Secondary Education Commons^™

Understanding Teacher Self-Efficacy And Its Influence On Teacher Effectiveness: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis-An Extension, Valene Williams

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study examined teacher self-efficacy and its influence on instructional effectiveness within a high school mathematics context. The study was grounded in the work of Bandura (1997), in addition to an extension of Benitez's (2020) research. This replication-by-extension study sought to explore how teachers’ lived experiences shape their self-efficacy beliefs and how those beliefs influence classroom practice. The study addressed two research questions: (a) What can we learn about self-efficacy sources from teachers’ experiences? and (b) How do teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs influence their effectiveness? This research is important given ongoing concerns regarding mathematics achievement and the role of teacher beliefs …

Beyond The Classroom: Exploring High School Graduates' Perceptions Of How Extracurricular Activities Influence College And Career Readiness, Miranda B. Grigg

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This mixed methods study explored high school graduates’ perceptions of how participation in extracurricular activities influenced their college and career readiness. Grounded in Bandura’s (1986) Social Cognitive Theory and Deci and Ryan’s (1985) Self-Determination Theory, the study examined how experiences in athletics, clubs, organizations, and leadership roles contributed to graduates’ development of confidence, motivation, leadership skills, belonging, and real-world competencies. A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was employed. The quantitative phase consisted of a 20-item survey completed by 67 graduates of a rural South Carolina high school, with responses analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square goodness-of-fit tests. Reliability was further …

The Implications Of Student-Centered Design On High School Dropout: The Experience Through The Lens Of Students At-Risk Of Dropping Out, Angela R. Alford

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This qualitative study explores the implications of Student-Centered Design on high school completion, particularly for students identified as at risk of dropping out. Grounded in the theory of Student-Centered Design, this research examines how this approach serves as a scaffold for collaborative problem-solving in secondary education and addressing real-world challenges faced by students at-risk of dropping out.

The study uses a qualitative methodology, utilizing a survey and a focus group to gain insight from former students who experienced Student-Centered Design, as well as educators who implemented this approach. By analyzing participant feedback, the research evaluates the effectiveness of Student-Centered Design …

The Influence Of High School Teacher Perceptions Of Plcs On Eoc Scores In A Rural South Carolina School District, Marsharika M. Moody-Henegan

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This mixed methods convergent parallel study addressed high school teacher perceptions of the impact professional learning communities (PLCs) have on teaching practices and Biology I end-of-course assessment scores of students. This study is modeled after a study conducted by Dawkins (2020). Research participants in this study were science teachers from three high schools in one rural school district in South Carolina. Anonymous online teacher surveys captured quantitative data using Likert scales and qualitative data using open-response questions. Additional quantitative data were collected from a state-mandated Biology I end-of-course assessment. DuFour’s (2004) model of a PLC provided the conceptual framework, and …

Exploring Characteristics, Supports, And Barriers For Early College High School Students, Shanetta R. Waller

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was threefold: to explore and describe characteristics of a successful early college high school student and early college high school supports and barriers. Two focus groups, one with early college high school graduates and one with staff, shared their perspectives on student success characteristics, supports, and barriers. Using North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s (2023a) Portrait of a Graduate, Maslow’s (1943) Theory of Motivation, and Goleman’s (1995) Theory of Emotional Intelligence, the study led to three significant findings. First, early college high school students must be driven and motivated with a concrete plan for their …

Exploring Compassion Fatigue Among Core Subject Middle Grades Teachers: A Quantitative Study, Michelle L. Hickey

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Research has shown increased rates of attrition among K-12 teachers since 2021, with middle school teachers being the most dissatisfied. Burnout and job-related stresses are cited as the main causes of teachers leaving the classroom. Teachers experience the same or higher levels of job-related stress as nurses, doctors, EMTs, and social workers while receiving little or no training about compassion fatigue. This study examined compassion fatigue among a sample of core subject middle school teachers from one upstate South Carolina school district. An online survey, informed by a review of current literature, revealed moderate levels of compassion fatigue among the …

Co-Teaching: An Examination Of How High School Teachers' Perceptions Impact Collective Teaching Practices In One North Carolina District, Amber L. Tuttle

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This multiple-site case study investigated how high school teachers’ perceptions impacted their collective teaching practices. It also provided information on how and if the six models of co-teaching designed by Cook and Friend (1995) were being utilized. Qualitative data were gathered through surveys, observations, document analysis, and interviews with regular and special education teachers at four district high schools. Three key findings were determined. First, there was a lack of understanding of the six co-teaching models and how to incorporate them successfully. Second, based on observations, teachers only utilized one of the six models created by Friend. The third and …

Program Evaluation Of Transmath Intervention Program, Kathleen N. D'Avria

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate an intervention program used in my district, TransMath, to see if this intervention was helping close the skill gaps for students entering high school Math 1. A mixed methods convergent design was used to examine the program. Quantitative data from survey results were reviewed on the professional learning provided to teachers, while qualitative data from interview transcripts were analyzed to examine teacher perceptions of the program. Finally, student test scores were analyzed using a repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings from this program evaluation did demonstrate statistically significant increases in …

Staff And Administrator Perceptions Of An Alternative Setting In The Southern Piedmont Of North Carolina: A Case Study, Kymrie Mcelheney

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods case study was to examine the overcrowding and continuously growing enrollment at the sole alternative school in a southern North Carolina school district. This study focused on determining the factors affecting increased enrollment, decreased transition-out rates, and high recidivism. This study investigated the perceptions of staff within the alternative school as well as secondary administrators across the district concerning how students enter, live in, and exit an alternative placement. This study utilized both quantitative and qualitative data surrounding the perspectives of staff and administrators regarding the alternative school’s ability to manage the issues of …

Through The Lens Of School Culture: Perception Versus Reality At An Early College, Samuel Glenn Cook Ii

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Numerous research studies have been conducted identifying the benefits of the early college model, yet none have connected the end goal of the early college to meeting the needs of the community and stakeholders it serves. This multiple methods research study used a survey and focus groups to investigate the perceptions of various early college stakeholders regarding the end goal(s) of the early college through the lens of school culture. Despite the benefits associated with attending an early college, additional research was needed to determine if the school’s mission and vision were in alignment with the community it served. Thematic …

Increasing Parent Engagement At The Middle School Level Using A Team Approach In An Urban, Title I School In Upstate South Carolina, Jaime Szalach Talkington

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Parent engagement declines when students are in middle school. A Title I school implemented a group text team approach to improve authentic dialogue among school staff and families and included the student as an active participant in the equation. Strategically scheduled between progress reports and report cards, students were responsible for taking a picture of their current grades and sending it in a group text to their parents, teachers, and administrators. The administrator responded to the group text with the current newsletter to keep all stakeholders informed. There was a significant improvement in satisfaction of parent engagement by participants who …

Middle School Teacher Perceptions Of The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sherria La Vonne Grubbs

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This paper examines the perceptions of middle school teachers on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on student achievement, attendance and enrollment, mental health, and social and economic factors. Allowing the voices of the middle school teachers to be heard was important to this study because it helped to identify some key themes of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on education. For this qualitative research study, a survey was created with Google Forms and a focus group discussion was implemented using the zoom platform to gather and collect data for this study. 67 middle school teachers were invited to …

Meeting The Mental Health Needs Of Students: Evaluating Public High School Principal Preparedness And Perceptions, Brian C. Johnson

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was threefold: first, to measure high school principal preparedness to meet the increased mental health needs of students; second, to determine principal perceptions of mental health frameworks and needs; and third, to assist with creating a better understanding of what high school principals may need to meet the mental health concerns of their students. The study was completed using a survey titled Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Students: High School Principal Survey. The survey was designed from the Project Cal-Well Statewide Principals Survey Template utilized in California. Additional survey questions were created to …

Making The Grade: An Exploration Of Secondary Teacher Grading Practices And Equity Implications For High School Students, Pamela Williams

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Much has been written in the grading literature regarding the continued use of traditional teacher grading practices that impede effective teaching and learning, yet teachers continue to assign grades using a mixture of factors. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore secondary teacher perceptions of their grading practices, the evolution of their grading behaviors, and the alignment of these grading practices with equitable grading principles. Using a teacher decision-making theoretical framework and a conceptual framework focused on pillars of grading equity, this study sought to investigate how teachers perceive their grading practices and how they develop their …

Parental Engagement And Equitable Family Partnerships: Perspectives From Internal And External Stakeholders, Alexine Thomas-Brown

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This research study explored the critical topic of parental engagement and equitable family partnerships. The study aimed to provide holistic insight by uncovering internal and external stakeholders' combined perceptions regarding equitable parental engagement to establish a protocol for individualized support. Purposeful sampling was used to select the study’s participants. Participants were categorized into two groups: internal stakeholders, who included teachers, social workers, and administrators; and external stakeholders, who included parents and guardians. Open-ended surveys and interviews were used to collect insight from internal and external stakeholders. The data were analyzed thematically and interpreted against Epstein et al.’s (2019) and Darling-Hammond’s …

High School Counselors In Low-Performing Schools And Their Perceived Impact On Student Engagement And Outcomes, Genevieve Lyons

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study illuminated the experiences and perceptions of high school counselors in low-performing schools. The study specifically explored the impact of the role of high school counselors on student engagement and outcomes (i.e., chronic absenteeism, dropout rate, and graduation and completion). A literature review revealed a need for research to probe the experiences and perceptions of high school counselors to determine how they regard their roles and discern if their assigned responsibilities impact school performance. Quantitative results revealed that the high school counselors in low-performing schools in Virginia prioritize student academic performance by advocating and developing strategies to change policies …

The Influences Of Equity And School Culture On Black, Latinx, And Mixed-Race Student Enrollment In Advanced Secondary Mathematics Courses, Fyniss Nixon

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This quantitative, descriptive analysis of three large, urban secondary schools in the South used equitable practices to intentionally increase the percentage of Black, Latinx, and mixed-race students in advanced mathematics courses. Each high school observed in this study acknowledged a disproportionately higher percentage of White students taking rigorous college and career-ready courses when compared with the Black and Latinx population. This disparity was not just isolated to the schools in this study. District, state, and national initiatives across the country are becoming acutely aware of the accessibility gap between (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) BIPOC and non-BIPOC secondary …

Lay It All On The Line: The Effect Of Teacher-Student Conferencing In Middle Grades Mathematics Classrooms, Natalie Ostrander

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Increasing math achievement continues to be a commonly talked about subject in the educational setting. This case study observes one classroom teacher who implemented teacher-student conferencing in middle grades mathematics classes. The purpose of this study was to reveal the perceived impact of teacher-student conferencing on student engagement and with student achievement. Through a qualitative approach, perceptual data were collected through teacher journaling, conference logs, observations, and an interview. Research occurred in one school district in southeastern North Carolina with middle grades students in sixth and eighth grades. After the qualitative data were collected by me, data were analyzed using …

An Examination Of Student Perceptions Of Career And Technical Education Teachers' Interpersonal Behaviors And Their Impact On Student Achievement, Gail Gallman

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine career and technical education (CTE) students’ perceptions of CTE teacher interpersonal behaviors and their impact on student achievement. This study is important because teacher-student relationships impact student achievement and CTE struggles with students earning concentrators and/ or completers. Wubbels et al.’s (1985) 48-item student questionnaire of teacher interaction was administered to CTE students enrolled in CTE courses. Descriptive statistics revealed students perceive their teachers as having more leadership, understanding, and helping/friendly behaviors and less uncertain, student responsibility/freedom, admonishing, dissatisfied, and strict behaviors. Due to the small sample size, the nonparametric Spearman’s …

Overcoming Barriers Of Plcs At The High School Level: A Case Study Of The First-Year Implementation Of The Plc+ Framework, Jessica Mcabee

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study was prompted by a desire to understand the perceptions of teachers on the characteristics of effective professional learning communities (PLCs) at the high school level. Data were collected via survey and focus group interviews to answer questions regarding barriers high school PLCs face as well as what effective PLCs look like at the high school level. The survey population included 122 high school teachers currently involved in PLCs in one school district in the upstate of South Carolina. Survey questions were on a Likert scale that assessed three areas regarding the effectiveness of PLCs: critical elements, human resources, …

The Avid Effect In High School: A Quantitative Study Of The Avid Effect In A Large Urban School District In The South, Darrell Potts

Doctor of Education Dissertations

According to the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) website, there are multiple studies comparing the academic achievement of AVID students to non-AVID students. This research study was uniquely designed to determine the effectiveness of the AVID program in large urban school districts in the south based on students’ junior year academic performance on state assessments such as the ACT, English III, Math III, and chemistry exams. This study also examined comparisons between graduation rates, suspensions, and attendance. A one-way ANOVA was conducted to compare means of three groups during this study including AVID elective students, non-AVID elective students attending non-AVID …

The Experiences And Perceptions Of Harassment And Discrimination Of Lgbtq Youth In South Carolina High Schools, Melissa Myers

Doctor of Education Dissertations

In public schools, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students face the negative consequences of homophobic harassment. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to learn about previous LGBTQ high school student opinions and lived experiences and their encounters with school employees regarding fostering a safe and inclusive school climate. There is a lack of institutional support for LGBTQ students who self-identify or are believed to be LGBTQ in public schools. An open-ended, web-based survey of 17 high school LGBTQ graduates between the ages of 18 and 24 was used as part of this qualitative research. Perceptions and lived experiences of …

Multi-Tiered System Of Supports: A Case Study Examining Effective Mtss Implementation At The Middle School Level, Amy Marlowe

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This dissertation was designed to examine the effectiveness of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) implementation at the middle school level. MTSS is a comprehensive framework for targeting educational support for all learners, providing academic, behavioral, and social services. A case study design was used to analyze the stakeholder experiences of the impact of MTSS implementation on a group of sixth- and seventh-grade students. Qualitative data were collected to analyze the personal experiences of the teachers’ professional development, collaboration, implementation, and understanding of their roles in regards to the MTSS process. This case study provides insight into a middle school making …

Secondary Principal Perceptions Of Preparatory Experiences, Renita Griffinjordan

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain insight from current principals regarding principal preparatory experiences and to reveal which assistant principal experiences contributed to principal readiness. Through this study, 17 current secondary principals in an urban school district completed a 21-item survey using a 5-point Likert scale; 10 principals also participated in a follow-up interview. The survey instrument was constructed based on practices within seven primary standards of the North Carolina Standards for School Executives. The content validation index was utilized to measure the validity of the survey tool. The theoretical framework chosen to explore these relationships was …

Impact Of Student Voice On Self-Efficacy, Melanie Shaver

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to (a) relate the impact of the development of student voice in middle school to the perception of achievement measured by self-efficacy and (b) explore how the transformative learning theory affects developing adolescents through the development of student voice in a project-based learning model. The theory is grounded in Mezirow’s (1991) Transformative Learning Theory. The study explored if an instructional method such as project-based learning allows the development of student voice and builds self-efficacy. Utilizing the explanatory sequential model, survey and achievement data were collected and compared between treatment school to nontreatment school to …

A Program Evaluation Of An Alternative Educational Program In A School District In North Carolina For High School Students At-Risk For Dropping Out, Janice Duffie

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to conduct a program evaluation of an alternative educational program in North Carolina for high school students at-risk for dropping out. The CIPP model was used to evaluate to what extent the alternative educational program is achieving its stated mission. This mixed-method evaluation consisted of quantitative and qualitative data that included interviews with district- and school-level leaders, surveys from selected staff at six high schools and the alternative educational program, and historical data. The program evaluation explored the program’s strengths and weaknesses, and recommendations for improvement. Based on the findings, the research questions examined …

The Relationship Of Career And Technical Student Organizations To College And Career Readiness, Brenda Haynes

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Many schools are waking up to the reality that students need programs that will keep them alert and ready for their next level in life. Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) are the co-curricular programs associated with every career and technical education course and promise to offer opportunities for a peek into the real world. This study examined the relationship of CTSOs to college and career readiness. Career and technical education is oftentimes overlooked. Qualitative data were collected in the form of interviews of former high school students who were CTSO participants and teachers who were advisors of CTSOs. This …

A Study Of The Impact Of Career And Technical Education In Determining The Skills Gap In Selected Rural Communities In North Carolina, Chad Beasley

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study was an investigation of three rural high schools in western North Carolina to examine the perceptions of community employers, principals, and career and technical education (CTE) directors as to the skill levels of graduates from CTE programs. The study also determined if the skills being taught in secondary schools meet the needs of community employers. Qualitative data were collected from high school principals, CTE directors, and regional employers via open-ended questions and one-on-one interviews. Findings indicated participants perceived that CTE has a positive effect on student ability to be career and college ready. In addition, participants perceived CTE …

Grit In The Performing Arts: A Mixed-Methods Study Of High School Theatre Student Perceptions Of Grit, Kelsey Gibson

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Previous grit research has not yet studied how the performing arts may have an impact on student grit scores and perceptions of grit. Grit is defined by two main characteristics: consistency of interest and perseverance of effort. Continued participation in an extracurricular theatre production requires students to maintain interest and sustain effort throughout the rehearsal and performance period. This mixed methods interpretivist research study examined how high school students from three groups (performing arts, non-performing arts, and non-arts) measured on Duckworth and Quinn’s (2009) Grit-S scale, as well as how performing arts students perceived their own grit after participation in …

Exploring The Effectiveness Of A Freshman/Success Academy Program Through The Perceptions Of Educators In An Urban High School, Michelle Pettiford

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of educators regarding the effectiveness of an academic success program for ninth- and 10^th-grade students who are at-risk males. The term at risk has often been utilized to describe students who have low academic performance as well as social and emotional concerns observed during the transitioning process from middle to high school. The foundation of this study centered on past and current educational initiatives, achievement gaps, and pedagogical and cultural awareness for at-risk minority students as they entered high school. I used a 2-phase process that included …