This dissertation analyzes administrative discretion in public policy implementation in application of a new framework of integrative approach to administrative discretion developed from deficiencies of the citizen participation, representative bureaucracy, and private-interest groups democracy frameworks. The new framework holds that public agencies use discretion to integrate in decision making views of elected authorities, private-interest groups, public-interest groups, and other groups that seek to influence implementation. The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) policy is used as the case study, and the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) is the implementation setting. The dissertation answers the following question: How integrative of group views was DOE’s discretionary decision making in the implementation of NCLB? This research applies a structured content analysis method that consists of content analysis and a content analysis schedule (see Jauch, Osborn, & Martin, 1980). Using a Likert question, the dissertation developed six integration levels of DOE’s discretionary decision making from not at all integrative to extremely integrative and found that most decisions were very integrative. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Bound by compulsory attendance laws, over 48 million children attend public schools in the United States each year. Unfortunately, for a growing percentage of these students, compulsory attendance has not resulted in equitable achievement. In spite of educational reforms aimed at the school, district, state, and most recently, federal level, academic achievement gaps continue to exist between students of color and students of poverty as compared to white and/or more economically advantaged peers. Previously identified Educational Frameworks including the Effective Schools Correlates, Malcolm Baldrige Quality Improvement Educational Criteria, Stupski Foundation Components, and Professional Learning Communities Characteristics have described the elements present in successful schools and districts; however research into the process of how districts have made progress toward closing achievement gaps is less prevalent. This grounded theory study examined the processes employed by a single Texas school district serving over 26,000 students in an economically and ethnically diverse community which had made progress in closing achievement gaps with all students. Data gathered through semi-structured interviews, direct observations, and document reviews informed the findings. The research utilized Strauss and Corbin's three stages of coding: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding (Strauss & Corbin, 1998) for data analysis. Findings regarding the processes employed revealed that the district: created systems to select, develop and, evaluate leadership personnel; nurtured a district culture of shared accountability for results; crafted systems of accountability; built district structures to support learning and achievement; endorsed district-level decision-making; engineered a research-based and inquirydriven decision-making culture; intentionally managed change; deployed systems district-wide to impact change at the campus and classroom level, and embraced a commitment to professional learning.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

This thesis attempted to develop insight into why, contrary to expectation and predictions, learners in Rundu obtained better scores in a standardised English comprehension test than learners in Katima Mulilo, given that the conditions of teaching and learning were judged to be least favourable in Rundu.

The purpose of this study was to present and analyze the political implications and the effects of the No Child Left Behind Act and its effects on English language learners.

This study was undertaken with the purpose of analysing the public accountability system of secondary schools in the Johannesburg North District. It also tested the relationship between the accountability system and the effectiveness and efficiency of secondary schools. Over and above principals, learners and parents, the study also utilised numerous published literature to analyse the current accountability system. The findings of the empirical study revealed that there were disparities between the literature review and the current accountability system. Three major findings were made by this study. Firstly, there is a lack of synergy between internal and external accountability systems. Secondly, there are different accountability systems used by different secondary schools in the same District and lastly grade twelve results are used to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of secondary schools in the chosen District. In conclusion, proposals which may assist in improving the current accountability system were made. / Public Administration and Management / M. Tech. (Public Management)

This study investigates my experiences as a rural Mississippi secondary mathematics teacher. The culture surrounding accountability testing and rural education as well as student perceptions of my mathematics instruction and classroom management were investigated. With recent educational legislation such as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, teachers and students are experiencing education differently than teachers and students of the past. Through this basic interpretive case study, I sought to increase the limited research surrounding student perceptions of rural mathematics instruction and accountability testing and to provide a descriptive image of teaching in this rural school. The students, administrators, and test-based accountability were shown to have strong influences on mathematics instruction. The use of math manipulatives, competitive games, and reward systems were perceived as beneficial to many students. Some students? perceptions regarding cooperative learning and technological implementations were not as definitive or as positive as the engaging instruction. Disruptive behaviors, poor classroom management, administrative organization, and standardized test preparations caused instructional time to be lost. Inconsistencies in scheduling, instruction, and management were shown to influence the instructional climate. Teacher preparedness to teach students of differing cultural, ethnic, and economic backgrounds was shown to create various challenges in classroom instruction. The rural characteristics of this school minimized course offerings, increased individualized instruction, and presented monetary issues that were challenging and also beneficial to the students and teachers. As for accountability testing, teachers and administrators in this school tended to accept the testing culture with some disagreements, while students believed state assessments motivated them to perform better in class despite increasing certain levels of anxiety before and after the assessments. The implications of this study describe how teaching and learning in this school were filled with obstacles both teachers and students had to overcome in order to improve student achievement. Several recommendations for this school, future educators, and state and national departments of education are provided. Finally, this study provides an in depth look at the small details that make teaching in this rural school an everyday challenge.

The problems concerning the future management of state-aided (Model C) schools fall into two main categories, namely problems intrinsic to the Model C schools and the problem of giving substance to the stated vision of the ANC. Model C schools were seen as a South African model of school self-management. A study of the literature relating to school self-management in general, and how it is practised in various countries, was made and the management of state-aided (Model C) schools was analyzed. A impirical investigation was conducted to ascertain the perceptions of various role-players in school management about their duties and responsibilities in this regard. A model for the self-management of state-aided schools, based on the Caldwell and Spinks' s model, and conforming to various criteria, is proposed. The proposed model is, in the opinion of the researcher, applicable not only to State-aided schools, but to all schools in South Africa as it allows individual schools to accept as much or as little self-management as is consistent with the capacity of their communities to provide effective and efficient service. It also allows schools to accept increases in self-management as their communities gain in management skills and expertise. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (Educational Management)

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the use of a responsive evaluation approach in evaluating programme implementation: Safe Schools and the Child Friendly Schools Programmes. A case study design was adopted for use in the study. That was done by using Robert Stake’s responsive approach but modified to include: Stakeholder audience identification, consultation and issues exploration; Stakeholder concerns and issues analysis; Identification of evaluative standards and criteria; Designing and implementation of evaluation methodology; Data analysis and validation and Reporting. The study was done in two phases. Phase 1 focused on the Safe Schools Programme involving seven schools in the Capricorn district, Limpopo province. Preliminary results from phase 1 revealed that there was no implementation of the Safe Schools Programme. In phase 2 of the study the focus was on the implementation of Child Friendly Schools Programme. It involved three schools in the Capricorn and Waterberg districts, Limpopo province. Data collection was done by using three methods which are Observation, Interview and Documents. The results indicate that there is no implementation of the safe schools programme but there is implementation of the CFS programme. Although there is no implementation of the SSP, schools have initiated strategies to deal with safety issues. On the implementation of CFS programme, schools differed greatly in their approach. The study also documents the strengths, limitations and lessons learnt from the use of responsive evaluation approach as outlined by Robert Stake. The major contribution of the study is that Responsive Evaluation approach has gone through major changes over a period of time to the extent that its latter position seems to be contradicting some of its earlier positions. Further, evaluators should be patient, flexible and have listening, writing and observation skills when using the approach. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie fokus op die gebruik van ‘n responsiewe evalueringsbenadering in die evaluering van die programimplementering van die Veilige-skole- en die Kindvriendelike skoleprogramme. ‘n Gevallestudie ontwerp, naamlik Robert Stake se responsiewe benadering, is in die studie gebruik. Die benadering is aangepas om die volgende in te sluit: Identifikasie van die belanghebbende gehoor; konsultasie en eksplorasie van aangeleenthede; Analise van belanghebbended bekommernisse en vrae; identifisering van evalueringstandaarde en –kriteria; Ontwerp en implementering van evalueringsmetodologie; Data-analise en –validering, en verslagdoening. Die studie het in twee fases plaasgevind. Fase 1 het gefokus op die Veiligeskoleprogram wat sewe skole in die Capricorndistrik, Limpopo provinsie, insluit. Voorlopige resultate van Fase 1 het gewys dat daar geen implementering van die Veilige- skoleprogram was nie. In Fase 2 van die studie was die fokus op die implementering van ‘n Kindvriendelike Skoleprogram. Dit het drie skole in die Capricorn- en Waterbergdistrikte, Limpopoprovinsie, betrek. Data-insameling is gedoen deur gebruik te maak van drie metodes, te wete: waarneming, onderhoudvoering en dokumentering. Die resultate dui daarop dat daar geen implimentering van die Veilige -skoleprogram is, maar wel implimentering van die Kindvriendelike-skole-program. Alhoewel daar geen geen implimentering van die Veilige-skoleprogram was nie, het skole strategiee inisieer om veiligheidkwessies te hanteer. Wat die implementering van die Kind-vriendelike program betref, verskil skole grootliks in hul benadering. Die studie dokumenteer ook die sterkpunte, beperkings en lesse geleer uit die gebruik van die responsiewe evalueringsbenadering soos uiteengesit deur Robert Stake. Die hoofbydrae van die studie is dat die Responsiewe Evalueringsbenadering groot veranderings oor ‘n tydperk ondergaan het tot die mate dat die mees onlangse standpunte blyk om sommige van die vorige standpunte te weerspreek. Verder behoort evalueerders geduldig en plooibaar te wees, en oor luister, skryf- en waarnemingvaardighede te beskik by die gebruik van die benadering.

Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The National Department of Basic Education is aware that it is not succeeding in providing quality education for all school children. At present the performance of grade 3 and grade 6 learners, in both international and local assessment, is a matter for great concern. The results suggest that most learners lack basic literacy and numeracy skills. Learners’ performance in the National Senior Certificate Examinations is also far from what it should be. The way in which schools are managed largely determines the quality of education learners receive. As the managers of schools, therefore, principals are held responsible for the poor performance of learners during these annual systemic evaluations. The study aimed to investigate whether the school principals are aware of their powers and whether they perceive themselves as able to use their power to influence school practices positively and thus promote quality education. The study indicates that principals rely on a combination of positional and personal power sources to promote quality education. The study also indicates that principals are aware of their power but have a limited understanding of the concept of power. They also seem to lack the knowledge and understanding to exercise these powers effectively. Although they seem able to exercise considerable power in different situations, principals are reluctant to use their power. It seems that various external and internal factors influence their ability to use their power effectively. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen Afrikaanse opsomming