Browsing by Author "Jarvis, Michael Christopher"

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    Facilities Infrastructure Needs and Practices to Support Technology Implementation in Two Rural School Divisions in Virginia
    Jarvis, Michael Christopher (Virginia Tech, 2018-03-23)
    The purpose of this study was to determine the planning, installation, and maintenance necessary for school buildings to support technology initiatives in two rural school divisions in Virginia. The research questions guiding this study were: (1) What short-term and/or long-term plans are put in place for building and maintaining facilities infrastructure to support technology initiatives? (2) What physical components, equipment, and personnel are necessary for adequate facilities infrastructure to support technology initiatives? (3) What are the perceived infrastructure barriers to effective integration of technology in a school building? This qualitative study used purposeful sampling. The interview participants selected for this study were division-level technology leaders and their technology staff. The participants taking part in this study were at various stages of their profession, and at differing years of service, within their respective school divisions. The findings of this study may help division superintendents and division-wide technology leaders make more informed decisions regarding school building needs to support technology initiatives. The findings from this study indicate there is no agreement for how to build and maintain school buildings to support technology initiatives. However, there are several barriers to successful implementation of technology initiatives. Findings also uncovered common themes for best practice in how to plan and implement for school buildings to support technology initiatives.
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    Globalization, Global Citizenship, and Catholic Education
    Jacobsen, Carey Mae (Virginia Tech, 2021-06-28)
    According to the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA, 2020), 2 million children attend K-12 Catholic schools in the United States. Because Catholic school systems are "among the largest and most significant" religious educational institutions (Marshall, 2018, p.185), Catholic educational leaders should be part of a dialogue to improve the quality of education. Furthermore, it is vital that these dialogues address phenomena impacting the quality of 21st century education. Among critical phenomena impacting 21st century education is globalization (Darling-Hammond, 2010; Friedman, 2005; Zhoa, 2009). In this qualitative study, phenomenological methodology was used to examine experiences and perspectives of Catholic school administrators regarding the phenomenon of globalization. Specifically, the study explored understandings of Catholic school administrators within the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia regarding globalization, global citizenship, and global competencies. Further, this study investigated current practices fostering global citizenship within the Catholic school system. Purposeful sampling of individuals who serve in administrative roles in Richmond diocesan schools, including Junior Kindergarten (JK)-8, JK-12, and 9-12 levels, was used to identify 11 participants who met study inclusion criteria. Consenting individuals were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview regarding the phenomena of interest. Upon completion, participant interviews were transcribed and coded for analysis using qualitative methods consistent with phenomenology. Themes regarding globalization, global citizenship, and global competencies within the Catholic education system were identified. The results and findings of this qualitative study, including implications for educational leaders and recommendations for future studies, were summarized.
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    Training and Preparedness of Teachers to be Evaluated on Culturally Responsive Practices in One Public School Division in Virginia
    Marbury, Kristen Renee (Virginia Tech, 2024-03-12)
    This study was designed to determine if teachers in one public school in Virginia were prepared to be evaluated based on culturally responsive practices (CRP) after completing Virginia Department of Education's (VDOE) Cultural Competency Training Module. This qualitative study sample included eight teachers from a suburban school division. The conceptual framework illustrated the connections between the evaluation of CRP and teacher preparedness after teachers completed VDOE's Cultural Competency Training Module. The research questions that directed this study were: (1) How has Virginia Department of Education's Cultural Competency Training Module prepared teachers to implement culturally responsive practices? (2) To what extent do teachers feel prepared to be evaluated based on culturally responsive practices after completing Virginia Department of Education's Cultural Competency Training Module? The research method included a basic qualitative research design that used interview protocol. Interview prompts were created based on Virginia's Cultural Competency Domains that underpin legislation approved by the 2021 Virginia General Assembly requiring that teacher evaluations include a standard for CRP. Interviews took place during the summer months of 2023 as virtual meetings using the Zoom video conferencing platform. Interview transcriptions were utilized as the data set. As categories and themes emerged, the interconnectedness of data was examined using open coding. The findings of this study revealed that teachers indicated a support for Virginia's Cultural Competency Domains. However, teachers perceived that VDOE's Cultural Competency Training Module did not achieve the desired focus of providing educators with the tools needed to implement CRP. Instead, teachers perceived that their lived experiences framed their individual approach to understand and implement CRP. The implications of the study encouraged VDOE to consider a redesign of the Cultural Competency Training Module. Another implication emphasized the need for school divisions to consider investing in professional trainers to provide deep level culturally competency training in a format that also accounts for the emotional security and comfortability of teachers.