Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.81-90).

The purpose of this study was to determine perceptions of instructional leadership behaviors from Mississippi secondary career and technical education administrators and teachers in order to assist career and technical education administrators in becoming better instructional leaders. This research was conducted for the following purposes: (a) to determine which perceived instructional leadership behavior teachers consider most important, (b) to determine which perceived instructional leadership behavior administrators consider most important, (c) to determine if a difference exists in perceived instructional leadership behaviors between administrators and teachers, (d) to determine if a difference exists in perceived instructional leadership behaviors between career and technical education teachers and school type, and (e) to determine if a difference exists in perceived instructional leadership behaviors between career and technical education teachers and their career pathway. This study followed a descriptive and comparative research design. A version of the Principal Instructional Management Rating Scale (PIMRS) developed by Hallinger (1984) was sent to 1,507 Mississippi secondary career and technical education administrators and teachers, and 676 survey respondents were used. Results indicate that both career and technical education administrators and teachers perceive framing school goals as the most important instructional leadership job function. Other results show that statistically significant differences exist between career and technical education administrators and teachers in 7 out of 10 instructional leadership job functions. No statistically significant differences were found between career and technical teachers and school type. However, statistically significant differences were found between career and technical teachers and career pathway in 8 out of 10 instructional leadership job functions.

This research was conducted to determine if characteristics of teachers impact student learning in the secondary career and technical education Allied Health program area. This research was conducted for the following reasons: (a) to determine if teacher participation in professional learning opportunities impact student learning, (b) to determine if the use of curriculum and instruction resources impact student learning, (c) to determine if the implementation of researched-based teaching strategies impact student learning, and (d) to determine if other characteristics impact student learning. The data collected include responses from the fall 2007 MS-CPAS2 Allied Health student scores and survey responses from Mississippi Allied Health Teachers. This survey included: (a) professional learning, (b) use of curriculum and instruction resources, (c) researched-based teaching strategies, and (d) teacher experience. This study found that that students who had teachers who attended one to two face-toace professional learning sessions had a higher student mean score on MS-CPAS2 tests than students who had teachers who attended three or more face-toace professional learning sessions. Additionally, more Allied Health instructors are participating in face-toace professional learning than online professional learning. Although a majority of the participants are not attending the data retreat sessions, those who attend have lower MS-CPAS2 scores than those who do not attend. Recommendations were made to decision makers for future use of funds related to the development of curriculum and instruction materials and the development and implementation of professional learning opportunities. Some recommendations include: (a) creating incentives for teachers and administrators to participate more in online professional learning, (b) the curriculum framework created for secondary occupation- specific programs become a one-stop-shop for strategies that are proven to increase student learning, and (c) teacher licensure requirements should move from only requiring a two year associate’s degree to a four year bachelor’s degree.

Career and technical education (CTE) is faced with numerous forces that may impact its future. A variety of forces directly or indirectly affect CTE, ranging from the persisting stigma or negative image of career and technical education, the schools' curricular structure and requirements, along with federal laws such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Perkins. Federal laws guide administrators' decisions at the local level that affect CTE. With NCLB goals for all students to improve academic achievement, reach high standards, and graduate from high school (HS), much pressure is placed on schools. NCLB emphasizes increased academic rigor and progress on students' state assessments, holding schools accountable to annual yearly improvement. With more accountability, more emphasis is being placed on core academics that may in turn reduce or eliminate elective career and technical education programs. With continued negative perceptions associated with career and technical education, reinforced by curricular tracks and coupled with the impact of NCLB, CTE is left in a precarious position. Some of these forces may have deleterious effects upon CTE depending upon decisions and reactions of local administrators. <br>A quantitative survey research study was completed with Pennsylvania administrators from CTE schools and HSs. HS principals and CTE directors were surveyed as to how they perceived the effects of NCLB on role, image, and curriculum changes affecting career and technical education. Surveys were mailed to the directors of shared-time CTE schools and their respective sending HS principals. <br>The results of the study revealed the perceptions of HS and CTE administrators concerning the ramifications of No Child Left Behind as it relates to CTEs image, the effects on curriculum, and CTEs role in helping schools meet the goals of NCLB. There were significant differences found between CTE directors and HS principals regarding their perceptions of the role and image of CTE as affected by NCLB. In addition, there were no significant differences found between administrators regarding their perceptions of curriculum changes affected by NCLB. Finally, there were no significant differences in perceptions found across settings or regions. / School of Education; / Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program for Education Leaders (IDPEL) / EdD; / Dissertation;

Title from title page of PDF (University of Missouri--St. Louis, viewed February 8, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on May 11, 2009) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Georgia Southern University, 2008. / "A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Georgia Southern University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education." Under the direction of Linda M. Arthur. ETD. Electronic version approved: May 2008. Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-97) and appendices.

Positive postsecondary outcomes have become a social issue as the gap between typical peers and students with disabilities grows for employment or postsecondary education. Using evidenced-based instruction strategies to create effective transition instruction has become a required and successful means of improving postsecondary outcomes for individuals with moderate to severe disabilities. The career and technical programs have been identified as an environment that currently implements evidence-based practices that have shown promise of improving instruction. However, participation is limited among individuals with moderate to severe disabilities in the career and technical programs. Through this study the researcher sought to understand how career and technical educators perceive their programs as appropriate learning environments for students with moderate to severe disabilities. A mixed-methods design was used to gather perspectives of career and technical education teachers. A survey was given to ask career and technical education teachers about their personal perspectives, current dispositions, and the perceived barriers for including students with moderate to severe disabilities in their career and technical classroom. Open-ended questions were included at the end of the survey to better understand or identify new perceptions, dispositions, or barriers of career and technical education teachers toward teaching students with moderate to severe disabilities. An analysis of the responses determined that although there are concerns and lack of resources, the overall perspective of career and technical education teachers is positive. According to the results of this study, career and technical education teachers in Mississippi see their classrooms as beneficial and as an appropriate learning environment for students with moderate to severe disabilities.

The new federal legislation focusing on student achievement, critical reports of the public educational system, and the artificial distinction between academic and career and technical education, have combined to create an urgent need for the integration of academic and career and technical education (Finch & Crunkilton, 1999). The literature suggests that integration is one alternative to raising student achievement of all students and helps to prepare them for the workplace (Benson, 1989; Lankard, 1994; Brown, 1998; Stasz, Kaganoff, & Eden, 1994). The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which teachers and principals in HSTW sites perceive precursors (consisting of integration strategies and conditions) to integrate academic and career and technical education are present in their schools. In addition, comparisons of perceptions were examined based on school type, school size, and school location. The sample included 168 academic and career and technical education teachers and 36 principals from 36 HSTW sites in Virginia. Based on the findings from the factor analysis, precursors to integrate academic and career and technical curricula can be grouped into two relatively coherent latent factors: collaboration and academic skill preparation. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed that there were significant differences in the perceptions of teachers and principals. The multivariate analysis of variance also revealed significant differences based on school type only. Recommendations were made to assist teachers and principals to devise a plan to identify integration precursors that teachers perceive are not present in their schools. This information will be useful to principals and educational leaders for evaluating integration activities so they can provide support and guidance to increase integration activities in schools. / Ph. D.

Improving teacher quality is an effective strategy for improving student outcomes. For professional development to be effective at changing student practice and improving student outcomes the professional development topic needs to be relevant to the work of the teacher. This study surveys Virginia CTE teachers to identify their self-identified, most needed professional development topics. Virginia CTE teachers were asked to rate 136 separate teaching competencies based on each competency's importance to the teacher's practice and the teacher's ability to implement the competency. A quantitative research design was used to conduct this study. The Borich Needs Assessment Model was utilized to calculate a Mean Weighted Discrepancy Score (MWDS) for each competency. Competencies were with the largest MWDS were identified as those most needed for teacher professional development. Respondent data was disaggregated by gender, ethnicity, intention to remain in the teaching profession, CTE content area, years of experience, school division, and pre-service training in order to identify differences in professional development topic rankings for on each demographic area. Mann-Whitney U testing and Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance test by ranks were used. The results of this study can be used by school divisions, schools, and professional development providers to benefit the work of CTE teachers and CTE programs. / Doctor of Philosophy / Improving teacher quality is an effective strategy for improving student outcomes. For professional development to be effective at changing student practice and improving student outcomes the professional development topic needs to be relevant to the work of the teacher. This study surveys Virginia CTE teachers to identify their self-identified, most needed professional development topics. Virginia CTE teachers were asked to rate 136 separate teaching competencies based on each competency's importance to the teacher's practice and the teacher's ability to implement the competency. A quantitative research design was used to conduct this study. The Borich Needs Assessment Model was utilized to identify the competencies most needed as professional development topics for Virginia CTE teachers. Respondent data was disaggregated by gender, ethnicity, intention to remain in the teaching profession, CTE content area, years of experience, school division, and pre-service training in order to identify differences in professional development topics for each demographic group. The results of this study can be used by school divisions, schools, and professional development providers to benefit the work of CTE teachers and CTE programs.