Educational Leadership Commons^™

Transformative Technology: Staff Perceptions, Attitudes, And Behaviors Related To The Use Of Learning Management Transformative Technologies, Misty Mcbrierty

All Theses And Dissertations

This qualitative case study examined how the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of staff relate to the effective use of transformative learning management technologies to support personalized/customized learning. Additionally, this study sought to understand the stories of individuals using the learning management system Empower as staff transformed to a personalized/customized culture. The conceptual framework focused on the disruptive technology necessary for personalized/customized learning.

Fifteen participants engaged in open-ended interviews, observations, sharing of artifacts, and the data was analyzed through coding transcripts into themes and summary concepts. The goal of the research was to analyze teacher experiences and perceptions using Empower to …

The Mathematical Disposition Of Middle School Students: An Examination Of Students’ Self-Concept Of Ability In Mathematics, Katrina Leigh Hall

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods case study was to answer the following research questions via the lens of social-constructivism: How do middle school students describe their self-concept of ability in math? What teacher/classroom interventions are recognized by students as having an impact on their self-concept of ability? This study specifically addressed the utilization of student voice and the need to recognize self-concept of ability as a separate academic domain in research. The purposeful sampling for this case study consisted of 10 eighth-grade middle school students who participated in both an online survey and a semi-structured interview. The major themes …

The Effect Of Principals’ Thinker Communication Style On School Improvement, Jennifer L. Nelson

All Theses And Dissertations

This dissertation sought to examine the effect of the communication of Thinker personality type principals on school improvement efforts. Thinker principals prefer to communicate through thoughts and logic. The Process Communication Model® was used to determine participants’ personality types. This examination consisted of a qualitative study that included data collected from surveys administered to principals of buildings with Federal Level IV Special Education programs and alternative high schools. The participating principals had Thinker personality types, and the participating teachers served on their School Improvement Leadership Teams that were led by the participating principals. The teachers had similar and different personality …

Latino And Latina Urban Elementary Principals’ Entry Into Educational Administration, José Montaño

LMU Theses and Dissertations

As school enrollments across the United States include increasing numbers of students of color, the number of administrators of color remains disproportionate. In California school districts, where a large percentage of students are Latino and Latina, Latino and Latina principals remain rare. While studies have suggested why Latinos and Latinas do not enter educational leadership, fewer have examined why they do elect to enter the field. This ethnographic exploratory study examines factors that led Latino and Latina educators to enter administrative leadership preparation programs with the goal of becoming school principals. The sample includes interviews with seven Latino and Latina …

The Effects Of Laughter Yoga On Second Grade Math Achievement, Deborah Lezanic Nagy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of laughter yoga on the mathematic achievement of second grade students as measured by the math Mock Criterion Reference Competency Test (CRCT). According to Hoffman (2008), laughter can provide positive benefits to children and adults impacted by autism, epilepsy, and even diabetes. Hoffman (2008) conducted research on humor in early childhood education settings and found little research on laughter and the benefits to young children in the academic setting. Most humor research deals with how humor progresses through the developmental stages of children (Hoffman, 2008). In the last ten years, …

Ethical Leadership In Today's Community Colleges: Presidents Respond To The Completion Agenda, Monica Parish Trent

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

The role of ethical leadership for community college presidents is of concern (Anderson, Harbour, & Davies; Wood & Nevarez, 2014), especially given the added pressure on community colleges to increase completion rates for student populations that have historically underperformed academically. In these times of increased scrutiny to produce more college-educated people ready to enter the workforce, college CEO’s are facing a completion agenda climate that is rampant with financial constraints, greater demands from stakeholders, and governmental mandates. The purpose of this descriptive, multiple case study was to examine how community college presidents execute ethical leadership in responding to institutional policy …

Teachers’ And Administrators' Perceptions Of The Characteristics Of Effective Leadership For K-12 International Schools, Travis S. Smith

All NMU Master's Theses

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate teachers’ and administrators’ perceptions of the characteristics of effective leadership for K-12 international schools. The data produced three themes; these include emotional intelligence, the ability to establish school culture, and administrative mindset. The literature review focused on the survey data points of humor, cultural intelligence, and vision embedded within these themes. The research findings are intended to advance the knowledge of leadership for K-12 international schools.

English Language Learners In Title I Programs In New Mexico Public Schools, Gabriel C. Baca

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) and subsequent reauthorizations require the United States Department of Education to distribute funding to states that ultimately goes to local school districts for the purpose of improving the academic achievement of disadvantaged students, including English Language Learners (ELLs). In New Mexico, 64% of public school students participate in Title I programs, and 16% of all New Mexico students are ELLs. However, no studies to date have explored how New Mexico public school districts are implementing Title I with respect to English Language Learners. Therefore, …

A Methodological Analysis Of Research Into The Effect Of Professional Learning Community On Student Academic Achievement, Brandon K. Thacker

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzed all published research articles examining the relationship between professional community efforts (plc) (used here as a broader category than, but inclusive of, Professional Learning Communities or PLCs) and student academic achievement (SAA) that reported primary research findings published before January 1, 2015. This study specifically identified primary, quantitative studies of SAA that in context are plc, but which may or may not be labeled as such, that were published before January 1, 2015. Analyses examined how many studies of plc and SAA were of a descriptive, correlational, causal comparative, quasi-experimental,or experimental design type, evaluated …

Strategic Shift Towards Knowledge Based Educational Management In Pakistan, Ahmad Raza, Ejaz Ahmad, Muhammad Ali

Business Review

Three approaches characterize the management of education in Pakistan: historical-traditional; colonial administrative; and modern western. A deficiency common to all three approaches is that a cultural mindset legitimizes their respective structures and hierarchies, leaving no room for the growth of human capital and thereby stifling creativity, innovation and adaptation to the emerging needs of society. Knowledge Economy considerations suggest that we take a different approach to education management to meet the challenges of the new millennium and transform Pakistan into a knowledge democracy.

Organizational Citizenship Behavior In Educational Settings In Pakistan, Nauman A. Abdullah

Business Review

Organizational citizenship behavior refers to non-paid voluntary activities engaged in by staff of any organization. This article provides a review of the literature on such behaviour in Pakistan.

A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Senior Enlisted Academy Graduates, Emiel T. Barrett

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how Senior Enlisted Academy (SEA) graduates describe their experience of applying the SEA curriculum in their workplace. The researcher identified that the formulation of an effective senior enlisted leader’s development is a relationship between what is learned at the SEA and the unique professional and personal experiences of each student. Using Moustakas’ (1994) phenomenological approach, the researcher drew data from interviews with senior enlisted graduates from the SEA. As the researcher focused on the participants’ experiences and views about applying the SEA curriculum in their workplace, the analyzed data suggested that …

Two-Year College Faculty Perspectives On Developmental Student Persistence: A Case Study, Mary Colleen Patterson

All Theses And Dissertations

This study sought to understand the perspectives of two-year college composition faculty concerning the persistence of students in their developmental composition courses. Research has shown that developmental students are a population at risk for leaving college before completing their degree programs and that students are more likely to persist to reach their goals when they’ve built meaningful connections with faculty. Many factors affect faculty ability to connect with developmental students such as faculty history, teaching preparation, and work load.

This study answered four research questions: 1) how do faculty describe and perceive their experience in encouraging developmental students to persist? …

A Phenomenological Investigation Of Rural Central Office Administrators’ Experiences In Supporting Marginal Special Education Teachers, Lawrence Randolph

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to examine the life experiences of 11 central office administrators from rural school divisions in Virginia, and investigate their shared experiences when assisting and supporting marginal special education teachers. The four theories guiding this study were Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, Collins, Brown and Newman’s cognitive apprenticeship theory, Evans’ path-goal leadership theory, and Burns’ transformational leadership theory. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory discusses the environment of a child impacts their growth and development. Collins, Brown, and Newman’s cognitive apprenticeships theory in context of this study describes how master teachers or administrators must train …

Teacher Professional Capital: The Relationship Between Principal Practice And Teacher Job Satisfaction, Christine Annette Burke Adams

LMU Theses and Dissertations

Criticism of the public school system tends to be aimed squarely at teachers in the classroom (Karpinski, 2012). As school principals lead in this current educational climate, it is incumbent upon them to provide their teachers an environment that is conducive to job satisfaction, emphasizing teacher retention, and mitigating the deleterious effects of teacher turnover on students’ academic achievement. To understand the practices of the principal, this study investigated teachers’ perceptions of their principals’ practice, asking the following questions: What is the relationship between teachers’ perceptions of their principal’s practice of building professional capital and teachers’ job satisfaction? What are …

Navigating The Waters Of Accreditation: Best Practices, Challenges, And Lessons Learned From One Institution, Tracey Covington Hasbun, Amanda M. Rudolph

Faculty Publications

In higher education, as many as 50% of educator preparation programs (EPPs) look to a national accreditation agency as one way to provide evidence of the rigor and quality of their programs. Although a large number of EPPs find value in the self-study and external review that come with the national accreditation process, the process itself can be daunting and time-consuming. Many look to the literature or to the accreditation experiences provided by other institutions as a means to assist their own accreditation journey. The purpose of this article is to discuss one regional, comprehensive EPP’s experiences with national accreditation, …

Fostering Student Community While Respecting Diversity, Inclusion, And Individual Rights: A Case Study, Elizabeth A. Daniele

College Student Affairs Leadership

In the era of the Black Lives Matter social movement and protests against racism and behaviors perceived to be racist on campuses across the nation, this case study presents a divisive tension that emerges from framing personal expression as free speech or racist hate speech. With questions about how an Office of Student Life should most effectively respond to diverging views about racism and free speech on campus, this case study explores the responsibility of administrators to foster community while respecting individual rights. The scenario presents a student who wears a blackface Halloween costume at a small liberal arts college. …

Supporting Leadership Preparation In Indonesia, Kathryn Moyle

International Developments

Kathryn Moyle reports on an evaluation of a professional learning program for aspiring school principals in Indonesia.

Library I.T.: Information Technologists Or Information Thought-Leaders?, Craig A. Boman, Whitni Watkins

Roesch Library Staff Presentations

Library staff employed in information technology departments are often seen as support staff, only providing services when something breaks. But what more can library IT staff do to support the mission of their libraries? In this presentation we will explore why library IT staff should maximize their ability to work across various library departments to collaboratively design new library services rather than being relegated to support staff. We will also explore how library IT staff may challenge traditional bureaucratic organization structures to lead change efforts.

Benchmarking, Brokering, And Branding: Resources For Success Across Sectors, Maureen Scully, Lisa Deangelis, Katie Bates

Emerging Leaders Program Team Projects

The fellows in the Center for Collaborative Leadership's Emerging Leaders Program practice collaborative leadership skills by working together in peer-led teams on projects that involve multiple stakeholders and have a civic impact. The theme that emerged for the 2016 projects was Benchmarking, Brokering, and Branding: Resources for Success Across Sectors - recognizing that the fellows' social capital and ability to step back and take a wide comparative view provided new resources for their partners.

Principal Self-Efficacy And The Teacher Principal Evaluation Project, John A. Polm Jr

Education Dissertations

Cognitive psychologist Albert Bandura has made significant contributions to psychology and education since the 1950s. His social learning theory continues to have considerable influence in the study of human agency and in the related study of self-efficacy. A recent development in the study of self-efficacy concerns the perceived self-efficacy of school leaders, particularly of school principals. Researchers have developed instruments to measure this construct that identifies supportive elements associated with positive self-efficacy perceptions of principals. This study measured the perceived self-efficacy of principals using the Principal Self-Efficacy Scale (PSES). The study also measured the correlation between the principal’s level of …

School Boards And Student Achievement: The Relationship Between Previously Identified School Board Characteristics And Improved Student Learning, Jonathon P. Holmen

Education Dissertations

Our country has a moral and ethical responsibility to educate all students. The right to an education is fundamental to the American values. Locally elected school boards have received significant scrutiny as questions have been asked about their ability to provide adequate and effective governance such that student achievement increases. This mixed-methods research study provides empirical support for the efficacy of publicly elected school boards being linked to improved student achievement results. This research study draws from school boards located in Washington State. A purposeful population sample of 23 school districts were selected based on specific criteria for inclusion in …

2016-06-10 Letter From The Board Of Regents, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

A letter from the Morehead State University Board of Regents to the faculty and staff from June 10, 2016.

Native American College Students: A Group Forgotten, Kristen E. Willmott, Tara Leigh Sands, Melissa Raucci, Stephanie J. Waterman

Journal of Critical Scholarship on Higher Education and Student Affairs

Broadening McClellan’s (2003) study through 2011, the authors utilize qualitative content analysis of over two thousand journal articles, professional association conference programs, and reflective memos, to detail the extent to which Native American college students remain a forgotten group within the literature. The authors’ positionality and Indigenous feminist theory inform the study. The study concludes by exploring the benefits of expanded Native American college student research and the authors propose a research agenda that can guide higher education professionals to better serve the educational needs of this unique group.

Wsu Board Of Trustees Meeting Minutes, June 5-6, 2016

Board of Trustees Minutes

Minutes from the Wright State University Board of Trustees Meeting held on June 5-6, 2016.

What Factors Influence Urban School Leaders Arts Programming Decisions, Jennifer Katona

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

For some urban school leaders Arts Education is the most essential part of the students’ experience and to others it is something that can be easily taught in one afternoon a week. It is either a means of self-­‐expression or merely something fun for the kids. Where do these perspectives take shape and what role and impact does the school leaders’ belief have on the decisions surrounding offering an arts education in their school building? This study explores current research on the importance of an arts education as it pertains to its intrinsic and extrinsic value of the arts to …

The Remedy That's Killing: Cuny, Laguardia, And The Fight For Better Math Policy, Rachel A. Oppenheimer

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Nationwide, there is a crisis in math learning and math achievement at all levels of education. Upwards of 80% of students who enter the City University of New York’s community colleges from New York City’s Department of Education high schools fail to meet college level math proficiencies and as a result, are funneled into the system’s remedial math system. Once placed into pre-college remedial arithmetic, pre-algebra, and elementary algebra courses, students fail at alarming rates and research indicates that students’ failure in remedial math has negative ripple effects on their persistence and degree completion. CUNY is not alone in facing …

Educational Leadership Newsletter June 2016, Educational Leadership Department, University Of Southern Maine

Educational Leadership Newsletters

Inside this issue:

• From the Chair
• First Cohort of Educational Leadership PhDs Graduate
• Southern Maine Partnership Update
• Leadership Projects
• Congratulations 2016 Graduates!
• Fall 2016 Schedule

The Effectiveness Of Juvenile Boot Camps And Their Impact On Minority Youth, Gregory Tyrone Williams

Dissertations

The proposal examines the effectiveness of juvenile boot camps and their impact on minority youth by examining literature and by extensive research using mixed methods of two separate programs in Wisconsin. In-depth interviews were conducted, and surveys were administered to staff and boot camp participants. Based on the analysis of the data, generally, participants reported positive short-term changes in attitudes and behaviors; they also had better problem solving and coping skills.

The Challenge Academy responds to the demands of this proposal and fiscally demonstrates that it is a good Return on Investment (ROI) offering a more inclusive program of character …

Promoting And Selecting Culturally Relevant Teaching Materials And Pedagogy In Our Schools, Ebony R. Davis

Dissertations

In the twenty-first century, African American males continue to be negatively defined in society, in the media, and by educators. These males face many challenges in their educational careers. Hence, this study explored two African American male students and their perception of contributing factors that motivate them to succeed academically. The study was also focused on their perceptions of their relationship with key influencers that help them to succeed academically. The study consisted of an analysis of their perception about teacher quality, student behavior, and parental involvement. In fact, study results showed how these African American male students maintain a …