Educational Leadership Commons^™

Upward Mobility: A Phenomenological Study Of The Hispanic Student Experience In Dual Enrollment, Marina Ashmar Giovannini

All Theses And Dissertations

Dual enrollment continues to experience rapid growth throughout the United States and is viewed as one of the best ways to prepare students for college. Hispanics represent the largest and fastest growing minority ethnic population in the nation, but they are underrepresented in most dual enrollment programs. Although previous research has demonstrated that dual enrollment programs produce positive outcomes concerning academic achievement and college completion, few studies have captured the experiences of Hispanic students in dual enrollment. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to investigate how Hispanic students in an Arizona community college perceive how their experiences in …

Career Technical Education Teachers: Using Handheld Technology To Teach Essential Skills, Olukunmi Olusesan Akingbola

All Theses And Dissertations

This paper explores Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers’ perspective of in-class use of handheld technology in learning environments with effective pedagogical practices that lead the way to improving classroom teaching. The technology for this study encompasses laptops, iPads, tablets, and cell phones, collectively referred to as “handhelds.” This study sought to consider teachers’ own experiences with the use of handheld technology devices in classrooms. The goal of this study was to examine how handheld devices provide a few ways or methods whereby technology can be integrated into curriculum design to help teacher-student interactions and in-class participation in order to …

Using Data Science And Predictive Analytics To Understand 4-Year University Student Churn, Joshua Lee Whitlock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discover factors about first-time freshmen that began at one of the six 4-year universities in the former Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) system, transferred to any other institution after their first year, and graduated with a degree or certificate. These factors would be used with predictive models to identify these students prior to their initial departure. Thirty-four variables about students and the institutions that they attended and graduated from were used to perform principal component analysis to examine the factors involved in their decisions. A subset of 18 variables about these students in …

The Impact Of A Sixth Grade Laptop Initiative On Student Attitudes Concerning Their Learning And Technological Competencies, Jamie Jordan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research explored the impact of a sixth grade one-to-one laptop initiative on student attitudes about learning and technological competencies. The study compared student preintervention and postintervention survey data prior to and after a sixth grade laptop intervention initiative. The survey responses were divided into 5 dimensions (School Subject Attitudes, Teaching and Learning Preferences, Computer Use Perceptions, Technology Skills, and Personal Attitudes and Behaviors) on both pre- and postsurveys. District means were compared with preintervention and postintervention data, as well as the means from the 5 dimensions, using a one-sample t-test with a midpoint test value of 3 on a …

Attitudes And General Knowledge Of Affirmative Action In Higher Education Admissions At One Historically Black University In Tennessee, James E. Peters

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine attitudes and general knowledge of Affirmative Action in higher education admissions at one HBCU in Tennessee. The researcher used a modified version of the Echols’s Affirmative Action Inventory (EAAI) to assess attitudes and general knowledge of all administrators, faculty, staff, and students at this institution. At the conclusion of the collection period, 269 surveys were deemed usable. Of these, 31 surveys were completed by administrators, faculty completed 62 surveys, 55 surveys were completed by staff, and 121 surveys were completed by students. The dependent variables for the study were individual survey questions …

A Phenomenological Study On Teacher Perception Of Change In School Culture As A Result Of The Implementation Of Mindfulness, Justin Penley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A qualitative investigation was conducted to explore the phenomenon of teacher perception of change in school culture as a result of the implementation of mindfulness. This study used a phenomenological methodology, enabling the researcher to gather information by focusing on and describing the impact of mindfulness on school culture in a deep comprehensive manner.

The investigator was able to extract meaning and code data, leading to the emergence of themes that supported and aligned with the study’s research questions and thus led into a holistic understanding of the phenomenon. This was accomplished through data analysis of rich, in-depth interviews, onsite …

A School Of Choice: A Case Study Of An Instructional Learning Model In A Public School System, Samuel Mccord

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This case study focused on the understandings of the administration and teaching staff with regard to the implementation and student academic growth of the B-L Upward program. The understandings were formed from data collected through structured, face-to-face interviews. The questioning of the staff members assisted in determining an understanding of the instructional model of the B-L Upward program. The experimental nature of the B-L Upward program allowed students, primarily those graduating from eighth grade and heading into high school, to choose an alternative to the traditional secondary learning environment. The current case study is an examination of the B-L Upward …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model (Team), Kelley Harrell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the perceptions of Pre K through 8th grade Tennessee teachers about the impact of Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model (TEAM) evaluations on classroom instructional strategies, teacher planning, professional development and teacher effectiveness. Participants in this study were PK-8 public school teachers from 2 districts in Northeast Tennessee who had been evaluated using the Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model (TEAM). Specifically this research was guided by 8 research questions on perceived changes in instructional strategies utilized by teachers, the perceived changes in teacher planning practices and lesson preparation, the perceived changes in professional development …

Parent And Teacher Perceptions Of Elementary School Homework, Jimmy Marcum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions of parents and teachers of elementary school students regarding homework. Specifically, the researcher examined parent and teacher perceptions, perceptions of teachers in kindergarten through fifth grades, and parents of elementary students in kindergarten through fifth grades. In this qualitative study, the researcher analyzed feedback obtained from two focus groups: a group of three parents and a group of three teachers. One-on-one in-depth interviews of seven parents or guardians and seven elementary school teachers were utilized. These interviews were conducted in settings chosen by the participants. All participants worked in, …

Thriving In A Fortune 500 Company: A Case Study Of Grit, Resilience, And Employee Perceptions, April Pack

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A qualitative case study was conducted to document 12 employees’ perceptions of thriving in a Fortune 500 Company. The case study enabled the researcher to explore the perceptions of thriving among employees with varying levels of grit and resilience using maximum variation sampling strategy. The grit and resilience of these employees had been previously measured through a 14-item Adversity Quotient (AQ) Profile and a 10-item Grit Gauge (GG) assessment. Through analysis of interviews, concept maps, and a ranking exercise the researcher was able to identify the most critical factors that lead to thriving in the Fortune 500 Company. The factors …

Precalculus And Act: A Quantitative Study Of Five Tennessee High Schools, Michelle R. Phipps

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if students scored significantly higher on the ACT after taking precalculus than they had scored on the ACT prior to taking precalculus. The researcher investigated whether there is an increase, not only in ACT composite scores, but also in ACT math subtest scores after high school students completed a precalculus course. The researcher also investigated differences regarding gender, socio-economic status, and race.

Five Tennessee high schools from four counties and five different districts were used in this study. The study involved 208 participants and covered a span of three years. The findings …

Retention And Graduation Rates Of African American And Hispanic Students In Community Colleges In Tn: Index Of Institutional Practices That Support Minority Student Success, Dayna Smithers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many four year institutions are reorganizing their processes and structures to develop a more inclusive model related to campus diversity efforts. Minimal information has been reported about two year institutional efforts toward inclusive excellence. Given the predicted demographic shifts of the nation and more specifically, the projected increase in enrollments of racially and ethnically diverse student bodies in community colleges, it is essential for higher education administrators and policymakers to understand the structures needed to support minority student success at community colleges.

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine institutional support structures around inclusive excellence. An Institutional Diversity …

Relationships Between Institutional Characteristics And Student Retention And Graduation Rates At Sacscoc Level Iii Institutions, Kala Perkins-Holtsclaw

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the United States struggles to be globally competitive with the number of students completing a college degree higher education leaders continue seeking answers to improving student retention and graduation rates. Decades of research has been conducted on investigating factors that impact student retention and graduation with the majority of that research being centered on student attributes and students’ precollege characteristics. Research has been limited on institutional characteristics and their associations with student retention and graduation rates. Therefore the purpose of this study was to examine the extent that specific institutional characteristics predict first-year, full-time, fall-to-fall retention rates and 6-year …

Sophomore Breakthrough Experience, Hailey Flavin

Senior Honors Projects

College students are often faced with not knowing how to use their strengths and values in a leadership role. A college campus can feel hard to handle and difficult to find your home without knowing how to navigate it. The leadership minor and Center for Student Leadership Development helps undergraduates better understand who they are and how they can have a lasting impact on the University of Rhode Island (URI) community. An area where the minor has always felt they lack guidance is for their sophomore students who might not be currently enrolled in a leadership minor class and are …

Using Song Lyrics In Teaching An Undergraduate Statistics Course, Joseph Marc Zagerman

All Theses And Dissertations

Contemporary pedagogical theory examines the shift from passive to active instructional techniques in order to enhance student engagement and learning. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to develop a deeper understanding of the lived educational experiences of Millennials enrolled in an introductory statistics course when song lyrics were used as an instructional technique. Gardner’s (2011) theory of Multiple Intelligence served as the theoretical framework of this study and provided implications for higher education. Seven traditional undergraduate students participated in this study in which song lyrics were used to inform and reinforce the six steps of hypothesis testing. Data …

Biblical Literalism And Implications For Learning, Sara Austin

All Theses And Dissertations

Given that everything we learn is scaffolded onto prior knowledge, how and what we learn is infinitely complex. There are many factors influencing learning, including environment, social and institutional attitudes, access, conditioning and biases. Among the social and environmental factors, religious affiliation is a powerful force which can either encourage educational pursuit, or discourage and demonize it.

This study used Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory (2003) to examine the lived experiences of individuals who were raised in biblical literalist faith traditions. The researcher conducted loosely structured interviews with each participant to learn about their educational and spiritual journeys as they left …

Understanding Acculturative Stress In Post-Graduate, International Veterinary Students: A Mixed-Methods Study, Sherry Bushong

All Theses And Dissertations

Thousands of American veterinary students attend fully-accredited international veterinary institutions every year. There are currently 14 veterinary programs located internationally that are fully-accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association—the same association that accredits American veterinary programs. Although these veterinary students choose to attend these programs, little is known about their experience adapting to the new location and their stressors during their time as veterinary students. With the number of veterinarian suicides rising and the focus on veterinary student mental wellness increasing, gaining a deeper understanding of their experience as students is essential for the future of the profession. The purpose …

From Providing Access To Promoting Success: Transforming A Community College System’S Advising Services, Staci L. Grasky

All Theses And Dissertations

The economy of the early twenty-first century endured the Great Recession, demanded an increasingly skilled workforce, and saw technological advancements that enabled new levels of scrutiny and accountability. Within this environment, institutions of higher education felt the impacts of recession and recovery, changing workforce demands, and heightened scrutiny. For community colleges, student demographics shifted and challenges grew as they admitted high numbers of students who faced obstacles to attaining their academic goals, such as a lack of preparation for college level work, low socioeconomic status, unclear goals, and first-generation status. With little ability to control these factors and mounting pressure …

Principal Engagement In The Professional Development Process: The Identification Of Barriers, Resources, And Supports, Michael John Koonce

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that served as barriers to principal engagement in the professional development process and identify what resources or supports were needed to increase engagement levels. For the purpose of this study, the professional development process included the identification of the professional learning needs of teachers on an ongoing and annual basis and the evaluation of the effectiveness of the professional development that has been provided. This study used a qualitative approach to examine principal engagement in the professional development process throughout a large geographic area in the Midwest. 20 principals were purposefully …

Teacher And Administrator Perceptions Of The Teacher Excellence And Support System (Tess) In Arkansas, Allison Louise Byford

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in Arkansas teachers’ and building-level administrators’ perceptions regarding the purpose of the Arkansas TESS teacher evaluation system, whether TESS authentically assesses teacher effectiveness, how teacher evaluation data are used, and how the TESS process supports learner-centered professional development. Additionally, the relationship of teacher and administrator demographics on their perceptions of TESS was explored. The results of this study highlight the differences in perceptions in all areas questioned along with misalignment in perceptions among teachers. Overall, the study points toward the need for clear communication and the cultivation of relationships among building …

From Policy To Practice: Exploring Principals’ Experiences In Facilitating The Implementation Of Cross Curricular Literacy Standards To Early Adolescents, Sherri Betton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research has shown that early adolescents continue to need literacy development in middle school. Furthermore, states that adopted the current comprehensive school reform policy must implement literacy instruction across content areas in grades six through twelve. This study will explore principals’ experiences as they facilitate the implementation of cross-curricular literacy standards. Qualitative case study methodology will be used to examine the perceptions of seven middle school principals as they act as change agents in the implementation process.

The Perceived Effectiveness Of One-To-One Technology In Smallwood High School, Jason Michael Clemensen

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Administrator, teacher, and student perceptions of one-to-one technology were studied in a single case study approach at one rural Midwest high school. Interviews were conducted with six teachers, two administrators, and a survey was given to 185 student participants. The data collected indicated that while participants perceived success with the one-to-one initiative, there were differing opinions on why they perceived the one-to-one initiative to be successful. Teacher and administrator participants discussed implementation strategies, professional development, community and parent involvement, and pedagogical changes in teaching practice. The student participant survey was designed around student perceptions of one-to-one technology and teacher usage …

A Pathway To Scholarship: A Qualitative Study Of The Single African American Mother's Role In The Academic Development Of Their Sons For Kindergarten, Onda Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations

The voices of single African American mothers are critical to research on kindergarten readiness. This study examined maternal influence on the kindergarten readiness of African American male children of single African American mothers. Research on the topic of maternal academic support for sons indicated a deficit view of mother’s expectations for her son’s performance and cognitive ability in the year prior to entering kindergarten. Studies on the educational outcomes of African American male students suggested this subgroup significantly underperformed on standardized tests in mathematics and reading compared to their peers. The education community references the achievement gap as this difference …

Unlocking Creative Potential: Catholic Elementary School Principal Perceptions Of Creativity, Kellie Scherer

Doctoral Dissertations

Church documents and scholars affirm that traditional pedagogies are ineffective in preparing students for the demands of the 21st century (CCE, 2014, p. 13, Darling-Hammond, 2010; Hartley, 2003; Kampylis, 2010; Skiba, Tan, Sternberg & Grigorenko, 2010). A review of the literature revealed that a gap in research on the Catholic elementary school principal’s understanding of and commitment to creativity exists. Even teachers who value creativity cannot fully support its development in the classroom without proper training. Continuing education coordinated by principals is one of the few opportunities for teachers to identify and confront their creativity misconceptions. The purpose of this …

Exploring Scholar--Practitioner Leadership: Superintendents' Application Of Theory To Practice In Texas Public School Districts, Michael D. Jones 6674845

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study was designed to investigate the methods of practice employed by Texas school superintendents who have completed a doctoral program centered on scholar–practitioner leadership. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe how serving superintendents apply their prior learning and knowledge to the articulation and translation of their district’s mission/vision. The study described how six serving superintendents translate theory to practice by inquiring how each participant articulates the district’s mission/vision. Through the analysis of face-to-face interviews, phone conversations, emails, and informal observations recorded in a researcher’s journal, four common elements of scholar–practitioner leadership practice were …

Perceptions Of African American College Students In San Francisco Bay Area Community Colleges On Their Developmental Training To Participate In Civic Engagement During High School, Melvin Davis

Doctoral Dissertations

The democratic practice of representative government in the United States is supposed to represent and protect its citizens. Since the United States abolished legalized slavery with the 13th Amendment in 1865, individual states have made many attempts to impede the civil rights and voting rights of African American citizens. Several pieces of legislation were designed to protect citizens, such as the Civil Rights act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In addition to overt legislated actions to thwart voting rights, the 26th Amendment of 1971 afforded citizens at least 18-years old the right to vote. Studies, however, …

Mentoring Relationships As Social Capital In The Career Advancement Of Latina School Administrators, Ligia Veronica Alberto

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examined the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles, specifically on the underrepresentation of Latina women holding leadership administrative positions in education. Using social capital as the theoretical framework, this study explored the role of mentoring relationships in the career advancement and promotions of Latina women. A narrative research design was selected to collect participants’ stories about their career advancement into school leadership positions. The narratives were collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews. A total of 20 Latina school administrators were interviewed for 45 to 60 minutes. Upon completion of the interviews, the data was analyzed using narrative analysis. This …

An Examination Of California Home-Based Early Childhood Educators’ Self-Determination To Attain A Higher Education Degree, Shirley Collins

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine, identify, and describe the perceived impact of the self-determination attributes of autonomy, competence, and relatedness on the persistence and retention of California licensed home-based early childhood educators who attended higher education degree programs.

Methodology: This study utilized a concurrent triangulation mixed-methods approach to gain an understanding of the impact of self-determination on California licensed home-based early childhood educators’ persistence and retention in college. Three hundred members of the San Diego County Family Child Care Association and/or the California Family Child Care Network were invited to participate in this …

Renewed Commitment To Democratic Schools. A Book Review Of These Schools Belong To You And Me: Why We Can’T Afford To Abandon Our Public Schools, Pamela Fisher

Democracy & Education

In These Schools Belong to You and Me, renowned educator Deborah Meier partners with a younger former colleague, Emily Gasoi, to offer both a multigenerational perspective of their successful work in small, autonomous, democratic schools and a rich commentary on the evolution of the small schools movement in light of the recent press for high-stakes accountability. Writing in alternating chapters and reflecting on their decades of experience, MacArthur award winner Meier and Gasoi present a compelling argument for renewed support for democracy and equity in all our public schools.

Evaluation And Implementation Of An After-School Program For Elementary School Students, Connie Lawler

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this 20-week language-based afterschool program was to develop a group of Hawaiian students’ English cognitive language skills while they learned a second language at their local youth center. The context, input, process, product evaluation (CIPP) model approach was used to evaluate the impacts of a structured language-based afterschool program. A diverse sample of participants was evaluated through semi-structured interviews, surveys, class observations, feedback, and the students’ academic progress. After the collected data were triangulated, it was learned that the language-based afterschool program has a positive outcome, which denotes a statistical significant improvement regarding the students’ English language …