Educational Leadership Commons^™

The Effect Of School Discipline Processes On Student Perceptions Of Personal Safety In Rural Middle Schools, Jaslene Atwal

All Theses And Dissertations

There is a need to clearly communicate expectations and consequences of misconduct to deter students from engaging in negative behaviors that create a physically or psychologically unsafe learning environment at school. A poor school climate has been found to have a detrimental effect on student achievement. A positive learning environment can transform negative situations into positive ones and have a beneficial effect on student behavior and achievement. This study explored the effect of a proactive discipline program on students’ perceptions of their physical and psychological safety in rural middle schools. The research questions for this study asked what factors most …

A Nested-Case Study Investigating Distributed Leadership At The Middle School Level, Darrell M. Ashworth

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this nested-case study was to discover the perceptions of middle school teachers regarding the influence of distributed leadership on the subject matter they teach in McCullough County, Tennessee. The central research question for the study was as follows: How do middle school teachers describe the aspects of distributed leadership they encounter? The theoretical framework for this study was distributed leadership theory. I conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 middle school teachers from five middle schools in McCullough County, Tennessee : 5 English teachers (ELA), 1 math teacher, 4 social studies teachers, and 4 science teachers. Additional data were …

Gender Differences In Hispanic High School Students' Attitudes Toward Mathematics, Leslie Marie Mcclammy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the difference in attitudes towards mathematics between male and female Hispanic students in a large Florida school system using the Attitudes Towards Mathematics Inventory (ATMI). This study is important because it studies a population that is underserved in the literature of mathematics pedagogy: the Hispanic high school student. The ATMI itself has mostly been used on college students. This is one of the earliest attempts to use it in a high school setting. Though the survey was available to all students in the cooperating schools, only surveys where the student self-identified as Hispanic were examined. The results …

Assistant Principals’ Leadership And Perceptions Of Their Roles: A Qualitative Case Study, Pheneik Baskett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand assistant principals’ (APs) leadership and perceptions of their roles. The study took place in a suburban school system located in the southeastern United States. The central research question asked, “How do assistant principals lead and perceive their role as APs?” The theory guiding this research was situational leadership theory as it demonstrated how leadership styles must be related to the needs of the constituents. Ambiguity and burnout were examined as factors that can impact APs’ leadership and their perceptions of leadership. The data for this case study were collected through …

A Mixed Methods Study Concerning Biblical Worldview Formation In Children And Adolescents Through Informal Learning By Parents And/Or Guardians, Joan Ellen Appleton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Children and adolescents need spiritual nurturing and teaching to instill biblical worldview and to make possible the development of lifelong spiritual formation. Informal learning as an educational format is foundational to and provides an avenue by which to impart early biblical worldview formation for children and adolescents. The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods study was to examine and explore the knowledge and behaviors of informal learning of the study participants (parents and/or legal guardians) in five U.S. Southeast states to determine the relationship between informal learning and outcomes of biblical worldview formation in children and adolescents. The mixed …

A Phenomenological Study Of Abstinence Self-Efficacy Experiences Among Residential Servant Leaders With Substance Use Disorders, Scott J. Rancourt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the abstinence self-efficacy experiences of participants in a servant leadership program at a Christian residential therapeutic community. The central research question was: What are the lived, abstinence self-efficacy experiences of participants in a servant leadership program at a Christian residential therapeutic community? A purposeful sampling method was utilized to obtain 10 participants from the servant leadership program at the site. Two theories guided this study. The first is servant leadership theory, which focuses on the importance of passionately meeting the needs of others. The second is cognitive-behavior self-efficacy theory, which …

The Relationship Between Sense Of Community And Self-Efficacy Among Senior Citizen Students, Matthew Joseph Pranger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Older adult students are at risk academically. The senior citizen population and average life expectancy are increasing globally, which results in an increased number of adults returning to school later in life. Sense of community is related to academic engagement, achievement, interactivity, and retention. Self-efficacy is related to motivation, learning, and academic performance. One gap in the literature is the relationship between sense of community and self-efficacy for senior citizen students. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study is to determine if there is a relationship between sense of community and self-efficacy among senior citizens recently enrolled in a college-level …

The Perceptions Of Educators Concerning Self-Efficacy While Working In An Involuntary Enrollment Alternative School, Shaundeidra Bradford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to investigate the perceptions of 10 educators pertaining to their self-efficacy while working in an involuntary enrollment alternative school. The participants were secondary educators from an urban school district in the midwestern United States who served in varying capacities. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s self-efficacy theory. This research investigated the impact of working in an involuntary enrollment alternative school on the self-efficacy of educators, based on Bandura’s four main sources of self-efficacy (mastery experience, vicarious experience, social persuasion, and psychological states). The research question revolves around the theory of self-efficacy influencing …

Implementation Of The Mtss Process In Kearney Public Schools, Chelsea Feusner

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

To support multiple needs, districts have worked to enrich or remediate students through differentiated objectives, programs, and initiatives. The goal of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework is to create a system that supports all students and provides robust interventions and programs at all levels, in multiple areas of education. This cross-sectional study will investigate MTSS implementation through a self-assessment survey of school principals and teachers in Kearney Public Schools (KPS). The information collected and analyzed to support the administrative team’s planning, implementation, and measurement of effectiveness. The research will also be able to support the continued implementation of MTSS …

Exploring North Texas Elementary Principals’ Viewpoints Regarding The Influence Of Culturally Responsive Teaching On School Climate And School Culture, Monica Latrice Tatum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Public schools in the United States have become more diverse due to immigration and the mass exodus of the White population to the suburbs. Growing demographic changes and a consistently White educational labor force raise concern regarding how schools address the needs of their diverse student populations. Much research exists concerning teachers’ implementation of culturally responsive teaching (CRT) practices. However, a void remains in the literature regarding the role of school leadership in this process. An understanding of culturally competent principals’ perspectives on CRT needs more attention to address how school leaders create safe and equitable environments for diverse …

Center For Teaching And Learning Impact On Adjunct Job Satisfaction: Examining Their Lived Experiences, Winsome S. Brooks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adjunct faculty have become a significant part of the collegiate workforce in times of financial constraints; however, they are not supported like their full-time counterparts and have lower career and job satisfaction. Some institutions have responded to the increase in dependence on adjuncts by developing support systems in the form of teaching and learning centers. This phenomenological case study’s purpose was to explore the lived experiences of adjunct faculty using a center for teaching and learning (CTL) and explore the impacts the CTL has on adjunct job satisfaction. A purposive sample of six adjunct faculty, two CTL leaders, and one …

Exploring The Voices, Experiences, And Leadership Career Paths Of Women Of Color In Higher Education, Tonya P. Cooper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the voices, experiences, and factors promoting the leadership career paths of senior-level women of color in higher education and to capture the voices of senior-level women of color on how they were able to overcome the barriers and challenges to breaking the glass ceiling on their leadership career paths to senior-level administration in higher education. A phenomenological research method was employed to capture the participants’ voices, experiences, and leadership career paths of their roles in higher education. Results show that the women of color in the study confirmed the perceived challenges …

Multi-Tiered Systems Of Support And School Leadership In High-Achieving Pennsylvania Schoolwide Title 1 Elementary Schools, Malinda Jane Mikesell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This explanatory case study illustrates how some Pennsylvania Schoolwide Title 1 elementary schools are thriving on state assessments while others are unable to achieve this success. The study was limited to this population of elementary schools to focus on how and why some schools with high percentages of students who receive free and reduced lunch are achieving excellent student achievement. First, the differences between Schoolwide Title 1 schools’ achievement on the Pennsylvania state assessments were categorized. Then Schoolwide Title 1 elementary schools with the highest percentages of students with low socioeconomic status (SES), who still achieved proficient school performance …

Navigating The Role Of Head Of School As Perceived By Female Heads Of National Christian School Association Schools, Jill C. Hartness

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The current representation of women as heads of schools in U.S. independent schools is significantly less than that of men. With little research on independent female heads of schools, particularly in religious school communities, this qualitative study examined the perspectives of female heads of school from the National Christian School Association regarding perceptions and experiences in the leadership role within a conservative Christian school context. This study was framed through social role theory, muted group theory, authentic leadership theory, and emotional labor theory, and guided by one overarching research question: What has been the experience of a female head of …

Investigating Early Childhood Educators’ Experiences In Teaching Phonological Awareness: A Case Study, Kristine Reilly

All Theses And Dissertations

Literacy instruction, or teaching educators how to teach reading, is increasingly important as the effects of illiteracy impact everyone from the individual level to the societal level. The cost of illiteracy to the global economy is estimated at $1.2 trillion U.S. dollars (World Literacy Foundation, 2015). Improving literacy for all becomes a social justice concern as access to literacy opens avenues to further education and to improved physical and mental wellbeing. Over the past forty years, neurocognitive and behavioral science has demonstrated how the human brain learns to read. However, educator training programs and professional development have not kept pace …

Military Leadership Strategies In A Higher Educational Setting, Lori A. Wilkin

All Theses And Dissertations

Leaders in higher education must be ready to address the needs of an institution and its stakeholders. The problem addressed in this study is that there is a need for talented leadership in the higher education community. The purpose of this study is to understand what leadership training and skills made a sample of United States Army military leaders successful in their various leadership roles and the potential for those leadership skills and qualities to be transferable to leadership positions in higher education institutions. This qualitative study is focused through the lens of servant leadership with two research questions examined. …

An Evaluation Of The Impact Of Professional Development On Accessibility To Online Courses By Students With Special Needs At A Regional Four-Year Public Institution Of Higher Education In West Texas, Dallas Anne Swafford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Evaluation research, including qualitative and quantitative data, was used in this study to determine the impact of professional development on online courses’ accessibility by students with disabilities. The study focused on online courses and course content. Data collection took place in phases and included self-paced, online professional development and one-on-one support sessions, a pre- and postsurvey, and a focus group interview. The study took place at a regional 4-year public institution of higher education in West Texas. Change theory emerged as the primary theoretical lens guiding the research as the study unfolded.

Brain Science And Parent-School Relationships In A Title 1 Elementary School In Massachusetts: A Basic Qualitative Study, Arij Rached, Simone Elias, Linda Wilson-Jones

Journal of Research Initiatives

Bandura's (1977) social cognitive theory contends that people think, learn, and perform based upon a sum of personal (e.g., beliefs, emotions, behaviors), social (home-school relationships), and environmental (school culture). Also, research has already determined that collaboration between home and school leads to better children's social-emotional learning (SEL) (August, Anderson, & Bloomquist, 1992; Cooper & Redfern, 2016; Grant & Ray, 2018). Thus, a basic qualitative research tradition was used to better understand elementary public-school parents' perceptions of the impact of parent-school relationships on children SEL development in a Title 1 school in Massachusetts (MA). Thru the lenses of brain science, a …

Doctoral Student Online Learning: Addressing Challenges Of The Virtual Experience, Dejuanna M. Parker, Kent Willis, Barbara D. Holmes

Journal of Research Initiatives

Abstract

This qualitative study sought to understand student beliefs and perceived levels of confidence in a primarily online professional doctoral degree in education. Before accessing course material and formal instruction, respondents assigned scores to a Likert-style survey and answered open-ended questions about their understanding of basic educational research methodology. The rise of distance education follows the rapid growth of technological advancement, yet, much is still unknown about pedagogical practices that contribute to improved learning outcomes for students in the virtual environment. Themes that emerged from this study suggest that (1) student expectations do not align with prior preparation, (2) student …

Family Engagement During Covid-19, Mark Nagasawa

Straus Institute for Thriving Children & Families

This is an infographic summarizing findings from a survey conducted in May 2020 (n=3355) about how the COVID-19 was affecting early childhood educators in New York. Unsurprisingly, the survey responses reflected respondents' multimodal creativity and professional commitment to connecting with children's families. Responses also suggested some underlying tensions, such as school-centric notions of family engagement (i.e., more academically focused) vs. family-centric perspectives (i.e., offering emotional and material support to families). Ultimately the survey's contribution lies in shedding some light on important, difficult-to-resolve issues that must be debated as the world moves towards "post" pandemic life (e.g., services, supports, and accessibility …

Evaluative Feedback Of Performance As Experienced By First-Year Teachers, Christine Carson

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Dissertations

Evaluative performance feedback is critical to improving educational practice. First-year teachers are learning to develop lesson plans, make their own decisions on how to handle classroom management, promote positive behavior of students, and increase student achievement. Evaluative performance feedback is critical to improve how first-year teachers navigate the early years to make positive and lasting changes in their practices. The problem this investigation sought to explore was to identify how new teachers use evaluative performance feedback to reflect and develop ideas for change and growth in practice. This phenomenography was an inquiry into understanding how first-year teachers experience evaluative performance …

2020-10-29 Faculty Senate Newsletter, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate newsletter from October 29, 2020.

2020-10-29 Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate meeting minutes from October 29, 2020.

Hacking For Good - Workshop Summary, Alex Humphreys, Curtis Michelson, Heather Ruland Staines, Geoffrey P. Timms, Caroline Muglia

Charleston Library Conference

At the 2019 Charleston Library Conference, five facilitators from a diversity of organizations led a pre-conference called Hacking for Good. The goal of the half-day pre-conference was to introduce participants to the “hacking mindset” beyond the traditionally understood technology-driven terminology. In this context, hacking refersred to an approach of identifying a challenge or set of challenges in their respective knowledge organizations and gathering a set of techniques or approaches to address and overcome those challenges. The pre-conference provided a highly interactive and supportive environment to consider all aspects of a workplace challenge related to workflows and personnel and determine the …

Research, Technology And Emotions: How Political Marketing Plays A Critical Role In Government And Presidential Elections, University Marketing And Communications, Bruce Newman

DePaul Download

Elections have evolved the last few decades. From simply polling voters to using big data to sway voters’ decisions, DePaul Driehaus School of Business professor, former White House advisor and author, Bruce Newman, outlines political marketing’s growing influence in elections and, simply, within government. He also shares his analysis of the 2020 Presidential election and what the 2020 winner will need to accomplish before January’s Inauguration.

2020-10-28 University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Meeting Minutes, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate., Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.

Faculty Senate Records

University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee meeting minutes for October 28, 2020.

The Influence Of Active Shooter Incidents In K-12: Principals Perceptions Of Armed Personnel And Tactical Police Capabilities In New Jersey District Factor Group (I) Public School Districts, Adela Ames-Lopez

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

In the wake of increased shootings in schools, safety concerns are in the forefront of school administrators’ concerns. This study is a replication of a dissertation published in 2016 as well as some components of a research study published in 2014. The 2014 study examined elementary principals in an urban public-school district in Paterson, New Jersey, within District Factor Group (A), whereas the 2016 study examined suburban public-school districts in New Jersey’s District Factor Group (GH) with a median household salary ranging between $86,000 and $105,000. An interview study was utilized for this qualitative research design to assist in determining …

2020-10-27 E-Mail Message From The University President To The Faculty Senate President, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

A message from the University President to the Faculty Senate President discussing the proposal of the Faculty Senate for a new First Year Senate Sub-Committee from October 27, 2020.

2020-10-25 First Year Seminar Problems, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

List of problems related to the First Year Seminar program with the University's administration as submitted to the Faculty Senate on October 25, 2020.

A Single Case Study On The Impact Of Louisiana's Induction Program On High School Beginning Teachers, Lorita Ann Eichelberger

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Despite the growing body of literature that suggest that beginning teachers need additional support throughout the first couple of years in the profession, there is little research on the impact of induction programs for high school beginning teachers. The purpose of this single case study was to analyze the encounters of three beginning teachers, three mentors, one teacher induction coordinator, and one administrator participating in a teacher induction program in Louisiana and examine the impact of the induction program on teacher development. This qualitative study addressed three research questions: What are the perceptions of beginning teachers about the teacher induction …