Educational Leadership Commons^™

College Choice Decisions: An Analysis Of University Honors Students, Thomas Tyler Clark

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to analyze the importance of various institutional attributes in the college-choice process of honors students. The study surveyed honors students (N = 279) currently enrolled in an honors college at one university. Students rated 51 items on the degree of importance in their college decision. An exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the underlying factors in the college-choice process.

The results indicated that cost was the most important issue students considered when determining an institution to attend. Cost of attendance and financial assistance offered were followed by quality of course instruction, safety on …

A Phenomenology Study Of Possible External And Internal Factors Relating T Women’S Under-Representation In Leadership In Large Chinese Media Organizations In Beijing City, Xiaoxue Xiang

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of possible factors that contribute to the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions in Chinese media through their lived experience. The 10 participants in this study were from large media organizations in Beijing. The results of this study indicate Balancing work and family and Chinese traditional culture can be considered as the external possible factors of the barriers women leaders encountered in Beijing large media organizations; the negative influence of traditional culture on Chinese women, which refers to women’s low self-evaluation and negative self-awareness, can be taken as the …

Training To Develop Academic Advisor Efficacy And Workforce Readiness, Jessica Powers

Dissertations

The competitive workforce views training as an investment in human capital, which is seen as its most valuable asset. In order to meet labor demands of tomorrow, the workforce will depend on higher education to educate workers. This will put academic advisors and the training they receive further in the spotlight, as they play a meaningful role in student success. Training has been shown to increase occupational self-efficacy and impact employee performance, but empirical research is lacking from the advisor perspective to explore their perception of training and occupational self-efficacy. In a study of N = 108 of faculty and …

Schooling After Covid-19: Challenges In India, Vimala Ramachandran

Teacher India

With schools set to reopen after the COVID-19 nation-wide school closures, education authorities need to support teachers in these crucial times. To tackle new challenges, teachers’ roles and responsibilities will expand and play a prominent role in the recovery, explains Vimala Ramachandran.

Virtual Recruitment Resource Guide, Elizabeth Niehaus

Leadership Education Capstones

To identify best practices for the purpose of developing a virtual recruitment resources guide.

Elective Course Choice As A Factor In K12 Graduation Rates, Matthew Wagner

Leadership Education Capstones

This paper explores the relationship that elective course offerings and requirements have on student success through graduation rates. The purpose of this study is to better understand the effect that elective courses have on a student’s academic success. This research focused on the Big 9 conference of southeastern Minnesota Public High Schools, which consisted of nine different school districts. These districts paralleled the makeup and diversity of districts around the state. All data reviewed was public information and included resources such as the Minnesota Department of Education’s Report Card database, and course catalogs from each district in the study. Graduation …

Lean Leadership In Research, Dania Helgeson

Leadership Education Capstones

The purpose of this study is to improve the start-up process for Clinical Trials in the Cancer Center.

Advancing Higher Education: Strategic Leadership For Chief Advancement Officers, Matthew Ohs

Leadership Education Capstones

This research study focuses on the role of strategic leadership within effective advancement organizations. Given the fundraising responsibility of university advancement leaders, there is a need to research the leadership strategies which lead to successful fundraising. The purpose of this study is to determine effective leadership strategies for Chief Advancement Officers (CAOs) at four-year, public universities. Strategic Leadership Theory suggests connections between the university’s executive leadership and institutional success (Boal & Hooijberg, 2001; Finkelstein & Hambrick, 1996). The research study design is qualitative to explore the experiences of individuals regarding the connections between leadership strategies and fundraising performance in university …

Appropriate Risk With Two And Three Year Olds, Heather Bruno

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The focus of this school improvement plan was to explore existing research and data on the benefits and concerns present when allowing young children to play with toys and natural items in the outdoor environment that expose them to more risk. Based on that information, a plan was made to thoughtfully add some appropriate risky play elements to the outdoor playground at the Iowa State Child Development Laboratory School over the duration of one school year. By adding these elements, opportunities for growth of large motor skills and overall learning and development may occur. To assess growth, two assessment tools …

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy And First-Generation Latinx Student Sense Of Belonging, Rachel Abel

Dissertations

This qualitative research study assessed the impact of culturally relevant pedagogy on first-generation Latinx student sense of belonging at an emerging Hispanic serving institution (HSI). This study adds to current literature around culturally relevant pedagogy, which focused on the close, meaningful relationships between faculty and students in the classroom (Ladson-Billings, Gay, Wlodkowski, & Ginsberg, Stembridge, et al.). The link to sense of belonging (Hurtado & Carter, 1997) demonstrated the importance of academic and non-academic setting connections that led to other social and academic outcomes, which include student satisfaction, motivation to study, and perseverance in completion of a post-secondary. A transformative …

Fostering Equitable Opportunities For All Students Through Transfer Of Equity Knowledge, Corinne Brion

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

To date, there has been little research conducted among school leaders on how new equity knowledge gets transferred to schools. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the extent to which educational leaders attending a year-long equity program are able to transfer the newly acquired knowledge to their professional lives. Findings reveal that leaders were able to use new equity knowledge in their personal and professional lives. Further analysis identifies enhancers and inhibitors to the transfer of such equity knowledge. The researcher provides policy recommendations related to facilitating and sustaining the transfer of equity knowledge among school leaders.

The Pedagogy First Approach To Blended Learning: Concept And Practice, Sharon Flynn, Rob Lowney

Excellence in Teaching Series

Rob Lowney and Sharon Flynn explore the concept of Pedagogy First in Digital Teaching and Learning

Knowledge And Access: An Investigation Into Course Material Models At The Collegiate Level, Jonathan David Sadhoo

All Theses And Dissertations

For over 1,000 years, physical textbooks have been the primary course material tool utilized to facilitate knowledge transfer from the instructor to the student population. In current times, multiple barriers to success have emerged for the modern student of higher education, including affordability, accessibility, and quality. In addition, student engagement with the course material can be a critical factor for student achievement. Taylor & Parsons (2011) indicated that student engagement levels in the classroom are linked with overall success in the course. Within higher education, faculty and academic administrators are at the front lines, attempting to reduce and eliminate these …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Observation, Coaching, And Feedback Cycle, Susan B. Ficke

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study is to investigate teachers’ perceptions, attitudes, and viewpoints of how their daily teaching may be refined after implementing feedback from the Observation Coaching Feedback Cycle (OCFC) into their daily instruction. In direct connection, this study’s purpose seeks to fill a gap in literature regarding teachers’ perceptions of the OCFC experience. Reflective Practice Theory was selected as the Conceptual Framework that guided this study. Reflective practice is essential to understand one’s actions so as to engage in a process of continuous learning. Without reflective processes, people would not amend their work (Helyer, 2015). The …

Surviving Higher Education: Retention & Persistence Through The Lens Of Psychological Survivorship, David R. Cartwright

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of students categorized as at-risk, non-traditional adult learners who persisted in pursuit of their higher education degree. These students demonstrated perseverance and grit when faced with challenges that might have caused them to drop out of school. The lived experiences of the participants are strongly linked to their identities as working professionals and adult-learners. Recent literature indicates that several theories and models have emerged on the concept of motivation as it relates to success in higher education. Research suggests that achievement is not solely based on cognitive …

Student Perceptions Of Engagement And The Relationship To Student Perceptions Of Teacher In The Visual Art Classroom, Kirby Brooks Meng

Theses and Dissertations

Lack of student engagement in high schools is a concerning factor in education; low levels of engagement can lead to student apathy, academic challenges, disruptive behavior, and a higher dropout rate. The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between high school students’ perceptions of engagement and students’ perceptions of the teacher in the visual art classroom. The researcher used social constructivism as a lens through which to explore this topic. The theory of constructivism focuses on active exploration and learning about ideas of personal significance, where the teacher plays an essential supportive and guiding role in student …

The Modernization Of Sales Training For Generation Z Students, Samuel Kanthak

Leadership Education Capstones

The purpose of this study is to identify best practices for training Generation Z sales professional. The results will be used to update an outdated training program. This is the supporting powerpoint presentation for this capstone project.

Campbell’S Chicken Noodle Soup™ And Saltine Crackers: A Milpero’S Autoethnographic Study Of Struggle And Success In Life And In Education, Ernesto Cantu

Theses and Dissertations

The state of Texas has close to 3,000 colonias, with most of them found along the Texas/Mexico border (“Colonias in Texas,” n.d.) and the most citizens of any state living in colonias. I grew up in a colonia in South Texas called Las Milpas, located in Pharr, Texas. Colonia children are often stigmatized and marginalized. This autoethnographic study is a look into my life as an educator and the social and cultural factors that have contributed to my survival and success. As a child, I lost both my mother and father. I was fortunate that my oldest …

Status Of Social Studies Within One Georgia School District, Tonya Fields Pinckley

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this causal-comparative research was to examine whether differences exist between the time allotted for delivering content, the time allotted for lesson planning, the time allotted for student assessment, instructional perceptions regarding mandated testing, perceptions regarding pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), level of ease of planning, level of understanding of Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE), level of understanding of the teaching-assessment cycle, and usage of the system provided pacing guides within public elementary schools in one Georgia school district across the content areas of ELA/reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. The research also examined the differences in instructional strategies …

Validation Of The Assessment Of Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge As A Self-Assessment With K-12 Teachers In A Title 1 School District, Jami Michel Moore

Theses and Dissertations

Teacher quality has become a topic of national discussion due to the United States’ lagging behind other countries’ success on both international and national assessments. Validation of the Assessment of Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge (ATPCK) as a self-assessment with K-12 teachers in a Title 1 school district is the purpose of this research. Assessing teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) growth as a result of professional development is a challenge. Utilizing confirmatory factor analysis allowed the researcher to determine the validity and reliability of the ATPCK as a self-assessment measure of teachers’ PCK. The research results will be utilized to support …

Ethical Considerations For Outpatient Behavioral Healthcare In North Texas, Carolyn B. Guillory

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study was to examine caregivers’ perceptions of practices for outpatient behavioral health care. Effort was made to gain insight into the components of ethical service delivery. Significant data on the providers’ perceptions of care was identified in literature reviews, though it was not the case for perspectives of consumers or caregivers. This population has been identified as one which is likely to experience unaffordable, fragmented, and confusing behavioral health systems (Baker, 2015). Attempts to inform research by addressing the quality of treatment was a focus. The Research Problem: Since 2016, the suicide …

Soft-Skill Development In Co-Curricular Programs: An Evaluation Of A Community College Student Leadership Program, Michael James Fischer

All Theses And Dissertations

Colleges are vital for the provision of a trained workforce. As of 2017, over 1,100 community colleges were serving about 41% of the undergraduates across the nation. The emphasis on preparing students to enter the labor market has led to colleges developing integrated academic and co-curricular programs. Many professionals in higher education believe that education happens best in a truly integrative learning environment, where both academic and student affairs programs are used to educate the student.

The New Hampshire Community College Student Leadership program was developed to help students gain soft-skills, as identified by the National Association of Colleges and …

Building Student Development Through Creative Writing Workshops, Kerry C. Hoey

All Theses And Dissertations

This qualitative study describes out-of-school education facilitators’ perceptions, beliefs, and values regarding the promotion of personal and social, cultural, and academic and career development through creative writing workshops. The focus on the facilitators of the creative writing workshops is to explore the perceptions, beliefs, and values they have regarding the theories they use to inform their curriculum, and, therefore, how they promote student development. The researcher believes that a better understanding of the facilitators’ descriptions and perceptions of students and student development within creative writing workshops allows educators and community leaders to proceed from a more informed perspective in terms …

Examining The Challenges And Benefits Of Inclusion In Urban Secondary Schools, Jeff James Spaletta

All Theses And Dissertations

American high schools with full-inclusion programs often struggle to offer effective academic instruction to students with disabilities. While academic researchers have conducted studies on inclusion programs, a literature review revealed a dearth of academic studies specific to inclusion programs in secondary schools. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the attitudes of general-education teachers in urban, Title 1 high schools regarding the ability of those teachers to provide effective academic instruction to students with disabilities in schools that offer full-inclusion education. This study was motivated by three research questions: 1) What are the attitudes of teachers working in …

Exploring A New Path For School Climate & Safety Assessment, Skip Wilhoit

All Theses And Dissertations

The passage of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act in 2001, ushered in a new era of federal oversight in state educational accountability systems. While the act may have succeeded in identifying schools in need of support and creating data systems to help inform parents and assist educators in establishing clear and consistent goals, the state accountability systems created under this law were widely criticized for their narrow academic focus and failure to include the holistic and multifaceted nature of school quality. In response, the federal government replaced NCLB in 2015 with The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The …

A Comparative Analysis Of Tardiness Policies Of Elementary Schools, Diana J. Goodwin

All Theses And Dissertations

Previous research has shown that student tardiness has been a challenge for educators as far back as the institution of modern schooling. While there has been considerable research about student absenteeism, student tardiness remains an under researched area, particularly at the elementary school level. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare tardiness policies across several large, urban school districts, investigate their alignment with current research about tardiness and school attendance, and explore the possible relationship between school tardiness policies and student academic achievement. The research questions for this study were: What are the major similarities and differences …

Learning To Commit: Examining The Predictive Relationship Of Learning Culture Upon Employee Commitment, Timothy Russell Shives

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, correlational study investigated if a predictive relationship exists between an organization’s learning culture and organizational commitment. The research design for this quantitative study was three bivariate linear regressions as the statistical tool to test three null hypotheses (p <0.017). The predictor variable for this study were the organization’s learning culture scores, as measured by the Dimensions of the Learning Organization Questionnaire-Abbreviated (DLOQ-A), and the criterion variables for this study was the organization’s employee commitment profile, comprising (1) affective commitment scores, (2) normative commitment scores, and (3) continuance commitment scores, as measured by the Revised Version of the Three Component Model (TCM) of the Employee Commitment Survey. The population for this study was a diverse, cross-functional employee workforce at a medium-sized, information technology-centered public-sector organization numbering 430 employees. Data collection occurred through asynchronous virtual interaction through web survey methodology during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 global pandemic. The results demonstrate a positive predictive relationship between learning culture scores and affective and normative commitment, respectively; and a negative predictive relationship between learning culture scores and continuance commitment. More research is needed to investigate other factors that may account for the remaining variability in predicting learning cultures and employee commitment. Furthermore, research needs to be done to explore how the learning organization impacts employee commitment.

Examining The Relationship Between Multicultural Efficacy And Culturally Responsive Classroom Management Self-Efficacy Among K-12 Teachers, Shalise Michelle Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple regression study was to examine the relationship between multicultural self-efficacy and culturally responsive classroom management self-efficacy (CRCMSE). In addition, the study examined if attitude toward diversity and experience with diversity are significant predictors of teachers’ sense of CRCMSE. The Multicultural Efficacy Scale (MES) and CRCMSE Scale was distributed to a sample of K-12 public school teachers working in a large Virginia school division. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the relationship between the predictor variables (multicultural self-efficacy, attitude toward diversity, and experience with diversity) and the criterion variable (CRCMSE). Pearson R2 was calculated to …

The Difference In The Sense Of Community Between Male And Female Students In An International School In Saudi Arabia, Leon Mcauthur Lee Ii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study sought to examine and determine the difference in sense of community in female and male students in an international school in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The independent variable in this study was the biological sex (male and female), and the dependent variable was their sense of community score. This quantitative research used sense of community theory developed by McMillan and Chavis as the foundation of the study. The researcher used a casual-comparative design to analyze the effects of the variables in the study. The students completed a Sense of Community Index (SCI-2) survey to provide the data for this …

The Effects Of Data-Driven Instructional Leadership On Student Achievement, Hayward Mark Chandler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Instructional leadership is key in reaching educational goals for students. Data-driven instructional leadership leveraged to improve teachers’ instructional practices provides opportunities for teachers to reflect, collaborate, and improve instructional practice. Data-driven leadership has been studied, but achievement results have not been a common topic. It is of value to understand the aspects of school leadership with causal nexus to student outcomes and what actions by leaders are associated with positive student outcomes. This study examined the achievement scores of four groups of schools (N= 81) in the state of New Mexico. The treatment groups leveraged data-driven practices, while the control …