The Monroe County Intermediate School District
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Eastern Michigan University DigitalCommons@EMU Master's Theses, and Doctoral Dissertations, and Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations Graduate Capstone Projects 2008 The onrM oe County Intermediate School District: A case study Donald A. Spencer Follow this and additional works at: http://commons.emich.edu/theses Part of the Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration Commons Recommended Citation Spencer, Donald A., "The onrM oe County Intermediate School District: A case study" (2008). Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. 148. http://commons.emich.edu/theses/148 This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Master's Theses, and Doctoral Dissertations, and Graduate Capstone Projects at DigitalCommons@EMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@EMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. i THE MONROE COUNTY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT: A CASE STUDY by Donald A. Spencer Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Leadership and Counseling Eastern Michigan University In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of DOCTOR OF EDUCATION November 20, 2008 Ypsilanti, Michigan ii APPROVAL THE MONROE COUNTY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT: A CASE STUDY By Donald A. Spencer APPROVED: __________________________________________________________ James Barott, PhD Date Committee Chair __________________________________________________________ Jaclynn Tracy, PhD Date Committee Member __________________________________________________________ David Anderson, PhD Date Committee Member __________________________________________________________ John Palladino, PhD Date Committee Member __________________________________________________________ Jaclynn Tracy, PhD Date Department Head __________________________________________________________ Deborah de Laski-Smith, PhD Date Interim Dean of the Graduate School iii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to the memory of my mother and father, Phyllis and Richard Spencer, who always believed in me and instilled in me my respect for the teaching profession; to my mother- and father-in-law, Phyllis and Paul Hebert, who encouraged me and have made me their son; to my wife, Carol, and children Kacie, Rich, and Katie, who have supported me in so many ways during this long and challenging journey. You mean everything to me. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The researcher received the support of many in conducting this study. I will forever be indebted to the local librarians, historians, educators and others who provided me with “leads,” gave me moral support, and otherwise motivated me to finish the journey resulting in this dissertation. There are, however, several individuals and groups who stand out by their level of support that I must acknowledge in this limited space. First and foremost, there is Dr. James Barott, my committee chair. When I met Dr. Barott I was adrift in my research without much of an idea of the work that would be necessary if I pursued the subject matter I ultimately chose, the Monroe County Intermediate School District. Soon, after mutually agreeing to work together, I learned of the depth of his knowledge and the passion he has for learning. His probing questions, unqualifying support, and friendship allowed me to grow in ways I never imagined. I will forever be indebted to Dr. Barott for the intellectual doors he opened for me throughout the research process. Dr. Jaclyn Tracy, Department Chairperson and member of my dissertation committee, must also be singled out for her unwavering support of me during this arduous research journey. Dr. Tracey’s wisdom strengthened me on more than one occasion when I doubted myself. I must also thank my other dissertation committee members, Dr. David Anderson and Dr. John Palladino, who challenged me to strengthen the intellectual rigor of my study by asking questions and offering suggestions that I have pondered throughout the analysis of the data associated with this research. The process of understanding the complexities of educational leadership and governance demanded that I challenge myself, and they led me to do just that. There were also many in Monroe whom I must acknowledge. The support of the Monroe County Intermediate School District Board of Education and my Administrative v Assistants, Karen Halstead and Andrea Murphy, was simply outstanding. These people understood the significance of my understanding the Monroe County Intermediate School District and the importance of this research to our community. Their support of me never wavered – I think. To all of these individuals, I say “thank you” for being at my side throughout the research process. Finally, and most importantly, I had the support of a loving family who stood by me throughout this research. Carol, Rich, Katie and Kacie – I thank you from the bottom of my heart. vi ABSTRACT Background: Throughout the history of public education in Michigan, there has been an intermediate unit of educational government. This unit of educational government exists between the State Department of Education and the local school districts. Currently, there are fifty-seven intermediate school districts in Michigan providing educational services and governance functions. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the Monroe County Intermediate School District in order to inform educational leadership. Research Design: This study was an interpretive, historical case study. The study explored the manner in which culture was perpetuated via the system of education in Monroe, Michigan, throughout history. Conclusions: • The nature of educational governance is found in the myths and belief systems of the people and the ideological techniques used to control the educational environment. The nature of educational governance is to perpetuate culture. The question at issue is whose culture? • The ideological foundations of Michigan’s Public Education System are: Protestant-republican reform ideology business-scientific ideology municipal reform ideology • The origin of the Monroe County Intermediate School District can be traced to 1867. The drift of educational governance has been away from local control. As the state has assumed more control of educational governance, the vii Intermediate School District, put into place as a source of state control, has evolved into a local and state public policy entrepreneur. • The dominant conflict this researcher found is that which exists between centralized versus local control. The question of who decides about educational matters has been the primary source of educational conflict. • The educational governance role of the Monroe County Intermediate School District is to provide resources, govern the delivery of special education services, serve as a policy entrepreneur, and manage political conflict. • The educational services role of the Monroe County Intermediate School District continues to evolve within the negotiated local educational arena and includes: special education services professional development services Data processing services Instructional technology services Student enrichment services viii Table of Contents APPROVAL ................................................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION............................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................. iv ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................v LIST OF TABLES..................................................................................................................... xxiii LIST OF FIGURES .....................................................................................................................xxv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1 Purpose of Study......................................................................................................1 Significance of Study...............................................................................................2 Research Questions..................................................................................................4 Definitions................................................................................................................5 CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND DESIGN....................................................7 Qualitative Research Tradition ..............................................................................................7 Conceptual Framework and Literature Review .....................................................................8 Myth Complex .......................................................................................................10 Ideology .................................................................................................................11 Municipal Reform Movement................................................................................15 Ideological Conflict...............................................................................................16 Educational Politics...............................................................................................18