Educational Leadership Commons^™

School Leader Use Of Social Media For Professional Discourse, Candice Barkley

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this case study was to explore how a group of principals from diverse backgrounds and different locations create and perpetuate a virtual community of practice. This investigation is a case study of Connected Principals, a group that has come together to create a regular blog on significant issues within education and the principalship. In addition, this group regularly disseminates pertinent information on Twitter via a hash tag. The study includes a content analysis of the blogs posted by Connected Principals as well as social network analysis of the group’s Twitter network and of the key players within …

Professional Learning Community Impacts On Student Achievement In Middle School Mathematics, Jessica Stuewe

Mathematics Graduate Theses

The development of professional learning communities in middle level education is a relatively new and trendy concept sweeping the nation. School professional development committees are training large numbers of teachers through conferences, book studies and online webinars on how to collaborate to improve student learning. This research will explore the impact of the first year of implementation of a departmental professional learning community (PLC) on student achievement at the middle school level in the content area of mathematics. Student standardized test scores from 2010 and 2011 will be compared as a measure of success of the PLC. Teacher surveys are …

An Examination Of The Perceptions Leading To The Sustainability Of Professional Learning Communities In A Rural School District, Mildred T. Bankhead-Smith

Education Dissertations and Projects

Principals and teacher leaders are expected to provide many learning opportunities for the colleagues with which they work and for the students they teach. The model employed to empower teachers to grow in the education profession and improve collaboration among colleagues and facilitate collegial conversation is the Professional Learning Community (PLC). The PLC model is exercised in many schools throughout the United States. As schools employee the PLC model, levels of leadership change, and teachers may or may not grow professionally. Though schools attempt to implement positive change, the sustainability of professional development can be in jeopardy.

This non-experimental, quantitative …

Behind The Scenes: Understanding Teacher Perspectives On Technology Integration In A Suburban District Technology Initiative: A Dissertation, John Woolard

Educational Studies Dissertations

Efforts to prepare students with skills necessary to compete in a 21st Century global, digital economy require technological literacy, but many teachers are inhibited by antiquated models of education and epistemological beliefs that leave them reluctant to integrate educational technologies in their content instruction (Dunn & Rakes, 2010; Mouza & Wong, 2009). At the most basic level, apart from time constraints influenced by contradictory school improvement plans, elementary school teachers must contend with the barriers known to hinder the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) including: access, familiarity, training and support (Collins & Halverson, 2009, Levin & Wadmany, 2008). …

It Is Simple, But Not Easy–Culturally Responsive Leadership And Social Capital: A Framework For Closing The Opportunity Gap, Alisa Taliaferro

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Instructional designers are not often found in a public school setting. However, the leadership an instructional designer can provide, especially as part of a professional learning community (PLC), could help achieve the transformational change for which many schools are looking. With the issues cited by Hoyle and Kutka (2008) in public education today, such as the drop out rate and increased necessity for remedial coursework at the college level, the need for effective instructional design practices being implemented by high school teachers is great. However, as Moallem (1998) notes, “Teachers’ use of instructional design practices is not encouraging (Driscoll, 1989; …

The Merit Of Intensive Leadership Development Programs On Building-Level Administrators' Sustainability, Sonja Jean Robertson

Dissertations

With recent research identifying the propensity and ability of principals to lead as a key culprit of school and district failure, it would seem that one of the most reasonable steps should be to better determine how effective specially designed leadership development programs in the area of educational leadership are at not only equipping principals and school-based leaders, but at creating a foundation and a prevailing culture for longevity or sustainability in those positions. If the development of principals and other school-based leaders is vital to the improvement of schools, the effectiveness of the measures implemented to bring about that …

Teacher Capacity Building In Teaching And Learning: The Changing Role Of School Leadership, Kamaruzaman Jusoff, Omar Kareem, Khuan Bing, Marinah Awang

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The continuing professional development (CPD) of teachers has, since the 1980s, become an important subject in teacher education reform in the world (Ding, 2001). Increasingly, it is being realized that teaching is a specialized work and that teachers as developing professionals should reach their maturity both in the context and level of their profession through lifelong learning and exploring.

Elementary Teachers' Assessment Beliefs And Practices, Sarah Calveric

Theses and Dissertations

Increased state and federal accountability measures have made the assessment of student performance one of the most critical responsibilities of classroom teachers; yet, inadequate opportunities for preservice and inservice training leave many teachers feeling ill-prepared for this task. Adding to the complexity of building teachers’ assessment literacy is the relationship between assessment beliefs and classroom assessment practices. This quantitative study utilizes a validated, online survey to examine how elementary teachers’ (n = 79) define their assessment beliefs (conceptions) and how these beliefs influence which assessment practices are valued within the classroom. Findings suggest that despite teachers’ limited exposure to assessment …

Educational Leadership And The Continued Need For Minority Academic And Professional Organizations In The Obama Age, Lakerri Mack, Montressa Washington, Nia Cantey

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Educator preparation and development is a major concern in our current school system. Educators are being challenged with higher demands and requirements in preparing our future generations for the 21st century. Becoming a highly qualified teacher in today’s educational system is dependent, in part, by how well teachers work together with their principal and colleagues. The ability to share with others and collaborate for the purpose of providing instruction that is conducive to enhance student development is critical given the many demands that are being put upon the system.

Impact Of Variations In Distributed Leadership Frameworks On Implementing A Professional Development Initiative, Jeffrey Pedersen, Stuart Yager, Robert Yager

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Educators, principals, and teachers alike, are being challenged with higher demands and requirements in preparing our future generations for the 21st century. Professional development for teachers is a key focus in school transformation efforts. School transformation in today’s educational system is dependent, in part, by how well teachers work together with their principal and colleagues (Louis, Leithwood, Wahlstrom, & Anderson, 2010). Recent research has focused on the role of the school principal and other site-based leaders in the implementation of professional development initiatives (Pedersen, Yager, & Yager, 2010). Principals play a key role in supporting and encouraging teachers’ professional development …

Professional Redevelopment: Interruptions In Knowledge Management, Joe Procter

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Learning organizations are a strategic response to increased competition due to globalization (Amy, 2007; Dodgson, 1993; Senge, 2006; Tsang, 1997). Organizations that are able to utilize the ideas and energy of their employees are better prepared to operate in a global economy. An understanding of cross-cultural knowledge management for learning organizations is highly relevant and adaptive to a variety of industries because learning is a continuous process for any organization. Educators are important leaders in the development of participants in the global economy. Studies of cross-cultural management in learning organizations inform education and prescribe methods of knowledge management for efficient …

Professional Development For College Students In Tough Economic Times: The Drexel University Co-Op Program Model, Megan Elrath, Joseph Hawk, Nancy Leclair

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The United States is currently experiencing a financial recession with large and lasting consequences. College students and recent college graduates have certainly felt the impact of the current recession. The staff and faculty at Drexel University’s Steinbright Career Development Center (SCDC) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania have developed many initiatives to help both graduating seniors and students enrolled in our cooperative education program land meaningful, relevant employment opportunities. One initiative aims to provide our co-op students with the most effective preparation to not only secure jobs, but to excel at those jobs and make lasting positive impressions on their employers. To accomplish …

Successful Leadership In Turnaround Schools: A Case Study About The Center For Creative Leadership (Ccl) And The School Leadership Executive Institute (Slei), Belinda B. Mcfeeters, Emily Hoole

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The topic of turning failing schools around has gained significant attention throughout the world within the last decade. Accountability systems from the government to the general community have expressed their concern for this issue, and have called for plans to turn these schools around (Chapman, 2002; Hassel & Steiner, 2003; Levin, 2006; Malen & Rice, 2004; Wong & Shen, 2003). How do principals meet these challenges and successfully turn failing schools around? How can they gain the insight, knowledge and competencies to effectively lead their schools through these challenging times?

The Development Of The Elementary Principal As A Technology Leader, Alejandro Garcia

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This qualitative study examined the reported origin and influence of technology skills, dispositions, academic preparation, experiences and technology-related professional development activities on a principal's ability to function as a technology leader. An online questionnaire and face-to-face audio taped interviews were utilized to determine technology skill and disposition categories, which align with the National Technology Standards for Administrators (NETS-A). Graduate school catalogs and syllabi were used as artifacts in this qualitative study. The results assisted in creating an understanding of the dynamics of the formal and informal preparation of elementary principals that contribute to their development as technology leaders.

Toward A Vision For Distinctively Christian Educational Leadership, Sean-Jason Schat

Master of Education Program Theses

Educational leaders set the tone for their institutions. Their leadership embodies their vision for and valuing of the people they work with, as well as their actual understanding of the mission and vision of their organization. Research into the nature of leadership and followership demonstrates the importance of both leading from a vision and leading people, building a culture of respect and trust in order to establish a community committed to a shared task. Leaders in Christian schools are called by God to the office of leadership in order to be used by Him to continue His self-revelation and to …

Creating Win-Win Partnerships And Adding Relevance To Educator Preparation, Michelle Abrego, Bobbette M. Morgan, Jesus Abrego

Organization and School Leadership Faculty Publications

The authors describe a partnership between two departments, in a school of education that involves educational leadership and curriculum and instruction graduate students sharing their expertise of teaching and learning with student teachers and alternatively certified teacher interns. This project provides graduate students with active participation in delivering workshops to adult learners. The beginning teachers are the participants. Beginning teachers benefit from gaining hands-on experience and research-based instructional strategies to use in their classrooms. Researchers found this activity increased the graduate students’ sensitivity to the needs of beginning teachers. Over 1300 student teachers and alternative certification interns and approximately 530 …

Middle-Level Leaders Perceptions Of Accountability, Deena Cousar Brown

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of middle-level principals personal and school accountability, their perceptions of beliefs and competencies that influence improvement in student achievement and accomplishment of accountability, and their perceptions regarding the adequacy of professional development and preparation for middle-level principals that affect their ability to improve student achievement and perform their leadership role in an increased accountability environment. This study specifically examined differences in the perceptions of middle-level principals' accountability based on the socioeconomics of the school, the number of years of administrative experience, and previous middle-school teaching experience.

The Effect Of Sustained Principal Development On The Development And Maintenance Of Collaborative Activities In Schools., Sarah Westerberg

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effect of sustained principal development through membership in the BYU Principals Academy on collaborative activities and teamwork in schools. Principals who participated in the BYU Principals Academy received preparation and training to assist in the development and maintenance of professional learning communities in their schools. A 39-item online survey that focused on attitudes and experiences with teamwork and collaboration was disseminated to 12 teachers at each school where the principal was a member of the Principals Academy and where e-mail addresses were available. In addition, a control group of teachers from schools where the principal had …

Creating The Path Together: A Case Study Of A Mathematics Professional Development Program For Teachers Of English Language Learners, Alison Marie Whittington

Dissertations

The purpose of this case study was to describe and analyze the Mathematics Access for Language Learners (MALL) professional development project. This project’s primary goal has been to provide teachers with the knowledge, strategies, tools, and materials to help make mathematics content accessible to their English Language Learner students. This study used case study methodology. Data was collected from archival records, participant observations, and interviews with project participants, facilitators, and the project director. The results and analysis of this study are provided through the framework of Bernice McCarthy’s 4MAT instructional model. The project is then analyzed to determine if it …

An Investigation Of Principals' Attitudes Toward The Knowledge And Use Of Learning Styles In Therapeutic Settings, Renee Pancoast

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In March, 2006 the Principal's Attitudes Toward the Knowledge, Value, and Application of Learning Styles with Students in Therapeutic Settings survey developed by the author was distributed to 120 principals belonging to the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs. Two mailings yielded a return of 68 (56.6%) usable survey instruments from which principals' self-reporting on knowledge, value and application of learning styles was examined. Focus for this study was provided through three research questions: (a) to determine to what extent principals in therapeutic settings self-reported general knowledge of learning style applications, (b) to determine to what extent principals exhibit …

Faculty Development In Member Institutions Of The Florida Faculty Development Consortium: Strategic Plans, Evaluation Models, Organization, And Funding, Laura Ross

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine strategic plans and evaluation models in light of organizational structures and funding to determine if member institutions in the Florida Faculty Development Consortium were investing in faculty development based on strategic and measurable criteria. Data were gathered through a mixed method survey mailed electronically to the individuals responsible for faculty development at 31 member institutions of the Florida Faculty Development Consortium. Even though the Consortium was comprised of public and private four-year institutions and public two-year institutions, faculty development programs in these institutions had similarities. Most programs had strategic plans, centralized faculty …

Improved Professional Development Through Teacher Leadership, Wesley Hickey, Sandra Harris

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

Research suggests the need to provide leadership opportunities for teachers within school settings in order to increase professional collaboration and community. This research explored one rural district’s professional development model, which was evaluated to determine its potential in developing teacher leaders. This district’s professional development model utilized their exemplary teachers to develop other teachers through formal presentations that were traditionally taught by non-district experts. This study utilized a practitioner research methodology to determine effectiveness of using teachers as leaders. Data were collected to determine the impact on the teacher leaders and the effectiveness of the presentations as perceived by the …

Teaching Our Teachers: Practical Suggestions To Improve The Quality Of Learning In Bemidji State University's Department Of Professional Education, Ann M. Gassert Carstens

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

The Feedback Loop - Winter 1999, Nova Southeastern University

The Feedback Loop

No abstract provided.

The Feedback Loop - Winter 1999/2000, Nova Southeastern University

The Feedback Loop

No abstract provided.

The Development And Design Of A Peer Coaching Model Program For High School Teachers And Administrators, Kenneth John Devries

All Graduate Projects

Clinical supervision is a coherent process for teacher evaluation. A significant investment of time and training for teachers and administrators is necessary to successfully implement the clinical supervision model. A peer coaching program presents the opportunity of improving upon the clinical supervision model and establishing a lasting staff development program. The Critical Friends Group model, developed by the Coalition of Essential Schools, provides the structure which fosters collegiality, professional development, and improved student learning. The success of a Critical Friends Group peer coaching program relies on the leadership of the principal through active participation, financing, and modeling professional collaboration.

The Feedback Loop - Fall 1997, Nova Southeastern University

The Feedback Loop

No abstract provided.

The Feedback Loop - Spring 1997, Nova Southeastern University

The Feedback Loop

No abstract provided.

The Feedback Loop - Winter 1997, Nova Southeastern University

The Feedback Loop

No abstract provided.

Nsu Educational Leadership Appraisal 1997, Nova Southeastern University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice College Archive

No abstract provided.