Schools are dynamic environments surrounded by static brick and mortar. Schools are a complex entanglement of systems clinging to normalcy led and composed of individuals seeking growth and progress. There is constant turnover as students move through the systems, gaining mastery, seeking support, and receiving guidance. Employees similarly move…

We use frame analysis to analyze the first iteration of the Texas District of Innovation policy, which allows districts to take exemption from state education requirements mandating the hiring of a state certified teacher. We analyzed 451 district policies and find the plans use very similar, and sometimes identical, language to frame both the…

Systems navigators help local educational agencies (LEAs) meet the needs of students experiencing homelessness and decrease barriers to their education by connecting them--and often their families--to resources and community organizations that can provide wraparound services. This National Center for Homeless Education brief: (1) provides…

This study investigates the influence of principal tenure on the retention rates of the teachers they hire over time. We analyzed the hiring practices and teacher retention rates of 11,717 Texas principals from 1999 to 2017 employing both individual and year fixed effects. Main findings indicate that a principal who stays in the same school for at…

Art education remains a subject in many school districts which is at risk of being cut due to low funds. In order to maintain arts in schools, stakeholders must see the many benefits that art provides for students. Those in art education also face issues with limited resources and lack of respect. Thus, it is essential to have an effective…

Purpose: Hiring teachers is among principals' most critical work but what remains uncertain is the relationship between a principal's tenure in a school and the rate at which they hire teachers who will stay. Teacher retention and principal experience are key predictors of school stability. This study therefore investigates the influence of…

This paper aims to draw lessons from existing research on school leader diversity, and to supplement that evidence with new insights from the lived experiences of teachers, aspiring and practicing school leaders of color, and local and state administrators who oversee school leader recruitment and support. These perspectives are elevated to bring…

The number of English learners (ELs) in school districts is climbing nationwide, and these students are being taught by teachers who may or may not have the knowledge base or training to provide effective instruction (Johnston & Young, 2019). This exploratory, descriptive study examined the self-efficacy of EL program directors and EL teachers…

More work is needed to engage the talents and empower Latino students to reach their full academic potential. We suggest that one potential cause for Latino student underperformance is the underrepresentation of Latino school leaders. Research suggests that school leaders who understand the cultural background and lived experiences of students…

This study explored the superintendent hiring process in Texas. Participating school board presidents were part of a target population who used search consultants and hired a superintendent during 2011. Using survey research methods, data were collected from 17 school board presidents. The Superintendent Profile survey was used to measure how…

The purpose of this study is to describe the perceptions of superintendent search consultants as they relate to the selection of superintendent candidates. The synergistic leadership theory (SLT) developed by Irby, Brown, Duffy and Trautman (2002) provided the theoretical framework needed to analyze the characteristics search consultants perceive…

This study, conducted by Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas examined the perceptions of 104 school administrators regarding the use of career advancement portfolios in the hiring process. The study occurred in rural, suburban, and urban school districts in the greater Houston, Texas area. Participants completed a four-question…

Presented is the report on a practicum to implement a series of activities to assist Directors of Special Education in the task of personnel identification and selection. Specific issues considered are skills or competencies in special education staff roles, guidelines for special education certification in Texas, and practices and techniques in…

Intended for Special Education Directors, the source book is designed to provide assistance in the areas of personnel identification and selection. In part I, recommended competencies are listed for the following special education staff: resource classroom teacher, self-contained teacher, vocational adjustment teacher, generic classroom teacher,…