abstract: This study examines the genesis, practice, and Native experiences of stakeholders with two Arizona kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) statute that mandate instruction of Native American history. The research questions relate to the original intent of the policies, implementation in urban school districts, how Native American parents experienced Native American history in their own education and their aspirations for this type of instruction in their children's education. Lomawaima and McCarty's (2006) safety zone theory was utilized to structure and analyze data. Critical Indigenous Research Methodologies (CIRM) (Brayboy, Gough, Leonard, Roehl, & Solym, 2012; Smith, 2012) was used in this interpretive policy analysis and phenomenological research study. Interviews were conducted with policymakers, a department of education official, urban school district personnel, and Native American parents with children in the pertinent school districts. Data included in-depth interview and legislative committee meeting transcripts, artifacts including bill versions, summaries and fact sheets, school board manuals, and the state social studies standards. The findings indicate that the intent of the statutes was to foster a better understanding among students (and hence, the state's citizenry) leading toward reciprocal government-to-government relationships between tribal nations and non-tribal governments. Teaching sovereignty and self-determination were fundamental. Although the school-based participants had limited knowledge of the policies, the district personnel believed they implemented the mandates because the state social studies standards were utilized to frame instruction. However, the 45 social studies standards related to Native Americans focus on extinct (referred to as historic in the standards) Native societies. The social studies standards ignore contemporary tribal nations and are thus inefficacious in supporting the goal of a better understanding of sovereignty, or in supporting Native American self-determination. The Native parent participants defied stereotypical images; they were involved in their children's educational attainment and were reintroducing cultural and tribal capital. Recommendations include allocating funds to support implementation of the policies at the local school and state levels, establishing culturally responsive curriculum that recognizes and promotes tribal nations and tribal sovereignty, and strengthening relationships between tribal nations, school districts, and the state department of education. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ed.D. Educational Administration and Supervision 2014

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[pt] O objetivo desta pesquisa é explorar o potencial de práticas lúdicas como mecanismos de participação e de diálogo com o público não especializado, em projetos ligados à arquitetura e à cidade, para promover a atuação democrática na cidade. A partir da ideia, elaborada por Johan Huizinga, de que os jogos são formadores de cultura, são apresentadas e discutidas algumas práticas lúdicas no campo da arquitetura. Com base nas categorias de jogo definidas por Roger Caillois, dois jogos são desenvolvidos para contextos específicos do Rio de Janeiro: Rocinha e Gamboa. Ao entender a participação como um jogo, no sentido da disputa, do reconhecimento das forças, da negociação e do conflito, propõe-se com essas experiências a articulação de comunidades de jogadores e o desenvolvimento da cultura cívica. Essa experiência visa questionar até que ponto os jogos podem estimular uma vivência mais democrática de cidade ao buscar defini-los como formadores de consciência urbana. / [en] The objective of this research is to explore the potential of playful practices as mechanisms for participation and dialogue with the non-specialized public, in projects related to architecture and the city, to promote democratic performance in the city. Based on the idea, developed by Johan Huizinga, that games are cultural builders, some playful practices in the field of architecture are presented and discussed. Based on the game categories defined by Roger Caillois, two games are developed for specific contexts in Rio de Janeiro: Rocinha and Gamboa. By understanding participation as a game, in the sense of dispute, recognition of forces, negotiation and conflict, it is proposed with these experiences the articulation of player communities and the development of civic culture. This experience aims to question the extent to which games can stimulate a more democratic city experience by seeking to define them as builders of urban consciousness.

Part I of the study examines the differences between two environmental assessment methods for the K‐12 education sector: the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED Schools Version 3.0 and the British Research Establishment’s (BRE) BREEAM Education issue 2.0. Credit requirements are compared side‐by‐side and against recommendations from researchers in areas such as acoustics, lighting and indoor environment quality. Strengths in the two schemes and areas for improvement are highlighted, with acknowledgement that each scheme offers components and techniques from which the other could benefit. Part II of the study introduces the Howard C. Reiche Community School in Portland, Maine. Designed as an open‐plan school in the 1970’s this configuration is currently seen as a barrier to teaching and learning in the school which is slated for renovation by the Portland Public School District. Part III of the study looks towards precedents in education which have followed either the LEED or BREEAM assessment methods and Part IV of the study provides a design proposal for the Howard C. Reiche Community School’s renovation.

This phenomenological qualitative study examined school leaders' perceptions of using restorative practices within their schools. Participants included twelve school leaders who had experience with utilizing and implementing restorative practices. School leaders included: principals, assistant principals, deans, and administrative assistants. Research indicates that restorative practices are adapted to support specific school goals. Restorative practices are not practiced in isolation, as school leaders often couple restorative justice with social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, and other social-emotional supports. Restorative practices are tied closely to CASEL’s social emotional framework. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews using a virtual platform. Themes that emerged from the analysis of data included: (a) other staff members help support effective implementation and support of restorative practices; (b) other social-emotional supports, including trauma-informed practices support restorative practices; (c) relationships between staff and students are at the core of restorative practices; and (d) restorative practices positively influence students and the overall school climate. Restorative practices implementation and utility are informal systems influenced by the school leaders' commitment to their implementation.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the perceptions of the use of alternatives to suspension of high school administrators in Virginia urban public schools. The phenomenological research design allowed better understanding of the participant’s view and perception of their use of alternatives to suspension. While there is research focusing on the use of alternatives to suspension, there has been little research in Virginia urban public schools on the perceptions of administrators on the use of alternatives to suspension. The framework this research study utilized to focus the data analysis was Social Learning Theory. Data collection strategies included individual, semi-structured interviews, and document review. Analysis of data occurred in three phases: (a) open and axial coding themes from participant responses during interviews, (b) analysis of field notes, and (c) re-examination of the data. The analysis of the phenomenological study was based on the theoretical proposition that the perception of the person assigning the consequence after an incident influences the impact, change, and outcome. The credibility of the analysis was protected by triangulation of data through the coding of interviews and member checking. The results revealed four categories emerged to include: (1) knowledge and awareness of alternatives to suspension, (2) perceived effectiveness and impact, (3) implementation challenges and barriers, and (4) policy and legal considerations. Based on the research, recommendations were made for professional practice to support and improve the responses to student behavior by administrators in urban Virginia public schools.

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