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A Legal Analysis of Litigation Against Mississippi Educators and School Systems Under the Mississippi Tort Claims Act

Description: This dissertation analyzes court cases involving tort claims filed against Mississippi public schools and their employees under the Mississippi Tort Claims Act. The question addressed was: How have the Mississippi courts interpreted the Mississippi Tort Claims Act in litigation against Mississippi school districts and their employees? The intent of this dissertation is to add to the understanding of the legal concept of sovereign immunity as it has been applied to public schools and their emplo… more
Date: May 2013
Creator: Kriesel-Hall, Sara B.
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

A Study Of Correlations Between Learning Styles Of Students And Their Mathematics Scores On The Texas Assessment of Academic Skills Test

Description: The problem of this study was to determine whether learning styles of students affect their math achievement scores on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills Test. The research questions addressed relevant to this study were: 1. Is there a positive correlation between students' learning styles and their achievement test scores in mathematics? 2. Is there a positive correlation between specific sub group's (as deemed by the state of Texas) and gender's learning styles and their achievement te… more
Date: August 2001
Creator: Kopsovich, Rosalind D.
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Mentoring the first-year superintendent in Texas public schools.

Description: This study determined what mentoring experiences first-year superintendents have had and what they need from a mentoring relationship. Structured interviews and field notes were used in this qualitative study focused on Texas first-year superintendents' perceived needs from mentors. Three patterns of mentoring relationships were found: 1) no mentor in the first year, 2) mentor-protégé relationship - those who developed mentoring relationships early in a career with a more senior person in the s… more
Date: May 2002
Creator: McNulty, Rock Edward
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

The Federal Constitution and Race-Based Admissions Policies in Public Charter Schools

Description: The primary questions addressed in this dissertation are whether race-based admissions policies in charter schools are constitutionally permissible, and if not, how could an admissions policy be designed so that it would promote school diversity without violating the law? These questions are important because there are significant numbers of philosophers and scholars who hypothesize that student body diversity not only enhances educational outcomes but also is a necessary component of civic edu… more
Date: May 2002
Creator: Black, Watt Lesley
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Equity in Texas Public Education Facilities Funding

Description: The need to establish appropriate, adequate, and decent educational facilities for school children across the nation has been well-established. The ability of school districts in each state to build these facilities has varied widely in the past. Historically, most facilities funding ability for school districts has come from the local community and has been tied to property wealth and the ability of the community to raise significant tax dollars to pay for school buildings. Responding to an… more
Date: May 2007
Creator: Luke, Charles A.
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

The Relationship Between Classroom Climate and Student Achievement

Description: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between sixth grade students' academic achievement levels in math and their perceptions of school climate. Student characteristics of socioeconomic status and gender were used to identify groups for the purpose of data analysis. Data was gathered using the five independent variables of the My Class Inventory (satisfaction, friction, competitiveness, difficulty, and cohesiveness) and the dependent variable of the Stanford Achievement To… more
Date: December 2001
Creator: Bennett, Jan
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

An Analysis of Performance Differences Between Self-Directed and Teacher-Directed Alternative Education Campuses in Texas

Description: This study was conducted to analyze the performance differences between alternative education campuses in Texas that used teacher-directed strategies and those that used self-directed strategies. The study was also conducted to inform educators of the results these two strategies had achieved with at-risk students during the three years of 2006-2008. The study used the results from the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test as reported in the AEIS annual reports from the Texas Education … more
Date: May 2010
Creator: Wimberley, Alan
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

An Analysis of the Benefits of the Student Success Initiative in the 3rd and 5th Grades in a District in Texas.

Description: The state of Texas passed the Student Success Initiative (SSI) in 1999 which requires all 3rd graders to pass the reading portion of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test to be promoted to the 4th grade, and for 5th graders to pass the reading and math portions of the TAKS test to be promoted to the 6th grade. Beginning in spring 2008, 8th graders will also need to pass the reading and math portions of the TAKS test to be promoted to the 9th grade. The purpose of this study w… more
Date: May 2007
Creator: Neblett, Pamela S.
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

An Examination of the Relationship Between Teacher Efficacy and Teachers' Perceptions of Their Principals' Leadership Behaviors

Description: Over the years there has been significant discussion of the connection between principal's leadership qualities and teacher efficacy. Students come to the classroom from stable, traditional, supportive home environments as well as from unstable, broken, and homeless situations. Teachers are asked to teach a classroom full of students with a wide range of learning abilities as well as a varied range of learning disabilities. The confidence to do this for the measure of a teacher's career takes a… more
Date: May 2007
Creator: Ryan, Harry D.
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Computer-Assisted Instruction in Literacy Skills for Kindergarten Students and Perceptions of Administrators and Teachers.

Description: The perceptions of administrators and teachers of a computer-assisted instructional program in literacy skills were collected by a survey. The survey participants were kindergarten teachers and administrators from four elementary schools in the same, fast-growing, suburban school district in Texas. Literacy assessments were given to all kindergarten students in the district in the fall, winter, and spring of the 2005-2006 school year. This study included a quasi-experimental research design to … more
Date: May 2007
Creator: Larson, Susan Hatlestad
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

The Effect of the Conflict Between Instructional Leadership and Building Management Roles on Job Satisfaction of the Texas Public High School Principal

Description: The problem of this study was the conflict perceived by Texas Public High School Principals involving two roles which have been described as contradictory in nature; namely as an instructional leader and as a building manager. This study was also concerned with the level of job satisfaction of the Texas Public High School Principal. 1,205 Texas Public High School Principals identified by the Texas Education Agency and University Interscholastic League were mailed a three part questionnaire surv… more
Date: August 1990
Creator: Hulen, Chris Wendell
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

A Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Implementation of Texas House Bill 72 in Selected Texas Public School Districts

Description: This study was conducted to analyze the effect of implementation of Texas House Bill 72 on budgets of selected Texas public school districts and to ascertain educational benefits to students derived from implementation of the bill as perceived by superintendents. Questionnaires were sent to superintendents of the Region 10 Education Service Center to determine perceived educational benefits to students. A demographic data sheet provided information for classifying respondents by educational exp… more
Date: May 1990
Creator: Bradford, Ronald W. (Ronald Wayne)
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Practices and Policies in High Schools to Prevent Educator-to-Student sexual Misconduct: A Principal's Study of Knowledge and Experiences

Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate high school policies and procedures that address educator sexual misconduct. High school principals completed an online questionnaire which addressed administrator knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations; knowledge of district policies and procedures; experience with educator sexual misconduct; training and communication available in their schools and school districts for staff, parents, and students; the policies and procedures in place … more
Date: December 2010
Creator: Spain, Carolyn
Partner: UNT Libraries
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A Study of Disparity in Effort Among Texas School Districts for Debt Service, as Well as for Maintenance and Operation

Description: The problem with which this investigation is concerned is that of determining the degree to which fiscal disparity in Texas school districts affects debt service, as well as maintenance and operation and local enrichment. This study has four main purposes: to determine whether the poor school districts are exerting more or less effort for debt service, maintenance and operation and total taxation than are the wealthy districts; to determine how the size of Texas school districts is related to d… more
Date: December 1981
Creator: Keller, Annette Smith
Partner: UNT Libraries
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A select study of Texas Principal Preparation Programs and their Relationship to Adult Learning and the Professional Leadership Responsibilities of their Graduates

Description: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between principal preparation programs in Texas and professional leadership practices and responsibilities based on Mid-continent Research for Educational and Learning's (McREL) 21 leadership responsibilities. The study also examined the relationship between Texas principal preparation programs and Knowles's principles of adult learning. Through an online survey, the study solicited practicing principals' perceptions as to whether McREL'… more
Date: December 2010
Creator: Styles, Delesa Haynes
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Alternative Funding Models for Public School Finance in Texas

Description: This study examined different funding methods for financing public education in order to solve the problems associated with large numbers of school districts and great disparities in property wealth without abandonment of property tax as the major revenue source. Using enrollment and State Property Tax Board data for the 1,061 school districts in Texas in 1986-87, four alternative funding plans were studied to compare the equity and fiscal impact of each on public school finance in Texas. The s… more
Date: August 1989
Creator: Hair, Janet C. (Janet Cantrell)
Partner: UNT Libraries
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An Examination of the Relationship Between Teacher Efficacy and Teacher Religiosity

Description: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between teacher religiosity and teacher self-efficacy. The present study builds upon previous research which has shown purposeful work in everyday living fosters intrinsic motivation, religious orientation affects daily living, and teacher self-efficacy beliefs predict student achievement. Religiosity and self-efficacy data were gathered from public school teachers from a suburban school district in North Texas and from private Christia… more
Date: December 2010
Creator: Wright, Karen K.
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

The High School Associate Principal: Case Studies of an Emerging Role in Educational Leadership and Administration

Description: Researchers in the field of educational administration have given little attention to the role of the associate principal. The research reported in this dissertation sought to fill that void through a close examination of the roles of the associate principals on two campuses in two different school districts. In addition to illustrating the role of the associate principal, the research examines how experience as an associate principal influences the careers of educational administrators. Data … more
Date: December 2010
Creator: Fox, Kenneth F.
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

A Descriptive Study of Personnel Decisions Appealed to the Texas State Commissioner of Education August 1981 - August 1986

Description: The problem. --The problem in this study was to describe the issues arising in employment decisions appealed to the Texas Commissioner of Education. Decisions made in courts are binding on school officials, and they are published in law reporters found in most libraries. The Commissioner's decisions are also binding on school officials, but they are not published or widely reported. Thus, this important body of information may not reach those who are responsible for its application. Methods. --… more
Date: May 1989
Creator: Hughes, N. Sue Cothran
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

School Authority Over Off-Campus Student Expression in the Electronic Age: Finding a Balance Between a Student's Constitutional Right to Free Speech and the Interest of Schools in Protecting School Personnel and Other Students from Cyber Bullying, Defamation, and Abuse

Description: In Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District, the Supreme Court ruled that students have speech rights in the school environment unless the speech causes or is likely to cause 1) a substantial disruption, or 2) interferes with the rights of others. The Supreme Court has yet to hear a case involving school officials' authority to regulate electronically-delivered derogatory student speech, and no uniform standard currently exists for determining when school authorities can discipline stud… more
Date: December 2010
Creator: Dryden, Joe
Partner: UNT Libraries
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Factors Influencing Student Achievement in Texas

Description: This study examines the relationships among student socioeconomic status, school district enrollment, minority enrollment, district expenditure per pupil, and the teaching experience of faculty as these variables influence the achievement scores of secondary students in Texas. Data from a total of 1,061 Texas school districts were used to determine the effects of the indicated district-level predictor variables on three criterion variables: reading, mathematics, and writing scores for the 11th-… more
Date: May 1989
Creator: Pickering, Sarah Kelley
Partner: UNT Libraries
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A Comparison of Special Education Service Delivery in the Public School Districts in the State of Texas: Meeting the Requirement for Least Restrictive Environment

Description: This study examined the rates of regular class placement for Texas public school students with learning disabilities, mental retardation, and emotional disturbance and possible reasons for a high rate of placement. A questionnaire regarding methods used to assist students with handicaps in regular education classes was mailed to the directors of all special education programs in the state. The directors were also asked to submit a copy of the district's June 1, 1989 Superintendent's Annual Repo… more
Date: May 1991
Creator: Stewart, Dewanda K.(Dewanda Kay)
Partner: UNT Libraries
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A Comparative Analysis of the Values That Are Predominant in Private Schools, Public Choice Schools, and Public Attendance-Zone Schools in San Antonio, Texas

Description: Public concern with respect to declining traditional values, character, and family structure in the midst of increased crime, violence, and drug use have brought American education into the political arena and under intense scrutiny. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not differences exist in the values fostered in private schools, public choice schools and public attendance-zone schools and whether or not there are differences in the values that are identified by students … more
Date: August 1996
Creator: Ausbrooks, Carrie Yvonne Barron
Partner: UNT Libraries
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Decision Making and Teacher Morale in Selected Elementary Schools in North Texas: An Exploratory Study

Description: The purpose of this study was to determine whether elementary teacher morale is related to teacher freedom to make decisions and give input into their work and work environment. Additionally, the study attempted to determine whether teacher decision making freedom varies with age, gender, number of degrees, years of experience, or special teaching assignment.
Date: May 1991
Creator: Turnage, Peggy J. (Peggy Jo)
Partner: UNT Libraries
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