Thesis advisor: LAURI JOHNSON / This qualitative case study explored stakeholders' perceptions of Catholic identity in one suburban parish school in Massachusetts. Over a three-month period, data was collected from semi-structured interviews with the pastor, principal and five teachers, an online parent survey, document analysis, and observations of school events. Five major themes emerged from the data about Catholic identity: the role of service, the connection between the parish and the school community, the role of prayer and spiritual formation, the focus on academic excellence and its tension with inclusivity, and the principal-pastor relationship. All participants also voiced concerns about how the school's Catholic identity would be affected by the transfer of the pastor and the formation of a new parish collaborative. While the responses of participants reflected many of the characteristics of Catholic identity identified in the literature, service to others and the spiritual leadership of the principal were most closely identified with a strong Catholic identity. The presence of the pastor was also linked to Catholic identity, although participants desired more involvement of the pastor in the school. Finally, no one associated this Catholic school with the evangelizing arm of the Church. Recommendations for further research include the effect of the parish collaboratives on parish schools, the role of the Catholic school in the "New Evangelization," and the role of special education and service in Catholic identity. / Thesis (EdD) — Boston College, 2015. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Educational Leadership and Higher Education.

Thesis advisor: Lauri Johnson / This qualitative case study examined the perceived influence of servant leadership on the job satisfaction of novice teachers in one Massachusetts school district. Servant leadership was defined as “an understanding and practice of leadership that places the good of those led over the self-interest of the leader” (Laub, 1999, p. 81). Data were gathered from interviews with school and district leaders and novice teachers as well as through the analysis of school and district documents. The results of the study found the job satisfaction of novice teachers was positively influenced by servant leadership. In particular, both school leaders and novice teachers perceived leaders who valued novice teachers, behaved ethically, and empowered others to have a positive influence on the job satisfaction of novice teachers. While the research literature also highlights humility as an important element of servant leadership, the majority of novice teachers did not perceive it to have a positive influence on their job satisfaction. The results of this study substantiate prior research suggesting servant leadership plays a positive role in the job satisfaction of teachers. Recommendations include additional psychological empowerment of novice teachers and a continued emphasis on the practice of behaving ethically and valuing others. / Thesis (EdD) — Boston College, 2016. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Educational Leadership and Higher Education.

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There are gaps in the literature between implementation research and organizational learning describing how local school systems successfully implement initiatives that change practices within school sites. Until recently, there has been a pattern for federal and state policies to overlook the role of the local school district in impacting school reform efforts (Honig & Copland, 2008; Knapp, 2008). With the importance of the school district gaining attention from researchers and policy makers, research on various aspects of district based reform efforts is expanding (Knapp, 2008). However, there is limited research on the influence of district reform strategies and the transfer of organizational learning through school leaders to the school site. The purpose of this study was to discover the ways in which principals and their instructional leadership teams identified as successful in implementing a district initiative have come to understand, interpret and mediate the purpose, resources, and knowledge of the MTSS initiative. This study investigated transfer of knowledge as it relates to organizational learning, sociocultural learning, and policy implementation. This inquiry researched a district’s MTSS initiative implementation process to better understand the topics of learning school leaders require as well as the types of supports that have been provided. This study was designed as a multiple case study that explores ways in which principals and their instructional leadership teams identified as successful by district leadership lead the implementation of a district-based initiative over the course of two years. The frameworks guiding this investigation were an integrated conception of organizational learning and sociocultural learning theories, a synthesis of effective district reform concepts, and implementation science competencies. Data from semi- structured interviews, document reviews, memoing journal, and researcher reflexive journal were utilized to analyze the findings within and across cases. There were several areas of commonalities across schools with some unique instances within schools that are discussed within the frame of the research questions. In addition, there were 4 major concepts that emerged which can be considered for a new heuristic model: ethic of care, attention to the nature of relationships in schools, purposeful development of joint work in a community of practice, and building and sustaining trust. Through the discoveries of this study, implications for further research may entail considerations for a new heuristic model that could encompass the complexity of policy implementation through an inclusive perspective that acknowledges the humanistic dimension to educational policy practice and research.

This dissertation describes a research study that investigated cooperative inquiry as a strategy for professional learning of inner-city school principals in a large urban centre in Western Canada. The study attempted to identify the central issues of concern and means of redress for school leaders in high-poverty communities, many of which focused on educational leadership, school management, the context of their schools within impoverished communities, and the challenges of personal well-being. The findings suggest that cooperative inquiry was an effective strategy in that the approach was participatory, democratic, empowering, life-enhancing, and fostered community-building among participants. The findings also suggest that the approach was effective in that it was grounded in the action research cycle of planning, action, observation, and reflection. The study further examined the use of dialogue as a means of constructing knowledge regarding these issues, and identified the ways in which such knowledge impacts upon the professional practice of these principals. Findings suggest that participants gained knowledge from each other, offered knowledge from others, constructed knowledge together as a group, and developed deeper understandings of their own perspectives. Findings also suggest that meaning is lost when dialogic interactions are transcribed into print. Thus, dialogue is a form of communication in and of itself, one that cannot simply be transformed into the written word without losing part of that dialogic essence. Further, this study posits that dialogue has unique power to be both a process for meaning making, as well as an ontological means of clarifying one’s own sense of reality. / October 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the current perceptions of high school principals regarding their perceived roles, professional development experiences that impacted their careers, and the challenges and frustrations they face when enacting their roles as high school leaders. This qualitative study investigated perceptions of high school principals and addressed three research questions: (1) What are the perceptions of high school principals regarding their role as school leaders? (2) What professional development experiences do high school principals report are most important in impacting their careers? (3) What do high school principals perceive are their greatest challenges and frustrations? Three in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with each of eight high school principals. The results were based on analysis by the researcher and the two expert panels. The high school principals perceived that they had a tremendous number of roles and responsibilities within their positions. The roles and responsibilities that were identified with the greatest importance were: providing a safe learning environment, ensuring quality teachers and quality instruction, high accountability expectations for all and mandates, and leadership within the school and system. Professional development opportunities and personalized support systems were perceived to be vital to the success of the high school principal.  Principals in the study reported that both formal and informal professional development experiences were beneficial for their improvement as school leaders. The principals perceived that when they created relationships with mentors and established strong networks, they improved the likelihood of sustained support and success. High school principals perceived the greatest challenges were management of time, balancing leadership and management of the school, and navigating the legislative mandates and accountability requirements.  High school principals perceived the greatest frustrations were issues related to time and legislative mandates dictated to them by the local, state, and federal systems. They faced constant pressures that could be directly tied to student achievement and accountability measures. High school principals need to be prepared to assume various roles. Further research may determine if roles and challenges identified by the eight participants mirror other states’ results.

Educators across the country are expected to be data literate. They must be able to systemically collect and analyze student data to make informed instructional decisions. However, many school leaders lack the knowledge about how to transform mountains of data on student achievement into an action plan that will improve instruction and increase student learning (Boudett, et al., 2007). In addition, time constraints make it difficult for educators to effectively and efficiently collaborate around student data consistently. Most of the research on data use describes the importance for educators to use data to improve student achievement. However, limited research has been documented on the role the campus leader employs when creating a culture of data-driven decision-making as it relates to student achievement. Furthermore, the research on data use in Title 1 schools is also limited. Therefore, it is imperative to examine and describe how a Title 1 middle school principal implemented Data Teams on a campus. Consequently, the goal of this research was to determine how school leaders improve student learning through teacher data teams. The four primary questions this research addressed in this single case study were: 1. What is the role of the principal in implementing successful Data Teams? 2. What campus structures foster the Data Team process? 3. What are the perceptions of teachers regarding the effectiveness of the Data Team? 4. What practices contribute to the sustainability of Data Teams? Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews, direct observations, and document reviews which informed the findings. This research study revealed that the principal played a key leadership role in creating a culture of collaboration and data inquiry by implementing teacher Data Teams. Such leadership role is enacted by: communicating a vision for Data Teams, providing for job-embedded professional development, and offering differentiated support. Structured time, structured meetings, student data system, and structured assessments are structures employed by the school. Student-focused collaboration, enhanced teacher trust, and increased student achievement illustrate evidence of Data Team effectiveness. Shared accountability, building school culture, and focused interventions serve to sustain Data Teams. In conclusion, it can be affirmed the principal has the most influence on what will be supported on a campus. Therefore, the leadership role performed by the principal when guiding a faculty through the implementation of Data Teams must be deliberate and thoughtful. The principal should include key stakeholders in the decision-making process and build capacity among teachers to ensure the sustainability of Data Teams. Furthermore, targeted professional development and structures that allow time for teachers to collaborate are necessary. Because the ultimate goal for schools is student learning, it is important that everyone within the school organization understand their role in the Data Team process. / text

This study investigates principals’ perceptions about the importance and degree of building relationships with Hispanic/Latino families in highly diverse schools in an Atlanta area school district. Over the past ten years, the school district’s Hispanic/Latino student population increased by more than 12,000 students. The school district’s current Hispanic/Latino enrollment is almost 15,000 students, which is 14.4% of the total student body. Six principals from different elementary and middle schools with growing Hispanic/Latino student populations participated in this qualitative study involving in-depth, one-on-one interviews, informal observations, and artifact collection. The data analysis process involved transcribing the interview tapes verbatim, analyzing the narratives for theme categories, and identifying the common theme patterns. Critical theorists Giroux, Apple, and Freire provided the framework to examine the principals’ responses and experiences. Hegemony, patriarchy, and reciprocity are critical theory concepts used to criticize and critique the data to glean meaning and understanding of the principals’ perceptions about relationship building with Hispanic/Latino parents and families. There is a disequilibrium between what the principals say is occurring at their schools and the hidden and taken-for-granted structures that exist at their schools. Based on their actions, it seems principals perceive that in order to build relationships with Hispanic/Latino families, the school leaders need to take on a patriarchal role and explain the necessary knowledge, skills, and practices to the parents. This hegemonic behavior perpetuates the dominant group’s power and control over the non-dominant, oppressed groups. In addition, there was no indication that the principals gain an understanding of the Hispanic/Latino culture and language before attempting to help the families with parenting and schooling. The findings suggest that the principals are operating on the assumption that they know what is best for the Hispanic/Latino population without prior inquiry. There is little evidence that the principals believe they have something to learn from the Hispanic/Latino parents and families, thus, a reciprocal learning relationship is non-existent. These underlying beliefs and assumptions will hinder the principals from building a true relationship with the students, parents, and families who they serve in the school community.

This dissertation describes a research study that investigated cooperative inquiry as a strategy for professional learning of inner-city school principals in a large urban centre in Western Canada. The study attempted to identify the central issues of concern and means of redress for school leaders in high-poverty communities, many of which focused on educational leadership, school management, the context of their schools within impoverished communities, and the challenges of personal well-being. The findings suggest that cooperative inquiry was an effective strategy in that the approach was participatory, democratic, empowering, life-enhancing, and fostered community-building among participants. The findings also suggest that the approach was effective in that it was grounded in the action research cycle of planning, action, observation, and reflection. The study further examined the use of dialogue as a means of constructing knowledge regarding these issues, and identified the ways in which such knowledge impacts upon the professional practice of these principals. Findings suggest that participants gained knowledge from each other, offered knowledge from others, constructed knowledge together as a group, and developed deeper understandings of their own perspectives. Findings also suggest that meaning is lost when dialogic interactions are transcribed into print. Thus, dialogue is a form of communication in and of itself, one that cannot simply be transformed into the written word without losing part of that dialogic essence. Further, this study posits that dialogue has unique power to be both a process for meaning making, as well as an ontological means of clarifying one’s own sense of reality.

This dissertation describes a research study that investigated cooperative inquiry as a strategy for professional learning of inner-city school principals in a large urban centre in Western Canada. The study attempted to identify the central issues of concern and means of redress for school leaders in high-poverty communities, many of which focused on educational leadership, school management, the context of their schools within impoverished communities, and the challenges of personal well-being. The findings suggest that cooperative inquiry was an effective strategy in that the approach was participatory, democratic, empowering, life-enhancing, and fostered community-building among participants. The findings also suggest that the approach was effective in that it was grounded in the action research cycle of planning, action, observation, and reflection. The study further examined the use of dialogue as a means of constructing knowledge regarding these issues, and identified the ways in which such knowledge impacts upon the professional practice of these principals. Findings suggest that participants gained knowledge from each other, offered knowledge from others, constructed knowledge together as a group, and developed deeper understandings of their own perspectives. Findings also suggest that meaning is lost when dialogic interactions are transcribed into print. Thus, dialogue is a form of communication in and of itself, one that cannot simply be transformed into the written word without losing part of that dialogic essence. Further, this study posits that dialogue has unique power to be both a process for meaning making, as well as an ontological means of clarifying one’s own sense of reality.