<p> Although many studies have shown good effectiveness of student-centered instruction in a variety of educational settings, relatively few have focused on alternative learning environment (ALE) programs. This research study compared the learning outcomes of ALE students in a one rural Arkansas delta school sequentially utilizing a teacher-centered and a student-centered learning environment. Additionally, this research addressed how each environment nurtured independence skills, leadership, and social growth. Significant differences were observed in academic achievement, and student views about the classroom environment were well documented. A Mixed-Methods design was incorporated for quantitative and qualitative measures to compare learning outcomes in both student-centered and teacher-centered classroom environments. Quantitative measures included a student survey designed to measure student views and perceptions of both environments and that of academic grades. Qualitative measures included classroom observations, semi-structured interviews, student-focus groups, and journal entries. Research participants&rsquo; were alternative learning environment students and one primary investigator. The primary investigator was the teacher of the ALE classroom where implementation of student-centered and teacher-centered learning that included 25 student participants took place. Student-centered methods were based on democratic (Dewey, 1938), and constructivist (Vygotsky, 1978) principles. Teacher-centered methods were based on (Skinner, 1953) and (Lynch, 2010) ideologies and their incorporation of student lecture as the means for effective instruction. Data findings of this study indicate ALE teachers can incorporate a student-centered classroom environment that engage students, promote independence and leadership skills and promote higher academic achievement.</p>

<p> The main purpose of this study was to gain insight into the recruitment and retention strategies popularized due to the need to meet high-quality teacher demands. Additionally, recruitment and retention strategies identified by administrators and tenured teachers working in rural public schools of Missouri as effective were collected through a survey. Administrators, as well as tenured teachers currently on staff in rural public school districts of Missouri, were the population of this study. Among 286 administrators, 95 administrative participants and 33 tenured teachers completed the survey. The survey responses were compared to determine if the administrative point-of-view was similar to that of the teachers involved in the study. The results of the survey indicated commonalities between the strategies administrators and tenured teachers found effective. The top-three mentioned strategies by both administrators and tenured teachers were school culture/climate, administrative support, and small class size. Teachers also indicated the community, skilled coworkers, access to technology, and adequate facilities were important factors in the determination of where they work; all of these factors were deemed of marginal importance or not mentioned by administrators. Those involved in the hiring process should be aware of the factors most important to teachers and shift focus if possible. The community near schools could also be used as a strategy to attract quality teachers and retain them long-term. </p>

M.Phil. (Personal and Professional Leadership) / People are storytelling beings and storytelling has been associated with improved self-awareness. It has also been indicated as a way to uncover patterns of culture, behaviour, communication, the sharing of knowledge, and understanding in different ways. If storytelling has such value, why is there so relatively little research on the effect of storytelling on self-awareness that could, in turn, lead to the development of personal mastery on life dimensions such as spirituality, mentality, emotionality and physicality? Furthermore, if storytelling leads to self-awareness then there should be a framework to integrate the effect of storytelling on self-awareness. Such a framework should then be able to guide any person towards personal development in becoming a complete human being in any of the dimensions associated with personal leadership. Even more so – if storytelling leads to self-awareness, storytelling could be the way through which self-awareness towards safety might be raised in an organisational context. The aim of this research was to describe what effect storytelling has on selfawareness in the development of personal leadership; to explore whether storytelling could be positioned within the internal life dimensions of personal leadership and lead to self-awareness; and what meta-insights on storytelling could be presented with the effects it has on self-awareness and safety-related self-awareness in the form of a framework? It is my view that, although storytelling is widely researched in social science, it still lacks an integrated framework that explains the effect of storytelling on selfawareness in the development of personal leadership, especially in an organisational context. The first motivation for this research was to investigate and establish whether storytelling leads to self-awareness. The second motivation was to generate insight and knowledge by relating storytelling to self-awareness within the internal life dimensions of personal leadership. Thirdly, to develop a framework that provides meta-insights on self-awareness – safety-related self-awareness in particular – through storytelling...

Ph.D.

<p> Native Hawaiian children have been facing challenges in multiple areas and multiple settings comparing to their non-Hawaiian peers. Many of Native Hawaiian children are academically struggling in the schools and have high dropout rates. This qualitative study explores the perceptions of a group of Native Hawaiian high school graduates on the Island of Oahu in regards to how project-based learning impacted their learning to determine whether or not project-based learning is an effective instructional strategy to motivate Native Hawaiian learners. Project-based learning intergrades the learning and psychological theories of intrinsic motivation, experimental, constructive and social learning. This narrative inquiry study confirmed that project-based learning had positively impacted on most of participants&rsquo; learning in the areas of interest of learning, engagement, self- challenged, attitudes towards learning, social and communication skill, learning skills, life skills, Hawaiian culture connection, technology, and curiosity. The importance of teacher-student relationship was identified as a key to achieve a successful PBL. Hands-on projects, community involvement and teamwork were the areas were also considered essential. The implications from this qualitative study were beyond determining whether or not PBL was a motivational tool for Native Hawaiian learners, but some of the causes for lacking of motivation. The participants of this study called for being connected to their cultures, community, place, and school through PBL. The narrative study discovered that Native Hawaiian learners require people who work with them understand Hawaiian culture and establish culture competency in PBL. Successful implementation of PBL can connect Native Hawaiian learners to learning, school, culture, their own identity, and Aloha spirit so that they are motivated to learn.</p>

This qualitative, multiple case study was concerned with the best practice of shared leadership in a ministry context. Four specific churches were considered for this study between September and November 2014. Data was gathered from the four churches through online questionnaires administered to leaders, on site interviews with leaders and staff, published material from each church, notes documented while observing, sermons on shared leadership, training materials, bylaws, and other pamphlets or material to discover and isolate the number of occurrences of the established best practices, as well as possible unique best practices in each ministry context. The top three highest occurrences of established best practices in a ministry context were spiritual giftedness, relational support, and biblical shared leadership. Unique best practices were discovered and isolated as well. It is hopeful this study will assist leaders and others interested in the best practices of biblical shared leadership.

<p> The following mixed method study examines the servant leadership practices of teacher leaders and their impact on school climate and instructional planning. The researcher sought out the perceptions of both formal and informal teacher leaders as well as their district supervisors in a suburban high school setting. The research uncovered teacher leaders&rsquo; practice of empathy and listening had a significant impact on school climate. Commitment to individual development and empathy were identified by teacher leaders as important influences on instructional planning. The research confirmed servant leadership characteristics are practiced by teacher leaders, and the findings were reinforced by district supervisors&rsquo; observations. This research may aid in providing educational organizations a framework to empower teacher leaders and their utilization of servant leadership. Furthermore, the research may serve as a catalyst for additional inquiry into the effect of servant leadership and teacher leadership on school climate and instructional planning.</p>

No description available.

This study explored successful leadership practices in challenging circumstances within the context of two case study schools. It was a qualitative case study of two secondary schools that have consistently performed above national average over a period of five years for matric pass rate. These township schools are headed by a female and a male principal. The study provides greater insights into leadership practices in the schools. The study showed that shared leadership was not practiced in the case schools. Shared (distributive) leadership implied that principals in the case schools would be practicing collective forms of leadership. However, delegation, which was about authority and accountability residing with the principal, seemed more prevalent. The findings revealed that both principals saw themselves as delegating most of the tasks to their subordinates, even though these tasks belonged to the subordinates by virtue of their formal appointments. The case schools have two deputies who share administrative and curriculum responsibilities. The deputy principals are there to deputise and assist the principal - duties that are lawfully theirs. The same applies to the HoDs whose duties are to oversee curriculum delivery in the classroom. These are not a delegated function but an execution of their responsibilities. In both case schools, evidence shows that the schools are successful because of the initiative of individual teachers who exert themselves in the classroom.

Disparities in school discipline for Black students has been a problem for decades. The negative effects of exclusionary discipline have been well-documented. This problem must be addressed by educational stakeholders in order to take steps to reduce the issue and provide interventions to reduce the disproportionality. Disproportionality in discipline prevents schools from achieving the ultimate goal of fostering positive outcomes for all students. School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support Programs have created a systems-level approach to reducing overall school discipline issues. Some studies have identified SW-PBIS programs that have been able to reduce disparities in secondary schools and increase graduation rates, however, studies of SW-PBIS and disproportionality have overlooked disparities in elementary schools. The present study contributed to the current research base by investigating elementary disparity rates and how schools are using a SW-PBIS system to lower those rates. It also identifies factors that create strong programs successful in reducing disparity rates as well as factors that hinder the success of schools with disparity problems. This qualitative analysis revealed four themes that are critical to the success of a SW-PBIS system in lowering disparity rates: training, finding the root of the negative behavior, high expectations, and support for teachers. Implications for professional development, data tracking, and measuring disproportionality in schools are discussed. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education. / Summer Semester 2018. / May 17, 2018. / Discipline Disparities, SW-PBIS / Includes bibliographical references. / Stacey Rutledge, Professor Directing Dissertation; Ithel Jones, University Representative; Helen Boyle, Committee Member; Motoko Akiba, Committee Member.