The purpose of this research was to gain a rich understanding of cultural perspectives for fostering quality and relevant education in the United States Virgin Islands (U.S.VI). Research explores which perceived cultural perspectives are functioning in the Territory. Specifically, how adult economic survival is sustained in the territory. Findings…

This study utilized a qualitative approach to focus on three essential elements: how superintendents are prepared to serve in their role as school district leaders, how they are recruited, and what support is available to help them succeed and remain in their position. The study explored these essential elements from the perspective of currently…

Classical and Christian education has proliferated across education sectors over the last decade. As a result, school leaders must implement these timeless philosophies of education and navigate such high demand. This dissertation seeks to equip relevant parties with research about what drives their skyrocketing enrollment and how to support…

Black students are disproportionately represented in special education, especially in categories that are subjectively determined by educators. Also, Black students with disabilities experience disproportionate rates of exclusionary discipline in schools and have disproportionately higher dropout rates and lower graduation rates. Research has…

Critical scholars have asserted for decades that effective educational programming for black students and communities requires the guidance, governance, and leadership of African American professionals who can understand and affirm the identities of those being served (DuBois, 1935; Lomotey, 1989; Lomotey, 1993; Lightfoot, 1983; Sowell, 1976;…

The role of the public school superintendent, with its increasing challenges and demands, can be considered one of the most daunting roles in American public education today. Consequently, frequent turnover in the top leadership position inhibits many public schools from reaching set academic, financial, and organizational goals. As a result, any…

The advent of social media has, in many ways, changed the way people communicate with one another as it has added a real-time component and multiple platforms from which people can communicate. School districts are not exempt from the evolution of communication into the digital realm. Districts have an obligation to maximize their home-school…

Despite the continued practice of adopting new educational policies to improve outcomes for students in our public school systems, the implementation of school district improvement rests with the central office administrators charged with leading school districts across the country. The magnitude of this work and lack of attention given to…

This dissertation analyzed court decisions in injuries on school grounds cases under the Louisiana Governmental Claims Act. The question addressed was: How have the Louisiana courts interpreted the Louisiana Governmental Claims Act in litigation against Louisiana school districts and their employees? The intent of this study was to show how…

There is a need to fill the gap in school board literature by examining Islamic school board members' and their principals' perceptions of school board effectiveness. The purpose of this quantitative study was to measure and compare ratings of school board effectiveness of Islamic school boards by board members and school principals. The…

Since the original and seminal investigation on the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) was conducted by Kaiser Permanente and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 1995 to 1997, researchers have begun to identify the need to address childhood trauma in schools (Anda et al., 2006; Anderson, Blitz, & Saastamoinen,…

School board governance matters. Past research has demonstrated that effective school boards are associated with higher student achievement. However, this research has been less clear about what those agreed upon effective practices are. The current study set out to identify effective school board governance practices and to determine the extent…

Studies indicate that as many as one-third of localities in the United States elect their leaders on partisan ballots. This would seem to violate the reformist idea that local government ought to be as insulated as possible from party politics. State and local governments continue to mandate changes to how citizens shall elect their local…

This report describes a plan analysis project focusing on how urban, suburban, and rural schools in one Midwestern state responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020. The problem statement was schools were not prepared for school closures during a pandemic and the social-emotional impact on children nor were they prepared for creating…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the preparation, recruitment, and retention of California school superintendents of schools. The efforts of this study focused on obtaining information and insight from current superintendents, school board members, and executive search firm consultants in order to obtain precise insight into…