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open access

The Perceptions of School Leaders about Their Readiness to Lead Early Childhood High-Needs Schools

Description: The problem identified for this study was that principals of elementary schools often do not have the appropriate preparedness and readiness required for meeting the needs of children and teachers in the primary grades. The purpose of this study was to examine the perception of early childhood campus leaders regarding how well-prepared they are to supervise a high-needs campus that consists of primary grades which include prekindergarten through third grade. Qualitative methodology of case stud… more
Date: May 2023
Creator: Brown, Onjaleke M.
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

The Effect of Formal Leadership Coaching Support on Principal Self-Efficacy

Description: Principals today face greater job complexities and more diverse challenges than ever before because of decreases in resources, funding, and district support, along with increases in accountability expectations, student diversity, and unfunded federal and state mandates. Principals today are tasked with myriad responsibilities ranging from facilities management and fiscal and legal concerns to instructional leadership and stakeholder relationships. The purpose of this study is to examine the rol… more
Date: May 2023
Creator: Heskett, Lori L.
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Student Perceptions of Advanced Academic Coursework and Its Impact on College and Career Readiness

Description: Although students have more opportunities than ever before to participate in advanced academic programs while in high school, it is unclear whether this has affected their ability to succeed in college. To determine what impact the students' experiences in Advanced Placement (AP) and dual credit coursework had on their level of college and career readiness (CCR), students were asked to recall what factors influenced their ability to succeed in postsecondary education and describe what informati… more
Date: May 2023
Creator: Doty, Rachel A.
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

The Impact of Reading Intervention on Student Achievement in Mathematics

Description: With high stakes testing in public schools, pressure for success prompts schools to implement intervention programs for reading and mathematics, often at the expense of extra-curricular and elective activities. Previous literature indicated a correlation between reading comprehension and mathematical understanding. This study examined the specific intervention programs being utilized by two rural Texas school districts and the impact these programs had on student mathematic scores as measured b… more
Date: May 2023
Creator: Farnsworth, Cara
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Campus Leader and Teacher Perceptions of Campus Administrator Actions in Support of Core-Content Professional Learning Communities

Description: The implementation of professional learning communities (PLCs) has led to systemwide reform within school districts and campuses regarding how campus leaders support the teachers' collaborative work and continued professional learning. Current research emphasizes the importance of campus administrators cultivating an environment where PLCs can flourish and ensuring that PLC teams have the resources to work effectively. However, campus administrators simply putting these supports in place does n… more
Date: August 2021
Creator: Sommers, Kristen
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Perceptions of Small Rural District Principals on Their Superintendent's Effectiveness in Principal Leadership Development

Description: Empirical research has shown a relationship between the school principal's leadership ability as an instructional leader and student learning outcomes. It would be reasonable to assume that the school principal benefits greatly from his or her superintendent sharing his or her knowledge and experience. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of a sample of rural West Texas principals and the frequency and extent to which their superintendent provides them effective professional… more
Date: May 2019
Creator: Bartram, Timothy Lynn
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Hispanic Students' Perceptions of How Well Public High School Prepared Them for College

Description: Although Hispanics are graduating from high school at greater rates, it is not leading to college success as college graduation rates remain low. In Texas, the Hispanic population has grown to the point that one out of three of all Texans are Hispanic. A phenomenological approach to research was used to investigate the perceptions of Hispanic college students on how well their public high school prepared them for college. Through face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions, eight Hisp… more
Date: May 2019
Creator: Soto, Lionel
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

The Relationship of Five Facets of Teacher Trust in the Principal to Teacher Efficacy

Description: Relational trust exists between and among individuals within complex human organizations; however, within a school, the relationship between teachers and the principal is at the heart of the organization. The purpose of this mixed method study was to gain an understanding of the relationship between teachers' trust in their principal and teacher efficacy and determine which leadership behaviors and facets of trust have the greatest influence on the trust relationship between teachers and the pr… more
Date: May 2019
Creator: Caudle, Airemy Marie
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Instructional Personnel Perceptions on Integrating Instructional Technology in K-12 Classrooms: A Case Study

Description: Integrating digital pedagogy into instruction in a manner that promotes critical thinking and drives increased student achievement and engagement in all classrooms is a goal of many campuses and districts that invest heavily in hardware, software, and professional development on an annual basis. Digital pedagogy goals tend to center around preparing students for the 21st century workforce, promoting instruction that is more engaging, and providing deeper learning for all students; however, achi… more
Date: May 2019
Creator: Agent, Renee L
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

An Analysis of Legal Liability of Virginia Educators and School Systems

Description: The doctrine of sovereign immunity in the Commonwealth of Virginia has evolved over time and the redefinition of the doctrine has been subjected to the interpretation by courts involving cases with varied facts and circumstances that have challenged the boundaries and flexibility of this legal concept. Determining the protection that a state agent was entitled to was the guiding principle in case law regarding sovereign immunity; however, understanding the purpose and intent of the doctrine of … more
Date: May 2019
Creator: Johnson, Tracy Lou
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Using Data Envelopment Analysis to Predict the Impact of Socioeconomic Variables on Instructional Spending Efficiency and Student Achievement at the Elementary Level

Description: Public school finance and school accountability are highly contentious subjects. This correlational study illustrates campus level instructional spending efficiency by examining various input and output variables. The study utilizes data envelopment analysis of selected variables to compare elementary campuses and create instructional spending efficiency measures within purposively selected metropolitan educational service regions in Texas. The study analyzes elementary school instructional spe… more
Date: May 2019
Creator: Ham, Richard Dale
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

The Identification and Participation of Latino Students in Advanced Mathematics Courses

Description: Using a phenomenological approach, this qualitative study examined the perspectives of Latino parents and their involvement in the decision of their child to enroll in an advanced mathematics course in sixth grade. Since enrollment in Algebra I in high school is said to be a strong predictor of college attainment and with the growing number of Latino students across the nation, this study has the potential to help district and campus leaders establish whole-school systems for communicating wit… more
Date: May 2018
Creator: Blanchard, Myrna Elizabeth
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Culturally Relevant Recruitment and Hiring in an Urban District

Description: This qualitative case study examined the recruitment and hiring practices of an urban district. Participants in this study included five district-level, human resource staff members and six campus principals. Data collected and analyzed including audio recordings of semi-structured interviews of each participant and documents at the district and campus levels used during the recruitment and hiring processes. The findings suggested that there is evidence of the district's use of the fit theory a… more
Date: May 2018
Creator: Winn, Takesha LaShun
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Empowering U.S. Marshallese Students to Engagement and Active Participation in Learning

Description: The U.S. Marshallese population is one of the fastest growing Pacific Islander populations in the United States. The purpose of this study was to identify how U.S. Marshallese students could be empowered and engaged in their learning through clearly identified indicators that educators could apply within their classrooms and schools. The indicators have been established on a historical, cultural, and linked perceptions of student learning as identified by U.S. Marshallese students and teachers.… more
Date: May 2018
Creator: Robinson, Sam J
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Student and Counselor Perceptions of a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program's Effectiveness

Description: Research reveals that disciplinary alternative education programs (DAEPs) are growing at an alarming rate. What are schools doing to ensure success for those students who are placed in a DAEP? In this descriptive qualitative research study, I examined how DAEPs can operate at a more effective level in order to provide a restorative environment, resulting in a decreased recidivism rate for troubled youth. In order to achieve this overall objective, the following research questions framed this… more
Date: May 2018
Creator: Dunworth, Rodney Dean
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Students' Perceptions on the Impact of Teacher Expectation Bias on Classroom College Readiness Opportunities

Description: As increasing emphasis is being placed on student college and career readiness, instructional approaches seek to develop content and skill proficiency. I gathered student perspectives on teacher expectations and instructional opportunities in core content classes in order to determine if expectation bias influences college readiness preparation in the classroom. Student academic self-concept and college readiness were examined alongside beliefs about teacher expectations and instructional opp… more
Date: May 2018
Creator: Wellman, Kristen Suzanne
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Response to Intervention (RTI) and Promising Practices: What Works at the Secondary Level

Description: The primary focus of RtI has been at the elementary school level. However, over the past few years there has been a shift, and RtI has been expanding to secondary schools. Through this expansion, it is unclear if RtI has been effectively implemented at the secondary level. The ultimate goal for any school implementing change is institutionalization or sustainability. Therefore, this qualitative case study examined the institutionalization or sustainability of RtI systems in one high school. … more
Date: August 2018
Creator: Little, Regena Ann
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Professional Learning Communities and School Improvement: Implications for District Leadership

Description: The purpose of this research was to understand the role of district leadership better in the implementation and development of professional learning communities. This investigation was a mixed-methods analysis of the perceptions of a school district's support in the implementation of professional learning communities (PLCs) at the school level. Additionally, in this study, I examined how the PLC framework supports systemic school improvement, using Hord's definition of the five dimensions of … more
Date: May 2018
Creator: Flowers, Kelly N.
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

A Spatial Econometric Study Examining the Determinants of Principal Salaries

Description: The lack of evidence on reforms, such as determinants of principal salary, points to data and research deficiencies to be addressed in order to learn more about their effects and make sound public policies. The purpose of the study was to examine district and community determinants of principals’ salaries using a spatial econometric framework. The findings have implications for education policy development related to pay for contribution, rather than pay based on tenure, experience, or district… more
Date: May 2016
Creator: Bland, J. Edward
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

College and Career Readiness of Students with Autism

Description: With one in every 59 individuals now diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there is a significant increase in college enrollment for these students, yet, alarmingly, this population has the highest college dropout rate. Using Rawl's social justice theory as the frame, this qualitative study identified the perceptions of students with ASD, their college professors, and the director of the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA). Perceptions were examined through open-ended surveys re… more
Date: May 2019
Creator: Stello, Christina N
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

The Impostor Phenomenon among Female High School Principals: A Mixed Methods Study

Description: The purpose of this sequential mixed-methods study was to explore the feelings, thoughts, critical incidents, and coping mechanisms of female high school principals and their experiences with the impostor phenomenon. A hierarchical multiple regression revealed that none of the demographic factors such as number of years as a head high school principal, age, percentage of female high school principals in the district, race/ethnicity, marital status, mentorship status, and community type, were st… more
Date: December 2020
Creator: Moriel de Cedeño, Daphne
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Job Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment, and Turnover Intention of Teachers Using Computer-Based Curriculum Delivery in a Drop-Out Recovery High School

Description: This current study examined the job satisfaction and turnover intention of teachers working in a drop out recovery program using online curriculum. The subjects of the study were from one charter school district in north Texas that is designated as a drop out recovery program. This qualitative case study used interviews and focus groups to examine eight different areas of teacher job satisfaction to examine factors that influence a teacher's intent to quit or remain at a school. Previous res… more
Date: December 2020
Creator: Beauchamp, Joey
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Effective Leadership Practices in Improvement-Required Schools

Description: This mixed-methods study identified the effective practices of the principal and leadership team in an Improvement-Required (IR) high school that significantly influenced student achievement and guided their school from IR to a rating of Met Standard in one year. IR or F schools under the new system are schools that failed to meet the state accountability target goals. The high school in this study had a large culturally and economically diverse student population with a high percentage of En… more
Date: May 2020
Creator: Kimm, Linda L.
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

A Mixed Method Inquiry into Student Academic Optimism: Validation of the Construct and Its Use to Give Voice to Latinx Student Experiences

Description: This study examined student academic optimism in four diverse North Texas school districts. This study used a convergent parallel mixed methods design to analyze results of an online administration of the survey, and Latinx student responses to a focus group protocol derived from the survey. Quantitative results indicate the individual scales making up the construct align with previous research results. The three scales were found to be strongly and significantly correlated, indicating the p… more
Date: May 2020
Creator: Viamontes Quintero, Jesika
Partner: UNT Libraries
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