Date of Award
2001
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Advisor
Clifford Claiborne
Committee Member
Charles L. Faires
Keywords
alumni, archives, Catholic education, educational environment, ethnography, faith-based education, faculty, facilities, interviews, morale, naturalistic observation, organizational culture, parent involvement, private schools, qualitative research, Sacred Heart School, school climate, school community, school culture, school improvement, student morale, students, surveys, teacher morale, values education
Abstract
Through an ethnographic process, the researcher sought an enhanced school climate that would result in improved morale among teachers and students at Sacred Heart School. The opportunity provided was to take the school beyond the level of solid and move it toward the status of being regarded as a major private educational institution.
Data were obtained for this project through surveys and personal interviews of faculty members, parents, students, and alumni in the attempt to describe past and current school climate and culture accurately. School archives were researched to gain further information concerning the philosophical foundation on which this institution was built. Three years of direct observation and participation in the naturalistic setting also provided essential data. The primary purpose of the data collection was to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the school in regard to climate and morale.
The compilation of data from this project clearly suggested that Sacred Heart School must capitalize on the privilege and the freedom to teach values, morals, and right from wrong. This is accomplished by providing quality education with a daily incorporation of faith-based values and concepts for living. In order to maintain optimal school climate, faculty and staff must be consistently recognized and nurtured, including intensification of efforts to ensure that faculty and staff are compensated in a just manner. Facilities must be continually improved. Appearances do make a difference. Finally, the importance of respectful interaction among all factions of the school community is unmistakably clear. Practicum results indicate that it is important to emphasize and build upon the concept of extended family. Outcomes further suggest that all constituencies must be provided constant opportunities to cultivate feelings of ownership in the school and its success.