abstract: This study examined the enactment of a high school district's college-going mission. Treating mission enactment as a case of policy implementation, this study used the lens of complexity theory to understand how system actors and contexts influenced variation and adaptation. Data collection methods included observations, interviews, focus groups, and surveys of various system actors including district staff, principals, counselors, teachers, and students. This study used a mixed methods analytic inductive technique and Social Network Analysis to describe the mission's implementation. Findings reflect that the mission was a vaguely defined value statement; school staff reacted to the mission with limited buy-in and confusion about what it really meant in practice. The mission lacked clear boundaries of what constituted related programs or policies. Consequently, in this site-based district, schools unevenly implemented related programs and policies. School staff wanted more guidance from district staff and clear expectations for mission-related actions. To help meet this need, the district was moving to a more centralized, hierarchical approach. Though they were providing information about the mission, district staff were not providing specific, responsive support to organize school staff's efforts around implementation. District staff were trying to find an approach that both supported schools towards a common vision and provided flexibility for school-level adaptations. Yet, the district had not yet fully formed its position as a facilitator of implementation. Further, as the district lacked a cohesive measurement system, the effectiveness of this initiative was unknown. This study sought to present policy implementation as varied phenomenon, influenced by system actors and conditions. Findings suggest that while policy cannot determine actions, district staff could help create conditions that would support implementation. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Educational Leadership and Policy Studies 2011

Schools and districts are implementing more change initiatives because of an increase in accountability through national, state, and city requirements. Teachers and administrators are responsible for adhering to change initiatives and producing the results to bring the reform initiative to a successful fruition. This study explores the attitudes that are prevalent in the schools regarding reform initiatives and the change process. A qualitative research method was used to explore the prevailing attitudes about change among teachers and administrators. Teachers were not opposed to changing if their students would benefit from the change; however, changing just for change sake was not acceptable. Themes of teacher empowerment and voice were prevalent. Teachers wanted to be heard because they had the expertise within the classroom with their students and they wanted the autonomy to shape reform initiatives to fit the needs of their classrooms. School support, district support, and community support were important systems to ensure success of reform initiatives. Within each support system were important roles and responsibilities teachers depended upon for resources as a reform initiative progressed. In addition, teachers spoke candidly about essential professional development opportunities and collaboration within their schools. Teachers addressed the 4 reform initiatives pertinent to this study and discussed the impact of the initiatives on the classrooms. Reform initiatives are not cure-alls for what is ailing the public schools; however, there is a place for reform within each school and district. Teachers want to have valid data and clear cut goals and objectives to support the reform. Principals and superintendents have roles and responsibilities before, during, and after a reform initiative because teachers look to them for cues regarding reform. The 4 reform initiatives studied are still having an impact on classes today, some more than others. This study adds to the development of knowledge about the change process and change initiatives. It provides a framework for administrators involved with change to understand the preconceived notions and explore ways to reshape those notions. It may also aid future developers of reform initiatives as they develop programs for schools to adopt.

This research focuses on the challenges encountered by teachers in terms of support in teaching inclusive education in primary schools. According to the White Paper 6 of 2001, the Department of Education gives guidelines and points out the strengths of school-based support teams (SBST) and district support teams in attempting to overcome inclusivity. The SBST works with a variety of internal support structures to meet the needs of teachers who are teaching inclusive education. Schools in South Africa - especially in townships – are, generally, of the opinion that managing the process of inclusive education is the sole responsibility of the Department of Education. The research methodology employed in this study is qualitative which is explorative and descriptive by nature. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of the principals and the school-based teams in supporting teachers teaching inclusive education in primary schools. Data was collected by means of two focused interviews, which involved the principals and members of the school-based support team and by using one-on-one, semi–structured interviews. The collected data was analysed and categorized according to a constant comparative method. The data revealed a number of frustrations and challenges for teachers who need support in teaching learners in inclusive education. It is evident that there is a lack of support both from the principals and the SBSTs in supporting teachers who are teaching inclusive education. There is an insufficient knowledge and a lack of skills in supporting teachers teaching inclusive education as there has been no proper training for these teachers. However, the Department of Education has ensured that the introduction of White Paper 6 is aligned to the schools’ contextual systems. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted

South Africa is a democratic country with equal human rights. South Africa’s previous president, Thabo Mbeki, signed Article 24 in October 2006 and committed South African education to acknowledge all learners without discrimination and to create equal opportunities for all learners. A close look was taken at support in inclusive education within the South African context. It touched on models contributing to the development of a learner, followed by a retrospection of the history that gave way to inclusive education in South Africa. International trends were also considered. The question investigated was: Are the necessary support systems in place in Gauteng’s government primary schools, to provide the necessary support to learners who experience barriers to learning within the inclusive education system, and do they function optimally? In order to answer this question data was collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire completed by principals of Gauteng government’s primary schools. Some of the following aspects were the focus of the questionnaire in this study: barriers to learning that prevail the most are the type of specialist help available to the schools; the role of special schools as specialist reference; the attitudes of parents, teachers, specialists, therapists and teacher aids as well as the accessibility of specialised assistance to government schools. Questions also focussed on training, as well as support provided by institutional and district support teams.The most significant findings of the study include the the fact that classrooms are overcrowded. The most common barriers to learning are Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder and emotional disability instability linked to family problems. A cause for concern is the fact that 82% of the respondents are teaching between 20 and 60 learners experiencing barriers to learning. The institutional level support teams were functioning effectively, but the district support teams did not function adequately. Special schools as resource centers are not used and utilized sufficiently by Gauteng’s government primary schools. The findings show that policies within schools need to be revised to accommodate the learner who experiences barriers to learning. Observation proved that most of Gauteng government primary schools are gradually on the road to implementing inclusive education supported by support systems successfully. / Further Teacher Education / D. ed.

South Africa is a democratic country with equal human rights. South Africa’s previous president, Thabo Mbeki, signed Article 24 in October 2006 and committed South African education to acknowledge all learners without discrimination and to create equal opportunities for all learners. A close look was taken at support in inclusive education within the South African context. It touched on models contributing to the development of a learner, followed by a retrospection of the history that gave way to inclusive education in South Africa. International trends were also considered. The question investigated was: Are the necessary support systems in place in Gauteng’s government primary schools, to provide the necessary support to learners who experience barriers to learning within the inclusive education system, and do they function optimally? In order to answer this question data was collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire completed by principals of Gauteng government’s primary schools. Some of the following aspects were the focus of the questionnaire in this study: barriers to learning that prevail the most are the type of specialist help available to the schools; the role of special schools as specialist reference; the attitudes of parents, teachers, specialists, therapists and teacher aids as well as the accessibility of specialised assistance to government schools. Questions also focussed on training, as well as support provided by institutional and district support teams.The most significant findings of the study include the the fact that classrooms are overcrowded. The most common barriers to learning are Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder and emotional disability instability linked to family problems. A cause for concern is the fact that 82% of the respondents are teaching between 20 and 60 learners experiencing barriers to learning. The institutional level support teams were functioning effectively, but the district support teams did not function adequately. Special schools as resource centers are not used and utilized sufficiently by Gauteng’s government primary schools. The findings show that policies within schools need to be revised to accommodate the learner who experiences barriers to learning. Observation proved that most of Gauteng government primary schools are gradually on the road to implementing inclusive education supported by support systems successfully. / Further Teacher Education / D. ed.

A gap exists in education research in the area of district support for campus-based professional learning communities (PLCs). The current study was an examination of practitioner perceptions of district structures and practices that support the development and sustainability of PLCs in public high schools. I examined the perceptions of 341 teachers, campus administrators, and district administrators in a suburban North Texas public school district with three comprehensive high schools. Using a sequential mixed-method design, quantitative data from an electronic survey and qualitative data from face-to-face interviews were collected and analyzed. The findings revealed a generally positive view of central office support among the participants, including consistent ratings from each high school, each campus-level position, each content area, and each level of experience in the district. There was some misalignment of perceptions between campus-level and district-level staff. The study also uncovered a set of best and worst district practices, the six PLC strengtheners and six PLC inhibitors, which were synthesized into a set of recommendations and guidelines for district support for high school PLCs. From participant feedback, I concluded district support is needed and desired by high school practitioners and there are specific district practices and structures that are most effective. While the study results provide a practical set of recommendations for school districts for supporting high school PLC efforts, expanded research is necessary to confirm transferability to school districts of diverse sizes, locations, and demographics.