Chronic absenteeism rates have become an increasing problem after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (U.S Department of Education, 2022). There is a need to identify interventions to effectively target the heightened rates of student absences. This study examined the effectiveness of the Dine and Doodle intervention in increasing attendance in a…

This study examined a differentiated, bottom-up approach to school improvement planning through exploration of the qualities that make up a highly effective school department team as it related to their ability to create and meet a student-centered, data driven high achievement goal. While there are a multitude of factors that affect the ability…

This quantitative study aimed to research factors that influence third-graders' reading performance on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, a standardized test used to measure the proficiency of students in various subjects. The independent variables of this study were student attendance, teacher's professional background, and…

Research shows that third-grade reading proficiency is the most significant predictor of future success, including graduation rates, earning potential, crime, and health. Mastery of foundational literacy skills during preschool bolsters students' ability to learn to read before fourth grade when the transition from learning to read to reading to…

American schools are complex organizations responsible for the teaching and learning of students. Leading these dynamic institutions is the school principal and the influence of the principal is a leading factor in school outcomes and student achievement measures (Grissom et al., 2021). Thus, the principal is essential for school and student…

This dissertation applies cognitive load theory to teacher working conditions in New York City. To connect small-scale cognitive processes with perennial organization-level effects, the theoretical components of this paper develop a novel framework. Load reduction leadership (LRL) illuminates how day-to-day school operations impact staff members'…

The following study investigates students' perception of the alternative schools they attend through the lens of Self-Determination Theory. This research assesses current 18- to 21-year-old students attending alternative schools in the Pacific Northwest using a quantitative approach. The study, based in the Pacific Northwest with data collected…

Through the years, the role of the school principal has shifted from managerial to an instructional focus, which required additional skills, strategies, oversight, and flexibility. Assuming the role of instructional leader challenged principals to ensure students achieve at high levels. Legislation over the years added to the high expectations…

The principal goal of this research paper is to gain knowledge of leadership roles in academic systems. Principals, heads, and directors are in positions of leadership in educational institutions. It is the responsibility of leaders to support and direct individuals in the proper implementation of their duties and responsibilities, to provide…

This action research study examined the current attendance protocol at a Title I school in the southeastern region of the United States. Data were collected from three sources: survey, interviews, and a focus group. The collected data were analyzed using NVivo 14 software, resulting in six themes--two for each of the three questions for analysis.…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how rural K-12 leaders in Utah describe their leadership practices. The theoretical framework was based on Robert Greenleaf's Servant Leadership Theory. This study explored three research questions pertaining to: How Rural K-12 leadership practices were described, challenges that…

This interpretive qualitative study was designed to explore three middle school principals' use of transformational leadership practices that improve students' academic success outcomes. An interpretive qualitative research study seeks to view the world from participants' perspectives--seeing the world through their eyes to inform the experiences…

The literature extensively documents the detrimental effects of exclusionary discipline on student outcomes, despite its continued excessive utilization. Exclusionary discipline often results in teachers not having the necessary support and training to deal effectively with problematic behaviors, which are useful for students who need behavioral…

Effective hiring practices are critical to ensuring the academic success of at-promise students attending alternative schools. In California, hiring practices for educators often result in school cultures that are not conducive to the growth and improvement of at-promise students due to poorly matched educators and high turnover. This study aimed…

The South Carolina Department of Education and the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee developed an accountability system that informs the public of the status of public schools while meeting the mandate of state and federal law (Robinson, 2018). Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a U.S. Law that passed in December 2015 that governs the…