Educational Leadership Commons^™

Understanding Ai In Education: Perspectives From Midwest School Stakeholder, Chelsea Feusner, Bryan Artman, Judy Henning, Michael Teahon, Chris Knoell

School Leadership Review

This research project aimed to delve into the perceptions and comprehension of artificial intelligence (AI) policy and usage among key stakeholders in Midwest schools, including superintendents, principals, teachers, and school librarians. This qualitative study explored the nuanced perspectives and insights of these individuals, shedding light on their understanding, concerns, and attitudes towards the integration of AI technologies within educational settings. Through in-depth focus groups and thematic analysis, the study endeavors to contribute valuable insights into the evolving landscape of AI in education, informing policy decisions and educational practices for the benefit of students and educators alike.

Novice School Prinicpals' Culturally Responsive Leadership Practices, Maria De Lourdes Viloria, Alexandra Vasquez, Georgina Hernandez

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

This paper investigates the perspectives of three novice school leaders who explore ways to accommodate new instructional practices at their campuses by setting high expectations and getting to know students and their educational needs. The three novice school leaders who participated in this investigation emphasized the importance of communication and relationships with all the stakeholders, including: teachers, staff, students, parents, office personnel, and community members. Additionally, all three novice school leaders expressed gaining trust and proactively providing support to teachers at all times. Moreover, they concurred that the key skills required for success as a novice school leader are: communication, …

Teaching And Normalizing Digital Accessibility For Students In The Chemical Sciences, Stefano C G Biagini

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Digital accessibility is the inclusive practice of ensuring that all people can equally access digital information. However, this good practice has yet to be fully embraced by practitioners and educators in the chemical sciences. This article will describe and explain the key requirements of digital accessibility and how they apply to educators in the chemical sciences, with the emphasis on supporting visually impaired students; it will illustrate a case study of training students in adopting digital accessibility good practices in order to enable a culture change of greater inclusivity for the next generation; and finally illustrate low cost laboratory adaptations …

Public School Superintendent Turnover In Appalachian Kentucky, Kevin Hub, Gill Hunter

The Rural Educator

This study makes use of a data set detailing instances of public school superintendent turnover in the commonwealth of Kentucky between 2014 and 2023. A quantitative research design was used to analyze descriptive statistics and salary changes based on a set of demographic and descriptive variables in the sample of 205 superintendent turnovers occurring during the identified decade. The research demonstrates that superintendent turnover in Appalachian and non-Appalachian school districts is proportionally consistent. Within the Appalachian region of Kentucky, the analysis reveals that salaries for superintendents hired during the study period were lower than the salaries paid to their predecessors, …

Navigating Uncertainty As An “Adolescent Organization”: Addressing The Needs Of Lgbtqiaa+ Young People In A Complex And Adaptive Service Organization, Suzie Staley

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Throughout history, lesbian, gay, Transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and agender plus Students have been marginalized in society and, in particular, K-12 schools. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of young adults and recent high school graduates to gather information about their experience in K-12 educational environments to determine if their developmental needs were met. This study focused on youth who attended K-12 schools in a specific district in Southeast Michigan and participated in out-of-school time programs at a local teen center. Through in-depth interviews with youth participants and focus groups with teen center staff and …

Mental Health Education Literacy In Schools: An Exploratory Analysis Through A Qualitative Multi Case Study And Phenomenological Approach, Joanne Pisani

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the significant rise in student mental health concerns, schools are now challenged to find better ways to support students’ overall well-being. The critical importance for schools to include mental health education into their curricula is due to the substantial behavioral changes in students. Educational systems are seeing an increase in student school refusal, suspensions, and cyberbullying, as well as mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety which result in elevated crisis response and emergency room visits due to suicide ideation. The purpose of this study was to understand existing mental health education literacy programs in schools and …

“Science Belongs Everywhere”: Outlooks On Post-Secondary Stem Education For Correctional Centers In Virginia, Shelita R. Augustus

Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success Publications

Virginia has an incarceration rate of 679 per 100,000 residents, the highest among independent democratic nations. This scoping review examines perspectives on post-secondary STEM education to promote STEM education within Virginia's correctional facilities, assesses programs to improve rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and address systemic inequalities by developing the scientific potential of incarcerated individuals. The review finds that while STEM education in correctional facilities faces limitations, its potential benefits are being realized nationwide. Virginia has made strides through initiatives like House Bill 2158, which aims to expand higher education access for incarcerated individuals. Examples such as the programs at J. Sargeant Reynolds …

An Exploration Of Teacher Exodus In Predominantly African American Secondary Public Schools Amid Covid-19, Keith Demond Ford

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

For some time, K-12 teachers across America have been resigning from classrooms in large numbers. Like many of the nation’s communities, schools in American neighborhoods of color have seen an overwhelming amount of teacher resignations amid the COVID-19 pandemic. According to existing literature, education’s traditional systemic norms and health protocols which were initiated during COVID-19 motivated classroom teachers to leave their jobs. This qualitative study uses a phenomenological methodology as it discovers that an interrelatedness of factors influences six participants to resign from their classroom teaching roles at predominantly African American middle and high schools during and immediately following …

Afghan Students Are More Than Just English Learners, Farilla Saboor

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This thesis examines the strengths that Afghan students and their families bring to U.S. schools and how these strengths are often overlooked. Drawing on my experience as an Afghan immigrant, math teacher, and bilingual instructional aide, I explore how Afghan students, parents, and teachers describe these cultural, linguistic, and relational assets that shape students’ learning and sense of belonging. I use the Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) and Funds of Knowledge (FoK) as guiding frameworks to understand the aspirational, linguistic, familial, social, navigational, and resistant capital present in participants’ experiences (Moll et al., 1992; Yosso, 2005).

I conducted qualitative interviews with …

Overcoming Resistance To Ai In Higher Education: A Case Study, C. Tomovic, M. Tomovic

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

While the deployment of AI in business and industry is widely acknowledged for its potential to improve efficiencies, decision-making, and automation, its implementation often encounters several challenges. These include integrating AI with existing systems, ensuring data quality and availability, bridging the employee skills gap, overcoming resistance to change, addressing ethical concerns, managing costs, complying with regulations, and handling ongoing maintenance and updates. In the context of higher education, however, the challenges take a different shape. Faculty members may express concerns about how AI could disrupt traditional teaching methods, necessitate changes in course delivery, and raise issues related to job security …

Exploring Team Interactions, Michelle Anne Trimbur

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

This exploratory qualitative case study examined conversational turning points and their role in transforming interaction within a self-managed team (SMT). While considerable scholarship has explored SMTs in organizational settings, research has yet to explore one of the longest-standing SMTs, the United States Supreme Court. Guided by a constructivist paradigm and grounded in discursive and ethnomethodological traditions, this study conversational turning points, defined as juxtapositions of remembered pasts and imagined futures, in the oral arguments of Mallory v. Norfolk Southern Railway Co. (2023). Data sources included the official transcript and audio of the oral arguments, supported by briefs and opinions from …

2025 Merc Annual Report, David B. Naff, Jesse Senechal, Paula L. Ogston-Nobile

MERC Publications

This is the annual report of the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) at Virginia Commonwealth University for the 2024-2025 academic year. It includes vignettes depicting MERC activities in the past year that align with each of its five principles: research, relevance, rigor, multiple perspectives, and impact. It concludes with a discussion of MERC's commitment moving forward.

Supporting Students In Transition To And From High School, David Naff, Jamelle Simmons, Meleah Ellison, Shelby Garofalo, Laura Thoene, Kim Dupre, Sooyeon Moon, Karli Johanson, Paul Harris, Martin Darby, William L. Parker, Tracy Booker, Janel Miley, Mysia Perry, Xun Liu, Maggie Szydlowski, Ahmed Abbas

MERC Publications

This report is part of a two-part series focused on supporting students in transition across PK-12 education. Specifically, it explores transitions into and out of high school school. The report includes a synthesis of recent peer-reviewed literature, analysis of publicly available data (with a specific focus on Virginia and the metropolitan Richmond region), and summary of relevant federal, state, and school division-level policies. It answers the following questions:

1. What are key considerations for supporting students in transition to and from high school in the MERC region?

2. How do federal, state, and division policies guide support for student transitions …

The New “Female Hysteria”: A Phenomenological Approach To Understanding The Effects Of The Imposter Phenomena In African American Women In Educational Leadership: A Qualitative Study, Alexandria Nicole Purifoy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the intersectionality of imposter phenomenon, misogyny, and racism and the impacts on African American women in educational leadership roles at secondary schools. The theory guiding this study is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as it applies to the importance of belongingness for Black women in these roles. The central research question for this study is: What perspectives have shaped the views of Black women in educational leadership roles? The proposed methodology utilizes a combination of journals, interviews, and focus groups to gather information from participants. This study used the transcendental phenomenological approach …

Evaluating The Perceived Benefits Of Education In Revenue Cycle Management And The Impact On Medical Claims Reimbursement, Jessica L. Miller

Student Dissertations

Efficient Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) is essential for healthcare organizations to ensure timely and accurate reimbursement for medical claims. The research problem was the significant inadequacies in RCM process in medical billing that has resulted in financial burdens imposed on providers, patients, and the organizations that provide medical services. There are clearly identified educational gaps in RCM that contribute to claim denials, delays, and revenue loss, underscoring the need for robust training programs. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived impact of education in RCM on medical claim reimbursement outcomes within the U.S. healthcare system. The study …

From Preparation To Practice: How Principals Engage Families In Diverse School Settings, Morgan Garner

Ed.D. Dissertations

Rural, urban, and suburban school principals faced distinct challenges in engaging families and fostering positive school climates. Recognizing the need for tailored leadership strategies, it was essential for principal preparation programs to provide context-specific training. The purpose of basic interpretive qualitative study was to explore the relationship between principals’ approaches to school management in rural, urban, and suburban schools and how their preparation programs facilitated the development of these approaches. Forty-six principals participated in the study, and I collected data through a questionnaire based on a parental involvement framework. The analysis revealed key differences in strategies; rural principals emphasized community …

Understanding How Social Media Influences Student Engagement Within The Classroom: Middle Grades Students' Perspectives., Anthony Dawyne Myrks-Brewer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigated the concept of student engagement and participation through the lens of middle school students. Studies and research show that overall student engagement amongst middle school-aged students is the most unengaged period throughout students' K-12 educational journey. Today's students live in a completely different generation from their guardians and parents due to the technology component, including smartphones making the element of social media more accessible. Social media is a platform that helps people communicate through various applications, and middle school students engage and participate in various social media applications daily. Student engagement is a critical component within education …

The Affects Of Compassion Fatigue On Inner-City High School Educators: A Qualitative Study, Darren Jordan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to discover the lived experiences of inner-city high school teachers who suffer from the condition of compassion fatigue. The theory guiding this study is Figley’s Theory of Compassion Fatigue, as it explains how individuals who attempt to assist individuals in stressful situations develop traumatic feelings. The study’s sample consists of 10 participants, all educators with a minimum of 3 years of experience teaching. The study occurs at Big Sky-High School, an inner-city school in Ohio. Data was collected through individual interviews, focus groups, and journal prompts. Data findings discovered the following themes: …

The Peace Project: Creating Elementary School Peace Spaces And Places, Whitney Mcintyre Miller, Annmary S. Abdou, Cristie Suzukawa Clancy, Kelly Stephens

Education Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction: This pilot case study paper demonstrates how school programming can be aligned and enhanced to better create a climate of peace on an elementary school campus by utilizing an integral peace leadership lens. Working collectively as a Peace Leadership Advisory Group, the elementary school leadership team, and the university research team helped to align existing programming and explore and implement new programming to create a comprehensive plan for bringing peace ideas together at the elementary school level.

Methods: This pilot was a single case study that utilized Participatory Action Research. Data were collected through observation, survey, and interviews with …

Catalogs, 2024-2025, Anderson University - South Carolina

Catalogs

The 2024-2025 graduate & undergraduate academic catalog and introduction to the university.

Institutional Education: Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?, Kyle D. Trott Ph.D.

Virginia English Journal

The author provides a historical critique of the American institution of education identifying the major shifts in pedagogical philosophy that have shaped the enthymemic discourse of schooling. The purpose is to identify and track the social history that shaped American education so that change can happen moving forward.

White Paper: Embracing Responsible Use Of Chatgpt In Education, Monica J. Weir

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

This white paper presents challenges and opportunities for integration of ChatGPT, an artificial general intelligence (AGI) model developed by Open AI, in education. Drawing parallels to prior technological innovations in education including handheld calculators, the author asserts that the primary solution lies in guiding students to develop skills for responsible use of available resources. While debates surrounding the use of ChatGPT and plagiarism, misinformation, and ethics are valid, this paper stresses the importance for open conversations and growth mindset. The proposed solution includes a responsible use policy for ChatGPT in the classroom, which emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, continuous feedback, ethical …

An Examination Of The Factors That Affect The Recruitment And Retention Of African American Male Teachers In Public Schools, Brandon M. Moore

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative explanatory case study is to explain the underrepresentation of African American male teachers in public school education in the state of Arkansas through the lens of the teacher diversity gap and organizational commitment. Participants included 10 African American male teachers who taught in grades K-12 in public schools. The primary source of data collection was completed through the use of semi structured interviews via Zoom. Findings indicated that school districts, educational agencies and the local government should collectively increase their efforts to successfully recruit African American males to the teaching profession. Specifically, the findings suggested …

Ot's Role In Community Accessibility At Public Parks And Playgrounds For Parents With Disabilities, Janae Paulo, Amy Lyons-Brown, Stacy Frauwith, Lena Gipson Showalter

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Public parks and playgrounds play a crucial role in fostering parent-child interaction, social inclusion, and community engagement. However, these essential recreational spaces often remain inaccessible to individuals with disabilities (Lynch et al., 2020). Research underscores the benefits of inclusive playgrounds, yet many are not designed to accommodate adults with disabilities, thus creating barriers for parents with disabilities who wish to engage with their children (Dalpra, 2022; Jacob et al., 2017). Although occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are instrumental in ensuring environmental accessibility within home settings, their involvement in the design of public spaces is limited. Young et al. (2019) advocate for …

Effective Leadership And Its Impact On The Educational Community, Betti Shahin, Susan Rowan, Toleen Mazloum, Nadia Kawar

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Background: In the contemporary era characterized by globalization and rapid technological advancement, education is a paramount force driving human progress, with academic performance as an essential metric for its efficacy. Researchers have diligently investigated various factors affecting academic performance, encompassing environmental and student-centered variables. Objective: This paper undertakes a distinctive exploration, directing attention to the nuanced impact of the principal's leadership on the overall performance of the educational community, including educators and students. Delving into factors beyond conventional metrics, such as the principal's leadership style, classroom size, teacher's salary, and faculty development and mentoring, the study unravels the complex dynamics …

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 …

Vocational Formation, Belonging And Christian Higher Education, Christopher W. Cobbler Sr.

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

Vocational formation and belonging are complimentary concepts. Vocational formation seeks human flourishing by attending to the healing of our social environments. Vocational formation is responding to God’s invitation to participate in the healing of creation from a particular social context, with others, for the sake of the world. Belonging, then, is the natural consequence of such an endeavor. This paper assumes the notion of institutional belonging in Christian higher education to be a kingdom characteristic that is best realized through the various postures of vocational formation. Radical hospitality, missional eschatology and communion with God are among the distinctive qualities of …

The Patterns And Structures Of Information Technology Departments In Higher Education, Curt Herridge

Education Policy and Leadership Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the patterns and structures of the Information Technology (IT) department in US colleges and universities. It seeks to understand to whom the Chief Information Officer (CIO) reports, how the top level of the IT department is organized, and what functions the IT department offers. It then examines the university factors that are associated with variations. This quantitative case study uses primary data from the EDUCAUSE Core Data Survey (CDS) and IPEDS, combined with a novel dataset collected from university websites and AAU membership. The study employs Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) using IT variables to classify institutions into …

School Leaders Supporting Undocumented Asian And Black Students, Lorena Tule-Romain

Education Policy and Leadership Theses and Dissertations

There are 5.6 million K-12 students who are either undocumented or living with at least one undocumented parent (Passel & Cohn, 2018). In 2021, FWD.us estimated that approximately 620,000 K-12 students are undocumented; 34% of these students migrated from countries in Asia, sub-Saharan African, and Caribbean countries. These students have unique needs in schools, such as support for lower frequency language services, wraparound supports, and classroom curricula that should account for their cultural heritages and traditions. While scholars have conducted research on the largest group of undocumented students, Latinx, existing knowledge of the students coming from Asian and African countries …

Exploration Of Teachers’ Opinions Regarding The Instructional And Extracurricular Activities To Develop Transformational Leadership Qualities In Middle And Secondary School Students In Saudi Arabia, Mona Alkathiri

Theses & Dissertations

Research Focus. The purpose of the current study was to examine the opinions of KSA teachers regarding the appropriate instructional, extra-curricular, and understanding activities that pertain to the development of leadership, social skills, and personal traits of KSA secondary school students.

Research Methods. This study employed a qualitative, case study research design as an exploratory method of analyzing how transformational leadership principles could be the central organizing principle reorganizing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) public school system by 2030. A purposive sample of 18 active secondary school participants were recruited from a population of teachers in middle and secondary …