The purpose of this embedded descriptive case study was to describe job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction factors that influence urban teacher retention, along with looking at the influence and role of principal leadership through looking at the State of Texas Attrition Report, interviewing an elementary principal, and surveying the teachers at…

In a series of research briefs, the Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC) examines and describes the amount of student mobility in Texas with particular focus on Houston area public schools. This first research brief provides an overview of how many students move during the summer months. Changing schools impacts students' achievement,…

This study aimed to explore principal and assistant principal experiences on factors contributing to burnout among school administrators. The study utilized a qualitative research design, implementing a phenomenological approach to obtain the perspectives and subjective interpretations of burnout based on the experiences of the participants. The…

This qualitative phenomenological research design study sought to explore whether the public education governance accountability system's high stakes standardized testing system in Texas played any role in the wellbeing of elementary school educators during the COVID-19 global pandemic. To explore the essence of the Texas high stakes…

The purpose of this case study was to explore the perspectives of T-TESS administrative feedback for teachers in an urban school district. Interviews were conducted with 10 teachers, employed by the district, who provided their experiences with being evaluated with the system and perspectives of feedback from their evaluator. Responses were…

This qualitative study examined the impact of parental engagement on academically high-performing high school students and the perceptions administrators and parents have on the school-parent partnership. Participants were parents and administrators of students in four large urban, Title I high schools within a large independent school district in…

The purpose of this qualitative, multi-case study was to explore the perceptions of administrators in an urban border district in deep South Texas. This study gleaned the perceptions of administrators with regard to best practices in early literacy success in underrepresented groups of students, namely English Language Learners (ELLs), in an urban…

A sense of belonging was linked to academic performance for all students, but it was especially crucial for socially disadvantaged groups like African Americans, who have endured educational discrimination (Boston & Warren, 2017). High school social environments may develop race and culture silos, affecting students' sense of belonging. This…

The Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT) is the most widely used norm-referenced creativity test used in gifted identification. Although commonly used for identifying talent, little is known about how creativity tests, like the TTCT-Figural, contribute to the probability of being identified as gifted especially with underrepresented…

Student mobility refers to students changing schools. In this series of research briefs, the Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC) examines and describes the amount of student mobility in Texas, with particular focus on Houston area public schools. This second research brief focuses on providing an overview of how much mobility takes place…

Public school leadership requires continued research to ensure the best results for future generations. The perceived leadership style of a principal can impact the students, staff, and community. It is important that the perceived leadership style of a principal is compared to the performance of the campus. The more effective the leader, the more…

In a series of research briefs, the Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC) examines and describes the amount of student mobility in Texas, with particular focus on Houston area public schools. This third research brief provides an overview of how much mobility takes place within districts, between districts, and outside of the Texas public…

The number of English learners (ELs) who do not reclassify as English proficient in the first five years of schooling has increased across the state of Texas. ELs are a diverse population of students with varying levels of English proficiency. Many students who begin school as an EL reclassify as English proficient in a timely manner and go on to…

The interconnectedness of the world today through advanced technology and travel allows students exposure to a diverse cultural landscape. Combined with a fast-changing computer technology-driven education, and culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms, there cannot be just one way to teach and learn. This study explored the perspective of…

In 2013, the state of Texas passed House Bill 5 (HB 5) which established high school course pathways tailored to student interests by labor market area via the Foundation High School Program (FHSP). The pathway options for students include STEM, Arts and Humanities, Business and Industry, Public Service, and Multidisciplinary. While the intent of…