This study explored how and to what degree Education Service Agency (ESA) leaders apply business model innovation to promote organizational sustainability and growth. More specifically, this study aimed to unearth the successes, challenges, and outcomes ESA leaders have experienced in applying business model innovation. A basic qualitative…

This dissertation demonstrates the interdisciplinary integration of critical appreciative inquiry (a qualitative planning process focused on inclusion in decision-making) and multi-attribute utility theory (a quantitative evaluation process focused on rationality in decision-making). Principles of positive psychology and decision-making underlay…

It is a tradition at many institutions of higher education to develop civic-mindedness in their students, and they use a number of strategies to do it. As the world has become more globalized, the sense of community that is inherent in civic engagement also has expanded. Global citizenship has roots in civic engagement and describes people who…

The purpose of this study was to examine the identity negotiation/shifting experiences of Black women multicultural center administrators as an outsider-within at historically white institutions in the United States. I used a critical lens to explore how eleven Black women multicultural center administrators described their identity…

At-risk students' participation in after-school programming is one-way schools are responding to the lagging literacy scores in the U.S. This program evaluation attempted to inform after-school program stakeholders by examining the relationship between participants' attendance in a 21st Century Community Learning Center after-school program…

This qualitative case study assessed the need for a Catholic Education Center (CEC) for Catholic school principals within the United States. The research questions that were addressed were: 1) How have Catholic school principals experienced support around complex and controversial issues when conflicting viewpoints exist between school and Church…

Faculty at colleges and universities across the nation are under pressure to provide engaging classroom environments suited to a diverse student population in order to increase student retention. Faculty professional development is often supported by Centers for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Larger, well-funded schools have created CTLs with…

Underserved students, such as African Americans, first-generation, or those with low-income backgrounds, often face more obstacles when it comes to postsecondary education. In response, many colleges now offer supplemental support programs to increase their chances of success. This study examined two groups of underrepresented students at a…

The transition from middle school to high school can be challenging for some students. Many school districts are implementing practices to ease the transition to high school. The current study examined one school district's practices and procedures for the development and implementation of a ninth-grade center. In this study, I examined the…

In this mixed methods research study, the researcher investigated the difference between additive and subtractive bilingual education programs and student achievement. The researcher examined types of bilingual education and special language programs currently utilized in school districts located within the Education Service Center Region Two…

Educational policy makers continue to promote non-instructional service consolidation as one method to reduce operating costs through "economies of scale". Unfortunately, there is essentially no empirical evidence on the size or source of cost savings associated with such measures. Using panel data from 2004-2010, this mixed methods…

This study examined selected community stakeholders' perception of the current leadership at their local community educational learning center during an organizational transformation and cultural change process. The transition from a community college to an educational learning center, mandated in 2006 by the Accredition Commission and agreed on…

This dissertation describes how entrepreneurial superintendents of educational service agencies (ESAs) recognize, determine and address common and distinct innovative characteristics within emerging or established regional educational environments. Because internal and external factors assist in recognizing innovative practices, this study…

Educational Service Agencies (ESAs) across the United States have historically provided programs and services to local districts in an effort to increase educational achievement for students and the efficiency of local schools. Intermediate School Districts (ISDs), Michigan's unique brand of ESA, are no different. They are there to serve the needs…

This study was designed to investigate school superintendent and school board member perceptions of the relative importance of the Texas State Board of Educator Certification competencies required to be a successful leader of a Texas public school system. School districts within seven of the Regional Education Service Centers in Texas were…