Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
EdD Program for Educational Leaders
Advisor
John S. Reynolds
Committee Member
John Lustig
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
administration, American literature, best practices, classroom environment, classroom supplies, climate improvement, computer use, district averages, engineering program, high schools, learning environment, morale, NASSP School Climate Survey, National Association of Secondary School Principals, parent input, Parent Opinion Survey, qualitative data, quantitative data, school climate, school climate survey, school culture, school effectiveness, school maintenance, school programs, security, student suspension alternatives, teacher recognition, teacher morale, teacher evaluation, technical programs, U.S. history, Whole School Effectiveness Survey
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to examine the current climate and culture at a medium-sized high school and to influence that climate positively. The current climate was evaluated using multiple data collection instruments including the venerable National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) School Climate Survey (C. Halderson, E. A. Kelley, J. W. Keefe, & P. S. Berge, 1989), a district-created Whole School Effectiveness Survey, and a qualitative school-created survey that allowed parental input. The strong reliability and validity of the NASSP School Climate Survey is well documented with descending levels of confidence placed in the Whole School Effectiveness Survey and the Parent Opinion Survey, respectively.
Several in-school programs were introduced to enhance teacher recognition and morale. Teachers were given the opportunity to have a class review of teaching with a review of techniques and recommendations. Several classes were offered that demonstrated several best practices concepts in psychology, U.S. history and American literature. Additionally, a special effort was made to find alternatives to student suspension with the new attitude that students were best served if kept in the classroom and the learning environment was more positive. Teachers participated in a monthly quiz on e-mail that allowed the winners to garner $30, $20, and $10 dollars for classroom supplies. The biproduct of this effort was more teachers using computers and local e-mail. Humorous and inspirational notes were placed in teacher mailboxes.
Analysis of data reveals a very positive school climate that is well above the national averages in 8 of 10 categories. The school falls short only in School Maintenance and Security and the November sample in Administration. The Parent Opinion Survey revealed general satisfaction with the health and technical programs but near unanimous dissatisfaction with the engineering program. The Whole School Effectiveness Survey also defines a school besting the district averages on every scale.