Educational Leadership Commons^™

State-Funded Dual Enrollment Program: One State’S Personalization Approach To Increase High School Graduation Rates And Reduce Dropout Rates, Debra H. Harris

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

In December 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) asked each state to design a plan to hold accountable their State Education Agency to provide flexible pathways to college and career with a commitment to ensure personalized learning and equitable opportunities for high school learners. With decades of effort to provide personalization through college and career pathways, the Vermont House and Senate Committees on Education holds its Agency of Education (VAOE) responsible for reporting how the Agency increases high school graduation rates and reduces dropout rates through the state-funded dual enrollment program. As State Education Agencies implement their ESSA plans, …

Relational Trust As A Determinant Of Principal Turnover: A Quantitative Analysis, Steven Michael Jeretina

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

The issue of principal turnover in American schools has gained greater attention over the last twenty years due to the trend of double-digit annual principal turnover rates. The connection between principal turnover and school climate has largely been focused on how changes in the principal position negatively affects school climate. No research, to this point, has examined the correlation between relational trust between teachers and their principal and principal turnover rates. This study achieves this goal by addressing the question: What, if any, is the relationship between relational trust and principal turnover? This study employed a quantitative methodology supported by …

Raising Him: Testaments Of Five Black Single Mothers And How They Perceive Their Experiences Of Raising Theirs Son(S) In Contemporary Urban America, Collage C. Warner

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

This research explores the life experiences of working class, Black single mothers who are raising their son(s) in contemporary urban America, a space that can present challenges for the Black male child such as; poverty, poor educational systems, lack of jobs, homicide, crime, gang activity, addiction, and just about every source imaginable that can lead to socio-economic insufficiency. The study will focus on five Black single mothers between the ages of 35-45 years of age who are raising son(s) between the ages of 10-18 years of age. The purpose of the study is to explore the meaning of single motherhood …

Creating Positive School Culture On Social Media - School Culture On The Go, Antoine L. Reed

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

Schools across America have created policies to address school culture. School culture today must be able to adjust and adapt to the changing times that are brought on by technology. Technology has continued to change citizens across the globe; this change has made communication look, feel, and operate differently than ever before. Technology has grown, with its platforms embedded in schools, these changes have gifts such as cultural inclusiveness, vast options for instructional resources, and even options for feedback and evaluation. Technology has also challenged many schools in ways of distracting students, bullying through social media, and gangs today have …

Muslim Women And Centered Leadership Practices, Raheela Al Karim

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

In the workplace, female leaders are understated compared to their male counterparts (Barsh, 2015). This gap is particularly pronounced in the fields of science, technology, English, and mathematics (S.T.E.M.), including information technology (IT); a field that is notorious for organizational cultures that are unwelcoming to female leaders (Sani, 2018). This gap also persists despite the benefits associated with female leaders across all industries, which include strong intercultural empathy, diversity, and diplomacy. Centered leadership, a five-prong leadership model, is particularly compatible with the fortes and limitations of women leaders (Barsh & Lavoie, 2014). This model—which involves meaning, managing energy, positive framing, …

Academic Engagement And Institutional Experiences Of The Undergraduate Community College Student From Marginalized Communities, Fashawn D. Jones

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

This study will analyze the kinds of support that undergraduate community college students from marginalized communities need to successfully complete their Associate Degree. The study will examine how student’s academic progress is influenced by limitations that result from attending failing high schools. The participants for this study will be between 18-24 years of age. This study seeks to identify factors affecting the successful completion of community college degrees by students from marginalized communities. The study will focus on current community college students who have graduated from high schools serving low income communities. The research will include an analysis of data …

Competency-Based Education Through The Lens Of Personalized Learning In A Large Public High School, Marcus J. Belin

Dissertations

When students end the chapter of high school, the question education must ask is, “What does it take for a student to walk across the stage and receive their high school diploma?” Is it a transcript full of passing letters ranging from A–D or is it a known belief that students do not have gaps in their knowledge and can apply their knowledge in real-world situations? This study identifies the problem and the basis of research in the program evaluation. It also focuses on identifying a policy that best supports competency-based education (CBE). Lastly, the study …

Program Evaluation Of Behavior Plans And Rubrics: The Process And Impact On Student Growth, Tamariay Gordon

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

In 2017, a behavior plan and rubric, introduced at an alternative behavioral school, hindered students’ transition back to their home school. Students remained at the alternative school because they failed to meet the skewed goals of the behavior plan and rubric. The gathering of qualitative and quantitative data from stakeholders casts a brighter light on the imperfection of the plan and rubric that students and parents failed to understand. A study of the behavior plan and rubric showed areas that created an environment that prevented students from being successful. The development of areas of change produced policy considerations to …

Computer-Based Learning: Effects On Student Learning And Interpretation Of Curriculum, Hasani Jackson

Dissertations

ABSTRACT In 2010, the Superintendent of Prestige School District (a pseudonym) implemented online learning programs that would cater to student learning while increasing achievement. With the adoption of computer-based programs into Prestige School District System, curriculum specialists wanted to align programs to the Common Core State Standards initiated by the Department of Education. Through gathering quantitative and qualitative data on behalf of various stakeholders within Prestige School District, the goal of this study was to uncover the key elements of online learning programs that can be improved to enhance student achievement. Results provide a foundation for positive learning initiatives that …

Black Girls Matter: The Impact Of Historical Representation On Contemporary Education, Carolyn Strong

Dissertations

A long history of misogynoir and negative stereotypes about Black
girls and women can be found throughout the literature and popular
culture of the United States. These stereotypes inform the lived
experience of Black girls and women, and in particular interfere with
African American girls’ ability to thrive in a school environment. An
autoethnographic research approach shows that various strategies, in
particular, Black girl-centric spaces, have proven to be helpful in
supporting Black girls who have to negotiate varying degrees of
hostility in general environments. These could be applied more broadly
to improve Black girls’ mental, psychological, physical, and
educational …

The Study Of Black American Male School Principals’ Life Experiences And How They Affect Black American Male Students In Their Schools To Close The Academic Achievement Gap, Linda Palija

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study was conducted to inform the present educational system concerning what is known about Black American male former principals and district leaders and how they affected Black American male students in closing the academic achievement gap. The context of this inquiry was an examination of three Black American male former principals/district leaders in one region of the United States, and the study focused on how they used their life and professional experiences to help Black American male students in their schools to close the academic achievement gap. Three themes were acknowledged in this investigation: the impact of …

The Importance Of Leadership Activities In Addressing The Shortage Of African American Men Completing Doctoral Degrees, Lerita Watkins

Dissertations

Abstract

The focus in this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the experiences of African American men who obtained a doctoral degree and the role of leadership in their success. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 African American men from across the United States. The research develops an understanding of patterns of leadership within institutions of higher education from an African American male perspective. Elements of the critical race theory served as the basis for the conceptual framework. The significant statements made by the 10 African American men reflected their distinct perceptions of the role leadership plays in African …

The Effect Of An Educational Workshop On High School Future Farmers Of America Parliamentary Procedure Leadership Development Teams, Brooke Gilstrap, Alyssa Snow

Agricultural Education and Communication

Within the California Future Farmers of America Association (FFA), there are a variety of Leadership Development Events (LDE’s) including the Parliamentary Procedure contest. Within this contest students sharpen their knowledge through reviewing Robert's Rules of Order and applying this knowledge to an exam as well as a live demonstration. Through this contest, students also improve upon their public speaking skills and research agricultural education and industry issues. Students compete in several invitational contests before entering the sectional, regional, and state levels of competition where their advanced knowledge comes into play with a wider audience. Over the span of California, there …

Creating A Livestock Show From The Beginning For The Benefit Of Youth In The Agriculture Industry And Continuing The Tradition Of Showing, Chloé Fowler, Matthew Durian

Agricultural Education and Communication

Youth throughout the country have been shown to benefit through organizations focused on leadership and real-world tangible skills. Organizations such as the National FFA Organization and 4-H Youth Development are key organizations for this growth. Livestock shows are another layer to these organizations and youth development. “Livestock shows provide interactions through different environments that expose participants to different cultures,” (Davis, 1998).

For these reasons it is important to provide more opportunities to the next generation of agriculture. There are currently 28 different livestock jackpots within the state of California throughout one year, (CJLA, 2020). Due to the large geographic landscape …

The Effectiveness Of The Implementation Of Social And Emotional Learning Programs Program Evaluation, Cynthia Treadwell

Dissertations

Students today are faced with more challenges due to the nature of the society in which they are growing up. Children are experiencing more depression, anxiety, fear, and hopelessness—which impacts their ability to be successful academically. Social and emotional learning programs have proven to positively provide students with the necessary social and emotional skills. This study found that implementation of programming can have a direct impact on students’ social and emotional skills, as well as their academic success, when it is effectively implemented and adults have a strong awareness of their own social and emotional competency level. This must be …

Black Males Matter, The Educational Marathon Continues: The Relative Impact Of Student-, Family-, And School-Level Domains On The Educational Outcomes Of Black Males, Shawn F. Brown

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The educational outcomes of Black males within the United States are problematic. In far too many areas of life (health, education, employment, income, and mortality), this population is overrepresented in the lowest quartile. This dissertation seeks to understand that phenomenon by systematically considering conduits and barriers to these outcomes. More specifically, by employing the High School Longitudinal Study (HSLS) data set, ecological systems theory, and critical race theory, and hierarchical regression modeling, this dissertation explores the relative impact of student-level, family-level, and school-level domains on the educational outcomes of a national sample of Black males. Given the findings, recommendations are …

Graduate School Awareness For First-Generation Latinas: Cracking The Glass Ceiling - A Validation Study, Deborah D. Grijalva

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

At this time, the Latinx population is the fastest-growing population in the United States. Latinas account for one in five women in the United States, and by 2060 Latinas will likely make up one-third of the nation’s females. Education is the foundation for both personal and economic well-being, especially as the job market continues to demand higher levels of educational attainment. The Latinx population continues to make up a large portion of the workforce. Latinas’ attendance and admission rates at the graduate level are low. Studies have found that Latinas have obtained the lowest percentage of graduate degrees compared to …

Exploration Of Ipass Reform At A Public, Comprehensive Four-Year University: An Intrinsic Case Study, Maria Domingo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Students enroll in universities to earn degrees as a way to improve social and economic competitiveness. However, many large, comprehensive universities are having difficulty in supporting students to ensure timely graduation and are seeing a large number of students stop out before a degree is earned. Academic advising is seen as an effective strategy to help improve retention and completion rates in universities. However, large comprehensive universities often lack the resources to ensure students receive the support needed to ensure completion. We know four-year graduation rates are rare, and there are numerous factors contributing to this issue. Thus, universities and …

The Effects Of Project Lead The Way Launch Curriculum On Elementary Girls’ Perception And Career Interests In Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics, Mina Blazy

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The United States has examined the quality of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education since before the turn of the century. STEM educators are still having the conversation around why more women are not joining STEM pathways. Girls and boys as early as birth are curious about the world; through their own lens they learn about gravity from dropping spaghetti on the floor or seeing a small insect on the wall. As children get older they are influenced by the perceptions of their parents and peers.

This study looked at the perception and career interests of girls in STEM …

Quality Of Advanced Placement Programs, Thomas Gomez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

There has been an abundance of research studies regarding the underrepresentation of minoritized students (i.e., Latino & African Americans) in high school Advanced Placement programs. However, recent or current research studies have demonstrated that although this issue has improved over the years. A new problem has emerged for minoritized high school students regarding the “quality” of Advanced Placement programs. More specifically, minoritized students in urban school districts are being allowed to be enrolled in subpar Advanced Placement programs. Moreover, research has indicated that Advanced Placement programs in urban schools are of unequal quality among minoritized students. It is not only …

The Relationship Between School Climate And Student Achievement At The Middle School Level In Georgia, Curtis Brett Wallace

Theses and Dissertations

School leaders from all over our nation are under scrutiny and pressure to raise their students’ academic achievement. Good standards-based classroom teaching, supportive teachers, administrators, and parents, and a motivated student all make for a high achieving student. But what is the relationship of the school’s climate to the achievement level? Does the student’s socioeconomic status affect academic achievement? This study collected data from 431 traditional public middle schools in the state of Georgia serving students in Grade 6 through Grade 8 exclusively during the 2017-18 school year. A stepwise multiple regression was used to examine the relationships in both …

Former High School Music Students’ Motivation To Persist Through Yearly Adjudicated Music Festivals, Edward D. Wilkin

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative intrinsic case study was to understand what motivated former high school music students who failed an adjudicated festival audition, their perseverance to improve, and their return to the audition process in following years. In direct connection, this study fills a gap in literature regarding why students remain motivated throughout their high school years of music festival auditions. A focus on what motivated these students to persist through challenging music auditions was guided by the theoretical framework of self-determination theory. Data analysis was conducted on Intrinsic Motivation Inventory evaluations and in-depth student interviews. Through this case …

Navigating The Personal And Professional Practices Of Social Media In Higher Education: A Phenomenological Investigation, John Ryan Dunne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the navigation of personal and professional social media practices as a lived experience for post-secondary education instructors in higher education. Correspondent inference theory was used to understand how observers assess behaviors that correspond with their own actions. The central research question focused on the lived experiences of post-secondary education instructors who utilized social media personally and professionally. Three research subquestions were more intensely focused on gaining a deeper understanding of (a) how post-secondary education instructors experience and comprehend the partition that separates personal and professional social media use, (b) how …

The Relationship Between The Average Number Of Principal Walkthroughs And School Accountability Grade Of Florida High Schools, Robert Leslie Bennett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative correlational study sought to determine if the administrative time and financial investment in administrative walkthroughs is an effective practice that leads to improved student achievement. This study sought to determine if a predictive relationship existed between the predictor variable mean of principal school-wide walkthroughs, and the criterion variable school grade in Florida high schools. This study was designed to determine if the principal walkthrough is an effective tool to improve teaching practice to improve student achievement to meet accountability measures. The sample include 72 high school principals in Florida. Data was collected through a self-report survey in which …

The Relationship Between Sense Of Community And Job Satisfaction Among Urban Middle School Teachers, Paula Anita Murphy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this correlational study was to investigate the relationship between sense of community and job satisfaction among middle school teachers in an urban school district. This study is important because it helps to develop an understanding of how the cultivation of sense of community is related to job satisfaction and provides insight in middle school urban learning environments. This study examined the relationship between sense of community and job satisfaction where social interaction occurs in an educational setting. The theories guiding this research were McMillan and Chavis’ sense of community theory as it relates to sense of community …

An Examination Of How Principals In Rural K-12 Schools Foster Technological Literacy Among Teachers: A Multi-Site Case Study, Kathleen Marie Grad

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this bounded multi-site study was to understand how the technological practices of principals in small K–12 rural schools in western Canada foster the technological literacy of teachers. Technological practice was defined as the ability to support the application of technology by guiding, managing, and developing different aspects of the organization to improve performance. The theory guiding this study was the social cognitive theory of Albert Bandura, based on triadic reciprocal determinism which involved personal, behavioral, and environmental experiences. The sample for this research study were principals and teachers in small K–12 rural schools in western Canada. Data …

The Relationship Between Academic Growth Percentiles And Student Perceptions Of School Climate Among Sixth Grade Students, Charles Heath Burch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, correlational design seeks to determine if students’ academic growth during the sixth-grade transition can be predicted by school climate and school climate dimensions. The results of the study will allow leaders to provide targeted support in the areas of school climate that have the greatest impact. The study consists of 150 middle schools in the state of Georgia. The Georgia Student Health Survey was used to determine sixth-grade student perceptions of the school's climate. The Georgia Department of Education determined student academic growth through the Georgia Student Growth Model in the area of language arts at each middle …

Improving Student Attendance In Two Rural Mississippi Elementary Schools, Angela A. Bonner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study was to solve the problem of low student attendance for two elementary schools in southwest Mississippi by reviewing interventions designed to improve average daily attendance among elementary students. This study sought to review previous interventions and determine which initiatives worked to improve student attendance using qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative methods such as interviews and document analysis were conducted with staff and administrators who work within the school district, ensuring attendance regulations are being met. Their responses, along with a review of related literature, provided insights into recent initiatives undertaken to address attendance issues. …

A Case Study Of Factors That Influence The Implementation Of Full Spectrum Contraceptive Care In A University Student Health Center, Cecile Dahlquist

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Large, prospective cohort studies such as The Contraceptive Choice Project have been conducted regarding safety, efficacy, satisfaction, and usage of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) such as the Contraceptive Implant (Nexplanon) and Intrauterine Contraception (Winner, Peipert, Zhao, Buckel, Madden, Allsworth & Secura (2012). Despite these findings, access and financial barriers remain for many women, and less than 7 percent of women utilize the most effective methods of contraception in the United States (Winner et al., 2012). Barriers to effective LARC methods exist at a higher rate with our young, poor, and non-white marginalized populations (Finer & Zolna, 2016).

Unplanned pregnancies have …

The Relationship Between Teacher Beliefs, Classroom Management, And Teacher-Student Relationships, Joann Conriquez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which teachers’ pupil control ideology relates to teachers’ management beliefs and their perceived relationships with their students. A mixed methods approach was used to explore the correlations between teachers’ pupil control ideology, classroom management beliefs, and their perceived student-teacher relationships, with pupil control ideology as the basis for teachers’ beliefs and attitudes about control. This study included 34 middle school participants from a school district that serves low income students of color. Significant correlations were identified between teachers’ years in the profession and control ideologies, with qualitative results providing …