Educational Leadership Commons^™

An Analysis Of Teacher Action Research Focused On Differentiated Instruction For Student Subgroups In One Florida School District In 2009-2010, Michelle Marie Madden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the action research reports written by teachers in one Florida school district after they had received professional development on differentiated instruction and the action research process in the 2009-2010 school year. The 69 reports that were completed by the teachers were assessed using the Action Research Rubric that was developed for this study. This rubric evaluated whether the reports contained the elements of action research along with the characteristics that the district emphasized as part of the professional development such as differentiation, student subgroups, and collaboration. The Action Research Rubric contained seven subscales: Purpose of the Study, …

Employer Perceptions An Exploratory Study Of Employability Skills Expected Of New Graduates In The Hospitality Industry, Amy Parker Kleeman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Graduate employability skills have become one of the most important topics on the higher education agenda in the first decade of the 21st century. In the United States, and throughout the world, global competition, growth of a knowledge-based economy, technological advances, and the multigenerational workforce have combined to substantially alter the contemporary workplace (Gedye & Chalkey, 2006). Whether by choice or circumstance, the expectation of a secure lifelong position with one employer and the opportunity for linear career progression are no longer typical nor practical in the contemporary workplace (Harvey, Locke, & Morey, 2002). Employability skills are those skills, attributes, …

The School Superintendent: Roles, Challenges, And Issues, Theodore J. Kowalski, C. Cryss Brunner

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

The purposes of this chapter are to detail the development of the office of school superintendent, to examine issues of gender and race, to identify contemporary issues affecting practice, and to identify future research topics. The first two sections provide historical perspectives summarizing how the position has evolved over the past 150 years at three different levels-state, intermediate district, and local district. A discussion of the position's history produces five role conceptualizations; having evolved over the past 150 years, these characterizations provide a mosaic of contemporary expectations. Next, considerable attention is given to the causes and implications of race and …

A Qualitative Investigation Of The Use Of An Art-Based Technique In Counselor Group Supervision, Cheryl Shiflett

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

While the counseling community embraces the use of creative approaches in counseling and supervision, few researchers have attempted to empirically describe the process of including an art-based technique into counselor group supervision. A grounded theory design guided the exploration of the factors and processes of including one art-based technique into six counselor supervision groups. Six doctoral-level supervisors who were trained in an art-based technique known as the visual case processing method introduced the method to their group supervisees who were completing a semester-long practicum or internship. Data collection methods included individual and focus group interviews, observations of visual case presentations, …

A Principal's Perceptions Of Character Education In A Rural Public School, Sandra H. Harrison

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

A majority of rural public schools face difficult and challenging problems: geographical isolation, escalating crime, impoverished families, economic inequities, faculty nonretention, declining enrollments, and lack of success in meeting accreditation benchmarks. In the past decade, support for character education as a valuable pedagogy to complement instruction and academic achievement emerged. The obligation to meet federal and state standards created expectations that school principals have the leadership ability to facilitate strong academic curricula as well as programs fostering students' moral development through character education. Mobilizing resources for character education initiatives becomes the responsibility of school principals or their designees. The purpose …

Student Achievement As An Investment In Human Capital: Using Longitudinal Patterns Of Per Pupil Instructional And Capital Expenditures, Socioeconomic Status, And Past Performance In Predicting Student Achievement, Charles Anthony Roberts

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Existing research illustrating a significant relationship between school spending and student achievement is expanding. However, research specifically investigating the relationships between capital expenditures (maintenance, renovations, and construction) and instructional expenditures (teacher quality, teacher salaries, textbooks, class size) with student achievement both individually, and as a function of overall school spending, is lacking. Recent studies have linked school spending to student achievement in an attempt to increase school funding as a response to No Child Left Behind Act (2001) mandates. This study attempts to augment this area of inquiry by providing feedback across the Commonwealth of Virginia on longitudinal patterns of …

Redefining Faculty Workloads In A Physical Therapy Department: A Case Study, Douglas C. Keskula, Shelley Mishoe, Elizabeth T. Wark

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

The purpose of this case study is to describe the creation and implementation of a sustainable workload model in the physical therapy department, as well as the outcomes resulting from that structure. Between 2002 and 2009, both scholarly productivity and faculty practice activity increased as a result of the redistribution of faculty efforts created by the new workload structure. This case demonstrates how the department has been able to successfully expand research and faculty practice while maintaining a high quality educational experience. The workload guidelines have enabled the collective core faculty to be productive in teaching, research/scholarship and service.;

Daily Practices Elementary Principals Utilize To Increase Student Readingachievement: A Case Study Of Successful Michigan Elementary Schools, Susan L. Johnson

Dissertations

This case study examined three K-5 schools, one 3-5 school, and two K-2 Analysis of the data provided six dominant themes related to the research questions: Behavior/Positive Behavior Support, Visibility, Professional Development, Team/Distributed Leadership, Data, and Deliberate/Focused. The dominant themes were cross tabbed with the theoretical frameworks from Marzano et al. (2005) and Fullan (2008a). Connections were made to both Marzano et al.'s Seven Responsibilities of the School Leader for Second-order Change and 21 Responsibilities of the School Leader as well as to four of Fullan's Six Secrets of Change. This study supports previous research and adds to the literature …

Public Relations In Schools, Theodore J. Kowalski

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

Outfitting students with a wealth of practical, practice-based knowledge that they can take directly into the halls of their school, the new fifth edition of Public Relations in Schools has a fresh, contemporary focus on both how administrators can effectively communicate with the community and how building strong relationships with stakeholders can ultimately lead to overall school improvement. Through a blend of theoretical and tacit knowledge, this text offers students an in-depth guide to 1) how to successfully communicate with both internal and external school entities, 2) how to build and maintain positive and active relationships via social and political …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of The Community School Model In Closing The Achievement Gap For Low Income Students Of Color: A Case Study, Suzanne Pauline Kelly

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Most urban public school districts, including Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS), are committed to closing a persistent and entrenched achievement gap between White and middle class students and low income students and students of color. As resources remain stagnant or diminish educators need to determine where to invest District resources to maximize academic gains and quickly close gaps for the largest number of students. One option being considered in SPPS and nationally is to invest greater resources in the community schools model. "The heart of the community school is a set of partnerships between the school and community organizations to …

Circles Of Culture And Cognition : A Sociocognitive Study Of Collaboration Within And Among Academic Groups Of Teachers In A Rural School District, Linda L. Baker

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This ethnographic case study examined the roles of district and school macro-culture and teacher sub-group micro-culture in influencing the nature and extent of teachers' professional collaboration. Informed by the sociocognitive theory that learning is rooted in social relationships and develops through interpersonal discourse and activity, the study focused on educators in a middle and high school in one small, rural district. The 41 educators who participated in the study included three administrators, 24 high school faculty members, and 17 middle school teachers. Data collection methods incorporated a general questionnaire, field notes, observations of meetings and gatherings, and extensive interviews. Most …

School Size And Instructional Leadership Of Elementary School Principals, Daniel E. Packard

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Elementary school principals face a balancing act between managerial responsibilities and instructional leadership. With increasing accountability and responsibility, many principals find themselves overwhelmed, lacking the time, resources and support to be instructional leaders. In relation to school size, little has been written regarding the elementary principal and instructional leadership. This paper examines the effects of school size on instructional leadership of principals in ten elementary schools. Three of the case study sites were small schools (350 or fewer students), while the other sites were large schools (500 or more students). Serving as the unit of analysis, each principal was interviewed …

Exploring The Applicability Of A Lean Six Sigma Framework For Performance Excellence To K--12 Education In New York State : A Soft Systems Approach, Thomas Daniel Buccino

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Based on current legislation, existing accountability systems, and organizational practice reflected by present data trends, the level of academic proficiency mandated for all students enrolled in New York State public schools by 2014 will not be achieved. Coincident with demands for higher performance, schools are experiencing unprecedented financial pressures. There is an urgent need for breakthrough change in performance associated with the public educational system. This requires a change in thinking, a change in culture, and a change in practice. As a proven transformational strategy, Six Sigma combined with Lean methods have demonstrated sustained success in achieving high levels of …

Souls In Transition: The Religious And Spiritual Lives Of Emerging Adults, Philip D. Byers

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

Academic Advising Models In Faith-Based Colleges And Universities, Roger D. Wessel, Jenni L. Smith

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

This study examined how academic advising is conducted among private, faith-based colleges and universities. In addition to developing a profile of academic advising at these campuses, academic advising organizational models used by these institutions were examined. Academic advising responsibilities at these institutions incorporated prescriptive and developmental advising methods. Seventy percent of the institutions utilized the “Faculty-Only” advising model. Benefits of using faculty members as advisors include the emphasis that private colleges place on faculty-student contact, enabling students to have a deeper relationship with their professors. Negative implications when utilizing faculty advisors include that they have other job responsibilities and priorities …

Governance And The Public Good, Andre Broquard

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

Growth No. 10 (2011) - Full Issue

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

The full issue of the tenth edition of Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development.

It’S All About Jesus: Faith As An Oppositional Collegiate Subculture, Carol A. Lundberg

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

Transformations At That Edge Of The World: Forming Global Christians Through The Study Abroad Experience, Genesis J. Delong

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

As The Spirit Moves Us: Embracing Spirituality In The Postsecondary Experience, Polly A. Graham, Matthew J. Graham

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

The Irony, Tragedy, And Possibility Of Christianity In The Late Modern World, Mimi Barnard

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

Realizing Our Intentions: A Guide For Churches And Colleges With Distinctive Missions, Chris Abrams

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters, Tim C. Mccarthy

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

Sexuality Among Evangelical College Women, Rachel Keener Killam, Heather Davediuk Gingrich

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

While some studies have examined the attitudes and perceptions of women with regard to their sexuality, none have investigated evangelical, female college students. This study explored attitudes and perceptions among eight evangelical Christian college women attending an evangelical university in the Western United States. Qualitative interviews were conducted and transcripts analyzed to determine underlying themes. Themes that emerged were (a) shame, (b) (c) fear, (d) ambivalence, (e) ignorance, (f ) lack of sexual subjectivity and agency, (g) presence of sexual subjectivity and agency, (h) same-sex attraction, (i) female sexuality as God-given and natural, and (j) the importance of open dialogue …

Christianity And Moral Identity In Higher Education, Melvin P. Shuster

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

Leadership In Christian Higher Education, David M. Johnstone

Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development

No abstract provided.

University Of Nebraska- Lincoln: Fact Book 2010-2011

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Administration: Reports, Papers, Publications, and Presentations

Fact Book Table of Contents

General Information

UNL Core Values ....................................................................... 4

The Role of UNL ................................................................................ 5

The Missions of UNL .................................................................................... 5

Institutional & Professional Accreditations ....................................................... 8

UNL Administrative Organization Chart ........................................................... 11

Student Credit Hours (SCH)

Total SCH: Fall Semester Since 1979 ............................................................. 12

SSH by College and Student Level, Fall & Spring Semester - 5 Year Trend ........ 13

SCH by College and Student Level, Fall Semester - 5 Year Trend.................... 14

SCH by College and Student Level, Spring Semester - 5 Year Trend ................. 15

Summer Sessions and Summer Sessions Student Credit Hours ....................... …

Differentiated Phonics Lessons Effect On Fluency And School Culture, Margaret Quinlan Boyd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods study investigates the effect of differentiated phonics lessons on reading fluency and examines the effect of these lessons on student and teacher perceptions of school culture. The study examines quantitative data on the effectiveness of the skill lessons. The qualitative findings examine the impact of the lessons on the dynamics of school culture as perceived by students and teachers given the opportunity to interact with wider and varying school groups. The understandings gained from the combination of the quantitative and qualitative data interpret the effect of the structure of differentiated across grade-level lessons on school culture.

The Impact Of Pre-K Programs On Student Achievement And Instructional Leadership In Rural Mississippi School Districts, Jeremy Eugene Stinson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In 2011, Mississippi continues to be the only state in the southern region without a single state-funded pre-k program (NIEER, 2007), and all preschool funds in the state are currently allotted to Head Start. Witte and Trowbridge (2004) warned that the combination of pre-k programs could be the reason for highly fragmented systems of state funding, policies, and regulations. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to investigate whether differences exist between preschool groups in three North Mississippi school districts and to determine the degree to which stakeholders in the programs practice instructional leadership. From a quantitative perspective, the …

The Relationship Of Teacher Efficacy, Teacher Experience, And Teacher Grade Level Within The Implementation Process Of Behavioral Interventions, Irene Walton Turnage

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between teacher efficacy, years of teaching experience, and grade level taught in three school districts in north Mississippi. The study used a mixed method research design that included a QUAN?qual process for data analysis. As part of the design, quantitative data collection was the priority method for the study folloby qualitative data collection to continue to explore the results from the quantitative section. For the quantitative portion of the study, participants included 123 elementary, middle, and high school teachers who completed the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale to measure teacher efficacy. For the qualitative portion …