University of Florida Thesis Or Dissertation Formatting
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THE PRICE OF EXCELLENCE: STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FROM ALTERNATIVE COMPENSATION MODELS THAT FEATURE SUBSTANTIAL STARTING SALARIES FOR TEACHERS By KENNETH SAVAGE A DISSERTATION PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 2019 © 2019 Kenneth A. Savage To my beloved Beca in honor of our shared passion for social justice, as well as my departed friend and colleague, Dr. Brian Dassler ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I could never have imagined when I was embarking on this doctoral journey just what a life changing experience it would be. When I started this journey, I was working as an assistant principal at a high school. Years later, I married one of the other members of our doctoral cohort, we have two beautiful children, and I have now been a leader at all levels; elementary, middle, high, district, and state level leadership. I have successfully helped influence turnaround for a number of underperforming schools and I have had the privilege of serving as the State of Florida Principal of the year for 2018. More significantly, I have had the opportunity to experience how temporary this life journey can be as I have had to bury numerous students, teachers, inspiring colleagues, and my own extended family. It is that fleeting nature of our lives that most invigorates me to seize each and every day with a purpose and to serve to the best of my ability. I pursued this doctorate not just for my own edification, but as an instrument to enhance my ability to serve the greater good. For as I have been given the privilege of my life and experiences, I owe far more than I can ever hope to repay. In that spirit, I first want to thank my committee chair, Dr. R. Craig Wood for his willingness to lend his brilliant mind and sage experience to not just myself, but our entire cohort through our classes and his individual counsel. His message wasn’t always easily received, but its truth was undeniable. His candor and urging to create ‘time on task’ was the type of internal mantra that eventually helped me find the light at the end of the very long tunnel. I also wish to thank my wife, family, and close friends for their unrelenting belief in me and their unconditional love and support. All that I am, I owe to that love- perhaps one day, I can help influence the realization of a world where everyone is afforded that same grace. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................................................................................. 4 LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................ 7 LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... 9 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................... 10 ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY ......................................................................... 13 Population ............................................................................................................... 21 Statement of Purpose ............................................................................................. 22 Research Question ................................................................................................. 22 Research Hypothesis .............................................................................................. 22 Assumptions ........................................................................................................... 22 Limitations ............................................................................................................... 23 Summary ................................................................................................................ 24 2 LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................... 25 The Early History of American Teacher Compensation .......................................... 25 Emerging Concerns with the Single Salary Schedule ............................................. 28 Alternative Teacher Compensation Reform ............................................................ 30 International Context for Alternative Compensation ................................................ 33 Differentiated Teacher Compensation Methods ...................................................... 35 Pay-for-Performance ........................................................................................ 35 Knowledge- and Skills-based Pay .................................................................... 39 Career Ladder Programs .................................................................................. 41 Market-Based Pay ............................................................................................ 43 Summary .......................................................................................................... 47 3 RESEARCH DESIGN ............................................................................................. 49 Research Question ................................................................................................. 49 Research Design .................................................................................................... 49 Florida Learning Gain Value ............................................................................. 51 New York Median Student Growth Percentile Value ........................................ 52 Research Population............................................................................................... 53 Florida Sample ................................................................................................. 54 New York Sample ............................................................................................. 57 5 Data Sources .......................................................................................................... 58 Data Analysis .......................................................................................................... 58 Summary ................................................................................................................ 60 4 PRESENTATION OF RESULTS ............................................................................ 61 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 61 Descriptive Statistics Results .................................................................................. 61 Florida Sample ................................................................................................. 61 New York Samples ........................................................................................... 63 2015-2016 School Year ............................................................................. 64 2016-2017 School Year ............................................................................. 65 Normality Test Results ............................................................................................ 67 Florida Sample ................................................................................................. 67 New York Samples ........................................................................................... 71 2015-2016 School Year ............................................................................. 71 2016-2017 School Year ............................................................................. 75 Statistical Hypothesis Test Results ......................................................................... 81 Florida Sample ................................................................................................. 81 New York Sample ............................................................................................. 82 Summary ................................................................................................................ 83 5 CONCLUSIONS ..................................................................................................... 85 Summary of Findings: ............................................................................................. 85 Recommendations for Future Policy ....................................................................... 87 Recommendations for Future Research ................................................................. 89 LIST OF REFERENCES ............................................................................................... 92 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ............................................................................................ 99 6 LIST OF TABLES Table page 3-1 School Grade History for Florida treatment school 1999-2018 within Florida State Accountability System beginning with most recent year ............................ 55 4-1 Descriptive Statistics for Student Demographics of Florida treatment school 2017-2018 School Year ...................................................................................... 62 4-2 Descriptive Statistics for Student Demographics Florida selected peer sample for comparative analysis 2017-2018 School Year .................................. 63 4-3 Descriptive Statistics for Student Demographics