An Ethnographic Study of Haitian Administrators in New York and Florida Public Schools Yanique Leveque Seton Hall Univerisity
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Seton Hall University eRepository @ Seton Hall Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs) Spring 5-2012 An Ethnographic Study of Haitian Administrators in New York and Florida Public Schools Yanique Leveque Seton Hall Univerisity Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations Part of the Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons Recommended Citation Leveque, Yanique, "An Ethnographic Study of Haitian Administrators in New York and Florida Public Schools" (2012). Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 1795. https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/1795 AN ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF HAITIAN ADMINISTRATORS IN NEW YORK AND FLORIDA PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY YANIQUE LEVEQUE Dissertation Committee Juan Cobarrubias, Ph.D., Mentor Elaine Walker, Ph.D., Mentor Louise Langlois Chaker, Ed.D. Submitted in partial fulfillment ofthe requirements for the Degree ofDoctor ofEducation Seton Hall University 2012 SETON HALL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES APPROVAL FOR SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE Doctoral Candidate, Yanique Leveque, has successfully defended and made the required modifications to the text ofthe doctoral dissertation for the Ed.D. during this Spring Semester 2012. DISSERTATION COMMITTEE (please sign and date beside your name) Mentor: Dr. Juan Cobarrubias Mentor Dr. Elaine Walker 3/7 {20th I J Committee Member: :/ /7/A. ~ Dr. Louise Chaker ~ r::::::.vW.. / External Reader: The mentor and any other committee members who wish to review revisions will sign and date this document only when revisions have been completed. Please return this form to the Office of Graduate Studies, where it will be placed in the candidate's file and submit a copy with your final dissertation to be bound as page number two. © Copyright by Yanique Leveque, 2012 All Rights Reserved n ABSTRACT AN ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF HAITIAN ADMINISTRATORS IN NEW YORK AND FLORIDA PUBLIC SCHOOLS The purpose ofthis study was to cast some light on the current level of participation of Haitians in the educational system transformation at the school district level. This study will increase our understanding and appreciation of the unique characteristics and the rich cultural resources that administrators bring to the school district where they work. The research was conducted using ethnographic methodology and grounded theory. In an attempt to gather data to answer the research questions for this study, a series of interviews were conducted with 12 informants that included Haitian administrators. The interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed and analyzed. It was found that a set of strategies were implemented by the Haitian administrators. Using these strategies, these administrators were able to show students' achievement. This study will help Haitians to continue their pursuit ofadministrative aspirations and contribute positively to the field ofeducation. It will benefit school district administrators responsible for personnel hiring to select school-level administrators who have been specifically trained in the educational programs for bilingual student population and Limited English Proficient (LEP) students. It is a way in which school districts can treat diversity as an asset. Also, the higher educational system will need Haitian administrators to serve as role models and provide leadership. The economic future of this country will also depend on well-prepared Haitian American administrators entering the job market. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I will be forever grateful to the following people who assisted me in this endeavor: To Dr. Juan Cobarrubias, my mentor, for being so patient, kind and understanding, and for his boundless encouragement, To Dr. Elaine Walker, mentor, for always reminded me ofthe time and encouragmg me. To my committee member, Dr. Louise Langlois Chaker, for her help. To Mr. George lntsiful, for keeping me on track by calling me each week to remind me to put some time in my work. I would also like to express my most appreciative thanks to the administrators who gave me their assistance by providing me with the information necessary for the completion ofthis dissertation. iv DEDICATION I dedicate this manuscript To my parents, Pierre Leveque and Manise Gerome, whose example of perseverance and hard work have guided me through my life, and To my son, Jamaal Richard Mirville, who has shared my daily struggles. Thank you. I love you. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Copyright................................................................................................ii Abstract........................................................,.......................................iii Acknowledgements...................................................................................iv Dedication..............................................................................................v List ofTables........................................................................................viii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION..................................................................1 Statement ofthe Problem ....................................................................2 Socioeconomic Portrait. .....................................................................3 Historical Perspectives/Social Class Structure ..........................................6 Research Questions ...........................................................................8 Significance ofthe Study ...... '" ..........................................................9 Organization ofthe Dissertation ..........................................................10 Definitions ofTerms.......................................................................11 Limitations ofthe Study .......................,........................................... 11 CHAPTER II REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ............................................ 13 Introduction................................................................................. 13 Historical Evolution ofPrincipal's Role ......................................................... , ...... 13 The New Principalship Roles ..............................................................1 7 Principal's Role in Curriculum Implementation .......................................20 Assessment ofLeadership..................... '" .........................................24 The Instructional Leader ...................................................................28 Outstanding Principals .....................................................................34 Transformational Leadership ...............................................................38 Diversity in the Public SchooL ...........................................................41 Leadership's Attention to cultural Minorities ...........................................43 Conclusion..................................................................................47 CHAPTER III METHODOLOGy...............................................................48 Research Design .............................................................................49 Interview Format. ...........................................................................53 Interview ofan Informant. ................................................................54 Interview Questions ........................................................................55 Instrumentation.............................................................................57 Description ofParticipants................................................................58 Data Collection .............................................................................62 Controlling for Bias and Errors ...........................................................63 Treatment ofData..........................................................................64 VI CHAPTER IV FINDINGS .......................................................................68 Results ofthe Study ........................................................................68 Haitians.......,..........................................." ...................." ...........71 Kinds ofSchool Administrators ..........................................................72 Role ofthe Educational Leader ...........................................................75 A Typical Day ..............................................................................77 Prudence - How to Survive the Principalship ..........................................80 Role ModellMentorship ...................................................................83 Discipline....................................................................................87 Research Questions 1 ......................................................................90 Research Questions 2 .....................................................................134 Research Questions 3 ......................................................................178 Research Questions 4 .....................................................................216 Research Questions 5 .....................................................................290 Research Questions 6 ......................................................................326 CHAPTER V DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..............................374 Discussion..................................................................................374 Key Findings ..............................................................................375