Educational Leadership Commons^™

An Analysis Of Due Process Hearings Involving Students With Significant Disabilities In Their Least Restrictive Environment, Wendy Seiter Nichol

Theses and Dissertations

This research analyzed all available hearings from 2013 to 2015 in a national database of due process hearings regarding placement issues and determinations of the least restrictive environment for individual students with significant disabilities. The main research question was whether parents/guardians and due process hearing officers sought placements for these children with significant disabilities that considered creatively and holistically a range of options rather than just a dialogue between already extant possible programmatic offerings. The research resulted in a description and taxonomy of the types of issues and factors arising in the hearings for students with significant disabilities from 2013 …

Elementary Students' Perceptions Of Teacher-Student Relationships, Jayne S. Pocquette

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore at-risk student's perceptions of teacher-student relationships and the context in which at-risk students perceived these relationships. The study was conducted in two phases: first a student self-survey was given and second two focus groups with students was conducted. The Children's Appraisal of Teachers as a Secure Base (CATSB) self-report was given to 145 fourth grade students of which 86 students were identified as at-risk and 59 students were not identified as at-risk. The results revealed two factors in which students perceived teachers as a secure base, "Accepting/Available" and "Rejecting". Although there was …

The Impact Of Demographic And Educational Factors On International Students' Propensity To Trust: Implications For School Officials In Higher Education, Samuel D. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

School officials responsible for the growing international student populations struggle to find ways to help them navigate inconsistencies that may exist between federal regulations and institutional policies, and would benefit from increased understanding of ways to gain trust from diverse student populations. To determine whether student demographics might be related to propensity to trust, this study used the validated Propensity to Trust Scale (PTTS) by Frazier, Johnson, and Fainshmidt (2013), as well as a demographic questionnaire developed to measure students' background and educational attributes. Responses to an online survey from 576 international students from 71 countries were collected from a …

A Case Study Of Hispanic Female School Superintendents In Rural Schools Of The Rio Grande Valley In Deep South Texas, Irma C. Castillo

Theses and Dissertations

Underrepresentation of women in the position of school superintendent is an ongoing dilemma impacting social constructs, as well as public education. The few Hispanic females that lead schools tend to be employed in rural schools. The dearth of female Hispanic school superintendents questions the factors impacting such a trend. This study explored the factors contributing to the low rate of Hispanic female superintendents; attempted to understand the extent to which Hispanic women are more likely to secure positions in small rural school districts; and examined the discrimination issues these women may have experienced. A qualitative, case study methodology was used …

Analysis Of Pre-Service Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Importance Of The Arts As A Means Of Instruction In The Classroom, Chudney Shanta Mcclurkin Patrick

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, the arts have been utilized and recognized as a vital part of instruction. There has been little research, however about the perceptions and attitudes that pre-service teachers have about the use of arts integration as a means of instruction in the general education classroom. In this study, data collected from 71 pre-service teachers revealed that pre-service teachers perceive that arts integration is an important part of the educational process for students. While they perceive that the arts are important, they hold some apprehension for their ability to effectively provide instruction in particular art forms. Over half (59.2%) …

A Comparative Analysis Of Read 180 And Cultural Literacy On The Reading Achievement And Motivation Of African American Males In An Alternative High School, Clifton F. Nicholson

Theses and Dissertations

Nationwide, increased accountability measures require educational leaders to develop and implement instructional practices that expedite the narrowing of the achievement gap. Legislation in several states allows states to annex low-performing schools. With such pressure, school districts are looking to educational consultants to facilitate the transformation of reading instruction, thereby raising levels of academic achievement. A thorough vetting of these interventions, however, is necessary to determine if the potential benefits can be generalized to other populations.

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to compare the reading achievement and reading motivation of two groups of African American males in an …

How And Why Are Kindergarten Through Twelfth Grade Public School Teachers Using Social Media For Professional Development?, Sherry Kerr Huckaby

Theses and Dissertations

Social media has revolutionized technologies used today. While social media was originally developed for personal use, it has also permeated the professional world. Teachers are among those who are embracing social media for professional purposes. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to investigate how and why kindergarten through twelfth grade public school teachers were using social media for professional development. The participants were 78 teachers from a rural school district in the southeastern United States. All participants completed a social media questionnaire, and the researcher conducted fifteen individual interviews and a focus group interview for follow-up.

Data analysis …

The Relationship Between Teachers' Perceptions Of Response To Intervention (Rti) Implementation Factors And Self-Reported Rti Implementation Efforts, Kim Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Response to Intervention (RTI) is an educational reform effort that is being implemented across the nation. Considering that the systematic implementation of the RTI process requires organizational change, teachers may be hesitant or resistant to engage in the change process. This study organizes the potential barriers of RTI implementation into the RTI implementation factors of vision, professional development, professional support, and time resources. This quantitative study explored the relationship between teachers' perceptions of these RTI implementation factors and teachers' self-reported RTI implementation in their classrooms. The survey results came from 553 elementary school teachers across the state of Utah (30% …

Psychological And Behavioral Dimensions Of Team Trust And Adherence To Collaborative Team Norms Within Plcs, Anne L. Staffieri

Theses and Dissertations

In response to increasing demands placed on public education, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) have emerged as a means of providing teachers with opportunities to collaborate together. Collaboration has been shown to improve teaching practices and lead to better student outcomes. Trust has been shown to be an important factor contributing to the success of PLC teams. Adherence to collaborative norms is also an important factor in the ability to collaborate successfully in PLC teams, yet few studies exist that empirically assess the relationship between trust and adherence to norms regarding the collaboration process. Participants in this study are public high …

Outcomes Of Mentoring Relationships Between University Service-Learning Students And Language Minority Students, Casey C. Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

This research explores mentor outcomes of university students serving in service-learning mentoring relationships between university service-learning student volunteers and language minority student mentees. These outcomes are helpful in improving academic and personal progress for both the student mentors and the mentees. The mentoring relationships may be particularly important given the challenges facing an increasing number of language minority students in communities and schools today. Research indicates that student mentees perform better academically when mentors assist in their learning and growth. As part of the greater network of educational and community leaders, university administrators have the opportunity to create mentoring opportunities …

Examining The Effects Of Principals’ Transformational Leadership On Teachers’ Creative Practices And Students’ Performance In Problem-Solving, Jeremy Strickland Owoh

Theses and Dissertations

In today’s technology enriched schools and workforces, creative problem-solving is involved in many aspects of a person’s life. The educational systems of developed nations are designed to raise students who are creative and skillful in solving complex problems. Technology and the age of information require nations to develop generations of students who are creative and capable of solving new and complex problems. In this study, the researcher addressed the problem by examining whether the principal transformational leadership (intellectual stimulation and inspirational motivation), organizational support, technological awareness programs, and teachers’ creative practices influence students’ performance in creative problem-solving. Data were collected …

Perceptions Of The Influence Of Black Greek Affiliation On Involvement, Engagement, And Persistence On Black Male Student Success: Differences Between A Historically Black University And A Predominantly White Institution, Eric Dwayne Flowers

Theses and Dissertations

While there is research on the impact of Greek Letter Organization membership on college student engagement and success, the focus is primarily on the experiences of White students with mixed results. The findings in these studies include lower moral and cognitive development and less concern for social issues than their non-Greek counterparts. However, other research has identified potentially positive outcomes associated with Greek membership, including increased opportunities for leadership development and higher levels of student involvement. In particular, participation in Black Greek Letter Fraternities (BGLFs) has consistently been found to be the most popular avenue for African American men as …

The Relationship Between Program Quality Indicators And Student Achievement In A Braided Prekindergarten Program, Susan L. Flemmons

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between prekindergarten classroom quality indicators and student achievement at the prekindergarten level. Pre-existing data on prekindergarten classroom quality measures and student achievement was utilized. Quality indicators were assessed using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) (Pianta, La Paro, & Hamre, 2008) and student achievement was measured by the end of year results on the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) (Invernizzi, Meier, Swank, & Juel, 2004) and the Bracken School Readiness Assessment end of year results (Bracken, 2007).

A quantitative ex post facto correlational research design was employed to identify relationships …

The Care Factor: The Importance Of Using Domain Identification Measures To Identify Stereotype Threat Vulnerability In High School Females, Kimberly Y. Randolph

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

THE CARE FACTOR: THE IMPORTANCE OF USING DOMAIN IDENTIFICATION MEASURES TO IDENTIFY STEREOTYPE THREAT VULNERABILITY IN HIGH SCHOOL FEMALES.

By Kimberly Y. Randolph, PhD

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2016.

Major Director: Dr. Charol Shakeshaft, PhD. Professor Department of Educational Leadership

There is a gap that persists in math achievement between high school males and females. Although the NAEP 2015 longitudinal report shows a narrowing in math achievement between males and females there still remains a gap. More importantly, females are …

Instrumental Music Participation And The Differences In Academic Performances For Students In Poverty, Shawn A. Oban

Theses and Dissertations

Because of the emphasis on No Child Left Behind and high stakes testing, school districts and administrators have been limiting or eliminating fine arts courses from an already shrinking curriculum, focusing on the subjects being tested. Students living in poverty are often entering formal schooling behind academically.

The researcher examined longitudinal test data from 2010-2015 from middle school aged students in a large Midwest school district. The researcher focused on test scores from the sixth grade when instrumental music was offered, examined test data from tenth grade, and studied academic growth. All student scores were included, but the independent variables …

Assessment Coordinators’ Perceptions Of The Impact Of Using Electronic Assessment Systems In Accreditation, Saoussan Maarouf

Theses and Dissertations

Systematic data collection is a fundamental requirement for the accountability of teacher preparation programs since it has been strongly associated with accreditation standards and the need to drive continuous improvement. Electronic assessment systems have become increasingly valuable for colleges of education since it provided a non-biased evaluation of competency, more reliable scoring, and scientific judgment to drive improvement. However, teacher preparation programs are having difficulties to implement effective assessment systems that are powerful enough to drive a change and to meet standards

The researcher in this study extended previous research in relation to the subject of electronic assessment systems, their …

The Effect Of A Writing Course On The English Language Arts State Assessment Examination In A South Texas High School, Esmeralda V. Munoz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact a writing course will have on test scores for At-Risk students who are taking the English I and/or English II State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness End-of-Course exam. The group analyzed was comprised of 2nd and 3rd year cohort students.

Influence Of Property School Wealth On Fifth Grade Student Achievement In Reading And Mathematics, Jesus R. Reyna

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether, or to what extent, property wealth of the upper and lower 5% districts, per pupil expenditure, limited English proficient students, economically disadvantaged students, membership, and teacher experience contribute to student achievement in 5th grade reading and mathematics. To do this, the fifth grade reading and math achievement scores, based on the TAKS Assessments, to represent student achievement were evaluated against district wealth, per pupil expenditure, economic disadvantage, limited English language proficiency, membership, and years of teaching experience of teachers for the years 2009, 2010, and 2011. A combination of descriptive statistics, …

The Nature And Function Of Professional Support Networks For Teachers Of English Language Learners, Betsy Lynn Ferguson

Theses and Dissertations

The English learner (EL) population in the United States continues to grow. To improve their pedagogy in working with this population, many educators have received training in English as a Second Language (ESL), but the gap between ELs and their native English speaking peers persists. When teachers engage as members of professional support networks, they are more likely to successfully implement the strategies learned in their ESL professional development (Echevarria, Richards-Tutor, Chinn, & Ratleff, 2011). This study considered the nature and function of the professional support network of a district's ESL-endorsed teachers. Using network theory methods, 257 teachers and other …

Examining The Sources Of Teacher Efficacy And How The Context Of Teaching Contributes To Teacher Efficacy, Leah Selbie

Theses and Dissertations

Early education researchers posited that a student’s background was the primary factor in academic achievement and there was little that teachers could do to overcome this source (Coleman, Campbell, Hobson, McPartland, Mood, Winefield & York, 1966). In response to this bleak outlook in education, researchers have searched for factors that can make a difference in student achievement, regardless of home environment. Selfefficacy, which “refers to beliefs in one’s capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to produce given attainments,” (Bandura, 1997, p. 3), has been an important concept in educational research for teachers (Pajares, 1992). Schacter and …

The Intersection Between Cultural Intelligence And Targeted Achievement Gap Groups: Understanding Factors Affecting Latino Student Achievement In Arkansas School Districts, Kathy Sue Collins

Theses and Dissertations

Educators across the nation have seen an increase in diversity in their classrooms, which challenges them to be more aware of the need for cultural intelligence in working with their students. Demographic data indicate that the Latino student population is the fastest growing minority group nationally. The growing Latino population has also been noted in states where that population has historically been low. In Arkansas, a nontraditional destination state for Latino immigrants, that population increased by 114% from 2000 to 2010. While the Latino population is growing, Latino student academic achievement has tended to remain static. Given the increase in …

Principal Learning-Centered Leadership And Faculty Trust In The Principal, Shane Justin Farnsworth

Theses and Dissertations

Principals are increasingly held accountable for student achievement outcomes. Existing research has found principal leadership indirectly affects student achievement (Leithwood, Louis, Anderson, & Wahlstrom, 2004). Principals face a problem when they are accountable for achievement outcomes and are dependent upon others and other variables to achieve those outcomes. Consequently, principals will benefit from a richer understanding of how their leadership indirectly affects student achievement. Using the Vanderbilt Assessment of Leadership in Education (VAL-ED) measurement of principal learning-centered leadership (Goldring, Porter, Murphy, Elliot, & Cravens, 2009) and the Omnibus T-Scale measurement of faculty trust in the principal (Hoy & Tschannen-Moran, 2003), …

Prospective First-Generation College Racial Minority Students: Mediating Factors That Facilitate Positive Educational Characteristics For College Admission, Lisa Michiko Parkinson

Theses and Dissertations

First-generation college (FGC) students represent a small portion of the population of students on college campuses across the nation. Racial minority students are also highly underrepresented at four-year institutions. When one combines FGC students who are also racial minorities, they comprise an even smaller subgroup of students attending four-year college campuses. Research conducted to evaluate how FGC students perform their first year in college is prevalent. Additionally, research has been completed on factors that help predict a high school student's admission into and performance in college. However, very little research exists about factors identified in high school that may help …

Professional Learning Committee Team Functionality And Team Trust, Chris S. Wood

Theses and Dissertations

In response to increasing demands placed on public education, professional learning communities (PLC) have emerged as a means of providing teachers with opportunities to collaborate together. Collaboration has been shown to improve teaching practices and lead to better student outcomes. Many collaborative teams, however, struggle to reach their collaborative potential. Trust has been shown to be an important factor contributing to the success of collaborative efforts. Few studies exist that empirically assess the relationship between team functionality and team trust. This study examines the relationship between these two constructs. A measurement tool was developed by the author to measure PLC …

A Fuzzy Logic Approach To Teacher Performance Measured By Principal Evaluations, Ashley Johnson Moran

Theses and Dissertations

While principals and current methods used to evaluate teacher performance have been found to accurately identify the teachers with students who have the largest and smallest achievement gains in their schools, they are less able to distinguish among teachers in between these extremes. A majority of states have implemented new reform in teacher evaluation strategies in order to diagnose and improve teacher performance, but unfortunately, have not incorporated a method capable of accurately representing qualitative factors and the relationships between them. The main objective of this study was to examine to what degree a fuzzy logic expert system could elicit …

The Role Of Physical Fitness And Physical Activity On Academic Achievement Among Eighth Grade Students In Alabama, Jessica Baker O'Neal

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this correlational study was to determine the extent of the relationship between physical fitness, body composition, physical activity, and academic achievement. School leaders have justified the reduced time for physical activity and physical education as they take away from classroom instruction time; yet, national assessment outcomes have indicated the condition of education in America has failed to measurably improve student achievement. An additional public health concern, increased sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy-weight conditions have significantly increased in the past 30 years among American children and adolescents.

The researcher incorporated a quantitative design to examine these relationships in an …

Using Data To Make Decisions: A Study Of Public School Principals, Coby Todd Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between how principals use data to make school-level decisions and student outcomes. In June 2012, the state of Arkansas requested and received approval for an Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Flexibility Waiver from No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The United States Department of Education (USDOE) allowed each State Education Agency (SEA) the opportunity to request flexibility on behalf of the state, districts, and schools, to better focus on improving educational outcomes, closing achievement gaps, and increasing the quality of instruction which affects academic growth of students. Much of this …

A Multidimensional Policy Evaluation Of The Utah Statewide Online Education Program, Royd Lyman Darrington

Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this research is in the area of online learning policy. Online learning is rapidly gaining popularity and is becoming more and more an integral part of the K–12 education landscape. Such a study is important because there are very few policies that have been created to govern online learning differently than traditional brick-and-mortar classrooms. Utah’s Statewide Online Education Program (SOEP) has been largely marketed as policy that does transcend these barriers. This research uses a multidimensional mixed-method case study to evaluate the program. The findings from this research provide evidence that the SOEP falls short of providing …

The Influence Of Perspective Taking And Empathy On Students Using The Cultural Approach To History, Victor M. Salazar

Theses and Dissertations

Challenges to teaching history have precipitated a number of teaching strategies whereby teachers have achieved mixed success. The Cultural Approach to History (CAH) has been shown to be an effective teaching strategy from its inception in the late 1960s. Advances in neuroscience revealing how the brain functions in the learning process have been proven to show that stimulating affect in students during instruction may result in a greater long-term learning outcomes than if students underwent traditional lecture-based instruction. Students using the CAH have the opportunity to take the perspective of others in addition to their engaging cognitive capabilities thus leading …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Georgia’S School Climate Star Rating And Student Performance In Reading And Math On The Criterion-Referenced Competency Test, Timothy Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This researcher uncovered the fact that most state departments of education in the United States do not track or focus on professional development for school leaders on the issue of school climate. However, the state of Georgia has made substantial efforts in bringing the importance of school climate into the assessment of schools. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Georgia’s School Climate Star Rating (SCSR) had an effect on its Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) in Reading and Math achievement. Additionally, the researcher sought to determine the effect of Title I/non-Title I status, SCSRs, and the interaction between …