Educational Leadership Commons^™

Exploring The Transformational Leadership Program That Enhances Students’ Academic Achievement At A Public High School In California In 2023–2024: An Instrumental Case Study, Raouf Fouad Srafen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, single instrumental case study was to explore the transformational leadership program that enhances students' academic achievement (grades 9–12) at a public high school, the Institute of Future Leaders (IFL), in California, in the academic year of 2023–2024. The theory guiding this study is transformational leadership theory because it is based on the relationship between the leader and follower, with a focus on inspiring and encouraging. This qualitative study allowed me to focus on a specific case to improve understanding and gain insights into the research topic. Purposeful sampling of people and site was conducted to …

Hire And Hope: An Exploration Of Principal Turnover, Jessica D. True

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study is designed to investigate the possible relationships between principal turnover within K-12 public schools in the State of Texas, and demographic characteristics of school location, principal’s ethnicity, principal’s gender, and principal’s level of post-secondary degree. Data for participating schools was gathered from state-reported educator information specifically for the 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024 school years. The longitudinal study reviewed K-12 non-charter public schools in Education Service Center (ESC) 11, which encompasses all public schools in the Fort Worth metroplex of North Texas, allowing this study to analyze a robust and inclusive dataset. The Chi-Square Test of …

Capitalizing On Teacher Retention: The Role Of Human, Social, Structural, And Positive Psychological Capital, Mary A. Hamner

PhD in Education

This study explored the influence of psychological, social, human, and structural capital on teacher retention within a large Florida school district, guided by Mason and Matas’s (2015) four-capital framework. Using a nonexperimental quantitative design, the research examines how demographic variables and perceptions of professional capital relate to educators’ decisions to remain in the profession. Findings revealed that most demographic factors—gender, age, years of service, and degree type—did not significantly affect perceptions of the four capitals, suggesting a relatively equitable distribution of organizational supports. However, educational degree status was associated with higher perceptions of social, human, and structural capital, indicating that …

A Preliminary Assessment Of Educational Leaders’ Knowledge About School Counseling, Russell A. Sabella, Onder Koklu, Ann L. Tilman, Krista Bixler, Maureen Ungarean

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

The roles and responsibilities of school counselors have rapidly evolved, especially over the last three decades. During this time, the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has published many documents, including a program framework, standards, position statements, tools, and training materials to help school counselors fulfill their responsibilities. In particular, the ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs was developed to guide school counselors in defining, managing, delivering, and assessing a comprehensive school counseling program (CSCP) that aligns with educational goals and addresses the needs of students. Educational leaders who understand the nature of a CSCP stand to hire, …

A Tale Of Two Schools: A Comparative Case Study Demonstrating Organizational Pathways To Educator Collaborations, Michael W. Valenti Ph.D., Duhita Mahatmya, Elizabeth Levine-Brown, Karen Celedonia, Tracy Sweet

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

Effective staff collaboration in schools maximizes educators’ collective capacity, improves educator and student outcomes, and facilitates school-wide improvement efforts. Yet, many school team members struggle to collaborate effectively. Previous studies have demonstrated individual and school-level factors that influence school-based collaborations. This study expands former research by comparing the varying administrative and environmental tools employed by two schools to shape relational networks and foster interpersonal capital. Specifically, this case study explores how school-level factors shape the development of school social networks and staff collaborative behavior. We use comparative case study analysis to explore how differences in individual-level and system-level factors influence …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Female Charter School Leaders' Socialized Traits On Career Trajectory And Student Success, Michelle Berry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of female charter school leaders in California charter schools. The theory guiding this study was Crenshaw’s intersectionality theory, as it emphasizes the complexity of an individual’s experience due to overlapping biases faced by those in disadvantaged groups. The central research question explored how gender disparities in leadership roles and the influence of societally conditioned feminine character traits impacted female charter school leaders. Participants for this study were 11 females who have served as leaders in California charter schools within the last eight years. The data collection process …

Building A Collaborative Culture Among A Remote Staff In K-12 Virtual Schools, Jamie L. Droegemeier

Student Theses and Dissertations

The rise of full-time virtual K-12 schools presents unique challenges for administrators in cultivating a collaborative staff culture among remote staff members. Collaboration among educators is essential for trust, professional development, and student achievement; however, existing research primarily focuses on traditional school settings. The problem addressed in this study is the difficulty K-12 virtual school administrators face in fostering collaboration among staff who work in different locations, potentially affecting instructional quality, job satisfaction, and student outcomes. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to identify the best practices K-12 virtual school administrators had implemented to build a collaborative culture …

Technology Infusion In Higher Education Curriculum: A Case Study Of The Strategic Educational Leadership Program, Chloe R. Kiser

Dissertations

This program evaluation examines the integration of technology-infused curricula in the Strategic Educational Leadership (SEDL) program at National Louis University (NLU). With the growing need for digital competence in educational leadership, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the study used the International Society for Technology Education (ISTE) Standards for Education Leaders to guide recommendations for curriculum enhancement. A mixed-methods approach explored how faculty currently infuse technology, key outcomes of aligning with ISTE standards, essential digital skills for doctoral students, and challenges faculty face in implementation. Findings revealed a shared interest among faculty and students in practical, real-world technology applications. The …

Defying Gravity: Representation Matters And The Leadership Experiences Of Black Leaders In The K-12 Educational Atmosphere, Jordan Washington-Smart

Doctoral Dissertations

This study is a qualitative interpretive phenomenological single case study of Black leaders in an urban, public school district in the southern region of the United States. In this school district, demographic disparities existed between the student population and the leadership. This study analyzed the work of Black leaders and better understand how their leadership experiences shape the school environment for faculty, administrators, students, and community stakeholders outside of traditionally numerical accountability measures. The study was guided by a tri-fold theoretical framework that included applied critical leadership, social justice leadership, and culturally responsive leadership. Twelve Black educational leaders were interviewed …

Challenges Of The Novice Elementary Principal: A Framework For Elementary Principal Onboarding, Casey Stansifer

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, multisite phenomenological study has two main foci. First, the study seeks to understand the unanticipated pain points each participant felt in the first two years of his or her principalship. The study inquires not into what the novice principals thought would hurt prior to their first two years on the job, but rather what they could not see coming even after having spent a considerable amount of time focusing on the principalship in their principal preparation programs. Second, the study seeks to understand what supports would be helpful to the novice principal in addressing these …

Cracking The Gender Code: Quantitative Insights Into Women's Code-Switching Strategies In K-12 Educational Leadership, Morgan Walker

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Women in K–12 education find themselves in the majority in the classroom but in the minority in administration positions. Social conditioning has led many to believe that men's characteristics more naturally align with strong leadership. Because of this discrepancy, women find the need to act in an inauthentic way to be perceived as more confident and capable leaders. Code-switching is defined as a transactional social tool utilized in instances of an imbalance of power and in the development of relations and practices that help members of a subordinate group cope with or resist the condition of subordination (Heller, 2020). This …

An Examination Of The Role Bureaucratic Discretion Plays In Public Education Policy And Administration: A Revelation Of How Discretionary Discipline Impacts Historically Marginalized Students, Regina Francine Turner

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

An under-researched area of public administration, bureaucratic discretionary practices regarding student discipline and resulting inequitable consequences are explored throughout this study from a theoretical perspective. The study examines student discipline outcomes for conduct violations in America’s schools. Further, research will determine if data supports the notion that school leaders’ administrative discretion contributes to inequitable student disciplinary practices. Evidenced by research and corresponding data regarding discriminatory student disciplinary actions, this study relies on Critical Race Theory (CRT) as its foundation and theoretical framework.

Using relevant literature, research questions were formed, hypotheses were crafted, and statistical analyses were performed to test means …

Empowering Educators, Transforming Futures: An Explanatory Multiple Case Study Of The Smou Schools In Saudi Arabia, Hana Ali Alzandi Alghamdi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 emphasizes educational reform as a critical pathway for national development, highlighting the role of educators in fostering student success. The Smou program, a professional development initiative, seeks to enhance the instructional and leadership capacities of school leaders and teachers in elementary public schools. This study explores how school leaders navigate their role in supporting teachers’ application of Smou program strategies and how teachers perceive their preparation for implementing these strategies in their instructional practices. Using an explanatory multiple case study approach, the research explores two elementary schools in the Mecca region—one high-performing and one low-performing—selected based …

Invisible Barriers: Investigating The Impact Of Teacher Bias On Black Students’ Opportunities In Science, Mary Redden

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

This study investigates the role of implicit racial bias in limiting Black students’ access to advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) opportunities in secondary public schools across Long Island (LI), New York. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study triangulates data from Harvard’s Implicit Association Test (IAT), a custom-designed Likert-style self-perception survey, and open-ended participant reflections. A custom-coded, anonymous online platform was used to assess all instruments. After completing the survey and IAT, participants reviewed both sets of results and responded to reflection prompts about the alignment or misalignment between the two. Although 78% of participants rated themselves as highly …

The Role Of Educational Administrators In Shaping School Culture, Bo B. Culver

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This qualitative multiple-case study explored the role of educational administrators in shaping and sustaining positive school culture across three high schools in Alabama: a suburban public school, a rural public school, and a private Christian academy. Guided by transformational and ethical leadership theories, the study examined how administrators influence school climate, navigate challenges, and respond to external pressures. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and cultural artifact review. Findings revealed that administrators who modeled ethical leadership, maintained visibility, and fostered relational trust were more effective in cultivating inclusive, resilient, and values-driven school cultures. Shared leadership practices and …

Opportunities Await: The Impact Of School-Based Mentoring In Cultivating Youth Resources, Tara Mager

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This qualitative research explores the impact of school-based mentoring (SBM) relationships on youth, focusing on how these connections build social networks and open access to valuable resources. Through in-depth interviews with youth participants, this study examines characteristics that mentors, both within and outside the SBM program, cultivate to help mentees navigate academic and personal challenges. Grounded in social capital theory, the findings reveal how SBM and natural mentoring relationships foster trust, resource sharing, and youth resilience. This research provides practical recommendations to enhance SBM programs and suggests directions for future studies to deepen understanding of the characteristics that make mentoring …

Assessing Teachers’ Conceptual Leadership Perceptions Of School-Site Administrators As An Approach To Improve Teacher Morale, Darlene C. Landy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to have teachers complete a self-assessment survey to assess their conceptual belief of the leadership styles of school-site administrators that are conducive to high teacher morals. The questions addressed how teacher morale affected the teachers according to the number of years they had been teaching, their college majors, their highest college degree, their gender, and their ethnicity. The teachers who participated in this study were volunteers who had to be teaching for 2 years or more.

This was a quantitative study that used the Teacher Rapport With Principal dimension of the Purdue Teacher Opinionnaire …

The Effect Of Administrative Leadership On Culturally Relevant Pedagogy In Secondary Education, Marianne Gomis

Theses and Dissertations

As the student population in American schools has become more racially and ethnically diverse, there is an urgent need to develop vital tools to accommodate the children of many cultures. By 2027, 44.7% of public-school students will be White, 15.2% Black, 29.2% Hispanic, 6.3% Asian/Pacific Islander, 0.9% American Indian/Pacific Islander, and 3.8% two or more races, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. (Digest of Education Statistics 2017, Snyder et al., 2019).

This study examines how administrators define and implement culturally responsive teaching (CRT), their roles in developing a positive perspective on CRT in classroom practices, and the leadership …

Book Review Of Becoming A Student-Ready College By Tia Brown Mcnair, Susan Albertine, Nicole Mcdonald, Thomas Major Jr., And Michelle Asha Cooper, Emily Bikowski

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

Book review of McNair, T. B., Albertine, S., McDonald, N., Major, T., & Cooper, M. A. (2022). Becoming a Student-Ready College. Jossey-Bass. This article discusses the book from the perspective of a student-services practitioner who understands the importance of fostering a campus culture that values equity and inclusivity to ensure fairness for all students.

Leading Schools In The Midst Of Covid-19: Experiences Of Basic School Leaders Of The Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem District Of The Central Region Of Ghana, Corinne Brion Ph. D.

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

This qualitative study uses a phenomenological approach to understand the experiences of thirteen Ghanaian head-teachers in suburban and rural areas of the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem district during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings revealed that these leaders faced numerous challenges related to pivoting to remote learning for the first time combined with the lack of access to technology. Other challenges pertained to the absence of infrastructure and resources such as books. Despite these challenges, these Ghanaian head-teachers were able to adapt to the crisis and alter their leadership style to educate the children they served. Currently, there is a limited …

Experiencing Ai: Learning Through Exploration, Nicole Mishnick, Dana Wise

Teaching Repository of AI-Infused Learning

The strategy of experiencing AI is centered around AI exploration and reflection in a doctoral-level technology course. Throughout the course, students were encouraged to use AI to complete assignments. However, they were also asked to critically reflect on the impact of AI use on their academic development and understanding of the coursework. Through discussion, reflection, and exploration, students learned to navigate the complexities of AI in a way that aligns with academic values and professional expectations.

Middle School Administrators' Perceptions And Processes In Supporting Their Teachers And Students, Moses K. Ochanji, Roxanne Greitz Miller, Benjamin E. Seipel, Erika Daniels, Rong-Ji Chen

Education Faculty Books and Book Chapters

This paper explores the perceptions and processes of middle school administrators in California regarding the support for their students and teachers. Through semi-structured interviews, the study reveals how administrators conceptualize their roles, determine student needs, and ensure the provision of appropriate support. Key findings highlight the importance of a student-centered approach, the integration of social-emotional learning, and the significance of equity and inclusion in middle school leadership. These findings have implications for policy and practice, particularly in the context of professional development for middle school administrators.

A Praxis Of Radical Collectivity: Centering Justice And The Poetics Of Racialized Progressive Leadership, Alisa Algava

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Educational research that effectively addresses larger sociopolitical and sociohistorical contexts must interrogate macro-level decision-making and policies and prioritize the lived experiences of those who directly affect and are affected by social structures. This project explores racial and economic justice work in schools by centering the perspectives of those progressive educational leaders who strive, work and grapple to center all adults and children within our larger unjust education systems. As individual leaders share their stories through one-on-one recollections and in critical collaborative inquiry groups, they illuminate spaces of contestation, continuity and liberation. The context of both continuous and unfolding pandemics along …

Understanding How Public Elementary School Teachers' Trust Perceptions Affect Innovation In Educational Practice: A Multiple Case Study, Catherine Nichole Hampton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple case study was to understand organizational distrust that led to a lack of innovative educational support for elementary school teachers at five elementary schools in the Knight School System. The theory guiding this study is Homans’s social exchange theory as it applies to organizational trust. The central research question explored how public elementary school teachers’ organizational trust perceptions affect innovative educational practices. This multiple case study explored 10 teachers’ experiences in three elementary schools within Georgia. Data were collected from individual interviews, focus group interviews, and journal prompts. This study used qualitative data analysis methods …

Perceptions Of The Differing Preparatory Needs Of Teacher Leaders And Educational Leaders, Kimberly Green

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the differing preparatory needs of teacher leaders and educational leaders through a phenomenographic approach, identifying unique and overlapping elements of these two leadership domains. Grounded in Adult Learning Theory, the study emphasizes self-directed learning and practical knowledge for professional development. Thematic findings reveal that Teacher Leadership Preparation Programs are primarily research-based on the practitioner’s perspective, offering insights grounded in classroom experience, while Educational Leadership Preparation Programs focus on developing supervisory skills for school and district leadership roles. This highlights the different focal points in leadership training, with teacher leadership prioritizing mentorship and educational leadership focusing on supervision. …

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 …

Culturally Responsive Leadership For Newcomer Students: A Case Study Of An Elementary Newcomer Program School Leadership Team, Ahmad Fayaz Amiri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study focuses on the pivotal role of an urban elementary school leadership team with a newcomer program. It aims to uncover how school leadership decisions, practices, and policies address the diverse needs of newcomer students. Challenges faced by newcomers, including economic and social needs, cultural adjustments, and potential feelings of alienation despite academic success, are explored. The tension between preserving home culture and adapting to a new one adds complexity to newcomer students’ identity formation.

This study examines the practices of a newcomer school leader who addresses the diverse needs of vulnerable newcomer students. With schools being …

Cooperative Pathways: Insights From Teacher Experiences On Improving Union And District Cooperation, Whitney Fink

Dissertations

This study involved an evaluation of teacher experiences within their districts, schools, and unions across the United States. The primary research question was: How are teachers currently experiencing the relationship between their unions, districts, and administrators and what opportunities exist to improve cooperation and shared ownership between those groups? The study used a mixed methods approach by gathering quantitative data in the form of a survey and qualitative data through open-ended responses on the survey as well as interviews with seven teachers. The results formed a general understanding of the current state of teacher experiences that was then applied to …

Who’S Next: Elementary Principals’ Process For Identifying Future School Leaders In Washtenaw County, Michigan, Jennifer Bookout

All NMU Master's Theses

This qualitative study investigated how six experienced elementary school principals in Washtenaw County identify internal candidates for future principal positions, aiming to enhance understanding of educational leadership and succession planning. The research addresses two primary questions: (1) How do principals identify prospective internal candidates for school leadership? and (2) What competencies or characteristics do principals use to determine candidates' suitability for school leadership? Three themes emerged for the first question: informal recognition of leadership potential through daily interactions; providing leadership opportunities such as leading committees or mentoring teachers; and engaging in direct conversations about career goals. For the second question, …

A Qualitative Study Focused On Understanding P-12 School Leadership Through The Perceptions Of P-12 Educators And Leaders, Amanda Lorraine Pederson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This qualitative study was conducted to understand the perceptions of school leadership through the lens of P-12 educational leaders (superintendents and principals/assistant principals) and P-12 teachers. The focus was on the perceptions of important qualities and characteristics of effective school leaders. The study examined how P-12 educational leaders and P-12 teachers viewed leadership and what they identified as important skills and characteristics for effective educational leadership. The Minnesota Department of Education Teacher Evaluation of Principals was used as a guide to understand the characteristics and skills P-12 school leaders are expected to demonstrate. An email was sent to schools in …