Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Montana, 2007. / Title from title screen. Description based on contents viewed Aug. 8, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 119-138).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 216-234).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-140). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Duquesne University, 2009. / Title from document title page. Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p. 110-116) and index.

No description available.

Effective environmental education goes beyond raising environmental awareness and developing positive environmental values, to the encouragement of personal responsibility and action in response to contextual environmental issues in particular. The whole school approach has been advocated as the best approach to environmental education, based on the assumption that the values and attitudes espoused in the classroom need to be reflected in the day-to-day school practice. By practising what they teach, schools reinforce values with action. In contrast, inconsistencies between the formal and non-formal curriculum may lead young people to question the integrity of their teachers or condition them to accept such inconsistencies as cultural and social norms, which in turn may lead to apathy about the environment. Adjustments to the ethos of a school to foreground the environment, both within the curriculum , the management of the school and the behaviour of teachers, pupils and support staff, is not a straightforward undertaking. Institutional factors influence the change process in schools and each school presents a unique context. It is, therefore, difficult to develop a general strategy for the evolution of an environmental ethos. This case study narrates an attempt to implement a change towards an improved environmental focus in a school, and focuses on developing an understanding of how available resources can assist this process while engaging with complexity of change.

M.Ed. / Organisation development as a tool for sustainable school improvement is at the core of this study and a qualitative case study research method was deployed. Organisation development in itself is a process, which applies behavioural science knowledge and systems theory to plan and implement change in schools. The goal is more effective schools and an educational environment supportive of human needs and developments and where the participation of all stakeholders forms a crucial determinant in the change process. The researcher's field experience as an organisation development consultant combined with an international literature survey brought to light evidence to the effect that there is a definite need for a more school-based model of organisation development. The importance of a comprehensive capacity building exercise for principals and school management teams on the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for organisation development are identified as an absolute necessity in this research. The aim of the research is therefore to describe the nature of organisation development within a school context, determine the perceptions of educators concerning organisation development, investigate aspects that could be enhanced and develop guidelines that could be used by educational managers to improve their schools and to facilitate the management of change. A detailed literature study embedded within a theoretical framework of organisation development emphasises the importance of the individual nature of schools with reference to school improvement interventions.

Everyone in South Africa is keenly aware of and concerned about the massive educational changes. There is little doubt about the dominant role that change has played in our organizations and this is nowhere more evident than on the educational front. A wide variety of changes are bombarding schoolss in South Africa at present. In order to remain competitive and even survive, schools as organizations must meet the tremendous challenges presented by all the areas of change. In South Africa, up to 1997, the balance of power was overtly skewed in favour of management and unions relied largely on illegal practices and spoiling tactics to make headway. Despite the fact that over the past decade, greater equalization in substantive rights and dispute resolution mechanisms which treat all parties as equal, has been reached, perceptions and past practices are still deeply entrenched and manifested in an ‘us’ and ‘them’ approach. The aim of this study was to investigate the establishment of effective partnerships between principals and union representatives. The specific aim of this research project was to: • Describe the criteria for successful and effective participation and consultation between schools and unions • Identify and analyze the barriers (challenges) that compromise the educational management relationship between principals and union representatives • Investigate the perceptions of educators, principals and school governing bodies about the current school- union relations • Establish a framework that will surface challenges and remedies to mitigate educational partnership challenges. The results and recommendations of this study can be used to empower school managers and union representatives with effective partnership skills, which in turn will help solve problems in schools This study serves as an indication of the value of partnerships in improving quality in education. Summarily the research has proved to be of high significance to educators, school managers, stakeholders and policy makers. / Prof. C.F. Loock

Educational change in South Africa has been met with stern resistance and educators are faced with enormous difficulty in implementing new policies and curricula. Educators who have been deskilled over the years are now all of the sudden required to think ‘outside the box’ and to undergo a complete mindset change regarding the implementation of the new Further Education and Training curriculum. The new challenges educators have to cope with, heavily impacts on their day to day working conditions and subsequently their motivation. Due to the increased awareness and concern with regards to the level of educators’ motivation, this research study is based on the research question, namely how motivated educators were for the implementation of the new Further Education and Training curriculum and secondly, to explore guidelines to enhance their motivation. In an attempt to provide answers to the research problem, a qualitative research design was adopted for this research and was undertaken in two phases. In Phase 1, the data gathering consisted of semi-structured group interviews. The data was then coded into themes, sub-themes and categories and served as the basis for the interpretation of how motivated educators were for the implementation of the new Further Education and training curriculum. Four main themes emerged from the data analysis; Teachers expressed distrust in the Department of Education; Negative expectations of FET are based on the inadequate training teachers received; Teachers are de-motivated and display a low morale; Few aspects contribute to a positive attitude. Phase 2 offered recommendations, derived from the findings of Phase 1, to enhance the motivation of educators for the implementation of the new Further Education and Training curriculum. It was evident from the data analysis that educators were experiencing difficulties in coping with the heavy demand being placed on their shoulders to effectively implement the new curriculum. They displayed negative feelings towards the Department of Education who expected them to implement change within a limited time-frame. The conclusion was reached that educators are in desperate need for motivational strategies and support to enhance their emotional well-being, motivation and self-efficacy.