Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
Geraldine H. Pasquarella
Committee Member
Jody A. Lamb
Committee Member
Maryellen Maher
Keywords
assessment instrument, assessment methodology, crisis plan, crisis plan assessment, crisis plan evaluation, crisis plan objectives, crisis planning, data analysis, data collection, district administrators, evaluation criteria, evaluation methodology, formative evaluation, leadership roles, literature review, middle schools, obstacles, organizational safety goals, plan appraisal, plan construction, plan development, plan evaluation, Punta Gorda Middle School, questionnaires, research questions, safety, school safety, staff assessment, staff training, summative evaluation, survey development, survey validation, training comparison
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of Punta Gorda Middle School’s crisis plan. The problem was that there had been no confirmation of the staff’s achievement of the crisis plan objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the crisis plan through the development, implementation, and appraisal of the results of a crisis plan assessment instrument.
Research questions focused on components of an effective crisis plan; development of an assessment instrument; comparison of crisis plans and training with similar schools; roles of leadership in construction/evaluation of the plan; limitations and obstacles in development and assessment; and evaluation of results.
The evaluation methodology was employed to analyze the crisis plan. Ten procedures were used. First, an examination of literature was conducted. Second, an advisory committee examined the evaluation criteria. Third, the criteria was established for constructing a survey to evaluate the crisis plan. Fourth, the product was validated. Fifth, the finalized questionnaires were sent to the advisory committee for endorsement. Sixth, the formative evaluation survey was disseminated to all staff members. Seventh, the summative evaluation survey was distributed again near the conclusion of the school year. Eighth, data collection and analysis was conducted. Ninth, the evaluation tool was appraised to determine if the safety/security goals of the organization were met. Tenth, a presentation of results was given to the school and district administrators.