In this mixed-methods multi-case study, the researcher's aim was to examine the confidence and competence of new assistant principals in public school districts in California. The scope of participants included superintendents, principals, and teacher leaders. A review of the literature revealed that although the role of the new assistant…

Although charter schools are frequently afforded flexibility from many state laws that govern traditional public schools, a growing number of charter school teachers have now unionized and introduced collective bargaining to the charter sector. Using data from a detailed content analysis of teacher CBAs from California, we compare the…

New teachers enter the classroom with high hopes and expectations, only to feel defeated by the end of their first few years of teaching. There can be many variables that affect a teacher's self-efficacy. This study aimed to determine if the teachers' self-efficacy correlates with new teachers' emotional competency. This quantitative study…

In 2023, charter school advocates continued to make legislative gains in statehouses across the country. These gains were made in red, blue, and purple states, oftentimes in ways that showed bipartisan support for charter schools remains firmly in place. In looking at the results of this year's legislative sessions across the country, four…

Authors of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) intended for the policy to serve a strategic role in improving California public schools' capacity to engage with education stakeholders. Early criticism of the policy's implementation highlighted districts' pro-forma approach to soliciting and responding to stakeholder feedback during the Local…

Student absenteeism is a persistent concern in K-12 education. Not only are the negative academic and social consequences of excessive absenteeism well documented, but states, districts, and schools are increasingly being held accountable for student attendance. As research indicates that disruptions in students' learning contexts may exacerbate…

Principals lack training and understanding of social-emotional learning (SEL) to feel confident in leading SEL initiatives on their school campuses. This study's purpose was to explore elementary school principals' lived experiences in California's Central Valley. A qualitative phenomenological methodology was implemented to achieve this goal. The…

The current sociopolitical context of the United States has created a divide among the nation which has transpired into Kindergarten-12th grade public school settings. Throughout the United States school boards of education have banned books and Critical Race Theory while attacking social justice teaching pedagogies. Presently, there is growing…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify the perceptions of superintendents as to how prepared and supported they were to successfully lead an organization through crisis situations. A phenomenological approach was used and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 current or retired public school superintendents from diverse…

This study examined school counselors' perceptions of how leadership styles affect work output, staff comradery, and employee morale. The research problem examined in this qualitative descriptive case study was work output, staff comradery, and employee morale differ greatly depending on the leadership style that the immediate supervisor…

We examine access to high school Ethnic Studies in California, a new graduation requirement beginning in 2029-30. Data from the California Department of Education and the University of California Office of the President indicate that roughly 50 percent of public high school students in 2020-21 attend a school that offers Ethnic Studies or a…

This study involving 233 participants from ten states sought to identify the types of educational journals practicing superintendents read. The findings indicate that the majority of superintendents are reading publications provided by professional and trade organizations rather than peer-reviewed journals. Across all subgroups, "Educational…

Turnover of public school superintendents can be both costly and counterproductive for school districts. For those who are successful, who remain in one district as superintendent, and receive contract renewals from their school boards, it is important to uncover what may impact that success. Measures of personality have been applied to the fields…

The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of the value of the integration of induction programs for novice teachers and mentors. The study examined participants working in the dioceses, the archdioceses, and private schools around California. Participants received the surveys via electronic mail. The novice teachers were a part of…

Purpose. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of Latinas in executive cabinet leadership roles at the district office or county office level in the Preschool-12 California public education system. Theoretical Framework. Themes in the existing research and a conceptual framework rooted in…