanding The Barriers Of General Education Teachers Implementing Inclusive Practices, Sonya Garrette Woodfork

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The inclusion of students with disabilities has become more prevalent in general education classrooms advocating for children to be educated in the least restrictive environment. This participatory action research aimed to investigate the effects of general education teachers’ lack of sufficient preservice training and attitudes on learning outcomes for children with special needs placed in inclusive learning environments. The participatory action research took place on one elementary and one early childhood campus. Data collection methods took place via triangulation using data from interviews, journals, and surveys. There are many barriers to successfully implementing inclusion in general education classrooms. This study …

School Administrators’ Perspectives On Dyslexia And Transformational Leadership And Implications For Teacher Placement, Christina M. Walker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on the perceptions of secondary-level administrators about dyslexia instruction and their decision-making process in teacher placement within a Texas school district. Using transformative leadership theory, the researcher’s aim was to address the instructional needs of students with dyslexia and help catalyze educational change. The research involved a qualitative descriptive approach to explore administrators’ perspectives and practices. Findings revealed that dyslexia affects approximately 15%–20% of the U.S. population. Despite intellectual capabilities, individuals with dyslexia face persistent struggles in reading and writing because of neurobiological differences. The specific problem addressed was the lack of understanding among school administrators about …

Examining The Role Of Self-Awareness In Shaping Constructive Behaviors In Conflict Management: An Elementary Principal Perspective, Laura E. Lockhart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this qualitative study, the researcher explored school leaders’ perceptions of the role of self-awareness in shaping constructive conflict management behaviors and the training and development systems that provide these leaders with essential knowledge and skills to learn and grow. The researcher limited the study to the role of the elementary campus principals and used purposive sampling to select three participants from three different districts in the state of Texas. Each participant completed the Conflict Dynamics Survey and participated in a debrief discussion of the results. Additionally, the researcher conducted interview sessions with the principals and examined online documents and …

School Safety In Rural Communities: A Qualitative Phenomenological Research Study, Tamara D. Nance-Bethea

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many students in rural schools have negative school safety perceptions. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research study was to investigate the school safety perceptions of students in rural elementary, middle, and high schools in a public school district in South Carolina. The school safety perceptions of students in grades three through twelve were investigated and examined.

The setting for this study took place in a rural school district in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Three schools in this district were utilized. Forty-three students participated in a short school safety interest survey. The survey provided basic information such …

Principals' Perspectives Of The Impact Of Faculty Engagement, Self-Efficacy, And Resiliency On First-Year African American College Student Retention, Hattie Marie Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This study examined principals’ perceptions of the impact of faculty engagement, student resiliency, and student self-efficacy on the retention of first-year urban and rural African American college students. The aim of the study was to determine why students from this demographic leave their higher education institutions after the first year. In the United States, about 30% of students, regardless of race or ethnicity, drop out of college after the first year. Further, given 6 years, about 50% of students drop out before obtaining a degree. Researchers have identified African American students as having a high college dropout rate. This …

Superintendents’ Perceptions Of Strategies For Implementing Social Justice Leadership For Diverse Student Populations, Stefani Morrow

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore superintendents’ perceptions of implementing social justice leadership strategies within their K-12 school systems. The study sought to identify how superintendents leveraged the components of social justice leadership in the pursuit of equity for diverse student populations. The researcher conducted the study using interpretive phenomenological analysis methodology to examine the lived experiences of eight Texas superintendents with experience leading equity-focused agendas in their respective districts. The study’s participants included superintendents with experience ranging from 18 months to 16 years, representing districts from small rural areas to major suburban regions. Each participant engaged …

Perceptions Of Low-Income Parents On Kindergarten Readiness: A Qualitative Study, Farrah Woodberry Owens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is a significant amount of research documenting the importance of school readiness and its implication for life-long consequences (Jarrett & Coba-Rodriguez, 2017, 2018; Kang et al., 2017; Malsch et al., 2011). Parents play a critical role in supporting the acquisition of all skills needed to prepare children for school readiness. Readiness refers to being prepared with the necessary skills to access learning (Saracho, 2023). The purpose of this study is to explore the practices and perceptions of low-income parents on kindergarten readiness skills in the Hollywood School District (HSD) as measured by the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). Students in …

The Perceptions Of Teachers’ Beliefs And Attitudes On Technology Integration: A Suburban Middle School Case Study In The South-Central United States, Trina Lashell Valdez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Schools have been increasingly challenged with preparing students via technology based on changing standards for students achieving academic success. However, technology integration has barriers, often including teachers’ beliefs and attitudes associated with integrating technology in their classrooms. Therefore, in this qualitative case study, I attempted to understand better the perceptions of teachers, administrators, and professional support staff at Model Middle School about teachers’ beliefs and attitudes regarding technology integration and how to use this knowledge to inform teacher professional development. Data collection consisted of semistructured interviews of teachers, administrators, and professional support staff at Model Middle School via the Zoom …

Portraits Of Hispanic/Latino Principals’ Leadership Development In Elementary Schools In Texas: A Narrative Study, Lily Dominguez-Carrero

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to understand the factors influencing the leadership development of Hispanic/Latino principals in elementary public schools in Texas. As the Hispanic/Latino population of students rises, understanding the underrepresented Hispanic/Latino principals’ experiences from adolescence to middle adulthood is critical to unveiling factors that influence their leadership identity development. Using a life story narrative approach to examine leadership development across the lifespan, the study provided themes regarding the pivotal environmental, contextual, personal, and intrapersonal factors influencing the principals’ leadership development. The thematic analysis of the life stories uncovered three prominent themes associated with the most influential factors in leadership development: …

Colorado's Multilingual Learners And The Read Act: A Critical Discourse Analysis, Brooke K. Sassi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation critically examines the Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act (READ Act) through the lens of Critical Discourse Analysis, focusing on the discursive construction of the Act and its impact on educational opportunities for multilingual learners. The study explores the role of power and knowledge in shaping the READ Act and addresses the ideological tensions and power imbalances that arise from a policy primarily designed for monolingual, English-speaking students. Drawing on personal experiences and extensive research, this analysis highlights the shortcomings of a phonics-heavy approach mandated by the READ Act, particularly for multilingual learners who require a more …

Investigating Servant Leadership Measurement: A Mixed-Methods Study Integrating Content Analysis And Meta-Analysis, Kai Torsten Schramm

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to understand the similarities and differences among servant leadership measures and the variations in their effect sizes on job performance and job satisfaction. This paper explores how the items in servant leadership measures portrayed the servant leadership construct and how these relate to the outcomes. The researcher used an exploratory sequential mixed methods design. Which involved a qualitative content analysis of the measurement items and a meta-analysis of outcomes, considering the findings from the content analysis. Six key categories determined the three main themes: selfless generosity, inspiring influence, adaptive humility, integrity, empowering, and harmonious engagement. The three …

A Qualitative Narrative Study About Mental Well-Being And Coping Strategies In Generation-Z Undergraduate Student Leaders, Lacey Folsom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was a qualitative narrative on the advantages experienced by Generation Z students who participated in leadership roles within university-sponsored student organizations. This study incorporated generational, coping, and transactional theories to help the researcher establish a potential link between the mental well-being of students and their participation in cocurricular university-sponsored groups. The primary goal of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of how students perceived the influence of their participation in student organizations on their ability to handle mental well-being issues. It sought to explore whether factors such as time commitment, skill development, or an increased sense …

South Carolina Instructional Leaders’ Conceptualization And Perception Of Learning Thrill: An Exploratory Interview Study, David Paul Cupolo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Numerous students across the United States are observed as being disengaged and bored in several of their learning experiences. Similarly, innumerable students also self-report being bored and disengaged. Over 40% of South Carolina (SC) students in Grades 3–8 report being compliant, disengaged, or mixed in all three domains (behaviorally, cognitively, and emotionally). Hattie and Donoghue propose a new conceptual learning model—skill, will, and thrill. They suggest that this model will improve student learning experiences to the transfer level, which is thrill. At the thrill level, students can then apply their learning to similar or different contexts. As the concept of …

Removing The Deficit Lens: Determining Support For Hispanic Newcomer Families In Public School Based On Their Unique Needs And Experiences, Shauna Schubiger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods study is to better understand the diverse needs of Latine newcomer families relocating to the United States and enrolling in a southeastern elementary school. Specifically, this study gathered and analyzed the unique experiences of these families immigrating into the U.S. to fully comprehend what they have been through to arrive here and how schools can help their families become involved in their children’s education. In K-12 education, there is a void which exists regarding who these families are and the need to humanize their journeys. This lack of research can be exacerbated by the …

Exploring Early Childhood Teachers’ Experiences In Teaching Multilingual Children In Public Mainstream Schools In Tennessee, Maria Dias

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study, grounded in a phenomenological perspective, delves into the lived experiences of early childhood teachers who teach multilingual children in mainstream classrooms in Tennessee. Amidst the rising number of multilingual learners in mainstream educational settings and the dearth of adequate teacher training to address their needs, this research illuminates the experiences of these teachers. Furthermore, it seeks to advocate for the integration of translanguaging pedagogy into teacher training programs and state policies. This study employed a qualitative study using the three-in-depth-interview series from a phenomenological perspective (Seidman, 2019). The first interview focused on participants’ overall teaching experiences and …

Consultation Versus Direct Special Education Services And Postschool Outcomes For Individuals With Disabilities As Assessed By Indicator 14 Data, Callie Welch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is abundant research relating to transition supports and services for students with disabilities as they move out of high school into adulthood; however, relatively little is known about the relationship between the type of special education services they received and their postschool outcomes. Guided by the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) and Tennessee’s Indicator 14 survey, I sought to better understand the relationship between the type of special education services received in high school and student further schooling or employability after graduation. Data were drawn from Indicator 14 surveys from 2021 and 2024 conducted by a rural school district …