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Title: Block scheduling: Its impact on academic achievement, and the perceptions of students, teachers, and administrators.
Creator: Hamdy, Mona., Florida Atlantic University, Urich, Ted R.
Abstract/Description: This study consists of three parts. The first part determined if significant differences exist in the scores of students on four standardized tests between two block and two traditional scheduling schools. The assessment instruments were standardized tests given to students in Palm Beach County School District in the state of Florida: (a) Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) for grade 9, (b) Grade Ten Assessment Test (GTAT), (c) Florida Writes (FW) for grade 10, and (d) High School...
Show moreThis study consists of three parts. The first part determined if significant differences exist in the scores of students on four standardized tests between two block and two traditional scheduling schools. The assessment instruments were standardized tests given to students in Palm Beach County School District in the state of Florida: (a) Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) for grade 9, (b) Grade Ten Assessment Test (GTAT), (c) Florida Writes (FW) for grade 10, and (d) High School Competency Test (HSCT) for grade 11. Approximately 2,000 students took each of the four tests for each grade, a total of 8,000 participants. Significant differences (p <.00125) were found between students scores on the FW and the HSCT. The traditional scheduling students outperformed those at the block scheduling schools in regards to the FW and the HSCT. Results of statistical analysis indicated a significant difference between the 4 x 4 schedule and the alternate day schedule only in terms of achievement on the Florida Writes. Students at the alternate day school outperformed those at the 4 x 4 scheduling school on the Florida Writes test. Schools' records indicated that the rate of suspension has decreased during the year of implementing block scheduling for the alternate day scheduling school, and increased for the 4 x 4 scheduling school. There was no change in the absentee rate at both types of block scheduling schools. The second part of this study was to compare differences in perceptions among teachers and students towards the two types of block scheduling. A Likert-type survey was answered by 101 teachers from both types of schools. Statistical analysis indicated a significant difference between the perceptions of teachers from the 4 x 4 and the alternate day scheduling schools in terms of class size. Teachers disagreed that class size has decreased because of the implementation of block scheduling. Regarding students' perceptions, 931 students from both schools participated in answering the questionnaire. There were significant differences among students on their preference to remain on block scheduling. The third part of this study examined differences between the perceptions of administrators of different types of block scheduling. A Likert-type survey consisting of 26 items was sent to selected principals throughout the nation. Twenty two out of the 24 items did not prove to be significant at the 0.0021 level. There were differences in administrators perceptions towards the failure rate. Similar results were found in regards to discipline problems. The Scheffe post hoc test was administered to determine which pairwise group differences were significant. Survey results indicated that administrators perceived that the science department is the happiest department with block scheduling, and that mathematics and foreign language are the least happy.
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Date Issued: 1996
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12477
Subject Headings: Schedules, School--Florida--Palm Beach County, High schools--Florida--Palm Beach County, School year--Florida--Palm Beach County, School management and organization, Academic achievement
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Comparing levels of school performance to science teachers' reports on knowledge/skills, instructional use and student use of computers.
Creator: Kerr, Rebecca., College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this descriptive quantitative and basic qualitative study was to examine fifth and eighth grade science teachers' responses, perceptions of the role of technology in the classroom, and how they felt that computer applications, tools, and the Internet influence student understanding. The purposeful sample included survey and interview responses from fifth grade and eighth grade general and physical science teachers. Even though they may not be generalizable to other teachers or...
Show moreThe purpose of this descriptive quantitative and basic qualitative study was to examine fifth and eighth grade science teachers' responses, perceptions of the role of technology in the classroom, and how they felt that computer applications, tools, and the Internet influence student understanding. The purposeful sample included survey and interview responses from fifth grade and eighth grade general and physical science teachers. Even though they may not be generalizable to other teachers or classrooms due to a low response rate, findings from this study indicated teachers with fewer years of teaching science had a higher level of computer use but less computer access, especially for students, in the classroom. Furthermore, teachers' choice of professional development moderated the relationship between the level of school performance and teachers' knowledge/skills, with the most positive relationship being with workshops that occurred outside of the school. Eighteen interviews revealed that teachers perceived the role of technology in classroom instruction mainly as teacher-centered and supplemental, rather than student-centered activities.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3360802
Subject Headings: Science, Study and teaching (Middle school), School management and organization, Computer-assisted instruction, Academic achievement, Evaluation, High technology and education
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The desired role vs. the actual role of the Lutheran elementary school board as viewed by selected principals, school board chairpersons, and pastors of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Creator: Stucky, Bradd William, Florida Atlantic University, Urich, Ted R.
Abstract/Description: The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has always advocated Christian day schools. One of the major missions of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, according to its Constitution, is the furtherance of Christian parochial schools and thorough instruction in confirmation. Although the governance of each school varies, typically, a school board's general duties include defining policy and ensuring its implementation. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of similarity between the...
Show moreThe Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has always advocated Christian day schools. One of the major missions of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, according to its Constitution, is the furtherance of Christian parochial schools and thorough instruction in confirmation. Although the governance of each school varies, typically, a school board's general duties include defining policy and ensuring its implementation. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of similarity between the desired role and the actual role of the Lutheran elementary school board as described by principals, school board chairpersons, and pastors in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod elementary schools in the United States. The sample was comprised of 200 Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod schools selected at random from the United States during the 1999--2000 School Year. The School Board Function Survey instrument for the principal, school board chairperson, and pastor were sent to each of the selected schools. It consisted of 47 tasks commonly associated with school boards. Respondents were asked to indicate on a Likert scale the (a) desired amount of involvement they believed the school board should have with a task and (b) the actual amount of involvement they believed the school board does have with a task. Data were analyzed via two statistical procedures. First, a paired t-test was calculated. Second, a table of the mean differences in the ratings was provided. A general threshold for significance was set at the .05 alpha level. Results indicated a significant difference between the desired role and actual role of the school board on 38, 26, and 35 of 47 tasks commonly associated with the school board as viewed by principals, school board chairpersons, and pastors, respectively. School leaders would do well to provide opportunities that clarify the mission of the school and the role of the school board. Subsequently, upon a clear delineation of the mission and role of the school board, consistent and continual examination by the principal, the school board chairperson, and the pastor would seem beneficial.
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Date Issued: 2000
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12629
Subject Headings: Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod --Board of Parish Education, Lutheran Church--Education--United States, Elementary school administration, School boards--United States, School management and organization
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The threat of school choice and changes in public school organizations.
Creator: Thompson, Jeanethe D., Florida Atlantic University, Pisapia, John
Abstract/Description: This study tested the assumption that faced with the threat of losing students via vouchers public school principals would make changes in their organizational practices to improve their schools and avoid this occurrence. Two variables were investigated: (a) the level of threat and (b) school organizational practices. Data were collected using a 55-item mail survey-questionnaire, structured to assess changes in school organizational practices perceived by teachers at the randomly selected...
Show moreThis study tested the assumption that faced with the threat of losing students via vouchers public school principals would make changes in their organizational practices to improve their schools and avoid this occurrence. Two variables were investigated: (a) the level of threat and (b) school organizational practices. Data were collected using a 55-item mail survey-questionnaire, structured to assess changes in school organizational practices perceived by teachers at the randomly selected schools. The School Organization Teacher Survey was field-tested twice to check reliability and validity. Cronbach alpha values were 0.88 and 0.93 for the pilots. The unit of analysis for this study was the school. Eight hundred (800) surveys were sent to 160 schools; 331 representing 112 schools were completed and returned for a response rate of 71.3%. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and analysis of variance techniques were utilized to determine whether and to what degree relationships existed between the independent variable of grade and threat and the dependent variable of change in the organizational practices by the principals. The results of this study are consistent with the literature on public school choice or market theory. First, a strong relationship was found between school choice and changes in school organizational practices. Faced with the voucher threat, Florida public school principals made changes in teaching conditions, enhancing opportunities for student learning, and encouraging parental involvement. Second, the level of threat felt dictated the level of response by principals. Principals at low performing schools felt a greater sense of urgency and responded more quickly and to a greater degree. Principals at high performing schools, on the other hand, did not feel this threat and did not make changes in their organizational practices. The results from this provide support for the use of choice as a mechanism for school reform, since, as the results indicate, principals made changes in their practices to improve the performance of their students when faced with the threat of losing students to other schools through vouchers or opportunity scholarships.
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Date Issued: 2004
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FADT12107
Subject Headings: School choice--United States, School management and organization--United States, Educational equalization--United States, Charter schools--United States, Privatization in education--United States
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The views of selected school administrators in Broward County, Florida on managing culturally diverse schools.
Creator: Lucas, Nancy Joan., Florida Atlantic University, Urich, Ted R.
Abstract/Description: Changing demographics, high minority failure, high dropout rates, and evidence of poor race relations are all indications that our nation's educational systems must reexamine the way they view ethnically diverse populations. Efforts are underway to reduce incidents of minority failure and racial conflict by addressing concerns in the areas of school curricula and teacher preparation. Surprisingly, school administrators, to a large extent, have not joined in the multicultural dialogue. The...
Show moreChanging demographics, high minority failure, high dropout rates, and evidence of poor race relations are all indications that our nation's educational systems must reexamine the way they view ethnically diverse populations. Efforts are underway to reduce incidents of minority failure and racial conflict by addressing concerns in the areas of school curricula and teacher preparation. Surprisingly, school administrators, to a large extent, have not joined in the multicultural dialogue. The place to begin in order to help administrators accept the leadership role in meeting the educational needs of minority students is to elicit input from principals with experiences in managing culturally diverse schools. Few research studies have been geared toward the investigation of administrative practices in managing ethnically diverse schools. Even fewer have included listening to the views of administrators who direct these schools. Furthermore, there exists only a modest number of administrative training programs specifically designed to address cultural issues in American schools. As a result there are only limited resources for learning how to lead multicultural schools. Clearly, research is needed that will fully examine the perspectives of the small number of school administrators who have both managed culturally diverse schools and had the opportunity to receive comprehensive training in dealing with cultural issues. The purpose of this study is to identify knowledge and management practices necessary to facilitate a school climate that encourages equity and success for ethnic and minority students in Broward County Public Schools. The results of this study will help to shape further development of needed competencies for school administrators, using a previously administered training program as a foundation for discussion. Without adequate research to identify what an administrator needs to know and be able to do to manage a diverse school community, school administrators have no well-formulated guidelines by which to pattern their efforts in serving these populations. This research has also extended efforts to add to the current limited theory through qualitative inquiry. An analysis of the data collected as a result of this study adds to the discussion related to the dynamics and dimensions involved in leading multicultural schools. In addition, the results help to lay important groundwork for the development of practical and up-to date training programs and university courses for future educational leaders. School administrators lead our nation's educational efforts in preparing future generations of responsible citizens. How prepared they are to lead our schools of increasing cultural and language diversity will depend, in large measure, upon the quality of the research in discovering the management practices found to be useful with minority student populations.
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Date Issued: 1997
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12540
Subject Headings: Minorities--Education--Florida--Broward County, Multicultural education--Florida--Broward County, School management and organization, Multiculturalism
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Examining the governance and administration of public higher education in Florida: An exploratory study of organizational elite theory.
Creator: O'Flannery, Jennifer Lunardini, Florida Atlantic University, Farazmand, Ali
Abstract/Description: Who has power and control over education, one of the most treasured and significant values of American society? This study examines the presence of the elite power structure in higher education and how organizations are used as instruments of institutional power. The research questions consider the manner in which elites are involved in the policy process and governance, the reasons why elites are so involved in Florida's public higher education, and how elites convey and implement their...
Show moreWho has power and control over education, one of the most treasured and significant values of American society? This study examines the presence of the elite power structure in higher education and how organizations are used as instruments of institutional power. The research questions consider the manner in which elites are involved in the policy process and governance, the reasons why elites are so involved in Florida's public higher education, and how elites convey and implement their priorities and values. An exploratory research approach examines the presence of Farazmand's (1994, 1999) concept of organizational elites by combining qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. The findings support the research propositions. The reason for governance change builds on three factors throughout which power and control persist, a change in membership of the State Cabinet, the Governor's desire to be accountable for education policy, and a lack of confidence in the existing governance system. Trustees advocate for their university and education in general through alumni programs, fundraising, political affiliations, business and research partnerships, and other university and community college boards. Trustees are successful business people, savvy politicians, and well connected to state political leaders. They recognize their collective assets as influence with the Florida legislature, bringing financial order and accountability, and increasing funding and resources. The existence of organizational elites and their effect are seen in several areas: lack of knowledge of trustee meetings and decisions; limited communications, a perceived disconnect between faculty and trustees, a budget process perceived as not being transparent, and a level of decision making at which most staff members are not participants. This study suggests boards work to enhance and improve their communication, outreach, professionalism, and faculty relations. Trustees, elected officials and state leaders must work to resolve the power and organization of the Board of Governors.
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Date Issued: 2005
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12145
Subject Headings: Elite (Social sciences)--Florida, Educational sociology--Florida, Power (Social sciences)--Florida, School management and organization--Florida
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Relationship Between Learning Organization Principles and Student Achievement in Catholic Schools.
Creator: Brasco, Serena, Pisapia, John, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to determine if Catholic schools in the state of Florida were using learning organization principles, and if they were, what effect did it have on student learning. The study was framed by three concepts: learning organization principles, student achievement, and contextual factors. The study employed a nonexperimental design and the school was the unit of study. The study's instrument, called the Learning Organization Survey for Schools (LOSS), was distributed...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine if Catholic schools in the state of Florida were using learning organization principles, and if they were, what effect did it have on student learning. The study was framed by three concepts: learning organization principles, student achievement, and contextual factors. The study employed a nonexperimental design and the school was the unit of study. The study's instrument, called the Learning Organization Survey for Schools (LOSS), was distributed to fifty Catholic schools in the state of Florida in the summer of 2006. Each school was asked to distribute the surveys to ten full-time teachers working at the schools. Thirty-four of the schools responded for a 7 5. 7 % rate of return. The study showed that Catholic schools are using learning organization principles. A reliable instrument was established and achieved face validity through the use of an expert panel. Mental models were significantly negatively related. Shared vision was significantly positively related to student achievement. Three statistically significant moderating relationships between the contextual factors, mental models, shared vision and systems thinking and student achievement were found. Two major conclusions were drawn from this study. Catholic schools are using learning organization principles, and shared vision has an impact on the success of a school. The second conclusion is that schools should work diligently to develop shared vision if they desire to improve student achievement.
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Date Issued: 2008
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000651
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Sustaining reform efforts in Broward County schools: A study of the Coalition of Essential Schools.
Creator: Moffitt, Sharon., Florida Atlantic University, Pisapia, John
Abstract/Description: States, districts and schools continuously institute school reforms that propose to meet the needs of all students. Reform efforts come and go at such a rapid pace, it is often difficult for a school to participate in a reform effort long enough to give it a chance to succeed. This study looked at the internal and external contextual factors that contribute to the sustainability of a reform effort within a school. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of the level of...
Show moreStates, districts and schools continuously institute school reforms that propose to meet the needs of all students. Reform efforts come and go at such a rapid pace, it is often difficult for a school to participate in a reform effort long enough to give it a chance to succeed. This study looked at the internal and external contextual factors that contribute to the sustainability of a reform effort within a school. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of the level of integration of the core values of the Coalition Of Essential Schools (CES) into the management and instructional practices of the school and sustainability of the reform effort. This research is based on the belief that reform efforts must be maintained long enough to become the "way we do things" to have a significant impact on student achievement. Thirty schools within Broward County participated in this study. A survey questionnaire was developed by the researcher and 252 responses were returned. This study employed a quantitative study that was correlational in nature. Principal turnover results were surprising, as principals changed, sustainability rates rose. Findings indicate principal turnover and coordinator turnover had little impact on integration levels of the core values into the school's practices. The correlation between a school's socio economic status and sustainability found that schools with high numbers of students on free and reduced priced lunch had lower rates of sustainability. Research also indicated schools who were CES members for more than four years had high levels of integration of the core values into the school's practices. Finally, research showed that teacher turnover had a significant relationship to the level of integration of the core values of the CES into the school's practices and to the sustainability of the reform effort within the school.
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Date Issued: 2006
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12209
Subject Headings: Coalition of Essential Schools, Educational change--Florida--Broward County--Case studies, Teacher-administrator relationships, School management and organization
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Teacher involvement in school reform.
Creator: Urban, Vickie Dodds, Florida Atlantic University, Maslin-Ostrawski, Patricia
Abstract/Description: This exploratory and descriptive case study of a cadre of teachers focused on their involvement in school reform through their participation as facilitators and coordinators in the Coalition of Essential Schools (CES) in the Broward County, FL Public School System. The purpose of the research was twofold. First, the research was conducted for the purpose of trying to discover characteristics common to the CES facilitators and coordinators used in this study. Second, the research was conducted...
Show moreThis exploratory and descriptive case study of a cadre of teachers focused on their involvement in school reform through their participation as facilitators and coordinators in the Coalition of Essential Schools (CES) in the Broward County, FL Public School System. The purpose of the research was twofold. First, the research was conducted for the purpose of trying to discover characteristics common to the CES facilitators and coordinators used in this study. Second, the research was conducted to describe the experiences and attitudes of these CES facilitators and coordinators in regard to their school reform efforts. Thirty-seven CES facilitators and coordinators participated in the quantitative part of the study. Thirteen of those 37 were interviewed for the qualitative portion of the research. Research showed that the participants in this study were highly self-directed, lifelong learners who were committed to education and school reform. Besides revealing the participants' perceptions of the benefits of involvement in school reform, the research also showed that many of the participants spent less time in the classroom as their role in school reform increased. Finally, the research showed that there are a growing number of teacher leaders who, having taken on new roles and responsibilities, do not fit in the present school organizational structure.
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Date Issued: 1997
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12530
Subject Headings: Educational change--Florida--Broward County--Case studies, Coalition of Essential Schools, Teacher-administrator relationships, School management and organization
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A study of transformational leadership and student achievement in inner-city elementary schools.
Creator: Bonaros, Demetrios James, Florida Atlantic University, Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to establish an empirical link between transformational leadership and student achievement measured by the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test. In addition, the relationship between transformational leadership and increased levels of teacher satisfaction, willingness to give extra effort, perceptions of principal effectiveness were examined. This study took place in 21 elementary inner-city schools of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools district. Two hundred...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to establish an empirical link between transformational leadership and student achievement measured by the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test. In addition, the relationship between transformational leadership and increased levels of teacher satisfaction, willingness to give extra effort, perceptions of principal effectiveness were examined. This study took place in 21 elementary inner-city schools of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools district. Two hundred ten personalized packets were delivered to the teachers of the selected schools. Two hundred and three answer sheets were returned to the researcher for a return rate of 97 percent. Data were collected from randomly selected teachers by voluntary completion of Bass and Avolio's Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire Form-5X (Short Form). The data were analyzed using Cronbach's alpha, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. Transformational leadership was found to be linked to increased learning. In addition, transformational leadership was also related to increased teacher satisfaction, greater perception of principal effectiveness, and increased teacher willingness to give extra effort. Moreover, two ancillary questions were explored. These questions related to gender, and school size. The question on gender could not be analyzed in light of the overwhelming majority of female principals and lack of reliability of gender. School size was not related to transformational leadership. Based on the above findings, the following conclusions can be made with regard to transformational leadership and its impact on elementary education. First, transformational leadership does improve student achievement in inner-city elementary schools. Second, inner-city elementary teachers consider transformational principals superior to non-transformational principals. Third, elementary inner-city teachers demonstrate increased levels of satisfaction, willingness to give extra effort, and a high perception of principal effectiveness for transformational principals. The practical applications of the findings of this study and the implications drawn for further theoretical consideration and research are significant for future school improvement. This study adds to an important line of research. The information available today about transformational leadership and its impact on student achievement may help schools improve the lives of their students and the social and political future of our World.
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Date Issued: 2006
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12196
Subject Headings: School management and organization--Decision making
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The relationship between principal leadership actions and business and social justice cultures in schools.
Creator: Reyes-Guerra, Daniel, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: This study detected and explored the existence of two proposed school cultures, the use of leader actions by principals, and the relationships between them, of a sample of 42 public schools in Southeast Florida. A quantitative non-experimental design was used, guided by eight research questions. One instrument, the BSJQ, was created for the purposes of detecting school normative cultures and another, the SLQ, was refined and used to detect principal leader actions. The existence of Business...
Show moreThis study detected and explored the existence of two proposed school cultures, the use of leader actions by principals, and the relationships between them, of a sample of 42 public schools in Southeast Florida. A quantitative non-experimental design was used, guided by eight research questions. One instrument, the BSJQ, was created for the purposes of detecting school normative cultures and another, the SLQ, was refined and used to detect principal leader actions. The existence of Business and Social Justice cultures was confirmed, and three latent cultures of Standards Performance, Democratic Community and Equity Curriculum were discovered. Of the schools participating, 74% had at least one of these cultures. The use of four leader actions was measured and statistically associated with different detected cultures. Managing/Transforming and Bridging actions were associated with all, Bonding was associated with all except the Equity Curriculum culture, and Bartering was associated only with the Business/Standards Performance culture. The schools' context had limited impact on the relationship between actions and culture., Only higher student poverty increased the principal's use of Managing/Transforming actions in schools with a Democratic Community culture. Four principal demographics - years as principal, years at the school, undergraduate major, and level of graduate study - had a actions and school culture. The study reinforces Pisapia's (2009) theory of strategic leadership, develops new instrumentation to measure cultures associated with social justice and accountability, and provides guidance to principals and those who educate them on leader actions associated with desired school cultures.
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Date Issued: 2009
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/215295
Subject Headings: Educational leadership, Critical pedagogy, Social justice, Study and teaching, Marginality, Social, School management and organization
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: An examination of the southern association of colleges and schools commission on colleges’ quality enhancement plans at two institutions through the lens of quality improvement.
Creator: Rodriguez, Barbara June, Floyd, Deborah L., Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this case study was to explore the quality enhancement plan (QEP) process and its influence on student learning of critical thinking and the institutional environment from the perspective of key stakeholders at two community colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (the Commission). Key stakeholders were defined as faculty, staff, and administrators who had direct and continuous involvement with the development and/or...
Show moreThe purpose of this case study was to explore the quality enhancement plan (QEP) process and its influence on student learning of critical thinking and the institutional environment from the perspective of key stakeholders at two community colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (the Commission). Key stakeholders were defined as faculty, staff, and administrators who had direct and continuous involvement with the development and/or implementation of the QEP. This was accomplished through document reviews and analysis of interviews. The study was guided by intertwined quality assurance systems accountability, accreditation, and assessment, and six of Deming’s (1986) total quality management principles. These principles are: (1) customer, (2) training and development, (3) teamwork, (4) measurement, (5) improvement, and (6) leadership (Bosner, 1992; Deming, 1986; Marchese, 1991; Sallis, 2002).
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004404, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004404
Subject Headings: Educational evaluation -- Case studies, Educational tests and measurements -- Case studies, School management and organization -- Quality control -- Case studies, Total quality management in education -- Case studies, Universities and colleges -- Accreditation -- Case studies
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Exploring teachers' perceptions of professional development in virtual learning teams.
Creator: Purnell, Courtney Paschal., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: The demand for virtual education is rapidly increasing due to the proliferation of legislation demanding class size limitations, funding cuts, and school choice across the United States. Virtual education leaders are discovering new ways to enhance and develop teachers to become more efficient and increase quality of learning online. Learning teams are one tool implemented by professional development departments in order to obtain a community of shared best practices and increase professional...
Show moreThe demand for virtual education is rapidly increasing due to the proliferation of legislation demanding class size limitations, funding cuts, and school choice across the United States. Virtual education leaders are discovering new ways to enhance and develop teachers to become more efficient and increase quality of learning online. Learning teams are one tool implemented by professional development departments in order to obtain a community of shared best practices and increase professional learning for teachers. ... The purpose of this exploratory case study was to investigate teachers' perceptions of the contribution of virtual learning teams to their professional development in a completely online K-12 environment. ... Five major themes emerged from the interviews, which were teacher professional development as it relates to student success, collaboration, balance, knowledge gained from being part of a virtual learning team, and teachers' perception of student success.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3358964
Subject Headings: Education, Effect of technological innovations on, Educational leadership, School management and organization, Teams in the workplace, Group work in education, Professional learning communities, Mentoring in education, Computer networks
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Study of the Relationships Among Leadership, Culture, and Student Achievement in Catholic Schools.
Creator: Rodriguez, Sonia, Pisapia, John, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: This study explores the relationship among leadership style, school work culture, and student achievement in Catholic elementary schools. The relationships (a) between the leader style and student achievement, (b) between the school's work culture and student achievement, and (c) among leaders' styles, school work culture, student achievement and contextual factors were explored. A descriptive design, primarily quantitative and correlational in nature, was employed. It was concluded that...
Show moreThis study explores the relationship among leadership style, school work culture, and student achievement in Catholic elementary schools. The relationships (a) between the leader style and student achievement, (b) between the school's work culture and student achievement, and (c) among leaders' styles, school work culture, student achievement and contextual factors were explored. A descriptive design, primarily quantitative and correlational in nature, was employed. It was concluded that school leadership had an indirect effect on student achievement in parochial schools in Florida. Furthermore, school work culture (school planning, program development, staff development, and assessment) directly impacted student achievement. The contextual variables of socioeconomic status and school size combined did not moderate the relationship among leadership style, school work culture and fourth-grade students' reading achievement scores.
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Date Issued: 2008
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000691
Subject Headings: Achievement in education--Florida, Educational leadership--Florida, Catholic Church--Education--Florida, School management and organization--Florida--Decision making
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Bowling in Different Alleys: A Study of Neighborhood Organizations and Schools.
Creator: Brown, Pamela M., Pisapia, John, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: This research study explored the nature of the relationship between neighborhood organizations and schools using social capital theory as the conceptual framework. The researcher chose a qualitative multiple case study design to examine three neighborhoods within the same city, their respective neighborhood organizations and the public schools within each neighborhood's boundary. The researcher found that the neighborhood organizations in this study help build social capital through the...
Show moreThis research study explored the nature of the relationship between neighborhood organizations and schools using social capital theory as the conceptual framework. The researcher chose a qualitative multiple case study design to examine three neighborhoods within the same city, their respective neighborhood organizations and the public schools within each neighborhood's boundary. The researcher found that the neighborhood organizations in this study help build social capital through the bonding ties they create with one another, and the bridging ties they form with other organizations and with local public schools. The positive impact of those ties for neighborhood social health, and for the maintenance and improvement of neighborhoods, can be found within each community. This finding adds to what has already been written related to neighborhood organizations and the concept of social capital. The researcher also found that neighborhood organizations faced significant barriers in their attempts to use the bridging ties of social capital to connect with schools in the community. One of the most problematic of those barriers was the attitude of the schools' personnel themselves to matters they believed to be outside of the school gate and therefore beyond their consideration. Nonetheless, the neighborhood organizations did find ways to interact with the schools and some positive impacts have been documented. The concept of enlightened self-interest, rather than simple self-interest or community spiritedness, was found to be a motivator for neighborhood organization members. This finding adds to the existing literature on both social capital and neighborhood organizations, and is significant for future research on why and how social capital is built in communities.
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Date Issued: 2007
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000653
Subject Headings: School management and organization--Case studies, Volunteer workers in community development--Case studies, Social change--United States--21st century--Case studies
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Opinions of black and white female potential educational administrators toward barriers to career advancement.
Creator: Schifini, Patricia Ann., Florida Atlantic University, Urich, Ted R.
Abstract/Description: This study was designed to determine: (a) whether significant differences exist in the opinions of Black and White female potential administrators in education toward selected barriers to the career advancement of females, and (b) whether significant differences exist in the background characteristics of these females. Participants included 49 Black females and 62 White females who were enrolled in a management development program of a large urban public school district in southeast Florida...
Show moreThis study was designed to determine: (a) whether significant differences exist in the opinions of Black and White female potential administrators in education toward selected barriers to the career advancement of females, and (b) whether significant differences exist in the background characteristics of these females. Participants included 49 Black females and 62 White females who were enrolled in a management development program of a large urban public school district in southeast Florida during the spring of 1991. The Barriers to Female Administrative Aspirants in Education Questionnaire, partially based on a section of the questionnaire used by Edson (1981a), was developed by the researcher. It focused on five barrier-related subscales and 15 items related to background data. An analysis of variance was applied to each barrier-related subscale to determine the strength of the association between race (Black or White) and each opinion variable. A chi-square procedure was performed to determine the relationship between race (Black and White) and nominal background characteristics. In order to determine the relationship between race and non-nominal background characteristics, t-tests were performed. A.05 level of significance with a Bonferroni correction was utilized throughout the study. The findings indicated that there was no significant difference between the Black and White females in their opinions toward barriers to the career advancement of females in education. There was no significant difference between the Black and White females for 14 of the background characteristics. However, there was a significant difference between the Black and White females regarding the number of years that they had been employed in their present school district.
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Date Issued: 1992
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12318
Subject Headings: Women educators--Employment--Public opinion, School management and organization--Public opinion, African American women--Employment--Public opinion, Career development--Research
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Leading Transformational Change: A Study of Internationalization at Three Universities in the United States.
Creator: Hurd, Duncan L., Pisapia, John, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: Globalization, the integration of markets and the shrinking of boundaries both figurative and real, provides the context in which institutions of higher education have considered a change to their culture, curricula, and composition in recent years. Increasingly, the response ofunjversities to globalization is to bring a greater international dimension to their teaching, research, and service; a process known as internationalization. The purpose of this study was to identify the change...
Show moreGlobalization, the integration of markets and the shrinking of boundaries both figurative and real, provides the context in which institutions of higher education have considered a change to their culture, curricula, and composition in recent years. Increasingly, the response ofunjversities to globalization is to bring a greater international dimension to their teaching, research, and service; a process known as internationalization. The purpose of this study was to identify the change strategies that allowed three regional public universities to internationalize their campuses. The qualitative multi-site research design incorporated a critical case strategy with participants who led, facilitated, and/or implemented the change process. Data collection was obtained through interviews, documents, and direct observation. The analysis consisted of pattern matching facilitated by two-dimensional matrices. Leading change in higher education has been related to moving cemeteries and herding cats and therefore may seem like a cruel hoax; but as this study reports it need not be so. The study found that a highly integrated, non-linear change process Jed to successful internationalization. An expanding number of champions who constantly communicated a motivating vision and who opportunistically pursued creative strategies to internationalize resulted in cascading layers of buy-in throughout the university. This buy-in was not only an effect, but a change strategy in its own right; and was a primary focus of those leading the change effort. These universities institutionalized change through various structural and programmatic means. The change process concluded with a transformed institution that incorporated an international dimension into the culture, life, and work of the university. The findings were compared and contrasted to Kotter's ( 1996) eight stages of leading change and Eckel and Kezar's (2003) model for transformation in higher education. Neither fully explained this study's cross-case findings, and a new model for leading transformational change in institutions of higher education was proposed; one which builds on the strengths of Kotter's and Eckel and Kezar's models, but which addresses their limitations as well.
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Date Issued: 2007
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000670
Subject Headings: Education--Curricula--Cross-cultural studies, Educational leadership, School management and organization--Decision making, Inclusive education--United States, Educational change, Education, Higher--Philosophy
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Model for Improving Teacher Engagement Through Administrative Support.
Creator: Campbell, James C., Bogotch, Ira, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: School leaders in the elementary and secondary levels are continually in search of ways to raise student achievement. It is acknowledged that a quality teacher is the most effective means to ensure student success. However, school leaders cannot stop at hiring quality teachers. They must take steps to provide support for those teachers so they will remain engaged in their jobs. This research study sought to examine how various supportive actions by school principals can affect teacher...
Show moreSchool leaders in the elementary and secondary levels are continually in search of ways to raise student achievement. It is acknowledged that a quality teacher is the most effective means to ensure student success. However, school leaders cannot stop at hiring quality teachers. They must take steps to provide support for those teachers so they will remain engaged in their jobs. This research study sought to examine how various supportive actions by school principals can affect teacher engagement. It addressed the research questions of “Can administrative support factors predict teacher engagement?” and “Can teacher engagement predict student achievement?” This was accomplished through a literature review of the topics associated with teacher engagement as well as a quantitative analysis of responses solicited from high school teachers in a large urban school district in the Southeastern United States. The results indicate that administrative support factors can predict teacher engagement as the model predicted that a significant amount (54%) of the variance in teacher engagement was due to the predictor variables. It was found that the social events factor significantly predicted teacher engagement (b=.419) with the next highest weight being the assessment factor (b=.246). However, the study did not show a predictive relationship between teacher engagement and student achievement.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004887, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004887
Subject Headings: Teachers--In-service training., Teachers--Quality of., School improvement programs., Educational leadership., Teacher-principal relationships., School management and organization., School principals--Professional ethics., Mentoring in education.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Study of School Improvement Plans, School DecisionMaking and Advocacy, and Their Correlation to Student Academic Achievement.
Creator: Curry, Maribel Marcos, Decker, Larry E., Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: Parent involvement literature reveals that parents play an important role in student academic achievement. The School Advisory Councils are the major outlet for parents to engage in decision-making and advocacy skills in Broward County. The School Improvement Plans are the major output of the School Advisory Councils and this document contains many strategies that schools should follow in order to increase achievement. The purpose of this study was to determine if School Improvement Plans and...
Show moreParent involvement literature reveals that parents play an important role in student academic achievement. The School Advisory Councils are the major outlet for parents to engage in decision-making and advocacy skills in Broward County. The School Improvement Plans are the major output of the School Advisory Councils and this document contains many strategies that schools should follow in order to increase achievement. The purpose of this study was to determine if School Improvement Plans and school decision-making and advocacy had any correlation to academic achievement. The researcher investigated this utilizing two research methods: a survey to investigate if school decision-making and advocacy were correlated to student academic achievement; and content analysis to investigate if School Improvement Plans were correlated to student academic achievement. The study gathered data from 38 middle schools and 29 high schools in Broward County, Florida, during the academic year of 2004-2005. The researcher used standard five of the National PTA Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs to design the Decision-Making and Advocacy Survey to determine the perceptions of decisionmaking and advocacy. The researcher surveyed two of the key players with leadership roles of the School Advisory Council: the principal and the SAC chairperson. The survey was pilot tested for its reliability. The researcher also used the School Improvement Plan from each middle school and high school in Broward County in order to conduct the content analysis. The survey and content analysis data were analyzed using linear correlation, multiple correlation, and multiple regression. A major finding of this research was the significant correlation between the Math strategies found in the School Improvement Plans and the Math achievement scores, as well as the correlation between the Writing strategies found in the School Improvement Plans and school grades. In general, it can be concluded that the strategies found in the School Improvement Plans may increase student achievement, particularly in Math and Writing.
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Date Issued: 2007
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000660
Subject Headings: Broward County School District (Fla )--Planning, School improvement programs--Florida--Broward County, School management and organization--Decision making, Educational planning--Florida--Broward County, Academic achievement--Florida--Broward County
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The impact of block scheduling on academic achievement and the perceptions of teachers and administrators in selected South Florida high schools.
Creator: Cosimano, Michael, Florida Atlantic University, Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia, Decker, Larry E.
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of scheduling alternatives on (a) student achievement, student behavior, and attendance rates and (b) teacher and administrator perceptions. Archival data for student achievement, behavior, and attendance were obtained from the Palm Beach County School District. Perceptions of teachers and administrators were obtained through data collected from questionnaires administered through participating schools in this study. The research took...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine the impact of scheduling alternatives on (a) student achievement, student behavior, and attendance rates and (b) teacher and administrator perceptions. Archival data for student achievement, behavior, and attendance were obtained from the Palm Beach County School District. Perceptions of teachers and administrators were obtained through data collected from questionnaires administered through participating schools in this study. The research took place at three high schools using either 4 x 4, A/B, or modified block schedules and two high schools using traditional schedules. The block-scheduled schools were used in a similar study in 1996 after 1 year of implementation. The current study investigated the impact of block scheduling for year 1 (1996) and year 6 (2001). Perceptions toward block scheduling were obtained from teachers and administrators working in the three block-scheduled schools. The findings in this study support prior research which found that block scheduling may enhance student achievement levels in reading, writing and mathematics. Based on the findings, it appears that the modified block schedule may be a better choice over the 4 x 4 and the A/B schedules in terms of increasing student achievement, decreasing student behavior problems, and increasing student attendance rates. Tentative findings on the perceptions of teachers and administrators appeared to indicate a preference toward remaining on the block schedule over the traditional schedule.
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Date Issued: 2004
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12090
Subject Headings: Academic achievement, School management and organization
Format: Document (PDF)

School management and organization (37)	+ -
Educational leadership (18)	+ -
Educational change (5)	+ -
School management and organization--Florida (5)	+ -
Academic achievement (4)	+ -

School management and organization--Decision making (4)	+ -
School management and organization--United States (4)	+ -
Educational leadership. (3)	+ -
School improvement programs (3)	+ -
School improvement programs. (3)	+ -
School management and organization. (3)	+ -
Citizens' advisory committees in education (2)	+ -
Coalition of Essential Schools (2)	+ -
Decision making (2)	+ -
Education (2)	+ -
Educational accountability (2)	+ -
Educational change--Florida--Broward County--Case studies (2)	+ -
Evaluation (2)	+ -
School management and organization--Florida--Decision making (2)	+ -
School principals (2)	+ -
Strategic planning (2)	+ -
Teacher-administrator relationships (2)	+ -
Academic achievement--Florida--Broward County (1)	+ -
Achievement in education--Florida (1)	+ -
Action research in education (1)	+ -
Action research in education--Case studies. (1)	+ -
Action research in education. (1)	+ -
Administration (1)	+ -
African American women--Employment--Public opinion (1)	+ -
Assistant school principals--Professional relationships. (1)	+ -

United States (5)	+ -
Florida (3)	+ -
Educational leadership--Florida (2)	+ -
School management and organization--Florida (2)	+ -
Academic achievement--Florida (1)	+ -

Academic achievement--Florida--Broward County (1)	+ -
Block scheduling (Education)--Florida (1)	+ -
Catholic Church--Education--Florida (1)	+ -
Charter schools--Florida--Broward County (1)	+ -
Curriculum planning--Florida (1)	+ -
Educational leadership--Florida--Broward County (1)	+ -
Educational tests and measurements--Florida (1)	+ -
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (1)	+ -
High schools--Florida--Palm Beach County (1)	+ -
Motivation in education--Florida (1)	+ -
Schedules, School--Florida--Palm Beach County (1)	+ -
School improvement programs--Florida--Broward County (1)	+ -
School management and organization--Florida--Broward County (1)	+ -

Florida Atlantic University (53)	+ -
College of Education (24)	+ -
Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology (22)	+ -
Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia (11)	+ -
Pisapia, John (11)	+ -

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