In this study on educational change in Pennsylvania from 1790 to 1838, I reexamine the history of how the state established its common school system, the predecessor to the state's public school system. In doing so, I identify a series of three leaders, argue that poverty was the primary catalyst for educational reform, and explain the nature of…

William Allen High School (WAHS) was once a pillar of success. From a growing student body to a successful vocational wing, the high school was the epicenter of the district and the city for over a century. Today, however, WAHS evokes a different image. Between 1960 and 2020, WAHS evolved from a predominately White and high-achieving institution,…

This dissertation project used an interpretivist qualitative research design to study how the right-to-read claim made by seven teenagers attending Detroit public schools in 2016 reflects, addresses, or describes contemporary discussions about educational access. Using situational analysis (SA) as a theory/method, the entirety of the claim…

Cell phones have become a major part of our lives, and as such, they have presented new problems for school officials. This dissertation explores the current status of Fourth Amendment Law and how courts are applying the law to the search and seizure of cell phones in schools, by reviewing cases regarding search and seizure of electronic devices,…

Secondary social studies education in Missouri has played a crucial role in shaping students' cultural awareness, values, social identities, and civic engagement. Missouri's public high schools have been vital in preserving and disseminating culture, holding significance for a democratic society. This study surveys the historical development of…

Beginning with a brief historical analysis of how the education system came to be and an analysis of culture, themes came forth demonstrating the White Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP) roots of education no longer align with the diversity of society. Parental engagement in education has been veered as a pillar of overall success; however, it was…

An Ethnohistorical Exploration of Educational Technology Implementation in Metropolitan Omaha Area Public Schools is a written account of the evolution of 1:1 program in five public school districts. These metropolitan Omaha area districts share their journey in developing programs that provide equity in accessing educational technology to all…

School planning and design implicitly enters the realm of urban development when public school districts make land-use decisions on where to locate, construct, operate, maintain, and close their facilities. Moreover, schools and their campuses can impact the physical environment, influence urban design and development patterns, affect the local…

This dissertation outlines a comprehensive research endeavor focused on the history of elementary literacy instruction in the Kansas City Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) from 1990 until 2022. The research methodology combines historical analysis of artifacts, archives, and oral histories to answer the overarching research question, "What is the…

This qualitative study examined the influence and repercussions of the educational laws and policies in the United States public school system for African American students in K-12 and analyzed the alternative of Black independent schools to impact the effects of racism, segregation, and prejudice for educational equality for African American…

The current study seeks to identify a possible connection between the consolidation and reorganization of public school districts and schools and state-level legislation throughout the United States from 1993 through 2012. A mixed methods approach was utilized. Quantitative analysis of statewide public school district data identified states…

The United States has, for the last generation, been going through a significant and highly contested period of change in its schools. A bipartisan consensus around a reform agenda of accountability and choice was rolled out nationwide, with promises of closing achievement gaps and raising standards, all without the infusion of new resources. This…

This research utilized historical analysis, narrative inquiry, and oral history to document and analyze Black educational experiences in the Chapin, Dutch Fork, and Irmo communities during segregation and desegregation. Archival materials from the local school district offered insight into district leaders' attitudes towards Richlex, the only…

Public schools in New Orleans are changing our normative understandings of what it means to be a teacher, student, or administrator in our global society. The New Orleans public schools underwent a process of deregulation initiated by the State of Louisiana and the local school board in 2005. The process, truly the first of its kind, was expedited…

This study investigated one school system's implementation of a "Freedom of Choice" plan to desegregate its public schools prior to being mandated to do so. The research examined the process to implement a "Freedom of Choice" plan, the advocates and positive aspects of "Freedom of Choice," as well as the hindrances…