Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

Meeting The Needs Of New Teachers Through Mentoring, Induction, And Teacher Support, Diana Brannon, Judy Fiene, Lisa Burke, Therese Wehman

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Providing new teacher induction is an important practice that is common in schools around the world (Wong, Britton, and Ganser 2005). Teacher induction and mentoring programs have been found to reduce the rate of new teacher attrition, increase job satisfaction, and efficacy (Ingersoll and Smith 2004). Mentoring has been the main form of teacher induction used in the United States since the early 1980′s (Fideler and Haselkorn1999).

Poverty: A Constraint To Sustainable Development Of The Niger Delta Region Of Nigeria’S Socio-Economic Resources During The 21st Century, John Inyang

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Poverty has become a major socio-economic problem in present day Nigeria. A disturbing observation about poverty in Nigeria is that it is on the increase, both in incidence and intensity despite the wide variety of national and international measures undertaken to eradicate it during the last three decades. The failure of these measures have been attributed to a multiplicity of causes, of which the most frequently mentioned and emphasized include: inadequate conceptualizations of poverty and development; failure to identify the root causes of the problem; lack of adequate organizational requirement for effective program implementation, wrong prescriptions given as solution to …

Rotating-Term Associate Deans: Pathway To Higher Education Administration, Eugenia Gerdes, Christopher Zappe

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

In a recent article in this journal, Betts, Urias, Chavez, and Betts (2009) argue that higher education faces a leadership shortage—due both to expected turnover in senior administrative positions and to lack of clear pathways into administration. As we have discussed elsewhere (Zappe & Gerdes, 2008), administration is not typically a long-term goal for those whose careers begin with faculty appointments. For the few who switch pathways to become academic administrators, an associate dean position often is the point of transition. Below, we describe the advantages of rotating associate dean positions, in which faculty members from the same institution leave …

Teacher Attrition: Listening To Teachers To Find A Solution, Vicki Luther, Laila Richman

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Teaching is an incredibly challenging profession and the need for qualified, effective, and passionate teachers continues to increase. This is true even in years of economic downturn, when the role of a teacher becomes even more pivotal in providing knowledge and training to the next generation of the American workforce. However, while there is no question that the charge of educators is vital, research shows us that many of our novice teachers choose to exit the field while still in the early stages of their careers. At one time, many teachers spent 30 or more years in the classroom; this …

The Ict Centre Model In Andalusia (Spain). Results Of A Resolute Educational Policy, Jignacioaguaded Gomez, Manuel Fandos, Amor Rodriguez

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Our study stems from the rigorous analysis of the integration of computers as a common resource for teaching and learning. This process started to be developed some years ago, all over the world. Not long ago computers were only occasionally found in schools or only in specific classrooms. Nonetheless we are witnessing a huge political and economic effort working towards the universalization of communication and information technologies. This is made evident by convocations, projects and programmes supported in most cases by international, national or even regional and local education administrations and institutions. This investment in facilities and maintenance of IT …

Transforming Schools: A Practical Guide For Empowering Change Agents To Facilitate Diversity Transformation, Michael Mott

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

For several years now we have all been made aware via numerous media sources and publishing outlets that the demographics of United States K-12 student body and teaching faculty is rapidly transforming into an increasingly more racial, ethnic and religious melting pot representing our democratic societal milieu. Recent research has pointed out the value that a diverse teaching and learning community offers by supporting multiple viewpoints that expand the understandings we develop about ourselves and the world in order that we contribute to our democracy (Banks, 2007). Diversity textbooks cover teacher methods for best practice. Yet for elementary and secondary …

Classroom Management: Teacher Training, Attitudes And Beliefs, And Intervention Practices, Margaret Catherine Davis Ladner

Dissertations

This study examined the factors that are associated with teacher classroom management with regard to training, attitudes and beliefs, and intervention practices of general and special education teachers in dealing with classroom control. These factors were examined in general and special education classrooms. The participants for this study were teachers of kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade and 3r grade students in three public school districts in a southeastern state. Participants were recruited through a convenience or voluntary sample selection.

The school districts chosen for this sample provide a good cross-section of schools; they were representative of buildings with different percentages …

Teacher Effectiveness In Urban High Schools, Richard Buddin, Gema Zamarro

Education Reform Faculty and Graduate Students Publications

This research examines whether teacher licensure test scores and other teacher qualifications affect high school student achievement. The results are based on longitudinal student-level data from Los Angeles. The achievement analysis uses a value-added approach that adjusts for both student and teacher fixed effects. The results show little relationship between traditional measures of teacher quality (e.g., experience and education level) and student achievement in English Language Arts (ELA) or math. Similarly, teacher aptitude and subject-matter knowledge, as measured on state licensure tests, have no significant effects on student achievement. Achievement outcomes differ substantially from teacher to teacher, however, and the …

Interview With Paul Gray: 2008 Arkansas Teacher Of The Year, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Gary W. Ritter

Policy Briefs

The 2008 Arkansas Teacher of the Year was Paul Gray of Russellville. Mr. Gray is a social studies teacher and department chairman at Russellville High School.

Why South Korean Universities Have Low International Rankings – Part Ii: The Student Side Of The Equation, Paul Jambor

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

In the first part of this essay, the reasons ‘Why South Korean Universities Have Low International Rankings’ (Paul Z. Jambor in Academic Leadership: The Online Journal, 2009: Volume 7; first issue) are clearly laid out from numerous points of views pertaining to two prominent international rankings; the Times and the Shanghai rankings (QS, World & Shanghai, 2008).

Community College: The Chameleon Of Higher Education, Louis Fletcher

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

A perceived dichotomy in higher education frames the relationship between four-year universities and community colleges. The four-year university thrives on publishing research as much as it does on administering curriculum leading to a degree. The community college is focused on instruction which could lead to a degree, certificate, or other outcome that serves the needs of the community. The four-year university serves the traditional student who typically attends the institution full-time and is a recent product of secondary education. The community college serves the non-traditional student who typically attends the institution part-time and often has already entered the world of …

Western Guide To Curriculum Review, Margaret Mcnay

Purple Guides

The Curriculum Review guide offers ideas about how to get started on the review process—questions to ask at the beginning of and during the process, suggestions about information to be gathered and how, issues to think about as you decide what to include in the curriculum, and ideas about how to teach the curriculum involving new and alternative pedagogies.

Table Of Contents - Summer 2009, Fort Hays State University College Of Education

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Academic Leadership Journal Summer 2009 table of contents

A Pilot Study: The Relationship Of Hope And Anxiety In Graduate-Level Counseling Students Anticipating Taking A Tests And Measurements Course., Sandeep Kaur

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The ability of comprehend test-based assessments implies careful training and the question arises of the dynamics of the tests and measurements course which are required for masters level counseling students. Research has focused thoroughly on education and training in psychological assessments addressing issues such as how students ought to be trained in the area (Childs & Eyde, 1990), however little investigation has been done on how students perceive the tests and measurements course. While studies have shed light on the fact that often students themselves tend to question the adequacy of their training (Dempster, 1990; Hilsenroth & Handler, 1995), there …

Assessment Of Adults` Opinion On The Ideal Family Size And Family Well-Being In Ogun State, Nigeria, O.O. Kalesanwo, A. Emmanuel

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Family can be taken to mean a unit consisting of husband and wife, and their children, (Moses and Adewale 2002). Moses, Patric and Olarenwaju (2001) quoting Otite and Ogion (1981) reported that family as a bio-social group, meaning that family has both biological and social aspects. Moses and Adewale (2002) quoting Murdrock (1965) defines family as a social group characterized by common residence, economic, cooperation, and reproduction. They reported that family is a group of persons united by ties of marriage, blood, or adoption constituting a single house hold; interacting and communicating with each other in their respective social role …

Child Work, Child Schooling And Educational Achievement: An Empirical Evidence For Nigeria, Afolabi Popoola, Joseph Ayodele, Isaac Ajayi

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

As a result of the growing international concern about child labour, child work and the effects on the welfare and future of these children, the practices are now being questioned in Nigeria. The recent perception of child labour and child work as a problem stems from the belief, and finding on investigations that involvement of children in economic activities outside the home is injurious to the children’s intellectual and physical growth. According to Oloko (1996) working is believed to expose children to physical danger, sexual abuse and other forms of harassment. It is also believed that work prevents children from …

Gray Hair And A Doctorate: A Prerequisite To Being A Good Education Administrator?, Elizabeth Gould

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Traditionally, from a very young age, children are taught to respect their elders. This tradition tends to carry over to their adult lives when they enter the work arena. Age means experience and knowledge, and these young pups who come in wagging their tails and jumping around, so full of excitement and new ideas, must be taught to calm down and control themselves. Let’s face it; we don’t need any messes on the carpet. Nowhere is this contrast between young energy and older experience more evident than in the world of academia.

Organizational Health At The Managerial And Institutional Levels Of Leadership: Links To Student Achievement In Middle Grades, Howard Coleman, Kathleen Roney

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

In this paper we look at the relationship between the middle school’s organizational health and student achievement as measured by math scores over a two-year period. Our research hypothesis anticipated that increases in organizational health would be related to increases in student scores on standardized tests.

The Effective Use Of Staff Governance In Academic Leadership, Michael Miller, Daniel Nadler

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Colleges and universities provide both the human capital development and often the research backbone for the economy to function at a high level. Simultaneously, institutions provide a tremendous social benefit for graduates and other stakeholders who make use of their emphasis on the arts, entertainment, and cultural development. This multi-dimensional role, one in which Clark Kerr referred to as the “multiversity” (Johnson, Kavanagh, & Mattson, 2003, p. 11), often results in a conflicting notion of purpose and management, with competition for business-like accountability with public sector intangible service. Burgess (2009) noted that the result is the perspective of the public …

Examining The Landscape Of Leadership Of Charter School Executives In Low-Performing Or Priority Schools In North Carolina, Clarence Davis, Laurell Malone

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Charter Schools in North Carolina have been serving students since 1997 in grades K-12. From their inception, charter schools in North Carolina have operated as their own Local Education Agency (LEA) and were created to serve the fundamental purpose of providing opportunities for teachers, parents, students, and community members to establish and maintain schools that operate independently of existing schools.

The Level Of Emotional Intelligence In Principals Of Recognized And Acceptable Schools, Todd Stephens, Douglas Hermond

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The future of our democratic society depends on a strong and vibrant educational system. The 90s brought us accountability and high stakes testing and our new millennium promises to demand even more sacrifices from teachers, students, and principals as expectations rise and pressures increase for educational improvements. Quality leadership from school principals will be crucial in creating schools capable of producing students who can excel and compete in today’s challenging global economy.

Reflections On Special Education, Sandra Peters

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Special Education teachers are very special people. Even though I have taught 7-12th grade English, high school speech, drama, forensics, debate, and directed a Montessori Middle School teaching all subjects, Special Education was a whole new world to me. I had been present at IEPs but never presented IEPs. I have had special education students in my class with and without paras, but never had I taught special education in a self-contained classroom. This past semester, I have been able to add teaching Special Education English grades 10-12 to my resume. I have presented IEPs, participated in FBAs and created …

What Does It Mean To Be Highly Qualified?, Diana Brannon

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) seems to be one of the most talked about and controversial educational reforms in decades. NCLB is an elementary and secondary education act signed into law January 8, 2002 designed to help close the achievement gap between disadvantaged students and their peers. It requires that teachers be considered “highly qualified” in the core academic subjects they teach. A highly qualified teacher according to NCLB is one who has a bachelor’s degree, full state certification and licensure, and has demonstrated competency in the subject area he or she teaches (U. S. Department of Education, 2004). However, …

The Organization And Administration Of A Deficit Curriculum: The Dominant Operating Core Curriculum Of A Hispanic Serving Educational System, James Satterfield, Lesli Gonzales, Stephanie Zelanek

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The demographic face of the United States is quickly changing as the Hispanic population approaches majority minority status. The changing demography brings with it many implications as far as the general condition and functionality of society is concerned. Especially important are educational practices and the construction of public education policies as the public schools are traditionally relied upon as an institution of socialization, as a common denominator to Americanize the young, the poor, the marginal, and the immigrant populations (Tyack and Cuban, 1995). These categorical descriptions, one could say, largely characterize the Hispanic population, which in fact represents the youngest …

Women Entrepreneurship In Science And Technology: Impetus For Female Participation In National Development In Nigeria, O.O. Kalesanwo, J.B. Bilesanmi-Awoderu

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The role of women in national development cannot be over-emphasized. Also, the place of science and technology is central to national advancement. No doubt, a country’s level of Scientific and Technological advancement dictates the life style and future of her citizenry. This assertion made Wambusu (2005) to opine that science-led development is one of the major strategies in the war against what seems to be the African region’s endless hunger, poverty and ill-health. In addition, increased focus on formal and informal education, new technology, empowerment of women, gender, and sustainable development will undoubtedly bring the developing world closer to the …

A Comparison Of The Leadership Practices Of Principals Of Making Middle Grades Work Schools As Measured By The Leadership Practices Inventory, David Knab

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Leadership of the principal in schools continues to be identified as important to the success of the school and ultimately, the achievement of its students. Leithwood, Louis, Anderson, and Wahlstrom (2004), in their research, affirm that leadership is critical if schools are to continue to improve. “Leadership is second only to classroom instruction among all school-related factors that contribute to what students learn at school” (p. 5). Marzano, Walters, and McNulty’s (2005) also argue for better principals stating that if a principal were to improve their leadership practices, then student achievement would increase. In their research, they have identified 21 …

Conflict In Business Organization: Ingredient For Organizational Development, Samson Adebisi, Felicia Olaniyi-Adegun

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

There is a popular assumption that conflict is so destructive that the goal of good management should be to minimize friction. According to Robert and Judy (2002), the Conflict-Positive Organization takes the opposite position and presents the argument that conflict, when well managed, adds substantial value to the organization. Effects of conflict could be destructive or constructive; it depends on the expertise that manages it in an organization, Lawrence and Jeffrey (1987). Some conflict management experts transform conflict from destructive to a constructive form, making use of opposing ideas to make decisions, negotiate their differences, and deal with anger to …

Fewer Women Than Men In Educational Leadership, Mahshid Pirouznia

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The purpose of this study is to explore the possible obstacles in women’s pathway to a principalship; and examine if these obstacles have changed over the past two decades because of women’s changing roles.

Four Leadership Theories Addressing Contemporary Leadership Issues As The Theories Relate To The Scholarship, Practice, And Leadership Model, Heidi Gregory-Mina

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast transformational, transactional, charismatic, and contingent leadership theories and to determine similarities and differences between these theories in able to determine their future effectiveness. Additionally this paper looks at four leadership styles in term of how each address the following contemporary leadership issues: knowledge management, informatics / innovations and rapid change, and ethics.

Implications And Challenges Of Nigerian Universities As Learning Organizations, E.D. Nakpodia

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

University education as a learning organization started in Europe in the eleventh century, and one of the first universities in Africa was the one in Timbuktu. Fafunwa (1971) has indicated that the 1945 reports of the Commission on Higher Education in the colonies have shown that since the world wars, Nigerians have always demonstrated an insuppressible desire for higher education because it was seen as an important weapon against the colonial masters in the quest for emancipation and national development. As early as 1944 therefore, there were already about 10 Nigerians who were studying in Sierra Leone at the Fourah …