This study examined teachers' perceptions regarding a pay-for-performance model in one large urban Texas school district, implementing pay-for-performance. The district model investigated has been implemented for nine years, replacing the traditional salary schedule with an entirely performance-based system. For the quantitative portion of this…

This quantitative, causal comparative study analyzed the effect of participation in a blended learning program has on the STAAR Mathematics and Reading Language Arts assessments for fifth grade students in a large, urban school district in North Texas. The study evaluated the performance of fifth graders on the STAAR assessment in mathematics…

School principals are exclusively placed to make campus-wide decisions required to lead campuses academically, provide a safe environment, and serve as chief human capital managers. The tasks can lead to an increase in school achievement outcomes and job-related stress. Emotional intelligence (EI) may allow individuals to manage and perceive the…

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between principal leadership styles and teacher burnout. The study included a review of data collected using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ-5X) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-ES) from a purposeful sample of teachers from one large urban Title I high school in a…

High-quality decodable books enhance literacy by providing children with focused practice opportunities to break down sounds they have learned and apply their decoding skills. Just Right Reader (JRR) hired LXD Research to measure its impact during a pilot study in the Spring of 2024 to determine the effect of their decodable books on literacy…

The purpose of this study, through an analysis of the literature review of general scholars in the field of school poverty, equity, efficiency, and student achievement results, was to determine whether economic disparity had a direct statistical significance to student achievement gaps. Specifically, identification of the five socioeconomic tiers…

High teacher turnover and a pervasive teacher shortage has the education industry investigating new ways to attract and retain talent. Texas, specifically, has invested in compensating teachers for performance in hopes of retaining top teachers in the classroom through the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), which was established and authorized by…

The purpose of this quantitative research study was to determine the relationship between leadership styles, conflict caused by dysfunctions in administrative leadership teams, teacher morale, and student performance on the reading and math sections of the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR). A total of 58 elementary school…

The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine how mentoring support systems, race and gender intersectional challenges shape the pathway for five African-American women principals in a South Texas urban school district. The researcher used a semi-structured interview question protocol, audio-recorded, and professionally transcribed…

The implementation of restorative practices has impacts on student behavior and discipline referrals as evidenced by studies conducted by Stinchcomb and Bazemore. Increases in discipline incidences affect campus culture and incidences of behavioral consequences. Increased behavior among students also contributes to the feeling of safety with…

This study utilizes an autoethnographic qualitative methodological approach in which I explore the ways in which my personal and professional experiences across my lifetime shaped my responses to COVID-19 as a Black principal in an urban school district in southwest Texas, during the 14-month period between March 16, 2020, and May 28, 2021. I…

This study sought to explore the extent to which and how principals can help decrease the use of out-of-school suspension and close the racial discipline gap. This study comprised a qualitative case study of a principal in an urban school district. Data derive from in-depth interviews with current and former campus and district leaders, historical…

Employing transnationalism and transnational literacies as theoretical perspectives, this study explores how two focal students from Asian immigrant families construct their transnational and transcultural identities by reflecting on their dynamic border-crossing experiences. The students' creation of artifacts (illustrating self-portraits and…

Principals' roles have been transformed from solely managerial and now include instructional leadership. Principals were formerly responsible for hiring teachers, communicating the vision and mission for the school, and overseeing the daily operations. Currently, the primary focus of school principals is student achievement for all students. The…

The role of the principal includes various obligations and responsibilities, including leading the school's special education (SPED) program. Many aspects inform how SPED students respond to the curriculum, including their learning needs, race, socioeconomic class, and other aspects that intersect and make their needs more complex. The researcher…