According to many scholars, schools are the last bastion of permitted homophobia (Beadle, 2009; Grew, 2008; as cited in Formby, 2013). Primarily using the theories of Foucault, Kristeva and Butler, the thesis uses critical theory as a means to both understand and critically analyse the construction of subjectivity within and throughout discourse in the hetero-/cis-normative institution, and how this related to the potential abjection of LGBT+ pupils. Whilst it is agreed in this thesis that LGBT+phobia is still widespread in both schools and wider society, it was found in this research that the impact of direct LGBT+phobic discrimination was less evident. Instead, the discursive spaces where LGBT+phobia had been silenced were filled with hetero-/cis-normative discourse. Concomitantly, the impact of LGBT+ invisibility, the silencing of positive discourse surrounding sexuality and the institutional rejection of performative LGBT+phobia without cultural or organisational change meant there remained a negative impact on LGBT+ young people, despite a reduction in visible LGBT+phobia (DePalma and Atkinson, 2006/2010). Through the use of short vignettes taken from a period of ethnographic research, I have used discursive reflexivity to offer an alternative discourse surrounding the LGBT+ pupil in the school. In a thesis preoccupied with language, the institutional denial of appropriate language, the lack of positive space for LGBT+ young people to construct their identity and the potential risk of abjection from the hetero-/cis-normative institution are all highlighted as points for discussion. Viewed through a critical theory lens, the exemplars used to illustrate these complex theories are chosen from 72 workshops undertaken in schools with Year Nine pupils over a the 2015 to 2016 academic year in the Merseyside region, and also from self-identified LGBT+ young people (also in Year Nine during the academic year 2015 to 2016), who were part of discussions in an LGBT+ Youth drop in based in Liverpool city centre. Intertwining academic analysis and philosophical reflection, the research finds that not only is the LGBT+ pupil abject in the school, but this abjection is threefold. It is enacted by the institution, the peer group and by the internalised LGBT+phobia of the abjected pupil. In the conclusion, it is reflected upon how the impact abjection from school continues to affect LGBT+ people into adulthood.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rhode Island, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 164-174).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 205 p. : ill. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 116-136).

Current research has described a changed central office perspective that not only includes campus principals as part of the district's leadership team, but also focuses on developing principals' instructional abilities with the purpose of supporting school reform. However, to date, research has not provided examples of a successful relationship between campus principals as a collective group and the district (central office) leadership team attempting to implement district-wide high school reform. This study was conducted in order to examine the perceptions of high school principals (in an urban school district in Texas) toward district-wide initiated high school reform. Methods used for data collection included semi-structured interviews, review of available artifacts, and case profile development. Questions derived from the researcher's review of the literature and ongoing professional interest were the basis for dialogue during the semi-structured interviews. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and unitized. The data were further organized into categories and subcategories. The analysis of principals' perceptions provided insight and helped develop an understanding of obstacles that high school principals perceive in implementing district-led high school reform. This study has concluded that the district goals and mission do not define the daily operations of a campus. Instead, the district goals and mission are often reprioritized because principals are insecure, believe they have a better understanding of the local context than does the central office, and are oftentimes frustrated by the central office's political machinations. Recommendations include suggestions on how to eliminate these obstacles, improve the ability of principals to implement district-led high school reform, and how to suggest actions for the improvement of the high school reform process at the central office level.

The purpose of the study was to provide for the improvement of instruction in the secondary schools of Saudi Arabia. To fulfill this goal, the study was designed to accomplish three tasks: 1) describe the nature, scope and effectiveness of the current system of teacher evaluation; 2) determine the attitude of the Saudi educators toward the existing system; 3) develop a new system and propose it for evaluating secondary school teachers in Saudi Arabia. Literature relating to the model of evaluation, criteria used in evaluating teachers, role of personnel involved in teacher evaluation, and processes and instruments used in evaluating teachers was reviewed.Letters to some of the Saudi educational authorities were sent in order to obtain information about the present system of teacher evaluation, and to acquire any studies that have been conducted in the area of teacher evaluation. A questionnaire was sent to Saudi administrators and teachers now studying at American universities. The purpose of the questionnaire was to obtain information relating to the procedure used in evaluating secondary school teachers in Saudi Arabia, to elicit their judgments of the effectiveness of the present system, and to obtain their recommendations for developing the present system of teacher evaluation.Most of the literature that was received from Saudi Arabia indicated a negative reaction toward the present teacher evaluation system. Also the answers and comments of most of the respondents to the questionnaire statements revealed a general dissatisfaction with the present evaluation system.The proposed design was based upon the review of literature, interviews with American school personnel, suggestions from respondents to the questionnaire, participation in part of the activities of the staff development program at Ball State University, consultation with some experts in the field of teacher evaluation, review of some evaluation instruments used in evaluating teachers at different school systems in Indiana, and the review of most of the material now used for evaluating secondary school teachers in Saudi Arabia.The evaluation model described the expected role of the supervisor, the building principal, the department chairman, the peer teachers, the students, and the teacher being evaluated in teacher evaluation. Also the model defined the criteria which should be used in the teacher evaluation program.The suggested procedure for evaluation was illustrated under the listed activites:1. An introductory conference. The main purpose of this conference, which is managed by the supervisor, is to explain the general outline and the procedure evaluation process.2. Departmental meetings. The chairman of the department is in charge of running these meetings. The common technique of conducting a departmental meeting in general and the technique followed at the first departmental meeting in specific are clarified.3. Field work or the cycle of evaluation. This section is concerned with the procedure to be followed in the teacher evaluation. The procedure of evaluation includes the following activities:a) Setting goals and objectives. The teacher with the help of the department chairman writes the behavioral or instructional objectives of the course in general and of each unit in specific.b) Data collection. The data about the teacher being evaluated is collected from various sources and by different techniques such as classroom observation, teacher self-evaluation and student and peer questionnaires.c) Analysis of data. The department chairman and the teacher analyze the information collected by classroom observation and questionnaires.The purpose of the data analysis was defined. After the data analysis the department chairman writes the evaluation report.The evaluation of the department chairman and the end-of-the year evaluation were included in the model. Recommendations related to the application of the model and to the betterment of the teaching-learning process were formulated.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-174).