Educational Leadership Commons^™

Experiential Leadership Learning: Narratives Of A Multiple Case Study Of Mexican School Leaders Appointed To Indigenous Schools, Manuel Lopez-Delgado, Argelia Estrada-Loya

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Training and preparation of school leaders have an impact on the quality of leadership displayed in their readiness for the leadership practice. However, in Mexico the training and preparation processes for school leaders are unclear and lack uniformity. The way of access to headship has promoted that school leaders learn to lead in their role without previous preparation for the position. This paper presents the findings of a study conducted through narratives that analyzed the leadership learning processes of novice and experienced school leaders. The study identified important learning experiences as the receptive observation, malleable observation, practical experiences of leadership, …

Campus Principals’ Actions And Perceptions That Contribute To The Direct Impact Of Teacher Retention, Efrain D. Reyna

Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on factors that suburban principals could perform to increase teacher retention. A suburban school district in the southwest area of Texas was selected to participate in this research. Principals were chosen and interviewed. Teachers from the selected school district were chosen to participate in a focus group. This qualitative single case study research was focused on the individual perspectives from six different principals, and eighteen teachers. Both participant groups, principals and teachers, were then interviewed to discover if the principal’s actions directly impacted their decision to remain teaching.

Analyzing Teachers' Perceptions Of A Principal's Instructional Leadership Practices On A Dual Language Campus Using The Blase And Blase Reflective Growth Model, Selene Canales-Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

As the research base in support of dual language instruction become stronger and more widely recognized, dual language instruction program popularity has risen and the number of programs implemented across the United States has grown (Christian, 2018). Demand for qualified teachers and school administrators is high, but teacher supply has not risen commensurately (Kennedy, 2018b). Therefore, the problem lies in principals having to prepare and provide the necessary supports and professional development for bilingual teachers. The purpose of this research is to explore teachers' perceptions of the principal's instructional leadership practices using the theoretical framework of the Blase Reflective Growth …

How Do Teacher Perceptions And Biases Affect Or Influence Student Behavior, Benjamin K. Keohane

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

The purpose of this research project and professional development series is to shed light on the influence and effect that teacher biases, perceptions, and interactions have on student behavior. Often, teachers become apprehensive when exceptional students attend their class. This notion is amplified if the student is accompanied with a behavior intervention plan or a disability that manifests as externalizing behavior. In many cases, teachers report a lack of proper training in behavior mitigation strategies that extend beyond common, general education practices. If schools are to promote an inclusive environment, all teachers require the background knowledge to properly implement and …

Perception Of School Governing Bodies About Decentralisation Of School Governance In Eswatini, Swaziland, Ibiwumi Abiodun Alade, Goodness X. Tshabalala

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

The adoption of decentralisation as a reform in the administration of education sector in Eswatini has been a subject of debate due to its attending challenges. This study therefore examined the perception of school governing bodies about decentralisation of school governance in Eswatini, Swaziland. The qualitative case study is embedded in the interpretative paradigm, and it employed the Subsidiarity Theory (ST) as a framework for understanding the decentralization of school governance in Eswatini. Four research questions guided the study while purposive sampling technique was used to select five school principals from the selected schools who had served as principals for …

An Exploratory Analysis Of The Association Between Coronavirus Anxiety And Teacher Burnout, Lester A. C. Archer

Journal of Global Education and Research

This study was an exploration of COVID-19 anxiety and its relationship with teacher burnout. The study was a cross-sectional survey research design with a convenience sample drawn from a population of K-12 public school teachers. A non-parametric statistical test, Kruskal-Wallis, showed a statistically significant difference in teacher burnout across the three grade levels: χ² (2, N = 61) = 6.20, p = .045. Teacher burnout was lowest amongst elementary school teachers (M = 47.00) when compared to middle school (M = 74.00) and high school teachers (M = 71.00). Implications include a need for increased administrative …

A Phenomenological Exploration Of U.S. School Principal Preparation In Leading Mandarin Chinese Immersion Programs, Shuzhen Xie

Dissertations (1934 -)

This qualitative phenomenological study explores U.S. principals' challenges, successes, and best practices in leading Mandarin Chinese immersion programs in high-need rural schools in a Midwestern state. The study addresses cultural efficiency, increasing student enrollment through principalship preparation, and attracting the interest of parents and students. Purposive and snowball sampling associated with semi-structured interview protocols were used to interview 12 participants (N=12), including 10 females and two males. Participants included two elementary principals, two secondary principals, one administrative assistant, one paraprofessional, three English language arts teachers for the Chinese immersion program, and three native Mandarin Chinese immersion teachers. Findings reveal three …

A Case Study Of Mathematical Instructional Leadership, Theresa Haack

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation looks at the impact of instructional leadership in mathematics teaching on teachers at various stages in their careers. Using a case study methodology, the researcher explores the nuanced needs and effective strategies for beginning, mid-career, and established teachers. Peer instructional leaders provided data that involved a mix of qualitative methods, including surveys, interviews, and questionnaires, targeting five assistant principals selected randomly from diverse school environments. The study identifies common themes and differences in instructional approaches, highlighting how strategies vary and overlap across different career stages. Analysis gives insights into the practical application of leadership in educational settings, emphasizing …

Transforming School Leadership: An Examination Of The Impetus And Evolution Of An Internal District Principal Preparation Program, Whitney Szoke

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

School districts, faced with increasing shortages in the education profession, are leveraging internal district strategies to recruit and grow their educators. In addition to preparing and credentialing new educators, districts are turning inward to cultivate their leadership pipeline. This case study explores a post-credential inner-district principal preparation program in a large school district in the Mid-Atlantic region. Participants were central office leaders involved in creating and developing the program. This study's findings reveal insights into the creation and development of an inner-district principal preparation program and how initiatives are shaped and influenced during the development phase. Central office leaders were …

African Union’S Youth Education Challenge: A Critical Review Of Agenda 2063, Ruth V. Akumbu, Jennifer Jukanovich

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

It is no easy feat for the African Union to mobilize 55 countries of various political, tribal, and economic demographics, yet the problem remains that nearly 34 million children are out of school, and the continent is not graduating the secondary students needed for the 1.25-billion-member workforce expected by 2050 (ISS Africa, 2017). The paper aims to assess African Union strategies and make recommendations for member countries to utilize to solve educational challenges facing the continent’s growing population and market. We assess the educational challenge and contributing factors followed by suggesting four strategic directions, grounded in Agenda 2063, that the …

Good In Theory, Difficult In Practice: An Examination Of Secondary Algebra Teachers’ Views About Rti, Joseph Lauchstaedt, James P. Concannon

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

Research about response to intervention (RtI) programs has primarily focused on the elementary level, and there is a noticeable lack of research specific to secondary mathematics RtI programs. As such, the focus of this qualitative study was secondary algebra teachers’ perceptions and self-efficacy for the implementation of RtI. Research participants consisted of eight secondary algebra teachers that had implemented RtI programs and had at least five years of teaching experience. A semi-structured interview protocol was utilized to discuss the types of interventions they utilized, perceptions of the implementation, beliefs in their ability to effectively implement RtI, along with their view …

The Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Resident Education And Burnout, Timbre Backen, Oliwier Dziadkowiec, Jeffery S. Durbin, Gregory Guldner, Glenda Quan

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the residency experience for physicians across all specialties. There have been studies examining resident perspectives on changes in curriculum and clinical experiences due to the pandemic; however, little research has been conducted on how residents in different specialties interpreted their educational experience and rates of burnout during the pandemic.

Methods

We extended surveys to 281 residents across 15 separate residency programs between November 17, 2020, and December 20, 2020. The questions pertained to burnout and the effects of the pandemic on their careers. Differences between general and specialty medicine resident responses were analyzed using …

Redefining Culture And Climate In The Alternative Setting: Dumping Grounds Or Where Students Are Found?, Joan Louise Barbagiovanni

Theses and Dissertations

This autoethnographic study aims to answer the following questions: How can a school leader design a culturally sensitive, inclusive alternative education program? What type of systemic change does an alternative school leader believe to be most effective in supporting students in attaining a high school diploma and a solid postsecondary plan to become productive members of society? What characteristics of culture and climate are most critical in an alternative school setting? The study focused on 4 years and tells how a school leader successfully changed the school culture and climate to best serve students and staff in the alternative school …

Inter-Institutional Analysis Of Skin Of Color Representation In Dermatological Lecture Content At Md And Do Medical Schools, Oluwafunke Ogunremi

Sanford School of Medicine Posters and Presentations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the lecture materials provided in medical schools through a diversity lens. Skin pathologies manifest distinctively on various shades of skin and physicians must be equipped with the proper knowledge to identify and diagnose these conditions accurately and promptly. For most medical students, images in prominent textbooks and lecture slides are their first encounter with disease presentations. Therefore, it is important to analyze the diversity of skin tones in the content that is being delivered. Specifically, the use of images featuring darker skin tones compared to those depicting lighter skin tones. This study …

Collaborative Leadership And Student Success Perceptions Of Chief Academic Affairs & Chief Student Affairs Officers At Midwestern Private Higher Education Institutions, G. Merchel Allen Menefield

All Faculty and Staff Scholarship

This quasi-experimental study focused on collaborative leadership in higher education, emphasizing its potential impact on student success and career readiness. The 66 Chief Academic Affairs Officers (CAAOs) and Chief Student Affairs Officers (CSAOs) participants worked at Midwestern private higher education institutions, which were members of The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) (n.d.). The participants completed Collaborative Leadership Self-Assessment Questionnaires (Turning Point, n.d.) that included a student success section, which was developed and added based on research topics presented by Kezar (2003) and Kezar and Holcombe (2020). The results showed no statistically significant differences in perceptions of collaborative leadership influencing student …

Improving Cohesion Between General Education And Special Education Departments, Jacob Haugmo

Graduate Teacher Education

Cohesion between general education and special education departments is the idea of blending and aligning instructional methods and approaches regardless of educational discipline. This paper was written to examine how this cohesion can be improved. Educational leaders must improve cohesion between general education and special education departments to support the academic achievement and success of all students in schools. Through qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies, methods to improve this cohesion were researched. The research provided insight on how general education and special education teachers feel about collaboration and how collaborative efforts can be utilized to improve cohesion. These collaborative …

Implementing Behavior Management Strategies To Manage Disruptive Student Behavior, Mackenzie Geyer

Graduate Teacher Education

Abstract

This paper examined research considering how teachers and educational leaders may equitably lead and teach during a rise of disruptive student behavior. The research analyzed was qualitative, quantitative, quasi-experimental, or mixed-methods. These research studies delved into different school-wide interventions, classroom management systems, classroom interventions, and professional development. These models, systems, and strategies may work together to allow for positive student behavior and an overall conducive learning environment for all students. The studies recognized the challenges educators face with the rise of disruptive behaviors, and throughout each theme, solutions were given. With the given solutions through the research, fidelity and …

Assessing The Use Of Online Credit Recovery For Economically Disadvantaged Students, Peter Westby

Graduate Teacher Education

As online learning grows, many school districts have turned to online credit recovery (OCR) courses to allow students to retake previously failed courses and earn credit toward graduation. Research is relatively new in this area, and results from different studies contradict each other regarding the effectiveness of OCR programs. Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds represent a large percentage of those enrolled in OCR courses. Questions have arisen regarding whether OCR may contribute to a widening gap in achievement between advantaged and disadvantaged students. Results showed that OCR courses have the potential to help older high school students attain credit faster …

Do Student Achievement Scores Differ For Those Taught By Teachers With High Emotional Intelligence As Compared To Low Emotional Intelligence?, Carlos Daniel Mock

Student Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study investigates the influence of teachers' emotional intelligence on student achievement in an American curriculum international school setting in Bangkok, Thailand. Amidst concerns over student proficiency levels in the United States and Thailand, the study aimed to identify whether teachers’ emotional intelligence is linked to a difference in student achievement in reading, language usage, and mathematics. The study responded to calls for further investigation into how teacher emotional intelligence may influence student achievement to inform hiring practices and teacher training priorities to improve educational outcomes. The study aimed to contribute to debate on how to enhance student achievement, …

Education Of Grandchildren Within Skipped-Generation Households: Challenges And Experiences Influencing Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Myra Ann Randolph

Student Theses and Dissertations

Skipped-generation households are not traditional, as the typical guardians do not include the mother, father, or foster parents. They are the households of grandparents who have accepted the responsibility to provide care for their grandchildren. Recent literature demonstrates that grandfamilies, inclusive of grandparents and grandchildren, experience many stress-related challenges. The problem is that grandparents responsible for raising their grandchildren are required to adopt new parental roles. This can become very stressful, as many may not have the knowledge of, or access to, contemporary supports and resources to effectively adopt and raise their grandchildren. The purpose of this study was to …

The Perceptions Of Experienced Teachers On Administrative Support In Rural Classrooms And The Implications On Teacher Retention, Mitchell Reed

Student Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to solve the problem of teachers leaving the profession early, which has led to the lack of educators in classrooms across the country, impacting various stakeholders, including students, school districts, and fellow educators. Depending on where the school district is located and the students the schools serve, Teacher retention is more of an issue. The purpose of this qualitative narrative study is to understand the storied perceptions of experienced teachers as it relates to administrative supports that target teacher retention in a small, rural school district in a state in the Midwest. The theoretical …

An Analysis Of Arkansas Alternative Learning Placement Characteristics, Corey Throckmorton

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the alternative education placement characteristics in the state of Arkansas and the demographics of the students placed in ALE. There are eleven characteristics of which two are required to be present in a student profile in order for a student to be placed in alternative education in Arkansas. This quantitative study analyzed the specific characteristics indicted for students placed in ALE during the 2021-2022 school year. This study found commonalities of selected characteristics among the students placed in alternative education in Arkansas. The study found the most prevalent pathway to ALE is …

Novice Teachers: Thriving In Urban Turnaround Schools, Lacee Rodgers

Student Theses and Dissertations

Students in urban turnaround schools often receive subpar education in comparison to their counterparts in suburban schools due to insufficient resources and a lack of quality, experienced teachers. Urban turnaround schools have a higher number of novice teachers who may be unable to provide quality instruction that closes the achievement gap between students in urban turnaround schools, who are mostly black and brown, and their suburban counterparts. This not only impacts the students’ education, but consequently their entire lives. The purpose of this study is to examine novice teachers in the Achievement School District, an urban turnaround district in Memphis, …

Perceptions Of Academic Letter Grades In K-8 Public Schools Located Inside Of The Cherokee Nation Reservation, Corey Eugene Bunch

Student Theses and Dissertations

Academic letter grades may potentially encourage or discourage Cherokee students from doing well in school and seeking advanced degrees beyond secondary school. Cherokee Nation has just over 100 public school districts located inside the reservation boundaries, in which more than 200,000 students are being served daily, with nearly 32,000 being Cherokee citizens. This study focused on the twenty-five K-8 school districts primarily located in rural areas with the highest populations of Cherokee students. Perceptions of grades may vary widely for students, parents, and school officials. In 2023, there were approximately 10,000 classrooms in the Cherokee Nation, and there was little …

Did School Reform Initiatives In The United States Support Multicultural Teaching Practices In A K-12 School Setting?, Shereen Holmes

Student Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examined the relationship between school reform initiatives in the United States over the last thirty years and multicultural teaching practices. The methodology chosen was a qualitative phenomenological research study that was conducted with six participants, three novice teachers and three teacher educators. The research revealed that though educators valued the importance of multiculturism in the classroom, there was a disconnect in consistent implementation. The findings also revealed that school reform initiatives such as the Every Students Succeed Act (ESSA) of 2015 provided the guidance used by states and school districts to identify standards for the classroom. This suggests …

Disproportionality In Discipline And Academic Achievement Of African American Students In South Carolina School Districts, Joyce Haigler Conyers

Student Theses and Dissertations

In the state of South Carolina, African American students make up 34% of the student population but 59% of students receive out-of-school suspension. It was assumed by prior research statistics that the disproportionality of discipline produces lower academic achievement for African American students. An examination of the disproportionality of discipline through a structural theoretical lens as an effort to understand the inequity in the application of exclusionary discipline, specifically out-of-school suspension, for African American students and how it affects their academic performance was the focus of this study. The data for this non-experimental quantitative study was obtained from the South …

Increasing College Retention And Access For Disadvantaged Mckinney-Vento Students By Exploring Disproportionate Entitlement To Collegiate Resources, Quincy Samuel Smith

Student Theses and Dissertations

Going to college creates a financial challenge for an increasing number of American students. The inadequacy of available financial aid and lack of wrap-around services make the possibility of college graduation increasingly challenging for former McKinney-Vento students. The purpose of this study was to explore the financial, socio-emotional, and academic resources designated for former McKinney-Vento students and how those resources (or lack thereof) influence successful college matriculation and retention. The problem to be addressed in this study is Former McKinney-Vento students no longer receive McKinney-Vento services when they transition to college. This qualitative study utilized an exploratory research method. Functionalism …

Impact Of Implementing A Growth Mindset Intervention On Academically At-Risk Students, Rebecca Anne Kaste

Student Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted education around the world. To help close the achievement gaps incurred from the effects of the pandemic, the state of Tennessee created summer schools programs to remediate learning loss for those students identified as academically at-risk at being retained. The current study addressed how to improve the academic and social-emotional behavioral outcomes of academically at-risk middle school students through the implementation of a growth mindset intervention. The purpose of this quasi-experimental research study was to examine the impact of a growth mindset intervention on academically at-risk middle school students participating in the Tennessee Summer Learning Loss …

Socioeconomic Status And Stereotype Threat: Does Stereotype Threat Associated With Low Socioeconomic Status Impact Academic Performance, Gwendolyn Rains

Student Theses and Dissertations

Stereotype threat effect (STE) is a psychosocial phenomenon that can cause performance decrements on standardized tests. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore standardized test construct through the lens of intelligence theories as a potential mediator for STE for low socioeconomic status (LSES) students in rural Arkansas schools. The theory of STE will be used to explain why LSES are susceptible to STE. The researcher collected quantitative data through an experimental design; participants took either a performance-based or a traditionally formatted math and literacy test to determine if scores (dependent variable) were significantly impacted by test construct within …

Technology Use Within A Charlotte Mason Liberal Education: A Phenomenology Study On Critical Thinking, Luecrecy Ragan

Student Theses and Dissertations

Technology use, education technology, and innovations continue to grow in the 21st century. Information is abundant, and it can be challenging to process and decipher. Students are deficient in critical thinking and experience negative effects from the overuse of technology. Liberal education philosophy focuses on building critical thinking and educating the whole person. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenology study was to explore and describe the experiences of K-12 leaders and teachers implementing education technology while following a liberal education model focused on supporting critical thinking, cognitive ability, and the whole person. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight leaders and …