Education Policy Commons^™

Marginalisation: Foundation Level, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Education Analytics Service

The purpose of this module is to provide introductory information about the key characteristics and strategies to reducing marginalisation. It provides a foundation to engage in this topic and apply advice from staff with operational or expert levels of knowledge in combatting marginalisation. On successful completion you will be able to be an informed participant in forums related to marginalisation.

The Association Between School Spending And Academic Growth Among Seventh Grade Students In Michigan, Angela M. Jack

Wayne State University Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative ex-post facto research study was two-fold: (a) to investigate the association, if any, between school spending and student academic performance, and (b) to identify what, if any, student and school-level structural characteristics mediated a relationship. Multilevel linear regression models were estimated to identify the association between total site-level per-pupil expenditures and school aggregated student academic growth measures in mathematics and ELA among 7th-grade students in Michigan for the 2018-2019 academic year. The data for 847 traditional public and charter public-school academies from 667 districts in Michigan were collected from the Michigan Center for Educational Performance …

Organizational And Financial Considerations Of Inter-District School Of Choice On One Small District In The Detroit Metropolitan Area, Lori Lucas

Wayne State University Dissertations

The research study investigated the organizational and financial structure of a school district that participated in inter-district school of choice. The goal was to see if choice, resident and non-resident, had any influence on these structures. The literature that I reviewed highlighted the various organizational and funding mechanisms that school districts need to account for when considering options such as school of choice. This research study was conducted on a smaller scale compared to studies that have been completed on a grander scale. The goal of this study was to review the organizational and financial changes that districts make to …

Comparison Of Course Grades Among Learning Modalities In Historically Black College And Universities, Murdell Walker Mcfarlin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe growth of online courses in higher education, combined with the distinct situational identity of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their continued emphasis on face-to-face (F2F) instruction, provided an opportunity to learn more about learning modalities and student grades at HBCUs. The problem was previous research findings are contradictory regarding grades among modalities at HBCUs. The purpose of this study was to compare differences in grades among three learning modalities (F2F, hybrid, and online) for three student groups (African American, non-African American, and all students) at three public, 4-year HBCUs in one U.S. state. This cross-sectional, ex post …

A Critical Examination Of Corporate Ideology In Educational Policy And Practice: The Real Cost, Grace Brady

Honors Program Theses

In this thesis, I provide a historical background and conceptual analysis of how we arrived at our current educational policy landscape. By tracing educational policy and practice through the 20th century, I offer a critical perspective on contemporary educational policy and practice. Specifically, I assess how corporate culture and corporate ideology influenced contemporary educational policy. Additionally, I explore alternatives and possible recommendations for reforming education in both policy and practice through preservice teacher education and funding for public schools.

Education Inequality In The United States: A Wicked Problem With A Wicked Solution, Lincoln Bernard

CMC Senior Theses

A problem wicked in its complexity and detriment; the United States has failed most of its students in its inability to address the unashamedly rampant inequality throughout its public education system. The inequality in American public schools appears evident and boundless, but the causes of that inequality, and especially its solutions, are not as obvious. It is easy to explain away the system’s failures as a product of the United States’ ultra-varied environment, but further investigation reveals much of the systems problems are self-caused, resulting from the United States’ uniquely local approach to supporting its schools. A misguided fear of …

Educator Perceptions Of Restorative Justice Practices That Provide Academic Support For Students With Adverse Childhood Experiences, Brigid Sullivan Ripley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The phenomenon of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) has been of interest to scholars since the late 1990s when their impact on life outcomes concerning physical and mental health was first acknowledged. Educators are challenged to support students who have experienced ACE, but many have implemented alternative practices such as restorative justice (RJ) to support students’ academic needs. There is insufficient empirical evidence to determine how elements of RJ support high school students who have experienced ACE. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate the RJ practices that teachers, administrators, and other school personnel have implemented to support …

Perceptions Of Community College Success Seminar Faculty Regarding First-Year Student Persistence, Ikpobari Dumletam Senewo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Persistence of first-year, full-time students toward graduation at U.S. community colleges poses concerns for administrators, faculty, and policymakers. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of faculty members teaching a college success seminar at an urban multicampus community college on what impedes or supports the persistence of these students through the first year. Tinto’s student departure and Astin’s student involvement theories served as the framework. Using a basic qualitative approach, interviews with 10 faculty members at a multicampus community college were analyzed using Creswell’s 6-step data analysis strategy. Findings suggested that sense of belonging, early connection to …

Widening The Pathway To A Degree: The Impact Of Accepting Credit For Prior Learning At A Community College, Jessica Berek

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Credit for prior learning is a way to recognize previous experiences and knowledge as an equivalent to college level learning. Determining effective ways to accept credit for prior learning experiences can have a positive impact on students, including community college students, as they work to reach academic goals. This qualitative study aimed to understand the experiences of community colleges students who have received credit for prior learning on their academic transcript. Through interviews with students, benefits and barriers of credit for prior learning were discussed. Barriers to credit for prior learning included a lack of overall knowledge on the types …

The Implementation Of Universal Basic Education In A School In Nigeria, Romanus A. Igweonu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Nigerian government has been concerned in recent years with students’ achievement gaps in basic science. Currently, there is not enough research on the perspectives of administrators and teachers concerning their practices and experiences of Universal Basic Education (UBE) programs and their influence on students’ science achievements. In this basic qualitative study, the perceptions of three administrators and eight basic science teachers in a selected school were explored regarding their practices and experiences utilizing the UBE program to bridge achievement gaps among ninth grade students in basic science. The conceptual framework was based on the Fullan change theory that assumes …

An Investigation Into The Legal Literacy Of Educators: A Professional Development Approach, Ariana L. Leonard

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation examines the term legal literacy as it applies to the education field and looks at the legal literacy of educators across the country. The dissertation is organized into three separate papers. Paper 1 is a review of the research literature on the legal literacy of educators in the United States and how educators develop legal literacy, as well as the legal issues and mandates required for educators related to English Learners. Paper 1 ends with a definition of legal literacy as it pertains to the fields of education and law. Paper 2 is an in-depth data analysis of …

The Relationship Between External Influences And State Education Policy Processes, Jessica Chrystal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Political agendas and political attention often change based on media attention and business influence, ultimately impacting policies. Elementary and secondary education policies have evolved to improve academic rigor and increase global competitiveness. Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were established based on state-level elementary and secondary education student needs. The purpose of this quantitative content analysis was to explore how external factors influenced state-level policy actors during the formulation and implementation of one state’s CCSS. All policies follow the policy process, which often includes various actors influencing various phases. Agenda-setting and political embeddedness are two critical components in the policy process …

Collaborative Governance In Public Education Through Democratic Management Of Polarities, Michele Greene

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In a democratic society the use of inter- and intraorganizational collaboration as a pragmatic approach to addressing social issues germane to sustaining that democracy is a challenge, especially in the realm of public education reform. The Common Core State Standards Initiative, an attempt at collaboration to reform public schools initially adopted by more than three fourths of U.S. states, created an ongoing response that included proponents and opposers. The opposition in Pennsylvania led to the State reneging on its original commitment to the Common Core State Standards created by the initiative. Research revealed a gap regarding the ability of the …

Barriers To The Hiring Of Women For The Independent School Headship, Kelley King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite over a century of activism to increase gender equality, inequalities persist across U.S. employment sectors, including in independent K-12 schools, which are predominately staffed by women yet led by men. The purpose of this qualitative, exploratory case study was to understand the perceptions of six female heads of school and six female search consultants regarding the barriers that women face in being hired for the head of school position in independent K-12 schools. Most researchers studying gender equality have focused solely on the perspectives of female leaders, although executive search consultants are important arbiters in the search and hiring …

Faculty, Clinical Supervisors, And Teacher Candidate Perceptions And Experiences Of Teacher Candidate Feedback, Timothy John Martin Calver

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem at a West Coast university was that the university’s teacher education program lead faculty and teacher candidates stated they were concerned about the quality of feedback provided to teacher candidates who are assessed by clinical supervisors during their field-based experiences. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the perceptions and experiences of teacher candidates, clinical supervisors, and teacher education department (TED) faculty regarding the feedback process. The conceptual framework used for this study was Argyris’ theory of single-loop and double-loop learning to support the research question. The research question was focused on perceptions about the feedback …

Nursing Majors’ Attitudes Toward Suicide And Mental Health Training, Beverly Arleen Burton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe mental health training of nursing majors may play a role in their levels of confidence in attending to suicide patients as working professionals. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore what impact, if any, attitudes toward suicide had on nursing majors’ levels of confidence in their mental health training. Pender’s health promotion theory was the theoretical framework. A descriptive correlational survey was used to explore individuals majoring in nursing confidence and perceived skills in mental health training. The 4 research questions asked the relationship between the level of confidence in helping someone with a mental health problem …

Ministry Of Education Management Committee Members’ Perceptions Of Shared Organizational Vision, Theresa Obiageli Mbonu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractPersistent challenges in the Nigerian educational system have made education delivery ineffective as students’ performance levels on national examinations have remained low. Students’ average performance has been below 40% on the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) for 7 consecutive years in the region of this research. Stakeholders blamed heads of schools and teachers, yet the Ministry of Education made significant decisions about schools’ inputs. Leaders at the Ministry of Education may need to adopt a shared vision approach to addressing persistent educational challenges. There was no study available to indicate the understanding of educational leaders at this level concerning …

Psychosocial And Academic Outcomes Of De-Shifting Three-Year High Schools In The Republic Of Trinidad And Tobago, Joanne Shurland

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe vision of the first postcolonial leader of Trinidad and Tobago was to build a nation of citizens who were educated. Education for All drove the new post-independence government in 1962 with a focus on free and equal education. This was achieved by using a three-year double shift schooling system to provide two school cycles in the morning and afternoon. This system was implemented in the early 1970s but was fraught with challenges. After achieving its Education for All mandate, the government de-shifted the three-year double shift schools and converted these to five-year full day schools by 2008. This study …

Stakeholder Perceptions On The Efficacy Of The Cayman Islands School Inspections, Villence Buchanan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractEducators and community members in the Cayman Islands are subjected to school inspections that are based on the United Kingdom model for inspecting schools. This model has not been tested to determine its appropriateness for use in a Caribbean education setting. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of educators and community members on the efficacy of the Cayman Islands school inspections in relation to perceptions of inspection procedures, demographic relevance, and student progress and achievement. The conceptual framework was based on Ehren’s school inspection theory and Quintelier’s model to analyze the perceptions and experiences of educators …

Australia: Pisa Australia—Excellence And Equity?, Sue Thomson

OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Australia

Australia’s education system reflects its history of federalism. State and territory governments are responsible for administering education within their jurisdiction and across the sector comprising government (public), Catholic systemic and other independent schooling systems. They collaborate on education policy with the federal government. Over the past two decades the federal government has taken a greater role in funding across the education sector, and as a result of this involvement and the priorities of federal governments of the day, Australia now has one of the highest rates of non-government schooling in the OECD. Funding equity across the sectors has become a …

Dismantling Tools Of The Incompetent: Exploring Cultural Competence Training In Undergraduate Education Policy And Education Studies Programs, Ashley P. Allen

Dissertations

Cultural competence is described as a set of skills, values, and principles that acknowledge, respect, and work toward optimal interactions between the individual and the various cultural and ethnic groups with which an individual might come into contact. Scholars have been critical of cultural competence training because the three-dimensional approach which is its foundation fails to address institutional and systemic racism. I posit that undergraduate programs should provide training, so graduates are culturally competent entering their respective fields. I examined cultural competence training within education policy and studies undergraduate programs because these graduates will work within education at all levels …

Unaccompanied Youth In Our Public Schools And Our Opportunity To Lead For Emancipatory Practices (Jóvenes No Acompañados En Nuestras Escuelas Públicas Y Nuestra Oportunidad Para Liderar Prácticas Emancipatorias), Leyda W. Garcia

LMU Theses and Dissertations

Unaccompanied youth are migrant children who travel by themselves to the United States, mostly from Central America and Mexico. Since 2014, more than 200,000 unaccompanied youth have entered the United States, with approximately 28,000 residing in Los Angeles, California (U.S. Customs and Border Protection [CBP], CBP 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021a, 2021b). Hundreds of these young migrants have enrolled in public schools (Pierce, 2016). Schools seek adequate and effective ways to support these students’ complex needs and aspirations. Within the body of research about this sub-group of immigrants there is a significant absence of the voices of unaccompanied youth themselves, which …

Muchos Somos Más Fuertes: Testimonios Of Latina Parent Leaders In The Local Control And Accountability Plan Process, Sylvia J. Hodge

LMU Theses and Dissertations

English Learners represent 18.6% of the entire California public school population or 1.1 million students; 81.4% speak Spanish (California Department of Education [CDE], 2021b). Historically, English Learners have experienced inequitable educational opportunities when compared to their English-only counterparts in California (Gándara & Contreras, 2010; Gándara et al., 2003; Perez Huber et al., 2015; Rumberger & Gándara, 2004), which has led to low educational achievement CDE, 2019a; Gándara & Mordechay, 2017; Olsen, 2010). To address underserved students’ inequitable educational opportunities throughout California, then-Governor Edmund G. Brown signed into law the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) in 2013. The LCFF provides equitable …

First-Year Retention At Virginia Commonwealth University: Understanding Student Departure And The Potential Impact Of Academic Advising, Ben Plache

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines first-year enrollment at Virginia Commonwealth University to determine what factors are associated with an increased likelihood of a student not being retained, and for which of these factors there is evidence that academic advising is an effective intervention. A survey of common retention models identified six factors associated with retention likelihood: student background prior to enrollment (“pre-enrollment factors”), financial support, institutional support, institutional performance, institutional engagement, and student intention. Prior research has shown that academic advising is an effective intervention for two of these factors: institutional performance and institutional support.

The significance of these factors was tested …

Edtech And Emergency Remote Learning: A Systematic Review, Helen Crompton, Diane Burke, Katy Jordan, Sam Wilson, Susan Nicolai, Christina Myers

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org

Novice Teachers' Sensemaking In An Era Of Accountability: Implications For School Leaders, Hays K. Moulton

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this research study was to examine how novice teachers make sense of the realities of their chosen profession, given their initial motivations for entering the profession. My research into teacher motivation and retention provided evidence that teachers did enter the field for altruistic reasons and that as many as 50% of all new teachers in urban schools did not last beyond five years. When they begin teaching, they find a field that is heavily impacted by strict accountability standards and required mandated testing. I used Sensemaking Theory and Self-Determination Theory to examine how beginning teachers make sense …