Educational Leadership Commons^™

Managing Teacher Attrition: Improving Teacher Self-Efficacy Through The Implementation Of Professional Learning Communities, Stephanie Peagler

All Dissertations

Teacher retention is at a more critical place in education than ever before. School districts are struggling to hire and retain teachers, partially due to COVID-19 and its overwhelming impact. Teacher retention was an issue for South Carolina public schools before and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study focused on how the implementation of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) can increase teacher self-efficacy and teacher retention rates within a large high school in South Carolina. An improvement science study with a concurrent mixed methods study with an embedded qualitative study approach was used throughout the research study to …

Implementation Of An Early College Design In A Rural High School: Empowering Place-Conscious Leadership To Affect Change And Overcome Barriers To Innovation, Michael Timko

All Dissertations

This qualitative, improvement science, autoethnograpic case study aims to examine a unique perspective on rural research through the lens of place-conscious leadership. With an identified problem of inequity in advanced-level course offerings, which resulted in lost student opportunities and student attrition to neighboring schools, the leadership at Forest Lakes High School (FLHS) in rural South Carolina began the ambitious journey of reframing their narrative. As a scholarly researcher and administrator at FLHS, I had the unique opportunity to immerse myself fully in all aspects of this study. My dual positionality allowed me to study this process while sharing the lived …

For Us By Us About Us: Constructing Latinx-Centered Higher Education Institutions, Cynthia K. Orellana

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Higher education institutions’ organizational identities, cultures, and praxis have neglected to honor the values, culture, and knowledge assets of Latinx communities, making it difficult to gain educational justice and equity, which could be attained through Latinx-centered models of higher education. The Latinx higher education experience needs to be deconstructed and reconstructed by resisting whiteness as normative and including People of Color as “holders and creators of knowledge” (Bernal, 2002). Alternatives to normative higher education institutions are limited in the literature, particularly those that have been founded by Latinx communities. Thus, the purpose of the study was to explore how organizational …

The Negative Effects Of White Teachers Biased Views Towards African American, Alisha M. Brown

Masters Projects

This study explores the possibility that teachers' prejudices against African Americans have an impact on the academic performance of black students. Data show that Black students perform academically lower than any other group of students. This problem needs to be solved in order to guarantee that every student obtains the best education possible. One solution to this issue is to implement culturally responsive teaching in the classroom. Culturally sensitive instruction benefits both the teacher and the student by fostering a sense of community. Additionally, it will increase students' in-class participation. Teachers will learn the fundamentals of eliminating prejudice and becoming …

The Relationship Between Discipline-Specific Subject Matter Knowledge And Discipline-Specific Science Teaching Efficacy Of Elementary Teachers, Douglas Ball

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Because a teacher's confidence in their ability to teach science is associated with instructional methods and their persistence in the face of challenges, improving science teaching confidence becomes critical for improving science teaching of young children. Science teaching confidence also varies by discipline for elementary teachers: physical science teaching confidence tends to measure lower than life science. This discrepancy leads to elementary teachers engaging in less effective science teaching practices with physical science than life science. A teacher's subject matter knowledge influences their confidence in their ability to teach that subject. Subject matter knowledge impacts science teaching confidence because when …

Investigating The Impact Of Gender Composition On Team Performance: A Cross-Cultural Study Of Student Teams, Maria Randazzo-Davis, Christopher Nelson Ph.D.

International Journal for Business Education

This study investigated if the gender composition of teams impacts performance by examining the relationship between student-level variables of cultural intelligence and global knowledge and team-level variables of team performance. Data were collected from 1,922 students across 40 countries participating in 446 teams. Results of independent samples t-tests and multiple regression analyses at the student and team levels showed that gender and international status were related to global knowledge and cultural intelligence, whereas gender, global knowledge, and cultural intelligence were all significantly related to team performance. The coefficient of variation was found to be low, suggesting that other variables might …

Teaching And Assessing With Taxonomies, Tony Shannon

International Journal for Business Education

The development of taxonomies which articulate learning outcomes are necessary to disconnect the silos among educators, employers and learners (Mathews, 2019; Uranis et al.) What are taxonomies? A taxonomy is a systematic classification of objects. Why do they matter? Without systematic classification and coding it is difficult to compare or combine objects. How are they relevant to teaching and learning? In the years after the Second World War, educational psychologists saw the progress made in the biological sciences with taxonomies and started to apply them in education. Among the first to appear in the mid-50s was the work of Bloom.

Microcredentialing, Tony Shannon

International Journal for Business Education

According to Andrew Norton, ”We are regularly being told that in an era of technology-driven labour market change we will need to reskill and retrain much more than we did in the past. Perhaps we will. But it is hard to find evidence for this in the available data.”

Alignment Of Learning Outcomes And Assessment, Tony Shannon

International Journal for Business Education

Too often there can be data for inputs and outputs, but there is often missing information for intermediate phases. Here then we show the development of intermediate parts of the design of an assessment process which aligns with the learning outcomes of a unit or subject within a course. This is prior to the design of any soft computing for implementing and automating the process. These unit learning outcomes are subsets of the learning outcomes of the course of which the unit forms a part, and these course learning outcomes reflect the graduate attribute of the institution: that is, those …

Special Education Fiscal Effort And Juvenile Adjudication: A Financial Relationship Exploration, Sarah E. Finley

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Educational leaders stretch pennies, often in futile attempts, to provide equitable educational opportunities for all students. An educated populous, or lack thereof, heavily impacts not only students, but also local, state, and national economies, job markets, and public safety. Knowing where to exert public school fiscal effort to reduce juvenile crime is an issue with implications that reach far beyond the field of education. By employing a quantitative approach and analyses examining slopes of fiscal effort for special education and juvenile adjudications, this study explores the relationship between the two factors. The research points out several connections between special education …

Principals’ Perceptions Of School Sponsored Field Trips, Melissa Suzanne Giannantonio

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the views, attitudes, and ideas that school principals have on school-sponsored field trips. As society continues to change it is increasingly necessary to contemplate the growing significance of field trip facilities’ educational roles and garner “information about the audiences they serve” (Anderson et al., 2015, p. vii). Additionally, the past decade has seen a decline in the number of field trips taken by schools, and in 2020, field trips came to a complete halt due to COVID-19 (Center for Disease Control (CDC), 2020; Mathews, 2014; Mehta, 2008; Plummer, 2014; Reeves & …

The Influence Of Extracurriculat Activities On Engagement And Environment Elements Of School Culture At Two Title I Middle Schools In Alabama, Jeremy Jones

Ed.D. Dissertations

Limited research had been conducted on the role extracurricular activities had on school culture. Even less was dedicated to how middle school educators perceived how extracurricular activities influenced school culture. Due to the lack of overall research, further research was necessary to develop a better understanding of the influence of extracurricular activities on school culture, more specifically the Safe Supportive Schools Model’s engagement and environment elements of school culture. The purpose of this basic interpretive qualitative study was to examine educators’ perceptions of the influence extracurricular activities had on the Safe Supportive Schools Model’s engagement and environment elements of school …

The Experiences Of Teachers Providing Feedback Using One-To-One Technology On Teacher-Student Relationships: A Phenomenological Study, Robert Christopher Magee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe teacher perceptions of teacher-student relationships while using one-to-one technology to provide feedback. The theory guiding this study was Vygotsky’s theory of learning as it describes learning as a social process. A transcendental phenomenological design was used for this study with a social constructivist worldview as the study sought to understand the perceptions of teachers within the one-to-one learning environment and their relationships with students when providing feedback using one-to-one technology. The central question for this study was: How do teachers describe relationships with students while using one-to-one technology to provide …

An Embedded Single-Case Study: Identifying Jrotc Teachers' Leadership Practices That Influence Secondary Learning Environments, Naangela Lolee Sue O'Neal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative exploratory embedded single-case study was to identify the effective JROTC teacher’s leadership practices in five U.S. public secondary schools in Virginia that positively influence classroom learning environments. This study’s central question was: How can JROTC teachers’ leadership practices and behaviors influence innovative classroom instructions? The conceptual framework was Kouzes’ and Posner’s leadership model on positive leadership transformation. The research was conducted to identify factors attributed to the problem that leadership used by the JROTC teachers was ineffective, despotic, and irrelevant to modern students’ needs. The methodology used a qualitative exploratory embedded single-case study design because …

Association Between Intent To Persist, Self-Efficacy, And Burnout Among College First-Year Stem Students, Shereza Marina Phekni

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative non-experimental predictive correlational study aimed to explore the relationship between intent to persist, academic self-efficacy, and burnout among college first-year STEM students. The study is important since there are high dropouts of undergraduate college STEM students that cause vast gaps in the STEM labor market. This study utilized a convenience sample of 112 STEM first-year students enrolled from a private university in southern United States for the spring semester of the 2023 school year. The setting for the study was primarily through virtual collaboration. Participation was voluntary and contact with participants was via social media and flyers with …

Qualitative Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study: The Lived Experiences Of School Leaders Who Have Worked Through A Merger, Olga Nelly Collazo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study describes the lived experiences of school leaders who worked through the processes of school mergers in New York State. The central research question that guided the study was: What are the lived experiences of school leaders who worked through the processes of a school merger? In addition, guiding questions were implemented to understand the phenomenon of school mergers. The guiding questions are: How do school leaders maneuver and manage the organizational structures impacted by the processes of a school merger? What role do school leaders play in the environmental demands influencing the processes of a …

Differences In Faculty Self-Efficacy, Views, And Institutional Support Towards Teaching Competency-Based Education Online: A Non-Experimental, Causal Comparative Study., Randy Gale Canivel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this non-experimental quantitative study is to examine differences in perceived self-efficacy, views, and perceived levels of institutional support among nursing, business administration, or teacher education faculty who teach online competency-based education (CBE). This study employed a causal-comparative design with a sample of 51(N= 51) CBE faculty who teach at colleges and universities in the United States. During the fall semester, the CBE Views and Self-Efficacy survey (CVSE) was distributed measuring perceived self-efficacy of CBE, views on CBE, and perceived levels of institutional support on a Likert-type scale with 42 items divided into four domains. Data analysis was …

A Phenomenological Study Of Novice Teachers' Experiences With Diverse Classroom Readiness, Syreeta Nicole Palmer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to examine how novice teachers from the Association of American Educators (AAE) described their readiness for diverse classroom settings. Novice teachers are generally described as teachers employed in their first through third year. The central research question for this study was, "In what ways do novice teachers describe their readiness for teaching in diverse classroom settings?" Transcendental phenomenology was selected as a research method for this study to examine the lived experiences of novice teachers and explore their sense of preparedness for diverse classrooms. The theory guiding this study was Albert Bandura's …

A Phenomenological Study Of Faculty Involvement In The Retention And Recruitment Of Students At A Two-Year College: A Progressive Approach, Theresa Marie Strong

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the proven strategies used by faculty to increase retention and recruitment at two-year colleges. The theory guiding this study is van Manen’s theory on hermeneutical phenomenology, as it focuses on the lived experiences of the participants and interpreting their told stories. The setting of this research study consists of two-year community and technical colleges throughout the lower Southeastern United States. Participants in this study include faculty and academic chairs at two-year community and technical colleges throughout the lower Southeastern states who have experience in the student advising process. The faculty and …

Teachers' Perspectives On School Bullying: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Yushonda Eileen Midgette

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to describe the K-12 teachers' perception of school bullying, prevention, and effective coping approaches in the Southeastern region. The central phenomenon of the study focused on K-12 teachers' perspective of bullying. The theory guiding the study was social cognitive as it related to observing individuals through the lens of lived experiences, social interactions, modeling, and self-efficacy. The methodological approach conducted in this study consisted of a qualitative phenomenological design. The phenomenological design validated this approach as it enabled stakeholders such as teachers to address the (i.e., social-emotional, verbal/physical, self-esteem, and poor academic) …

The Effects Negative Of White Teachers Biased Views Towards African American, Alisha M. Brown

Masters Projects

This study deals with the question of how black students' academic performance may be impacted by educators' prejudices toward African Americans. Black students perform worse academically than any other group of students, according to data. To ensure that every student receives the greatest education possible, this issue must be resolved. Implementing culturally responsive teaching in the classroom is one strategy to solve this problem. By encouraging a sense of belonging, culturally responsive teaching will be advantageous to both the instructor and the student. Additionally, it will boost students' participation in the classroom. Through this professional development, teachers will learn the …

New Standards Versus New World: An Examination Of Select South Louisiana Teachers’ Experiences With Next Generation Science Standards In A Virtual Context, Bridget Lemoine

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The national K-12 science standards were reformed in April 2013. On March 8, 2017, the state of Louisiana’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved the rewrite of the science standards to align with these national standards, and they were implemented in the middle school science classes. In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic began and thrust all students into the virtual learning world. The purpose of this study was twofold: to investigate certain changes made to the science standards in Louisiana and to examine how the pandemic interrupted NGSS implementation in the classroom both with teachers who were familiar with …

An Examination Of Mental Health In Educators, Hannah F. Sanderson

Masters Projects

Research has revealed the significance and importance of mental health and its incorporation into overall well-being. A survey conducted by RAND Corp revealed that one in four teachers has experienced symptoms of depression (Kidger, 2021). Along those same lines, educators have expressed that due to their job and the school climate, they have experienced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and large amounts of stress (Merida et al., 2017). This project explores the various stressors that are felt by educators within their educational institutions and delivers solutions to reduce the symptoms associated with mental illness and improve the school climate. Through surveys …

The “Best Test” For Success In Academic Advising: Exploring The Purpose Of Advising Through The Lens Of Servant-Leadership., Jeffrey Mcclellan

Servant Leadership: Theory & Practice

For years, advising has been associated with student success and retention. However, while these are valuable byproducts of effective academic advising, they do not represent the purpose of advising. This article explores the purpose of academic advising through the lens of servant-leadership theory with an emphasis on Greenleaf’s (2002) best test, which asks, “Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants?” (p. 27). The outcomes alluded to in this statement are examined and explored as they relate to the purpose of academic advising and student …

The Relevance And Benefits Of Moral Intelligence To Servant Leadership, Kong Wah Cora Chan

Servant Leadership: Theory & Practice

Moral intelligence has a better chance of fixing morality-related issues instead of bandaging them and addressing the servant leadership best test stated by Greenleaf (1977/2002). Prudence—mature moral intelligence—is one’s skillful act in making the best, most caring alternative among all possible choices based on moral wisdom (Bradshaw, 2010). Morally intelligent people are conscious of aligning their values, goals, and actions with the universal principles of integrity, responsibility, compassion, and forgiveness (Lennick and Kiel, 2011). Such an alignment leads to purposeful living and organizational success. Borba (2001) advocated for building moral habits of empathy, conscience, self-control, respect, kindness, tolerance, and fairness. …

Redefining “Lgbtq+ Interculture” In Academia, Samantha Winterberg, Michelle Mccraney

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Members of the LGBTQ+ community often face discrimination, harassment, and exclusion in academic settings, which can negatively impact their academic and personal success. Studies have shown that LGBTQ+ students are more likely to experience negative mental health conditions, drop out of school, and struggle to find employment after graduation. Cultural humility fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion, which is critical to ensuring an equitable educational experience for all students, particularly those from marginalized communities. Intercultural understanding is essential to develop cultural humility so that attitudes reflect empathy and tolerance of differences, including sexual or gender orientation variances or ambiguity. Understanding how …

Leveraging Results-Driven Accountability To Improve Academic And Behavioral Outcomes For Students With Disabilities, Lori R. Anderson

Education Theses and Dissertations

The Office of Special Education Programs’ (OSEP’s) vision for Results-Driven Accountability (RDA) is that OSEP will target its work and investments to best support States in improving results for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities. State Education Agencies (SEAs) are accountable to OSEP regarding Results Driven Accountability reporting and supporting school districts in the process of improving outcomes for students in special populations. RDA is an accountability system to report data to district and campus leaders related to academic achievement, postsecondary readiness, and disproportionate analysis of students who are Bilingual Emergent/English as a Second Language Learners (BE/ESL), experiencing homelessness, …

The Role Of Stakeholders: Implications For Continuous Improvement In Principal Preparation, Ethel M. Arzu, Tia Agan, Gary J. Miller, Kevin Badgett

School Leadership Review

Research conducted in partnership with the Wallace Foundation and the Education Development Center revealed the importance of school principals on the success of student achievement and attendance, as well as on teacher efficacy and retention. The implications of this research reveal the importance of stronger and more focused principal preparation programs. Therefore, the Wallace Foundation established a continuous improvement process that engages teams of program faculty and stakeholders in conducting evidence-based assessments of program quality. In this article, three programs document their experiences with the self-study process. Readers will gain a deeper appreciation for the collaborative role that stakeholders play …

Potential For Shared Vision: What Gt Middle School Teachers Say They Need In Times Of Transition, Michelle L. Leverette

School Leadership Review

"Potential for shared vision: What GT middle school teachers say they need in times of transition" aims to provide relevant data that speaks to current campus needs in a time of pandemic-affected era transitional learning in PK-12 public education. As current educational leaders seek to address the academic and behavioral needs of students, the findings from this research study taken during Covid protocols express three areas of need: (a) a need for open lines of communication between teachers and parents of GT students, (b) a need for clarification of the definition of GT middle school student “success”, and (c) a …

Administrators' Perceptions Of Reducing Exclusionary Discipline In Black Girls In K - 12 Urban Schools: A Qualitative Study, Lorraine Reeves

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Dissertations

Abstract

“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” —Ida B. Wells

The use of exclusionary discipline has an impact on all stakeholders in the educational system. This includes Black girls, teachers, administrators, and parents. The current study provides an in-depth view of the lived experiences of school administrators when implementing exclusionary discipline and their methods to mitigate the use of such discipline practices in urban K-12 schools. While research is available on the experiences of Black girls and Black boys with exclusionary discipline, there is scant literature on the experiences of the school …