Leadership Efforts to Close the Achievement Gap for Historically
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LEADERSHIP EFFORTS TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP FOR HISTORICALLY UNDERPERFORMING SUBGROUPS (HUS) IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (K-6): HOW ONE SUBURBAN SCHOOL DISTRICT IS ADDRESSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP A Dissertation Submitted to The Temple University Graduate Board In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF EDUCATION By Lyndsay M. Morgan August 2018 Examining Committee Members: Dr. Steven Jay Gross, Advisory Chair, Policy, Organizational and Leadership Studies Dr. Christopher McGinley, Policy, Organizational and Leadership Studies Dr. James Earl Davis, Policy, Organizational and Leadership Studies Dr. Joseph Ducette, Psychological Studies in Education ABSTRACT The achievement gap has been identified as a significant challenge faced by school districts across the nation and has been an item on the national agenda for quite some time. Students that are part of the identified disaggregated groups are not achieving at the same rate as their White and Asian counterparts. While urban schools have had to deal with disparities in student achievement across racial lines for decades, suburban districts are now faced with greater numbers of students who are not demonstrating success and achievement academically. As a result, school districts are challenged to design programs to meet the needs of students that have fallen into the gap; and they must come up with ways to fill the academic gaps that individual students have in order to demonstrate progress. In response to the achievement gap, districts are designing interventions and programs that specifically address the needs of these students. Data driven decision-making is a direct result of the progress that school districts and schools must show for every student and student group. This study identifies how the Ganton School District, a suburban district outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is addressing the achievement gap through district-level and building-level leadership. Efforts evidenced through programs and initiatives are identified that are having an impact on the success and academic achievement of black students that have fallen into the gap in the Ganton School District. ii DEDICATION I dedicate my educational journey and doctoral studies to my family who inspire, motivate, and encourage me to be the best daughter, wife, and mother that I can be. To my parents, who have laid a foundation of educational importance and demonstrated models of educational excellence. My mother, the late Dr. Nancy W. Morgan; Mommy, you are now my guardian angel, but in life you taught me many of life’s most important lessons as you balanced being my mother and my best friend. I thank you for being an exemplary role model as a woman and a mother, showing me how far I can go to create my own path of adventure while impacting the lives of our future in the field of education. My father, Dr. Robert B. Morgan; Daddy, you are forever my protector, provider, and my friend. You have been the driving force behind my accomplishment, and I am grateful that you have always known my potential and supported me through some of life’s most challenging yet rewarding feats. I am proud to be your daughter and walk in your footsteps. To my husband, Peter J. Alston; As a team we have balanced all the changes, welcomed new additions, and taken on everyday challenges during this important time in my educational career. I am appreciative of your support and understanding as I have dedicated time and energy to my goals. I appreciate the sacrifice and will support you as you take on this challenge next. It’s your turn! To my children, Pryce and Layla; I know that you will one day understand what this accomplishment means to me, and I challenge you both to go as far as you can in your own educational endeavors. I look forward to celebrating the great successes you both will accomplish in your lives and the path you set for your own future. I dedicate my life and my iii work to making sure that you are successful individuals that positively contribute to and greatly impact this world! Mommy loves you! iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am especially thankful for my advisor, Dr. Steven Jay Gross, an educator that has touched my life and inspired my work. Your unwavering support and encouragement as you have seen me through each stage of my graduate studies is greatly appreciated. Thank you for seeing me to the end! In addition, I extend my deepest appreciation and gratitude to my committee: Dr. Davis, Dr. Ducette, and Dr. McGinley for providing invaluable insight and for their commitment to the completion of this work. I would also like to thank my colleagues and fellow educators that I have had the pleasure of working with over the years. My daily interactions with professionals in the field of education helped to clarify the importance of this research and deepen my understanding of the issues we are presented with in our schools. Through meaningful discussions and observing your work with children, I was challenged to research the issue and consider its prominence in education. Finally, I must thank the students I have had the pleasure to teach and those who have been under my supervision and care. You are the reason why this work is important and I strive to make sure that all children have access to opportunities they need to succeed. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................ II DEDICATION....................................................................................................................... III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................. V LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................ XI LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................ XII CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................... 1 Significance of the Study ............................................................................................ 5 Research Questions ................................................................................................... 12 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................... 12 Delimitations .............................................................................................................. 14 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................. 16 The Achievement Gap .............................................................................................. 16 Legislation and Judicial Intervention for School Improvement........................... 22 vi Suburban School Districts ........................................................................................ 26 District-Level Leadership ......................................................................................... 31 Leadership for Equity............................................................................................... 35 Using the Data ........................................................................................................... 36 CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................ 41 Research Questions ................................................................................................... 41 Pennsylvania Reporting System for Schools .......................................................... 41 Site Selection .............................................................................................................. 42 Subjects ...................................................................................................................... 43 Procedure ................................................................................................................... 44 Data Collection .......................................................................................................... 45 Instruments ................................................................................................................ 47 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................. 48 Research Design ........................................................................................................ 48 Ethical Considerations.............................................................................................. 49 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................ 49 vii Role of the Researcher .............................................................................................. 50 CHAPTER 4 FINDINGS ..................................................................................................... 51 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 51 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................ 51 Research Questions ..................................................................................................