The Beliefs and Expectations of Effective Secondary Choral Teachers in Culturally Diverse Schools Page: 1
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CHAPTER 1
OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY
Introduction
In an effort to reveal my true intentions in this study and why this topic is so very
important to me, I thought it would be better to share some of my story. The following excerpt
is an adaptation from a case study I wrote in 2011 about my journey, which began in 2005, as I
acquired a new position as a fine arts administrator in a large culturally diverse school district.
Pseudonyms are used to protect the identities of places and persons involved.
My Story
This case study will focus on my efforts and challenges in improving teacher
effectiveness, student achievement and the choir program at Left Back High School in
Old Republic ISD. This case study is ongoing and is not resolved.
Teacher effectiveness and student achievement were not the norm at Left Back. For
four years, the campus missed the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) target and was
academically unacceptable. The campus was reconstituted in 2009. Within that time
period, the campus administration changed three times. The school's student
enrollment was approximately 2,073 students, 21% with limited English proficiency, 81%
free/reduced lunch, 16% special education, 63% Hispanic, 36% African American and 1%
white.
Observation 1-Beginning Fall 2005
Upon arriving at Left Back HS, I observed students hanging out in front of the campus.
The girls were dressed in tightly fitted pants and shirts while inappropriately hugged up
with guys with sagging pants, baggy shirts and baseball caps. My thought. . . Is there a
dress code? I did not see a principal or teacher supervising the students. The students
seemed to be "just kicking it" (as the kids would say)- passing the time during the
instructional day. Upon entering the building, I was met with chaos. Principals and
teachers were in the hall yelling at the students while the students were laughing at the
teachers' feeble attempt to give directions. No one bothered to listen. The students
were in control. In stark contrast, as I walked down the hall, I observed students
sleeping in class while the teacher read the newspaper to quiet music and the
omniscience of a lightly scented candle burning on her desk. Further down the hall, I
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Spradley, Mackie V. The Beliefs and Expectations of Effective Secondary Choral Teachers in Culturally Diverse Schools, dissertation, May 2013; Denton, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc271902/m1/8/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .