Educational Leadership Commons^™

Trust Me, I'M The Principal! A New Conceptual Model Of Trust For Educational Leaders, Bryan W. Blair

Theses and Dissertations

The ultimate aim of this work is to contribute to the knowledge of how trust influences and relates to those practices that best support student development and growth as educated and productive citizens, prepared to share in our democratic society-which is the ultimate purpose of our schools (Dewey & Dewey, 1915). Specifically, this thesis investigates the role of trust in relationships between school principals and teachers. A comparative analysis of available literature was conducted using grounded theory methodologies to inform the development of a proposed conceptual model describing the role of trust in organizational processes within the school, specifically between …

The Impact Of Ethnic Identity On Student Achievement In China: A Meta Analysis, Xinyi Wu

Theses and Dissertations

There have been concerns about low educational achievement of ethnic minority students in China. Previous studies have explored this area, especially in regard to the relationship between economic backwardness and achievement. However, a new field of study examines ethnic identity being considered as a cause of low achievement. This study is to use meta-analysis to determine the aggregate results of current research on the effects of self-identity on ethnic minority students and their achievement in China. The literature has been collected through searching library holdings, and online electronic resource search. Different levels of identity construction are discussed. This thesis concludes …

Alternative School Administrators And Teachers Perception Of Effective School Correlates In The Organizational Culture And Operation Of Alternative Schools, C.W. Gardenhire

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine whether alternative schools incorporate effective school correlates in their organizational culture and operation as these same elements are typically identified in the traditional effective school research. A quantitative descriptive study method was selected to conduct the study. The sample consisted of administrators and teachers actively involved in alternative schools. Further the sample was geographically located in the Mid-South, specifically Arkansas, East Texas, Northern Louisiana, North West Mississippi, and Western Tennessee. The study concluded that effective school correlates — clear school mission, frequent monitoring of students, and instructional leadership — were perceived to …

Evaluating Transformative Spirituality In An Organizational Leadership Program At A Christian University, Elizabeth D. Rios

Theses and Dissertations

In the field of Christian higher education, some educators are more concerned with marketing their programs to nontraditional students, the fastest growing segment of new enrollments. Although many view that as a blessing, the issues of mission and specifically spirituality are of concern to educators and administrators who want to avoid the secularization already impacting many fine schools in the country. At satellite locations, some educators perceive that the lack of structured practices and intentional procedures and the marketing of convenience-based structural models have watered down the offerings of Christian higher education. This applied dissertation evaluated whether spiritual development and …

Financial Analysis And Fiscal Viability Of Secondary Schools In Mukono District, Uganda, Janet Jeffery Tanner

Theses and Dissertations

Within the worldwide business community, many analysis tools and techniques have evolved to assist in the evaluation and encouragement of financial health and fiscal viability. However, in the educational community, such analysis is uncommon. It has long been argued that educational institutions bear little resemblance to, and should not be treated like, businesses. This research identifies an educational environment where educational institutions are, indeed, businesses, and may greatly benefit from the use of business analyses. The worldwide effort of Education for All (EFA) has focused on primary education, particularly in less developed countries (LDCs). In Sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda increased its …

Using Social Network Analysis To Investigate Potential Bias In Editorial Peer Review In Core Journals Of Comparative/International Education, Biao Cheng

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores potential bias in the editorial peer-review system within the context of the field of comparative and international education. Assuming the role as “Guardian of Science” and “social status judge” (Zuckerman & Merton, 1971), peer-review, the quality control system of science, directly affects the growth of science, scientists' academic career and their institutions. The very basic tenet of the peer review system is its assumed objectivity. Bias in editorial peer review process, however, is inevitable. The constitution of the blind peer review mechanism is itself a simply undeniable acknowledgement of that fact. Therefore, this study investigated potential peer-review …

The Association Between Co-Authorship Network Structures And Successful Academic Publishing Among Higher Education Scholars, Anne R. Rumsey

Theses and Dissertations

This research explores and describes co-authorship network structures in the academic publication process. The production of academic publications, through co-authorship choices or strategies, creates a network structure among co-authoring scholars which can influence research visibility and enhance stature among peers (Bayer & Smart, 1991). A specific scholar's co-authorship network may reflect a structure of more cohesion (Coleman, 1988) or one which fills more structural holes (Burt, 1992), both of which are theorized, from contrasting perspectives, to be associated with publication success. Therefore, this study examined the association of these two academic co-authorship network structures with publication success, specifically within the …

Understanding The Role And Organizational Value Of Employing An Interim University Of President During Presidential Transitions, Cameron Keith Martin

Theses and Dissertations

A common method for colleges and universities experiencing a transition between permanent presidents is to employ an interim president. A dominant perspective in related literature discussing the role, organizational value, and practices regarding the employment of an interim president has been based upon specific experiences of an institution or individual who had endured or fulfilled an interim presidency; absent, have been the insights of experienced interim presidents-individuals who have been a permanent president at least once and interim president multiple times at different institutions. Therefore, this research answers the following two questions: (a) what are the perspectives and insights of …

The Appointment Of Untenured Department Chairs In Two- And Four-Year Colleges In A Western State: Problems And Potentials, Forrest G. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

This research study explored the appointment of untenured faculty as department chairs in three two- and four-year colleges in one Western state's system of higher education. Eleven untenured faculty serving as untenured department chairs were interviewed using the qualitative methodology of grounded theory to analyze the data collected in the form of interview transcripts. At the two- and four-year colleges studied, an untenured faculty member's potential of achieving tenure does not appear to be negatively affected by serving as department chair before receiving tenure. A central finding in this research study is the presentation of an explanatory model that provides …

A Study Of Islamic Leadership Theory And Practice In K-12 Islamic Schools In Michigan, Adnan Ibrahim Aabed

Theses and Dissertations

Effective leadership in Islamic schools involves the incorporation of Islamic principles in the leadership behaviors and practices. With so much literature about the need of Islamic leadership in Islamic institutions in the United States, the problem addressed by the study was whether school principals in Islamic schools exhibited and led these schools according to the principles of Islamic leadership. The study described leadership approaches used by school principals in Islamic schools and how those leadership approaches were influenced by Islamic leadership principles, comparing the Islamic leadership principles derived from the literature with the leadership principles of principals of Islamic schools. …

Education In Transition: Church And State Relationships In Utah Education, 1888-1933, Scott Clair Esplin

Theses and Dissertations

Utah's current educational systems were largely shaped by a transitional era that occurred during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A time when the region itself moved from territorial to state status, the dominant religion in the area, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), likewise changed in its role in Utah society. Previously dominating most aspects of life, the Church was forced to reevaluate its place in society due to greatly increased secular power and context. Educational changes, as harbingers of larger societal shifts, are illustrative of such paradigm changes. During the four decade period …

Gender Issues In Islamic Schools: A Case Study Of Two Schools In The United States, Hilda Yacoub Sabbah

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to explore and explain how boys, girls, teachers, and principals "do gender" in Islamic schools in the United States. The goal is to seek plausible explanations of how boys and girls interact formally and informally during the day, how they create differences, and how they interact with teachers and principals. This descriptive study utilized a case study design. The education of girls is very important for their individual growth and development, as well as for the welfare of both the Islamic and American societies and nations. Therefore, scholars and educators should work together to solve problems interfering …

Research On Minority-Girl Education In China: Critique And Recommendations, Jiesu Luo

Theses and Dissertations

Minority-girl education in China is a new field of research. This study seeks to explore into this field through reviewing and analyzing the available studies that have been done. This literature has been collected through searching library holdings, Computer Assisted Research Search, and online searching. The criteria against which the literature is to be reviewed and analyzed are in the form of questions and are divided into six categories of introduction, theoretical framework, method, results, discussion (conclusion/recommendations), and abstract or summary; so that all the aspects of a study can be examined. The research filed of minority-girl education in China …

The First Year Foreign Language Program In An Elementary School, Sean Hengst

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a first year elementary school foreign language curriculum, so that appropriate objectives and activities could be planned for the second year of the program. The intern selected a sample of ten students from each grade level. He used oral and written assessments to measure content mastery and conducted interviews to determine student attitudes toward the program. The intern also analyzed the French teacher's lesson plans to determine the amount of time spent teaching each objective and what teaching strategies were successful. After analyzing the data, the intern …

Identifying Social, Cultural, And Pedagogical Factors That Contribute To Minority Students' Low Academic Achievement, Deborah C. Shoemaker

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify, evaluate, and develop strategies to eliminate barriers in the educational setting that negatively impact minority students' motivation to achieve academic success. Major aspects of the methodology plan included a self-guided survey with two open-ended questions. The sample size was approximately 106 elementary school students from Oak Valley Elementary School in Deptford, New Jersey. The data analysis method assessed students' and parents' beliefs as to the cause of poor academic motivation and performance in relation to the academic achievement gap. The survey responses revealed several ideas and suggestions that may be instrumental in …

Public School Uniforms: Will School Uniforms Fit The Growing Needs Of A Regional High School?, Jeanette Seeman

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the need for a uniform dress policy at Clearview Regional High School. The subjects included 285 students along with 3 high school administrators and 65 teaching faculty and staff. The students completed a 7-item survey consisting of five structured multiple-choice questions, and two unstructured open-ended response questions. The survey also provided the opportunity for the students to express additional comments. The survey measured the students' grade level while measuring the students' opinions regarding a uniform dress policy at Clearview Regional High School. The administration and faculty completed a 7-item survey consisting of five structured multiple-choice questions, and …

Evaluation Of The 2000 Long-Range Facilities Plan For Dennis Township School District, M. Elizabeth Barrett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate Dennis Township School District's Long-Range Facilities Plan (LRFP) submitted to the Commissioner of Education in October 2000 to comply with the New Jersey Educational Facilities and Construction Act. All New Jersey school districts are required to submit a Long-Range Facilities Plan to the New Jersey Commissioner of Education every five years. The law does not allow any district to advance a school facilities building project for which they are seeking capital funding from the State until the district has an approved Long-Range Facilities Plan. The document detailed the district's school facilities needs …

A New Beginning Teacher Induction Program, Thomas P. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop and implement a new and effective beginning teacher support network at Paulsboro High School using an action research approach. During the study, a total of ten teachers participated ranging from one to two in years of experience in teaching at Paulsboro High School. The primary data collection techniques used in the study was surveys and one-on-one interviews with all of the teachers. The survey instrument was given to all of the teachers and one-on-one interviews were conducted before school, after school, or during common planning periods. The major finding of the project …

The Preparation Of Special Needs Students For Transition From High School To A Post-Secondary College Setting, Christine M. Saputo

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to review the curricula, programs, and supports offered at Washington Township High School for the purpose of determining if the necessary transition skills are being taught to prepare special needs students for a successful transition to college. The participants included teachers, guidance counselors, principals, child study team members, a "504" Officer, and a Supervisor of special education.

Data was collected through a survey that was developed by the intern and approved by the IRB. The intern was also able to gather information through discussions held with the staff at WTHS and a "504" Officer. …

The Use Of Performance Enhancing Supplements And The Need For Drug Testing Policies, James J. Battersby

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the use of performance enhancing supplements of Buena Regional High School student-athletes and the need for drug testing policies. The subjects included 120 student-athletes who had participated at the varsity or sub-varsity level. The student-athletes completed a 21 item survey that consisted of 6 items that measured the students demographics such as age, gender, grade, race, sport and level. The survey also consisted of 15 statements that determined student's use of performance supplements, reasons why they use supplements, the types of supplements that are used and their feelings about drug testing policies. The data were analyzed using …

Treatment Of Religious Expresssion And Belief In Utah Public Schools: Perspectives Of The Religious Minority, Eric-Jon Keawe Marlowe

Theses and Dissertations

Recorded members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (also known as Mormon or LDS) comprise over 70% of Utah's population. This qualitative study identifies the unique concerns and challenges that members of Utah's minority religions may face in public schools. Semi-structured interviews, designed to elicit rich, detailed information, were conducted with 48 participants (13 leaders, 17 parents, 18 students) from seven different minority religions in Utah. Each interview was audio taped, transcribed, and then analyzed using the qualitative analysis program N-Vivo. Looking at the school institutional treatment (laws, policy, teachers, administrators) of participants' religions, few expressed major …

Analysis Of The Learning-Style Preferences Of Entry-Level, Upper-Division Undergraduate/Graduate Students In Allied Health Identified With Analytic And Global Format Learning-Style Assessments, Dawn Marie Morton-Rias

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this researcher was to identify learning styles of undergraduate and graduate students in allied health and to examine correlations among identified learning-style scores and students’ gender, ethnicity, and age. The goals were to compare learning-style preferences and provide students, faculty, staff, and administrators with empirical information on student learning. One hundred and fifty-four ethnically diverse students participated in the study. The Productivity Environmental Preference Survey (PEPS) (Dunn & Dunn, & Price, 1996) and Building Excellence (BE) (Rundle & Dunn, 2000) were completed by a sample of 87 students. Correlation analyses confirmed relationships between student learning-styles identified with …

Exploring The Relationship Between Critical Resource Variables And School Performance In Secondary Schools Of Mukono Uganda, Christopher Byalusago Mugimu

Theses and Dissertations

While good facilities and resources are assumed to affect the quality of teaching and school performance, findings of the growing body of research about resources and school performance remain obscure and highly contested. A central question in effective schooling research is to what extent do resources translate into school performance particularly in impoverished communities of the developing countries. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between school-level financial, physical, and human resources on school performance as measured by aggregated UCE exam scores in 63 secondary schools. This study is grounded in the strategic theoretical perspective of …

Community College Presidents In The New Millennium: Competencies For Leadership As Identified By Position Announcements And Relationship To Board Type, Shari L. Olson-Nikunen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if position announcements and position descriptions posted in The Chronicle of Higher Education, (2002) align with 1) the competencies established by Desjardins and Huff for the community college president in the new millennium and 2) whether these competencies vary with different board structures, majority board gender composition, or gender of board president.

Seventy-six position announcements where compared to a Community College Leadership Competency model in a mixed model research design, using both qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Inter-rater reliability was established by having two educators independently code 20 position announcements and then …

Outdoor Education And Meaningful Learning: Finding The Attributes Of Meaningful Learning Experiences In An Outdoor Education Program, Stacy Tooru Taniguchi

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study sought to identify the common attributes of meaningful learning experiences as found in an outdoor education program. The pragmatic educational philosophy of John Dewey provides the rationale for the essence of meaningful learning in our schools and this research identifies the attributes of educative reflective experiences that are also meaningful learning experiences. Thirteen students enrolled in the Wilderness Writing Program, offered during the fall semester of 2003 at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, made up the focus group of this study. Their participation in four outdoor recreational activities and their reflections about their experiences became the …

School Service Projects For Students Serving In After-School Detentions, James S. Beyer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate student attitudes when a voluntary school service project alternative was offered to those serving a school detention. Another purpose was to examine the potential benefits reaped by the school as a result of these students' work. The sample population for study (n=60) was selected voluntarily from high school juniors and seniors. Data was collected through the use of: 1) student surveys for those who participated in a school service project, 2) material culture collected from student discipline records, and 3) surveys completed by custodians, teachers, and administrators in the school building. Data …

Team Step Up Program, Edward V. Regan Iii

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to (a) develop a program to assist the At-Risk population of Washington Township High School; and (b) to determine its overall effectiveness on student academic achievement, discipline, and attendance. The study focused on twenty at-risk students who were in the ninth grade at Washington Township High School in Sewell, New Jersey. An academic, discipline, and attendance baseline was established for each student and was monitored on a weekly basis. The results of the study demonstrated an increase in both the academic and school attendance, and a decrease in negative student behavior. Implications of the …

A Study Of The Renaissance Program In A High School, Christopher J. Nowak

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and validity of the Renaissance Program in a high school. The study involved the gathering of statistical data and conducting objective interviews. The resulting information provides the administration and the reader with an understanding of the importance of student motivational programs.

The focus of the study was to evaluate the change in performance of specific student indicators: attendance rates, dropout rates, discipline incidences, and motivation connected with grade retention rate, subject failure, and national honor society membership. The study obtained information on these indicators through statistical data from administration pertaining …

Exploring The Effects Of Teaching The Character Trait Of Respect To Students In Grades 4 And The Impact It Has On Behavior During Recess, Adrian C. Cora-Waters

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to determine if Character Education lessons on respect presented to fourth grade students could reduce the number of discipline referral forms and reduce inappropriate behavior during the lunch recess hour. The elementary school selected for this research project was Larchmont Elementary School. Larchmont School is an ethnically and academically diverse school located in South Jersey. The students, who received lessons through Developmental School Counseling Lessons, were in grade four (N=100). The students who participated in lessons consisted of regular education students, special education students, ESL students, as well as gifted and talented students. The …

The Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of New Writing And Problem-Solving Classes And Their Impact On Fourth Grade New Jersey Assessment Of Skills And Knowledge Test Scores, Susan M. Hubbard

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not two new programs created for Bellmawr Park School would be effective in raising scores in the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) test for fourth grade students. This research provided a pre and posttest for 62 fourth grade students in the 2003-04 academic school year. The tests included a brief open-ended Language Arts writing picture prompt and a Math problem-solving open-ended question. Both tests were scored using rubrics created by the New Jersey Department of Education, and the results were compared based on means, medians and …