Educational Leadership Commons^™

Student Voices In Teacher Evaluations, Brenda Sue Burr

Theses and Dissertations

In an ever increasingly competitive global marketplace, a concern exists that American students are not being adequately prepared with the skills needed for the 21st century. As a remedy, improving quality of teacher instruction is a current national focus. Stakeholders are questioning current infrequent and inefficient methods of evaluating teacher performance. Many states are looking at using a 360 model of evaluating through multiple perspectives including the students themselves as key stakeholders. One method of accessing student voice and adding another perspective to teacher evaluations would be to include student evaluations in the rating of teacher performance, Student Evaluation of …

Teaching For Conversion: A History Of The Fundamentals, The Objective, And The Gospel Teaching And Learning Handbook For Seminaries And Institutes Of Religion In The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Adam Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to document the history and the contributing factors that led to the formation of the Current Teaching Emphasis (2003), the Objective (2009), and the Gospel Teaching and Learning Handbook (2012) within Seminaries and Institutes of Religion (S&I) for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The analysis of this history, contained herein, clearly identifies the principles that have driven the changes in S&I's description of teaching and learning, describes how these adjustments differ from previous approaches, illustrates the significance of this shift, and presents the contemporary issues that influenced the increased clarity and …

An Examination Of What Principals Do To Create A Positive School Climate For Teachers In Elementary Schools And How Teachers Perceive Those Efforts, Carol Anne H. Ziolkowski

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

AN EXAMINATION OF WHAT PRINCIPALS DO TO CREATE A POSITIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE FOR TEACHERS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND HOW TEACHERS PERCEIVE THOSE EFFORTS

By Carol Anne H. Ziolkowski, Ph.D.

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

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2015

Director: Whitney Sherman Newcomb, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Educational Leadership

School of Education

This qualitative study of elementary school climate explored the actions principals take to create or maintain a positive school climate for their teachers and teachers’ perceptions of those efforts. The study included individual …

Columbus State University's Servant Leadership Program: A Phenomenological Study, Wendi Jenkins

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study examined the experiences of various participants of the Columbus State University Servant Leadership Program. The primary data collection method was in-depth focus groups with supplemental interviews. The perception data were coded and analyzed according to the research questions. The research resulted in three major categories, along with several themes under each category, which emerged out of the experiences shared by the participants: 1) there was a high level of importance placed on relationships within and among the program; 2) numerous overarching program aspects such as sense of personal growth and skills sets for success were recognized by …

Veterans In Higher Education: A Qualitative Examination Of Student Veterans At Peach University, Debra Wales

Theses and Dissertations

With the passage of the Veterans Educational Assistance Act in 2008, better known as the Post 9/11 GI Bill and with the downsizing of military forces (2011-2015) many veterans were given the incentive to start college. Since the implantation of the veterans’ educational benefits, little research had been conducted to identify if documents and policies espoused by institutions of higher education, created barriers for veterans as they transition on to campuses. This qualitative study explored student veterans’ perceptions of Peach University, analyzed the printed documents and policies pertaining to student veterans, and examined to what extent there were differences between …

An Examination Of The Perception Of School Administrators On The Effectiveness Of Freshman Academies On The Academic Achievement Of African American Males, Willie Matthews

Theses and Dissertations

The significant impact of transitioning to ninth grade has necessitated the need to examine the effects of the secondary school structure on African American males. These students were often assumed to be capable of functioning and maintaining personal accountability within their new, less structured environment, as opposed to the structured setting they encountered in middle school (Ellerbrock & Kiefer, 2013). As a result, these adolescents encountered increased challenges often resulting in greater challenges and lack of motivation that does not cater to their learning and developmental needs (Ellerbrock & Kiefer).

Bethel (2012) indicated that environmental characteristics of the school setting …

Using Social Writing Instruction As A Means Of Building Community Among Diverse Gifted Students In A Transient, Pull-Out Program, Kimberly S. Lester

Theses and Dissertations

In this era of high-stakes testing and teacher accountability, teachers complain of a lack of time for authentic writing experiences that lead to deeper community development. Yet numerous researchers, including Vygotsky, argue the value of community development as a means of creating safe places where students feel valued, allowing them to make more relevant connections for life-long learning.

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore how writing builds community among diverse students in a short term, transient gifted program. The study incorporated ethnographic research techniques combined with basic descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. The study focused on three …

Exploring Stakeholders' Perceptions Of The Evaluation Of Early Fieldwork Experience In An Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Program, Amber R. Peacock

Theses and Dissertations

This study is a qualitative meta-evaluation of the early field experience (EFE) program at a small, private, undergraduate teacher preparation program in Virginia focusing on the perceptions of preservice teachers, cooperating teachers and course instructors about the EFE evaluation objectives, evaluation experience, and resulting data usage. The EFE evaluation protocol at the study site is explored using a participatory-oriented evaluation model that solicited the perceptions of stakeholders. Analysis of EFE evaluation documents and semi-structured interviews with the stakeholders were conducted to explore the extent to which (1) official EFE objectives are congruent with the EFE evaluation, (2) the intended evaluation …

Place-Based Scholarship Program Design, Context, And Intergenerational Mobility: A Case Study Of The Kalamazoo Promise Scholarship Program, Arielle F. Niemeyer

Theses and Dissertations

Earning a college degree correlates with achieving financial security. Thus, improving an individual’s access to college is a key tactic used to mitigate poverty and foster intergenerational mobility. Despite the recognized value of higher education, earning a degree remains unattainable for many because of financial constraints. However, research definitively demonstrates that financial aid overcomes that obstacle. It also reveals that some program designs are more effective than others. The Kalamazoo Promise is a place-based scholarship program that offers four-year, full-tuition scholarships to residents who graduate from a Kalamazoo public high school. It is characterized by first-dollar and universal eligibility features, …

A Study Of The Effectiveness Of A Truancy Reduction Program For Middle And High School Students, Jan R. Parrish

Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized a mixed methods design. The study was carried out in two phases. In the first phase of the study, a secondary data analysis of data were collected from a sample (n = 390) of middle and high school students who participated in a truancy pilot program launched during the 2012-2013 school year with follow-up services provided through June 2014. The sample was divided into two groups (treatment and control). The treatment group was diverted from court referral and participated in an intervention consisting of in-home counseling and case management services. The control group was referred to …

Relationships Matter: Social Networks Influencing Hispanic American Cadets' Decision To Participate In A University Rotc Program, Marc Earl Boberg

Theses and Dissertations

The Armed Forces of the United States and specifically the U.S. Army seek to have a racial/ethnic mix of officers (leaders) who match the racial/ethnic mix of the soldiers they lead and the country they defend. Currently Hispanic Americans are under-represented in the officer corps especially at senior levels. Social network theory was used to facilitate understanding a potential officer candidate's network of alters (people they interact with) and their relationships when they are seeking to make decisions related to enrolling in college and Army ROTC. When making the decision to enroll in Army ROTC, there is a complex social …

The Unique Skills And Traits Of One-Way And Two-Way Dual Immersion Principals, Ryan K. Rocque

Theses and Dissertations

The principal is an important key to school success and student achievement (Anderson & Togneri, 2003; Met & Lorenz, 1997). Considering the role of principals of dual immersion schools, few studies have considered factors leading to their success (Nicholson, Harris-Johhn, & Schimmel, 2005; Simmons et al., 2007). With current advancements in skill mapping and meta-analyses, the understanding of skill and trait theory has improved, greatly enhancing the researcher's ability to effectively identify a leader's skills and traits (Derue, Nahrgang, Wellman, & Humphrey, 2011; Marzano, Waters, & McNulty, 2005; Scouller, 2011; Zaccaro, 2007). A clearer understanding of the skills and traits …

The Path Less Traveled: The Influence Of Professional Development Experiences On The Leadership Skills And Careers Of State Extension Directors And Administrators, Martha Allisen Penn

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory, qualitative study was to develop an understanding of the influence and explain the phenomenon of leadership development program experiences may have had on the leadership abilities and career paths of participants in leadership development programs, over time. The study population included eleven participants completing the National Extension Leadership Development (NELD) Program and LEAD21 Program serving in the role of Extension Directors or Administrators at the time of the study. The study examined the study participants early preparation including leadership development experience, skills and experience prior to participation in NELD/LEAD21, their actual leadership development experience, their …

Faculty-Student Interaction And The Educational Outcomes Of Native American College Students: A Comparison Of First-Generation And Continuing-Generation College Students, Natasha Marilyn Gillette

Theses and Dissertations

Utilizing the College Student Experiences Questionnaire(CSEQ), a regression analysis was run to identify the ways in which 95 Native American college students attending an elite,religious, predominantly White institution (PWI)interact with faculty. These interactions were used to predict correlations with the educational outcomes of (1) aspirations for graduate school, (2) GPA and (3) overall gains from college. The findings were further disaggregated by first-generation and continuing-generation status. The findings suggest that none of the faculty-student interactions or demographic variables were significantly correlated with aspirations for graduate school. Gender, class standing and age were significantly correlated with GPA. A better relationship with …

Factors Related To High School Dropout Rates Among Native Hawaiian And Other Pacific Islander Youths In Salt Lake And Utah Counties In Utah, Afa K. Palu

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers across the globe have studied high school dropouts for decades and have identified various factors related to high school dropout rates. These factors have been found to be related to dropout rates among specific ethnic groups, including White, Asian, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Hispanic or Latino Origin high school students. However, the factors related to dropout rates among Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander high school students in the U.S. mainland have not been studied. This study was completed to better understand the factors related to dropout rates among Native Hawaiian or Other …

Utilization Of Emotional Intelligence Traits By Public School Superintendents In The State Of Arkansas, Lisa Ann Adams

Theses and Dissertations

A leadership shortage has been documented across professions. Emotional intelligence skills, traits, and abilities have received much attention as a tool for business leaders in the past decade as a way to increase leadership skill, meet organizational goals, and enhance profits. The study sought to determine whether public school superintendents in the state of Arkansas who self-reported high levels of emotional intelligence traits on the Test of Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF) managed school districts with higher student achievement and larger school district budgets as compared to superintendents who reported lower levels of emotional intelligence traits. If so, results might …

Commercially Available Or Home-Grown: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Of K-12 Online Courses, Susan Proffitt

Theses and Dissertations

Online learning in K-12 education is becoming a familiar option for students. By the end of 2011, all 50 states and the District of Columbia offered some form of online learning as an option for some students (Watson, Murin, Vashaw, Gemin, & Rapp, 2011). Online courses are appealing to students for a variety of reasons. The five most common reasons schools are currently offering online courses are for: meeting the needs of specific groups of students; offering courses not otherwise available; offering AP or college level courses; permitting students who failed a course to take it again; and reducing scheduling …

An Examination Of The Fidelity And Best Practices Of Local Implementation Of Student Wellness Policies In Virginia Elementary Schools As Mandated By The Federal Government Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act Section 204, Carol Atkinson Lewellyn

Theses and Dissertations

AN EXAMINATION OF THE FIDELITY AND BEST PRACTICES OF LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION OF STUDENT WELLNESS POLICIES IN VIRGINIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AS MANDATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CHILD NUTRITION REAUTHORIZATION ACT SECTION 204 By Carol Atkinson Lewellyn, Ph.D A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2014 Major Director: Dr. Charol Shakeshaft, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Educational Leadership School of Education This study examined the extent of local implementation of student wellness policies in Virginia as mandated by the federal Children Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act. Using …

The Impact Of Standards-Based Report Cards On Reading Achievement In The Third Grade, Terri L. Wyrosdick

Theses and Dissertations

School districts across the nation are transitioning away from traditional A-F letter grade report cards in favor of standards-based report cards (SBRC). Previous studies have indicated that many parents were confused by SBRC. The purpose of this study was to determine if a difference exists between the reading achievement of third-grade students using traditional A-F letter grade report cards and those students using SBRC. Pre-existing CRCT data of the pass/fail percentage of third graders from five school districts and 118 schools in 2009 and 2010, the year prior to and the year of implementation of SBRC, were analyzed. A chi …

Male And Female Experiences In Science And Mathematics Undergraduate Programs, Amy M. Latta-Won

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the experiences of males and females in science and mathematics undergraduate programs. It emphasizes particularly the undergraduates’ experiences within the STEM fields related to gender and how they negotiate gender by using a phenomenological approach. Ten STEM undergraduates (five males and five females) participated in semi-structured interviews to also examine why they chose to major in a STEM field, understand gender as it impacts their experiences, and identify obstacles that impact their persistence in the completion of their degree. There are more women than men attending colleges and earning degrees. However, men still outnumber women who major …

The Educational Leader Portfolio: The Reliability Of Portfolios As Documentation Of Mastery Of Isllc Standards And Functions, Cynthia Lynn Halstead Bowen

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods study explores the reliability of portfolios as evidence of mastery of the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) leader standards. The quantitative portion of the study was conducted to determine to what extent are portfolios reliable as evidence of mastery of ISLLC standards and functions of students enrolled in educational leadership specialist programs when measured by intra-class correlation. The qualitative portion of the study was to explore why consistency or inconsistency existed among the portfolio raters. Many colleges and universities utilize portfolios as performance-based assessments to measure growth of educational leadership students. The results of this study are …

Development Of Trust And Collaboration Between Teachers In Plc Teams: The Roles Of Teachers, Principals And Different Facets Of Trust, Henry Hank Ryan Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Professional learning communities (PLCs) are being recognized as a leading strategy to improve student achievement. Trust is critical in effectively implementing the PLC model, and the school principal is best positioned to influence school trust levels. Using Hoy and Tschannen-Moran's (1999) five facets of trust, this research sought to clarify the impact of trust among PLC teachers on their team's collaborative practices. Focus group data were collected from 12 collaborative teams in 4 schools. Six of the teams were from one school that was struggling to implement the PLC model; the other six teams were from three schools that were …

An Explanatory Mixed-Methods Approach To Tracing “Career Pathways” Policy In Virginia: How School Counselors And Student Demographics Influence Implementation Fidelity, Michael Ormsmith

Theses and Dissertations

This explanatory mixed-methods policy analysis describes how school counselors' thoughts and attitudes contribute to the implementation fidelity of the Academic and Career Plan (ACP) policy in a suburban Virginia school division. A quantitative survey investigated counselor thoughts about the policy, implementation behaviors, and counselor ideas about equity issues related to providing college and career planning services to at risk students. Counselor interviews were conducted to provide deeper insight about the street level implementation practices and beliefs of counselors. Findings reveal that counselors place substantial value in the ACP policy and think the process is useful for connecting student interests and …

A Study Of Census Driven Data In Single Parent Families And Their Implications, Lynn Coyle

Theses and Dissertations

Demographics for all school districts in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York were disseminated and analyzed in order to better understand where the highest percentage of single-parent households were located, how school districts support parents and children of single-parent households and how they could better assist them. As an outcome of this analysis, needs were identified in order to assist school leaders in creating an in-school support program. Researching the problems, challenges, and obstacles children face while living in single-parent households were an aid in this study. A preventative, mental health approach, an aspect of public health, is needed in …

Cyberbullying: An Examination Of Gender, Race, Ethnicity, And Environmental Factors From The National Crime Victimization Survey: Student Crime Supplement, 2009, Mary Howlett-Brandon

Theses and Dissertations

Cyberbullying has become an issue of concern during the past decade for schools, parents, students, and communities. Media attention to extreme instances of cyberbullying has resulted in misinformation. Myths abound about cyberbullying and accurate information can be hard to find. This study attempts to shed light on this controversial issue. Using the National Crime Victimization Survey: Student Crime Supplement, 2009, this research focuses on the cyberbullying victimization of Black students and White students in specific conditions. These include racial and gender differences, grades, attendance, school environment, and student perception of teacher attitudes towards them.

Making Leaders: Examining How Elementary School Students Develop An Understanding Of Leadership And Show Emerging Leadership Tendencies, Sarah E. Evans

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

MAKING LEADERS: EXAMINING HOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING OF LEADERSHIP AND SHOW EMERGING LEADERSHIP TENDENCIES

By Sarah E. Evans, Ph.D.

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

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2014

Director: Whitney Sherman Newcomb, Ph.D.

Professor, Educational Leadership

The purpose of this study was to understand how young children develop skills and concepts of leadership, when nurtured in a developmentally appropriate manner. Leadership was defined as a process that people use to bring out the best in themselves and others, while working towards …

A Study Of A Professional Development Initiative To Increase Cultural Competency, Jennifer C. Coleman

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

A STUDY OF A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE TO INCREASE

CULTURAL COMPETENCY

By Jennifer Crowe Coleman, Ph.D.

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

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2014

Major Director: Charol Shakeshaft, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Educational Leadership

School of Education

While there are broad, societal forces that contribute to achievement gaps, the professional development of teachers is one way educational leaders have sought to improve schools, improve teacher performance, and increase teacher knowledge and skills. Given the achievement and cultural gaps that exist between teachers and …

More Than Just A Number: Student And Educator Perceptions About The Transition To Ninth Grade, Jody K. Sloat

Theses and Dissertations

The transition to ninth grade can be a difficult time for adolescents. New students confront the unknown on the first day, and their anxieties combine with new surroundings, teachers, and older students, to make for a stressful experience (Benner & Graham, 2009). Some students enter high school more prepared to meet academic and social challenges, while others have not matured enough to realize success (Graber & Brooks-Gunn, 1996; Steinberg, 2011). This lacking in maturity leads to high numbers of behavior problems and failures in ninth grade (Alspaugh, 1998; Frey, Ruchkin, Martin & Schwab-Stone, 2009). According to stage-environment fit theory, these …

Identifying Organizational Containment And Its Effect On The Career Paths Of Black Educators, Risha Berry

Theses and Dissertations

The racial composition of the school workforce is the product of a complex interaction of social forces. School constituencies such as parents, students, and teachers impact new leader preferences. Their ideas influence decisions regarding who fits into school administration and who doesn't (Williams & Loeb, 2012). These "fit" preferences can shape school district ethos, which then influences access to social networks (Tooms, 2010). Limited entry to these networks may produce multiple disadvantages, particularly for Black educators. One way to think of this access is through the concept of containment. Restricted data from the 2011-12 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) will …

A Correlational Study Of The Advancement Via Individual Determination Program And High School Achievement In Literacy, Jason Randolph Pickering

Theses and Dissertations

The research examined the academic progression of students with certain backgrounds enrroled in the Advancement Via Individual Determination program compared to students of similar ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds on state criterion-referenced tests. The research also explored the differences in Advancement Via Individual Determination program and non-AVID students of similar backgrounds in respect to attendance and grade-point average. The research found there were no statistical significance of AVID progra on literacy scale scores and grade-point average. The research found a statistically significance between race and AVID participation.