The current mixed methods study uses historical quantitative data collected from Qualtrics surveys with some qualitative data collected from seven elementary principals and two key informants to expand upon the quantitative data. The study was conducted in a large suburban school district in North Texas. The researcher used Qualtrics surveys from…

An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) investigates how individuals make meaning of their social and personal environments. The primary questions that guide the exploration of the principals' perspectives for this study include "How do Title 1 elementary school principals describe their leadership experiences in relation to student…

High poverty and low student performance have been connected for many years, and it has been established that poor children are more likely to have ineffective classroom teachers. Research confirms that economically disadvantaged students frequently have teachers who do not have standard teaching certificates. The problem addressed in this…

The current state of education elicits a quest to prepare students for future jobs and remains an immediate priority and challenge for educators across the nation (Weddle, 2020). Unfortunately, students are leaving high school lacking the competencies needed for future careers. As a result, schools are making students less prepared to succeed than…

Principals' transitions have often given rise to problems, challenges, and upset for teachers and principals alike. Studies on principal succession and educational change question the effectiveness of regular, rapid, and predictable transitions of principals, a strategy used at the district level, especially during turbulent times. This revolving…

This dissertation investigates how principals' and teachers' perceptions of a family's socioeconomic status can potentially impact and influence the reading achievement of elementary students in Title I school settings. While recognizing the critical role socioeconomic factors play in educational outcomes, this study examined educational…

This study explored the phenomenon of teacher retention and sought to glean reasons why teachers remain in the teaching profession. Teacher turnover not only puts financial strain on school districts, but high levels of turnover also reduce levels of student achievement (Carver-Thomas & Darling-Hammond, 2017; Fuller, 2023; Perrachione et al.,…

The purpose of this study was to identify and explain any relationship between student achievement and principal longevity in elementary schools in Central Arkansas. The research questions were aimed at specifically finding any relationship that describes how a principal being in the same building or being moved to other schools impacts the…

This study investigates the impact of principal turnover on teacher leadership, using mixed methods to analyze teacher leadership in low and high principal turnover elementary schools. Data collection includes teacher surveys and interviews with principals in four low turnover and four high turnover schools. Quantitative results indicate…

Schools are complex and dynamic systems that require innovative leaders who are willing to invest in classroom teachers by giving them opportunities to lead beyond the four walls of the classroom. Because principals play an integral role in the academic achievement of students in their schools, it is incumbent upon principals to invest in teacher…

In education policy, research, and reform, rural education spaces are often an afterthought, if included at all (Azano et al., 2021; McShane & Smarick, 2018; Tieken, 2014). Music education research has followed a similar trend, with scholarly efforts directed toward school districts with greater resources or addressing racial equity while…

This doctoral dissertation explores how site principals can best support their teachers in implementing trauma-informed practices at the universal level of support. Trauma affects an astounding number of school-aged children, indicating the need for increased support within the classroom environment utilized throughout the school day and…

Trusting relationships between teachers and students is a cornerstone of success in the classroom. As a means for continuous professional growth, teachers should have an understanding of other teachers' positive experiences with and accessible strategies for how to build these relationships. Current research is missing the narrative voices of…

On average, about 50% of teachers leave within the first five years of entering the classroom with the attrition rate for teachers in Title I schools being almost 50% greater than non-Title I schools. Principals know and understand the pressures that cause teachers to leave the profession; however, little research has been done on how to recruit…

This qualitative single case study aimed to explore how administrative team members perceived their leadership practices and instructional strategies that advance student academic outcomes on annual mathematics and literacy state assessments. Transformational leadership was the conceptual framework for data collection and analysis. Three research…