Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Educational leadership|Educational administration|Educational psychology'

The 1983 publication of A Nation at Risk gave birth to an effort to reform K-12 schools and increase student achievement all over the United States. More than 30 years later, the school reform efforts have grown into immense industries with marginal effect. Major legislation and programs have been launched throughout 3 decades, with No Child Left Behind legislation and Common Core States Standards Initiative being the latest and biggest endeavors, still with minimal outcomes. These efforts follow and run along with many years of structural changes such as Voucher, Small, Pilot, and Charter Schools. The problem of effectively transforming K-12 schools into places of high student achievement remains intractable.

The principal’s role by its unique position in the educational delivery structure and its very nature is key, and may be the single most determining factor in the failure or success of a school. There are very few studies that focus on principal leadership and its effect on student achievement outcomes. All studies and most literature on principal leadership and effectiveness put most attention on traits and observable behaviors. However, it is important to look at the inner world of principals, for this influences, if not determines, the traits and behaviors they exhibit in their leadership. There are no known studies that have focused in on the inner states and experiences of effective school principals.

This phenomenological study represents a seminal effort to study the inner experiences of principals. The participant selection was done through criterion type purposive sampling to link this study to leadership effectiveness. Only principals who were able to transform their schools from failing into successful according to the objective California State Standards of Adequate Yearly Progress were included. This sampling method also enabled the study to look deeply into the inner phenomenological experience of these transformative principals.

The study findings yielded data compelling enough to propose a conclusion of effective school transformation and proposed a model to illustrate how the inner experiences of principals fit into effective school transformation. The study also presented its implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research.

This quantitative research study was developed to support school principals leading in urban school settings with high rates of poverty, crime, and violence with a need for a set of skills to create a positive school culture with kindness, empathy, and compassion. To prepare administrators for the stressors of working in an urban school setting, a school leader must be able to maintain effectiveness under stressful, or even hostile, conditions. Thus, school principals must improve their Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) competency skills to be effective in creating a positive school culture with kindness, empathy, and compassion.

This research study utilized a quantitative, correlational-design approach to examine the positive correlation between staff perceptions of a secondary school principal’s leadership effectiveness with customer service and interpersonal skills with students’ sense of belonging in the same urban school. To answer the research question based on dichotomous student data (agree versus not agree), chi-square tests were performed. To measure the level of positive correlation between the staff perceptions of leadership and student, Cramer’s V tests were used.

Results from this study indicated that students reported higher overall sense of belonging for schools having principals with high scores for communicating effectively (64.4%), having principals with high scores (62.6%) for treating people with respect, and having principals with high scores (62.6%) for working collaboratively with others. For all 18 chi-square tests, a positive relationship was found between the student’s sense of belonging and ratings of the principal’s leadership abilities based on staff perceptions. Findings from this quantitative research can be used to enhance educator preparation programs in universities and be a beginning for more future research for school districts to improve key performance indicators such as chronic absenteeism, suspension rates, test scores, and graduation rates.

Policy makers continue to seek answers in addressing problem behaviors in schools. Zero tolerance in schools has been used widely across the nation yet educators have encountered many challenges with students who have been suspended for short or long periods. Research studies have found that the strategies used to address problem behaviors are not sufficient and many perspectives have been given on the topic. There has however, been a lack of understanding how students perceive the factors affecting their behaviors. The problem is that, in not understanding students’ perspectives on the issue, politicians will continue to make decisions without acknowledging the need to explore students’ views. A grounded theory case study will be conducted to explore how students perceive the school environment and protective and risk factors to affect their behaviors. The participants will be 6th to 8th grade students and teachers coming from a Northeastern district middle school in New York and teachers from other schools. The students will be observed and interviewed while teachers will be surveyed.

Creativity is generating more interest as we move into the 21 ^st century. Businesses are pressuring schools to graduate individuals who are critical thinkers and who can become future innovators. Principal creativity as a component of school success is virtually ignored. Numerous creativity studies examine the traits of personality, intelligence, motivation, or environment as predictors of creative job performance. Less attention is devoted to understanding the interactive role these components have on an individual’s creativity. The research examining principal creativity is even more restrictive in scope to nonexistent. Using Csikszentmihalyi’s (1996) three-pronged systems theory of creativity, this basic interpretive qualitative study employs open-ended interview questions and two Runco Creativity Assessment Battery (rCAB@, 2011) assessments to explore how principals perceive the influence of systems on their ability to be creative. Framed within a constructionist viewpoint, narrative analysis investigates the gap that current literature has not addressed by attempting to answer the overarching question: How does the principal perceive the impact of systems on his or her ability to be creative?

Through the data analysis several major themes emerged. As children, the principals were exposed to varied experiences and diverse ways of thinking. Engaging in activities that encouraged curiosity and perseverance appears to have laid the foundation for a lifestyle that continues into adulthood. As adults, they are able to identify and evaluate the worth of creative ideas. The principals not only excelled in their degreed fields of study, but also showed interest in exploring diverse subjects. They are ambitious, confident, competent, and eager to develop their own potential and that of their followers. The principals believe good communication builds honest and collegial relationships. They show a sensitivity and obligation to create the supportive environment needed to make their schools centers of creative thought and action.

The interactive nature of systems theory becomes clear after analyzing the data. Their individual traits impact the relationships they have with the field, which impacts the domain of educational leadership. Using systems theory, this research adds to the literature and our understanding of principal creativity.

Keywords: creativity, educational leadership, principal creativity, systems theory.

Over the past fifty years, cheating among high school students increased substantially and affected the morale of students (Simha, Armstrong, & Albert, 2012). According to a nationally representative survey of 36,000 U.S. adolescents, some 60% of high school students confessed to cheating on a test during the previous school year, and that the behavior among these students had spiked over the past 50 years (Murdock, Beauchamp, & Hinton, 2008). Armenian high school students agree that cheating is morally wrong; however, their actions do not reflect this belief (Bowers, 1964; McCabe & Trevino, 1996; Semerci, 2006). The study aims to address gaps in the literature by using Kohlberg’s (1958) theory of moral development (as cited in Hannah, Lester, & Lester, 2005) to examine how academic dishonesty, such as cheating, is associated with the moral development level of Armenian private high school students in Southern California, and the extent to which, if at all, this relationship is moderated by the degree of students’ performance orientation. No prior research is known to have been done with this specific cultural group in a high school setting.

The increase in teacher attrition rates within the state of California since 2000 is of concern to the California Department of Education and districts throughout the state because of a myriad of issues created by the loss of qualified teachers. The cost of replacing qualified teachers and recruiting and training new teachers to replace those who have left is a costly challenge. In California, 13% of new high school teachers leave the profession within the first two years of teaching and 22% leave within the first four years, even after successful completion of a teacher support program funded by the state (Reed, Reuben, & Barbour, 2006). Teacher attrition is a growing concern to both the state and the nation.

In this quantitative correlational study, one public high school within San Diego Unified School District served as a sample reviewed for data relating to teacher job satisfaction and elements of educational leadership that work to promote teacher retention. Data were analyzed to formulate a conclusion regarding job satisfaction and the set of predictor variables including the general quality of administrative leadership within a teacher’s educational environment, problem-solving conducted by the leadership in place, professional respect demonstrated for the educator by school leadership, professional development opportunities for teachers, and projected length of employment of the teacher.

A Bonferroni adjustment was performed on the original alpha level (α = .05) to reduce the likelihood of a type I error (false positive interpretation). Due to the application of the Bonferroni correction, the research study presented the finding that job satisfaction was not related teacher job satisfaction. Recommendations include the integration of relevant, focused professional development opportunities for teachers, with the ultimate goal in mind to retain dedicated, quality educators who seek to improve the lives of their students daily.

Recent literature highlights the importance of principals on school improvement efforts and suggests that the tasks and responsibilities of educational leaders are becoming increasingly complex. While a growing body of research exists examining the impact of identity, beliefs, and prior experiences of students and teachers on teaching and learning, much less is known about how the lived experiences and identities of school leaders might influence the ways in which they lead schools. This collective case study examines the relationship between social identity and leadership for three principals – one public, one charter, and one independent – all located on the East Coast of the United States. It explores how school leaders draw upon aspects of their identity to make meaning of their experiences and how such interpretations influenced their leadership development and current thinking and practice.

Key findings focus around three major themes. First, participants tended to identify at least one important social identity which impacted their decision to become leaders and thus their development as principals. Secondly, social identities of value shape the ethic by which they choose to lead, and lastly, considerations of congruence between the ecology of the school and the principal’s valued social identities influences his or her perception of leadership challenges. These findings suggest that not only are issues of social identity important contributors to a sense of belonging, credibility, and authority within the context of schools, they can lead to an increased willingness by the principal to take risks, to be vulnerable with others, and can contribute to an increased need to “compensate” for aspects of who they are which they perceive as stigmatized in regards to their ability to lead. Questions emerge, however, regarding methodological challenges in studying such personal issues related to social identity and the limitations of a leader’s own awareness of the ways in which they influence their work in schools and communities. Implications of this research suggest the need for a more nuanced approach to how school leadership is understood and researched and thus how principals might be better prepared and supported.

Researchers on bullying have given little attention to workplace bullying. This study examined the frequency among teacher-to-teacher bullying in the public school environment. From a sample of 318 teachers in 18 elementary, five high school, and three unit districts, rates of bullying were identified by three negative act sub-factors—work-related, person-related, and physically intimidating related bullying. Teacher demographics were utilized to determine if certain subsets of the population were more susceptible to bullying than others.

This study collected and analyzed data using a mixed-methods approach. Six questions were developed to address the purpose of the study and to provide the context within which data were gathered to answer the questions. The Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised was utilized for the purpose of measuring exposure to bullying in the workplace. Six demographic questions preceded the 22 questions of the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised. One self-identifying question asked at the conclusion of the survey whether the participant identified as a bully, onlooker, or victim. The qualitative portion of the study examined laws as well as school district documents to determine how teachers were informed of anti-workplace bullying policies.

Statistical significance was found between teachers who had less than 10 years of teaching experience and teachers with 10-30 years of teaching experience for the work-related and person-related bullying. Teachers with graduate degrees reported higher frequency of encountering negative acts compared to teachers with bachelor degrees. The difference was found to be statistically significant in all three sub-factors. There were no significant statistical differences found with gender, age, grade level taught, or teaching experience for the physically intimidating sub-factor. One percent of the teachers (n = 3) perceived themselves as bullies; 72.6 percent of the teachers (n = 231) self-identified as onlookers; and 18.9 percent (n = 60), self-identified as a victim of bullying by another teacher. There are currently no federal or state laws; or Illinois School Codes that address workplace bullying. One school district of the 26 had anti-bullying workplace policy language. In this study, the highest frequency of encountering negative acts related to having your opinion ignored, or being ignored or excluded.

Mindfulness offers a wide range of benefits for teachers and students, however, less is known about the role of mindfulness in the work of principals. Current tools that assess instructional leadership, which is a major part of the principalship, omit issues of mindfulness. Further, measures of mindfulness connect little to instructional leadership to make meaningful assessment of the mindful instructional leadership of administrators. The study discusses development of the Principal Resilience for Educator and Student Success (PRESS), a 20-item self-assessment of principal instructional practices and beliefs concerned with cognitive processes shown to support mindfulness: preoccupation with failure, commitment to resilience, deference to expertise, resistance to simplify, and sensitivity to operations. Data were gathered and analyzed from a representative statewide sample of principals in Washington State. Findings reveal differing degrees of variability on specific mindful instructional leadership practices. Scores generated by PRESS are compared to respondent scores on the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS-R); results indicate positive correlation between the PRESS Mindful Instructional Leadership (MIL) single factor score and the CAMS-R mindfulness single factor score. Use of the tool as part of principal professional growth, as well as further research to examine the relationship between mindfulness in instructional leadership and school improvement, are recommended.

The following dissertation examined the relationship between dissatisfaction found within teacher working conditions and Melvin Seeman's theory of alienation. More specifically, it showed that all forms of teacher dissatisfaction engender feelings of alienation and that the oppressive nature of alienation is the root cause of all the negative consequences associated with teacher dissatisfaction. After an introduction, the literature review presents detailed descriptions of Seeman's theory of alienation, Paulo Freire's theory of empowerment, and the latest information surrounding the issue of teacher dissatisfaction. Next, qualitative narratives from interviews with six teachers about their experiences with dissatisfaction are presented. The researcher then shows how the participants' answers matched the information from the literature surrounding dissatisfaction. The alienation framework is then applied to the data to show its presence within the teachers' experiences. Once the narratives are shown to be connected to both the dissatisfaction and alienation literature, the researcher discusses how alienation is an inextricable part of dissatisfying working conditions. An analysis is then presented to explain how alienation plays a foundational role in creating detrimental educational environments. Finally, possible solutions and further research possibilities are detailed.

Title IX Coordinators are educational administrators who play a critical role in providing campus environments free of sex discrimination, harassment, and violence. Their work is demanding, highly regulated, and set in an increasingly volatile political context. There is little research on the experiences of these administrators. Utilizing the Professional Quality of Life framework, this qualitative study explored the experiences of 20 Title IX Coordinators to understand their professional quality of life and organizational factors that influence their experiences. Findings revealed participants’ satisfaction was drawn from passion for “the work” and making a positive impact in their communities, and fatigue and burnout were tied to an intense and overwhelming workload. While fatigue can lead to a breaking point, moderating influences, e.g., coping strategies and balancing compassion with neutrality, mitigated negative factors. Institutional resistance and lack of understanding across stakeholders contributed to compassion fatigue, while institutional commitment and supportive interpersonal relationships affirmed the Title IX Coordinator’s experience. Implications include expanding the Title IX Coordinator’s passion for gender equity across the institution, and building institutional capacity to adequately respond to complaints, to benefit both the experience of the Title IX Coordinator and campus communities at large. Recommendations for policy and practice include creating Title IX teams, institutionalizing campus climate surveys, and supervision committed to building supportive working environments. Future research is recommended on how intersecting identities influence the Title IX Coordinator experience, and understanding campus attitudes toward Title IX and other civil-rights based responsibilities among constituent groups.

In past studies regarding student retention researchers have focused primarily on the undergraduate student population, but high attrition rates exist in doctoral students. The purposes of the current mixed-methods sequential explanatory study were to examine the relationship between doctoral student personality types and persistence and to explore doctoral students’ perceptions of the impact of personality types on their persistence. Guided by the theoretical framework of retention and educational psychology theories, the current study was used to examine personality types in doctoral students. The overarching research questions were used to determine whether a significant correlation existed between doctoral students’ personality types and their persistence, and to determine how doctoral students’ perceptions of personality types influenced their academic persistence. A mixed methods sequential explanatory study was conducted, using the correlational and multiple case study designs. In the first phase, 47 participants completed the college persistence questionnaire and the 5-factor model. In the second phase, 11 participants were involved in semistructured interviews. The cross-tabulation with associated chi-square, independent samples t test, and analysis of variance were the statistical tests used. The thematic analysis was used to uncover themes from the interviews. Results indicated a statistically significant relationship between neuroticism and persistence. Within-case analysis showed themes of extraversion and conscientiousness. Cross-case analysis themes included cognitive load, finances, faculty, and support. Recommendation for future practice involves implementing courses that introduce the psychological concepts needed to be successful in doctoral programs.

Higher education is an immense sector with more than 20.4 million students, 4 million employees including 1.6 million faculty members, and estimated aggregate expenditures exceeding $400 billion not including the for-profit institutions. Colleges and universities are among our nation’s most important social institutions, knowledge generators, and economic drivers, and they have a vital role in the shaping of our global world. There are intense external and internal factors, and many stakeholders with diverse and often competing perspectives, with which college and university presidents must effectively engage in their critical leadership role.

This research identified and described the trait emotional intelligence of college and university presidents. The study was grounded in the functionalist paradigm. Core components of the theoretical framework were the trait emotional intelligence theory (Petrides & Furnham) and the concept of effective leadership (Kouzes & Posner). Using a census strategy and survey research design, 300 presidents participated and completed the TEIQue-SF. Key findings and conclusions included: (1) the majority of college and university presidents have high well-being, self-control, emotionality, and sociability factor and global trait emotional intelligence, (2) the majority of college and university presidents have higher emotional intelligence than the general population, (3) the majority of college and university presidents demonstrate leadership effectiveness, and (4) there are opportunities to enhance trait emotional intelligence in a subgroup of college and university presidents, thus enhancing the leadership effectiveness of those presidents.

The new empirical knowledge about the emotional intelligence of college and university presidents provides a foundational springboard for future research to elucidate and expand knowledge in the areas of authentic leadership, charismatic leadership, the full range of leadership (transformational/transactional), leadership effectiveness, and higher education. Also, this new knowledge may be helpful to learning more about how to work with loosely coupled systems, change organizational culture, identify and deal with perceived resistance to change, and leadership development (Burke, 2011). Findings of this study may be beneficial to college and university presidents, boards of trustees/regents, search firms, higher education associations, and consultants.

The study achieved a large study sample. Strategies contributing to the successful recruitment of the large sample are described and are transferable to other studies—especially dissertation research—and other study populations.

This investigation attempts to determine the value of outdoor adventure education for educational leaders based upon leadership qualities identified in both the Educational Leadership and Outdoor Adventure Education (OAE) literature. Theoretical underpinnings of outdoor adventure education and claimed leadership outcomes resulting from OAE participation are identified and investigated. Three leadership skills identified as both OAE outcomes and constructs valuable to educational leaders (Self-efficacy, Collaboration, and Trust) are the focus of this mixed methodology study.

Research questions are proposed and addressed using mixed methodology. The anonymous online Outdoor Adventure Education Survey was developed based on previous research (Gareis & Tschannen-Moran, 2004; Rhodes & Martin, 2013; Tschannen-Moran & Barr, 2004; Tschannen-Moran & Gareis, 2004) and with input from educational leadership and OAE experts. Qualitative measures, including participant focus groups and key informant interviews, were developed with the advice of OAE and educational leadership experts before implementation.

Volunteers at a one-day OAE ropes challenge course participated in the anonymous online Outdoor Adventure Education Survey one week after course implementation of a one-day ropes challenge course and focus group discussions occurred within one month in order to allow for reflection, a major component of Experiential Learning Theory. Facilitators and group leaders participated in individual key informant interviews at irregular intervals after implementation.

Analysis revealed that OAE impacted self-efficacy in ways that are valuable to leadership, increased participants’ collaboration, and generally increased trust among members of each group. Results varied based on the obstacles encountered and by the group participating, but were positive overall. Additional outcomes included participants’ increased awareness of the importance of open communication, including active listening, and shared decision-making while solving problems collaboratively.

This mixed-methods study examines the experiences of academically talented students of color (ATSOC) who attend or have recently graduated from predominantly white independent schools. The participants of the study who were enrolled in independent schools at the time of this study were in grades 6 through 12. Participants who recently graduated from independent schools ranged from first-year college students to students one year out of college. This study focuses on three domains of ATSOC independent school experiences: sense of belonging, racial coping self-efficacy, and emotional wellbeing. This study also examines the relationships between these conceptual frames. As a proxy for ATSOC, this study collected data from participants who are students or alumni of a highly selective educational access and leadership development program in New York City (The Program). The Program identifies talented students of color from low to moderate socioeconomic backgrounds in the New York City area and places them in highly regarded independent schools in the Northeast. As of December 2017, The Program had 720 students (in 7th through 12th grade) at nearly 80 different independent day and boarding schools in the Northeast as well as close to 4000 alumni. The study collected data through surveys, individual interviews, and focus groups. The study adds to the current literature on the experiences of students of color at independent schools. In particular, the findings identify and examine the relationships between ATSOC sense of belonging, racial coping self-efficacy, and emotional wellbeing. This study also examines implications of these relationships for independent schools and other predominantly white institutions that serve students of color.

Teacher attrition has become a concern at local, state, and national levels. As a result, a number of researchers have examined the factors that affect teacher job satisfaction and retention. However, in spite of all the efforts in research to find a solution, problems associated with teacher attrition have not significantly improved. This study was developed to examine new teachers' job satisfaction as based on their perceptions of principals' transformational and transactional leadership behaviors. Hezberg, Maunser, and Snyderman's 2-factor theory and Burns's and Bass's transformational and transactional leadership theory guided the research questions. A convenience sample of 71 new teachers with 1 to 3 years of experience participated in this study. Instruments used to collect data for the study were the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire and the Job Satisfaction Survey. Pearson product-moment correlations and partial correlational methods were employed to examine the relationships between the variables. Findings revealed statistically significant positive relationships between new teachers' perceptions of principals' transformational leadership behavior and their overall job satisfaction. Further, the findings showed that perceptions of more transactional leadership behavior were significantly and negatively related to their overall job satisfaction. Results suggest that organizational leaders who adopt the transformational leadership model and implement effective leadership practices can cultivate positive change within the organization through the development of a team-centered environment that fosters inclusion, support, growth, recognition, stability, and satisfaction.

Effective teaching strategies can be defined as utilizing the higher levels of Bloom’s taxonomy, which include understanding, application and analysis (Flynn, Mesibov, Vermette & Smith, 2004). Teachers that use effective teaching strategies can significantly impact the future earnings of their students. Students that are recipients of these strategies receive a higher quality of K-12 education, which leads to a higher caliber of colleges and universities chosen. As a result of the higher education institutions attended, students become more competitive when entering an evolving workforce, earning higher salaries. This study explores the effective teaching strategy of storytelling. It identifies best practices of storytelling leaders in education. The literature reveals a link between successful storytelling practices and adult learning theory. There is also a connection between the impact of storytelling and the neuroscience of the brain. The findings are expected to help leaders in education who want to practice storytelling in their leadership practice. As a result of interviewing participants in this study, several themes were discovered that pointed out key factors in best storytelling practices. Some key findings include using stories to encourage critical thinking skills, heighten self-awareness among students, and activate brain triggers that produce an emotional connection around a subject matter. The data collected in study is believed to contribute to the effectiveness of future storytellers who wish to use storytelling as an effective teaching strategy in their leadership practice.

Informal classroom walk-throughs conducted by school principals with feedback provided to teachers has been demonstrated to improve learning achievement in kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) education. Principals are often trained by experts to conduct these walk-throughs. Unfortunately, research shows that experts may omit up to 70% of the critical information needed by trainees to replicate their expertise. The purpose of this study was to capture the knowledge and skills expert K-12 principals use when they conduct informal classroom walk-throughs and provide feedback to teachers. Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA) semi-structured interviews were conducted with three principals who were qualified as experts using both qualitative and quantitative measures. Action and decision steps, as well as standards, equipment, and conceptual knowledge from individual subject matter experts (SMEs) were captured and aggregated into a gold standard protocol which was reviewed by a fourth expert. The study also sought to identify and quantify the number and percentage of expert knowledge and skills omissions when the principals described how they conducted classroom walk-throughs and provided feedback to teachers. Findings indicate that expert principals omitted an average of 54.76% of the action and decision steps when compared to the gold standard protocol. This study extends the potential negative effects of relying on experts for instruction and curriculum development. The expert knowledge and skills captured by CTA methods may be used to train pre-service and in-service principals in performing the complex instructional leadership task of informal walk-throughs and providing feedback to teachers, which may ultimately improve teachers' classroom instruction and student achievement.

Providing students with a free and appropriate education in a safe environment is at the core of education in a democratic society. Discipline issues are of grave concern in American schools today. Carver and Lewis (2010) in a 2007-2008 study commissioned by the United States Department of Education revealed that 64% of school districts had at least one alternative setting for at-risk students that was administered either by the district or by another entity. Consequently, the question remains: Does a relationship exist between key demographics and specific communities with placement in an alternative setting? If so, to what degree? In order to better understand alternative settings for at-risk students, the relationships between gender, grade, race, SPED status, socioeconomic status and specific communities will be examined. This study can be of great value to school systems and education officials in their search to provide at-risk students with adequate support to ensure educational success. For example, if results suggest that key demographics and specific communities may impact placement in an alternative program, this discovery could result in early identification of the specific needs of students more likely to require alternative education placement.

Higher education has experienced an increase in parent engagement in the lives of college students (Arnett, 2014). Recognizing the presence of families, researchers have investigated the relationship between parenting style and college success variables such as academic performance (Miller & Speirs Neumeister, 2017), wellness (Coccia & Darling, 2017), and transition (Love & Thomas, 2014). In recent literature, studies have focused on grit and its relation to college success (Bowman et al., 2015; Duckworth et al., 2007); yet, research on the relationship between parenting style and grit is lacking.

This quantitative correlational study investigated the relationship between college student self-report of grit (Duckworth & Quinn, 2009) and parenting style (Baumrind, 1971b). The study was guided by the following research questions: 1. Is there a relationship between parenting style and college student grit? To what extent and in what manner does parenting style explain the variance in grit? 2. Is there a relationship among parenting style, college student grit, and demographics? To what extent and in what manner does parenting style and demographics explain the variance in grit?

Data were collected from undergraduate students (N = 974) through a questionnaire. The results revealed authoritative parenting was positively correlated (single r = .206, p = .003, ES = small/med; parent 1 r = .220, p < .001, ES = small/med; parent 2 r = .177, p < .001, ES = small/med) and permissive parenting was negatively correlated (single r = –.269, p < .001, ES = small/med; parent 1 r = –.119, p = .003, ES = small; parent 2 r = –.151, p < .001, ES = small/med) with grit. The regression models revealed less permissive parenting behavior and more authoritative parenting behavior explained the variability in grit for all parenting units (single r² = .102, p = .011, ES = small; parent 1 r² = .058, p = 0.009, ES = small; parent 2 r² = .050, p < .001, ES = small). First- generation status, Hispanic, Black and non-Asian ethnicity were also significant in several models.

The resulting actions filled a gap in the literature finding a relationship between parenting style and college student grit. The results may help college administrators understand how parenting styles may relate to how students approach academic and career goals. The results may help K-12 administrators and Departments of Children and Families structure programming on how parenting style may support children for passion and perseverance towards long-term goals.

This mixed methods study was concerned with the relationship between teachers’ personality traits and teachers’ self-efficacy and their impact on student learning. The study utilized descriptive statistics, correlational analysis, one-way ANOVA, and a focus group interview to answer seven underlying questions that would lead to a clear understanding of the overarching research question, do teacher personality traits and teacher self-efficacy impact student learning? Quantitative and qualitative research results indicated that participants perceived the personality traits conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness to have an impact of student learning. Participants also suggested that teacher self-efficacy played an even more significant role in student learning.

The purpose of this study is to assist state, district, and high school educational leadership in understanding the influences of the Idaho high school students’ postsecondary decision-making. The literature review established five categories that influence students’ postsecondary decision-making: postsecondary and career awareness, postsecondary and career admissions process, academic readiness for postsecondary education and careers, postsecondary monetary cost, and social capital influence for postsecondary education. The theoretical framework for the study was the work of Perna’s proposed conceptual model of students’ college choice. Descriptive quantitative research methods were used to survey 566 high school seniors from south western Idaho during their fall 2014 semester. Participants selected social capital influence for postsecondary education as the greatest influence on their college decision-making. Correlations were run to find if any relationship existed between students’ postsecondary plans and income, counseling services, and parental educational level. All three categories demonstrated statistical significance, however, none achieved practical significance. Participant responses pertaining to counseling services indicated that many students were not satisfied or were unsure about the services their school counselor provided.

America needs a healthy workforce to sustain the country. The scourge of obesity continues to plague Americans despite government initiatives such as the Affordable Care Act and wellness programs in the workplace to combat this epidemic. However, despite initiatives to make America healthy, barriers continued to impede the nation’s health. Lack of awareness and sensitivity to what motivates individual participants versus group participants built formidable barriers to accessing all workplace employees equitably. The purpose of this study was twofold. First, the intent of this study was to explore the relationship between self-efficacy and the impact on participation and engagement when faced with perceived barriers in an eight-week walking challenge. Second, the study sought to explore the relationship between efficacy and the impact on participation and engagement in an eight-week walking challenge between those who participated as a member of a team (collective efficacy) and those who participated individually (self-efficacy). A sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design was used to address the research questions, which entailed a quantitative survey followed by qualitative interviews. The population included 495 benefits-eligible employees representing Brandman University’s full-time faculty and staff from over 25 campuses throughout California, Washington, and Oregon.

Private sector businesses employ performance pay compensation plans in order to incentivize increased employee effort. Legislation offers opportunities for school districts to experiment with performance pay plans in an attempt to encourage teacher effort, productivity, competition, and recruitment. Despite the potential benefits of performance pay, providing a task-contingent reward for an interesting activity has the tendency to undermine an individual’s intrinsic motivation for a task. This study sought to assess psychological ownership as a potential moderator for the undermining effect, which may shield an individual’s feelings of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, allowing for intrinsic motivation in light of a task-contingent reward. This study analyzed data from 127 undergraduates and graduate students enrolled at Long Island University, CW Post Campus and an additional 27 teachers from Brooklyn, New York. Full and trimmed path analyses were conducted on a series of Likert-type scales to test three primary hypotheses. The findings confirmed that a task-contingent reward undermined intrinsic motivation for an interesting task. This study’s psychological ownership intervention and the combination of the intervention with a task-contingent reward also negatively effected intrinsic motivation. Job-based psychological ownership, a measurement of feelings of possession, however, did positively effect intrinsic motivation providing evidence that feelings of psychological ownership lead to feelings of intrinsic motivation. This study contributes to the fields of psychological ownership theory and self-determination theory by presenting empirical evidence connecting these two theories. Recommendations are offered for the improvement of teacher motivation, job design, compensation and educational policy.

This quantitative study examined self-compassion as a buffer in burnout of teaching assistants working with students on the autism spectrum. An on-line survey was developed using the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) to investigate self-compassion, burnout, and a number of demographic variables. The survey was shared with teaching assistants who work with students on the autism spectrum in nine New York Counties. One hundred forty-five (N = 145) teaching assistants participated in the study. The self-kindness factor score, the mindfulness factor score, and the overall self-compassion composite score of teaching assistants working with students on the autism spectrum demonstrated statistically significant negative relationships with all areas of burnout: personal, work-related, and student-related. This indicates that as the teaching assistants' scores for self-kindness, mindfulness, and self-compassion increase their scores for all areas of burnout decrease. Overall, the findings indicate that there may be buffers that prevent against burnout in teaching assistants who work with students on the autism spectrum.

Many districts and schools are having difficulty implementing Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) in school settings. This quantitative study set out to examine the stage of MTSS implementation schools are at and identify factors from the implementation science framework that account for the different reported student outcomes related to MTSS implementation. The results of the responses from 135 school principals in California revealed, most schools were in the initial implementation stage. While implementation drivers of competency and organization were significant predictors of MTSS student outcomes, the leadership driver was found not to be a significant predictor of student outcomes. Very few schools are using a formal evaluation of implementation of MTSS practices or involving parents in the planning and evaluation of MTSS. Additionally, the results revealed that schools have most elements of evidence based practices (EBPs) for academic difficulties, but less EBPs are in place for students who are either at-risk or have emotional behavioral difficulties. A majority of the respondents indicated that there is majority buy-in among the school staff regarding implementation of MTSS. Based on the results of this study, recommendations for Policy, Practice and Research were thematically presented, in the areas of 1) Family engagement, 2) Program evaluation, 3) Budget allocation, and 4) Technical assistance to effectively implement MTSS for sustainability and student outcomes.

Emotional competence (EC) is an individual’s ability to skillfully embark into emotionally-laden interactions (Mayer, Salovey, & Caruso, 2008). Counselors rely on EC to build a therapeutic alliance with clients, while supervisors rely on EC to build a supervisory working alliance (SWA) with counselors-in-training. A strong SWA impacts counselor development (Ellis, 2001). Previous research suggests that SWA may be impacted by multicultural competency, supervision style, gender, and age (Bhat & Davis, 2007; Crockett & Hays, 2015; Doughty & Leddick, 2007). EC and SWA have been studied independently, but not in the context of the master’s level counselors-in-training (CITs) and doctoral education supervisor (SITs).

Researchers who have investigated the role SITs found that CITs may perceive the hierarchical nature of supervision differently. CITs may be more willing to model themselves after SITs because they perceive doctoral students to be more like them as learners as compared to faculty supervisors (Scarborough, Bernard, & Morse, 2006). SITs collaborate with peers and receive feedback from faculty increasing CIT support, potentially fostering CIT client psychological growth (Fernando, 2013).

This study was guided by the theory of EC, rooted in social constructivism (Saarni, 1999a). Social constructivism posits that human development is the result of social interactions and is a reflection of an individual’s cultural values and beliefs (Cottone, 2017). The theory of EC parallels the supervisory relationship in its coming together of two highly individualistic worldviews that engage in emotional and interpersonal interactions with the goal of personal and professional growth.

Purposive sampling was used to recruit 18 CITs and 19 SITs, totaling 37 participants enrolled in counselor education programs recognized by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in the Rocky Mountain Region. The implications of this study support the theory of emotional competence, particularly in regards to the hierarchy of supervision, and the assumption that EC matures with experience. This study informs SITs as how to effectively proceed in supervision, and utilize the unique dynamic to positively impact CIT development. The implications of this study for practice in the field of counselor education and supervision inform the pairing of dyads to maximize the growth of emotional competence. Further, the results of this study support the importance of multicultural competency and the significant impact it can have on both the therapeutic, as well as the supervisory working alliance.

Nonprofit agencies rely on continued support from volunteers, many who are 65 years of age or older, to provide aid and services to local community. However, community nonprofits have experienced a recent decline in volunteerism over the last six years. With the number of adults age 65 and over expected to double by 2060 in the United States, this twofold population could address the decline in volunteerism for nonprofit agencies.

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research was to explore and identify factors that influence motivation, recruitment and retention of volunteers age 65 and over. The study aimed to enhance understanding of how these adults make decisions regarding volunteer work, how they learned of the opportunity, what inspired them to volunteer, and what makes them committed to a particular organization. The study was specific to the nonprofit sector, focusing on individuals who volunteer at a charitable, religious, or health care organization in Southern California. The Existence, Relatedness, and Growth Theory was utilized to explain volunteer motivation and retention. Data were collected from 24 participants, age 65 and over, who volunteered a minimum of 12 times in a one year period. The study consisted of semi-structured interviews that were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for common themes.

Major findings from the study included 5 major themes that can affect volunteer motivation, recruitment and retention in adults age 65 and over: (a) health benefits, (b) relatedness or connectedness, (c) meaning-purpose, (d) pro-social righteousness, and (e) personal involvement. Understanding these themes can provide considerable insight to volunteer mangers to help develop effective recruiting and retention strategies, designed specifically for the older-adult population, to increase volunteering in agencies throughout the United States.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between aspects of spirituality and their relationship to factors of persistence, specifically academic and social integration, among varsity-level student-athletes competing in the Northeast Conference of the NCAA’s Division I tier. For the purposes of this study, the traits of spirituality were obtained from the Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale (SIBS) developed by Hatch et al. (1998) and later revised (SIBS-R) in 2001. Additionally, the traits of academic and social integration were obtained from the Academic and Social Integration Scales (ASIS) developed by Pascarella and Terenzini (1980). The revised spirituality instrument, referred to as SIBS-R, included 22 items measuring individuals’ spiritual involvement and existential beliefs from an unbiased and universally ecumenical perspective. The ASIS instrument included 30 items grouped into five categories and was designed to test the predictability of college students’ decisions to continue their enrollment (more commonly referred to as persistence). The five categories of the ASIS instrument included: Peer-Group Interactions, Interactions with Faculty, Faculty Concern for Student, Academic and Intellectual Development, and Institutional and Goal Commitment. The findings included many significant positive correlations and factors of predictability between traits of spirituality and traits of academic and social integration for the 233 respondents. Of significance, the spirituality traits of acceptance of life circumstances, hopefulness, gratitude, and altruism appear to return the most correlation and predictability of academic and social integration traits. Limitations of the study, implications for educational practice, and recommendations for further research are provided by the researcher.

The No Child Left Behind Act has the stated purpose to ensure all children have equal access to high-quality education and reach minimum proficiency on state academic achievement standards and assessments. A disparity in the academic achievement between Blacks and Latinos and their White counterparts. The problem this study addresses is the lack of Black and Latino student perspective concerning challenges they face around the academic achievement gap and the goals they set to face those challenges. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry study was to elicit from Black and Latino students their perspective on the academic achievement gap, the challenges they face, and the goals they employ to face those challenges in the hope of closing this gap. Data was collected from six 12^th grade Black and Latino students between 18 and 20 years old, in a central Florida urban community using semi-structured face-to-face and focus group interviews, and archived data. The Dimensions of Excellence Scales Student Survey Instrument was used to define and refine interview questions. Thirty-five pages of interview transcripts produced 42 stories, which were coded to saturation, revealing eight themes. Five of these themes (family support, educational support, white privilege, safety, and disenfranchisement) helped inform research Q1. To inform research Q2, three themes (goal setting, student-centered strategies, and sense of family) were used. Finally, three themes (educational support, white privilege, and disenfranchisement) were used to inform research Q3. Findings from this study suggest the participants share common perceived challenges to a successful educational experience (parental and educational support, white privilege, disenfranchisement, safety) as well as strategies to reach their goals (goal-setting, student-centered strategies). Additionally, it is suggested that participants are aware of the academic achievement gap and have opinions on how to help close it. Future research should focus on whether these perceptions exist in other demographics and geographical locations.

This qualitative study contributes to the very limited body of literature available on the identity development of undocumented students. Specifically, this study focused on the experiences and identity development of Latina/o undocumented students enrolled in California community colleges. From the voices of 21 students, a three-position identity development framework emerged: (a) discovering difference, (b) making meaning of difference, and (c) coming to terms with being undocumented. The identity development process for Latina/o undocumented students is one that is directly linked to the degree of inclusion and acceptance that is present in their environment. A political context was evident in all three of the positions demonstrating that there is a larger policy context that is important in the identity development of this student population. Recommendations for practice and policy are offered.

There is a gap in research regarding examination of the relationship between burnout in special education school support staff members and their perception of locus of control (LOC) in their work environment. The purpose of this concurrent nested mixed methods study is to determine if there is a relationship between burnout and locus of control in professional school support staff (PSSS) working with special education students, by analyzing survey responses of a sample consisting of 86 PSSS in the northeastern United States. This study elicits data for quantitative analysis with Maslach Burnout Inventory and Rotter’s Internal-External LOC Scale utilizing Pearson’s Correlation and multiple regression analyses. The survey contains a contextual qualitative portion consisting of 10 open-ended question sets for thematic analysis.

The findings showed that increased internal locus of control is associated with decreased burnout in the subscales of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Notably, findings showed that increased internal LOC is associated with greater burnout in the subscale of reduced personal accomplishment. Recommendations for future research were made to conduct additional quantitative and qualitative research studies that explore the lived experiences of PSSS in special education, as well as to explore the usefulness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness as possible therapeutic approaches to counteract the effects of burnout.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine if a correlation exists between teacher dispositions, grounded in Perceptual Psychology, and student results on the Kentucky Student Voice Survey (KSVS), a 25-question survey adapted from Cambridge Education’s Tripod survey. A correlation was found between teacher dispositions and KSVS question number 25 which states “my teacher gives us time to explain our ideas.” Except for this question, no correlation was found between teacher dispositions and KSVS results.

Before the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (1975), most efforts to educate students with disabilities happened in isolation. Within the last 40 years, a growing number of districts and individual schools have experimented with inclusive models in hopes of successfully educating students with and without disabilities in the same classrooms; however, general education students still hold negative attitudes toward students with disabilities. The contact hypothesis of intergroup contact theory postulates that prejudicial attitudes toward out-groups can be alleviated if the following conditions are present in and around contact situations: equal status, cooperation, common goals, and institutional support. The purpose of this dissertation was to create and validate the Intergroup Relations Classroom Environment Scale (IRCES), a teacher self-report survey instrument that, within K-12 classrooms, measures the four aforementioned conditions along with two additional conditions that theorists have added to the original list. Data collected from an extensive review of the literature, focus groups with experienced K-12 teachers and administrators, and interviews with social and cognitive psychologists were used to generate scale items; exploratory factor analyses were conducted to test the hypothesized six-factor model and reduce the number of items; and, the IRCES subscales were correlated with other classroom and school environment scales to assess convergent and discriminant validity. Analyses resulted in a 43-item, multidimensional scale that theoretically and practically matches the six optimal contact conditions. The IRCES provides researchers, administrators, and teachers with further knowledge of how to create and maintain a safe learning environment for all students.

Behavior management is becoming overwhelming in today's educational system. Many teachers are struggling to keep their students engaged in their classrooms. The goal of this study was to show educators that incorporating vigorous exercise on a daily basis for a short amount of time (fifteen minutes) has the potential to reduce common off-task behaviors, such as students laying heads down, talking off-task, and being out of their seat. Quantitative data was collected by comparing before and after number of off-task behaviors for each week of the study. Qualitative data was collected through a survey that the students completed. During my study, I found my students' off-task behaviors did not decrease significantly with the implementation of vigorous physical activity. The quantitative data actually showed an increase in the total number of off-task behaviors. Qualitative data resulted in students rating their behavior as improved after implementation of physical exercise. Further research in this area is needed because off-task behavior in a classroom reduces time spent with instruction and learning. Educators today need to discover new techniques that will engage students throughout the school day. Enabling students to work towards being a more focused learner will only improve their overall school experience.

The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of mental health on student achievement in high-performing school districts in California and investigate how a focus on student wellness can support achievement on the school campus. This study also aimed to determine the best practices currently being utilized by high-performing school districts in California to effectively address prevention, intervention, and postvention in the areas of depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidal ideation. A mixed-methods study was implemented with 56 high school site leaders who completed a 24-question survey about student mental health and wellness in their respective school districts. Ten current superintendents, 5 from Southern California and 5 from Northern California, were interviewed as well.

Through the process of triangulation, the study’s findings indicated that high expectations, pressure to succeed, and fierce competition are causing extreme levels of stress and anxiety for students in high-performing school districts, which can lead to concerns regarding suicidal ideation. These school districts have protocols and programs in place to address students struggling with various mental health concerns. A team approach allowed for the development of student support plans that allowed continued access to curriculum. Many districts have programs that are grounded in prevention and intervention to reduce student stress and create opportunities for support. Finally, the creation of policy change, such as adjusted calendars, bell schedules and homework policies, seemed to solidify the student mental health and wellness programs within a school district. Overall, this study presents the best practices that are currently being employed within high-performing school districts to address student mental health and wellness.

The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of mental health on student achievement in high-performing school districts in California and investigate how a focus on student wellness can support achievement on the school campus. This study also aimed to determine the best practices currently being utilized by high-performing school districts in California to effectively address prevention, intervention, and postvention in the areas of depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidal ideation. A mixed-methods study was implemented with 56 high school site leaders who completed a 24-question survey about student mental health and wellness in their respective school districts. Ten current superintendents, 5 from Southern California and 5 from Northern California, were interviewed as well.

Through the process of triangulation, the study’s findings indicated that high expectations, pressure to succeed, and fierce competition are causing extreme levels of stress and anxiety for students in high-performing school districts, which can lead to concerns regarding suicidal ideation. These school districts have protocols and programs in place to address students struggling with various mental health concerns. A team approach allowed for the development of student support plans that allowed continued access to curriculum. Many districts have programs that are grounded in prevention and intervention to reduce student stress and create opportunities for support. Finally, the creation of policy change, such as adjusted calendars, bell schedules, and homework policies, seemed to solidify the student mental health and wellness programs within a school district. Overall, this study presents the best practices that are currently being employed within high-performing school districts to address student mental health and wellness.

Building on Dr. Tschannen-Moran & Dr. Gareis’ research into principal self-efficacy, as well as Dr. Dweck’s work regarding growth mindset, this study explores the relationship between principals’ performance on the Pennsylvania Framework for Leadership evaluation tool and their corresponding self-reported degree of self-efficacy and growth mindset. Principals in one Pennsylvania County were included in the sample and asked to complete an electronic survey comprised of: (a) demographic questions, (b) performance evaluation data, (c) mindset scales, and (d) principal self-efficacy scales. The data analysis consisted of both a linear regression of principal performance on principals’ mindset, moral leadership self-efficacy, and instructional self-efficacy scores. Additionally, correlation matrices were employed to identify the presence and direction of relationships between self-efficacy levels and the degree of growth mindset reported by principals.

Results demonstrated a positive association between principals’ instructional self-efficacy reports and their overall performance evaluation. Alternatively, both growth mindset and moral leadership self-efficacy evidenced a negative association. There was no association reflected between growth mindset and either the overall self-efficacy measure, nor the sub-scale self-efficacy measures. A secondary relationship revealed a negative association between school performance profile (SPP) and growth mindset. This relationship held true in subsequent regression analyses.

In a review of previous literature, this study attempted to delineate and define work engagement, generally, and teacher engagement specifically. It aimed to illuminate the importance of identifying and understanding when a teacher is engaged. This study suggested ways school leaders and policy makers could use teacher engagement to improve the teaching and learning that takes place in their schools.

This study measured teacher engagement at a small independent K 8 school in two ways: (a) as a personal trait (using the Engaged Teachers Scale or ETS administered once); (b) as a state that may change over time (using an Experience Sampling Method form or ESF multiple times over the course of a work week). The ESF also measured variables on instructional format and levels of interaction with an administrator.

The findings of this study described the teacher engagement of the population sampled. It weighed the relationship between trait teacher engagement and state teacher engagement. It found a significant relationship between a teacher’s engagement when measured as a static trait and that teacher’s engagement when measured as a dynamic state. The study found a significant relationship between trait teacher engagement and a teacher’s social interactions with students. It did not find a similarly significant relationship when considering state teacher engagement. This study also considered the relationship between teacher engagement and a teacher’s last interaction with an administrator. It also considered a teacher’s social engagement with colleagues. The study explored the relationships between teacher engagement and the mean number of different instructional formats used in each class period. Finally, the study considered the relationships that might be present between teacher engagement and the percentage of time that a teacher uses varying instructional formats.

School accountability policies were created in response to concerns that the United States was under-performing and losing its position as an international leader in education. These policies are currently an integral part of the American educational system. The effectiveness of school accountability policies, however, remains unclear and research on how performance-based accountability is related to principal behavior is largely undeveloped. This dissertation examined the relationships between performance-based school accountability and the behaviors of school principals. Using a nationally-representative database of public elementary schools (the Schools and Staffing Survey 2003-04), this dissertation explored the associations between different aspects of performance-based educational policy on principal work engagement, supportive leadership, and shared instructional leadership. Findings suggest that most associations between performance-based rewards and interventions and principal behaviors are negligible or negative. State policy for rewards had a negative association with supportive leadership, and state policy for intervention had a negative association with principal engagement. Among schools meeting all performance goals in the previous academic year, nearly all of the associations were statistically negligible; the only significant association was that between exposure to school-wide monetary rewards and principal engagement. Specifically, exposure to school-wide monetary reward had a significant negative association with principal engagement. Among schools failing to meet all performance goals in the previous academic year, exposure to intervention was negatively related to all three principal behaviors and three associations were statistically significant. Specifically, exposure to evaluation cycle was associated with significantly less supportive leadership, exposure to reduced resources was associated with significantly less shared instructional leadership, as was exposure to school choice. The interactions with school size and school poverty varied by type of incentive and by principal behavior, and generally suggest that the relationships between policy and principal behavior are stable across different contexts. Findings from this dissertation resound previous concerns with present performance-driven school accountability policy and introduce a new point of concern into the argument against the practice. While negative associations between accountability policy and principal behaviors may not be deemed directly pertinent to the bottom line (i.e. student achievement), that the only significant relationships are negative is an important consideration and refutes the theory of action in accountability. Reconsideration of performance-based accountability is recommended, as neither reward nor intervention consistently related positively to principal behavior; state policy for reward and intervention, exposure to monetary rewards, and exposure to nearly all interventions were negatively related to at least one principal behavior.