Virginia Tech
    • Log in
    View Item 
    •   VTechWorks Home
    • ETDs: Virginia Tech Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • Doctoral Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   VTechWorks Home
    • ETDs: Virginia Tech Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • Doctoral Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    School Improvement and Reform: A Study of Student-Related Factors in Priority School Turnaround Efforts

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Vaughan_TJ_T_2017.pdf (2.379Mb)
    Downloads: 610
    Date
    2017-12-04
    Author
    Vaughan, Tamra Joan
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    The purpose of this study was to investigate turnaround reform by identifying student factors from the perspective of successful turnaround leaders in Virginia that hinder or aid the process and the supports in place to address learning issues. It was determined, through a literature review, that research focused on the school culture, leadership, teacher and parent factors concerning turnaround reform efforts, but there was little mention of students beyond the scores they produce on end-of-the-year standardized tests. The central research question investigated the student-related factors that impact a school's ability to increase academic achievement within the turnaround process. Interviews were conducted with four successful turnaround principals in Virginia. The results of the study indicated the student factors thought to impact learning were reading issues, teacher competency issues, students' personal needs, attendance issues, and discipline issues. While the first inclination of school leaders in a failing school may be to find the 'quick fix' to turn scores around, the principals in this study focused on three fundamental goals: get the students to read more, keep students in the classroom, and meet students' needs. Research in the area of turnaround strategies and implementation is useful for school boards and principals as they endeavor to raise the achievement of their students. This study of successful turnaround organizations focusing on how student-related factors impact academic performance would be beneficial in determining whether the organizational structure supports or hinders Priority School reform. This examination of how student-related factors contribute to an organization's capability to turn around low performance informs administrators and policy makers on strategies to overcome the learning barriers that may exist.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10919/80965
    Collections
    • Doctoral Dissertations [16334]

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • Thumbnail

      The perceptions of public school principals from schools of different levels of quality about the influence that desegregation, supplementary financial assistance, magnet school thematic activities, and increased educational opportunities have on the quality of education in schools 

      Lerch, David K. (Virginia Tech, 1994-11-15)
      This case study determined whether there was a difference in perceptions among principals from different quality schools about the influence desegregation, supplemental financial assistance, magnet thematic activities, and ...
    • Thumbnail

      The effects of school attendance zone changes on high school students' attitude toward school, academic achievement, attendance, and participation in extracurricular activities 

      Tonelson, Louis Owen (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1984)
      This study investigates the effect on high school students' attitude toward school, on their academic achievement, on their attendance, and on their participation in extracurricular activities when they have been forced ...
    • Thumbnail

      Cards from Ontario Christian School, San Antonio Christian School, and Colton High School 

      Ontario Christian School; San Antonio Christian School; Colton High School (Digital Library and Archives, University Libraries, Virginia Tech, 2012-03-12)

    If you believe that any material in VTechWorks should be removed, please see our policy and procedure for Requesting that Material be Amended or Removed. All takedown requests will be promptly acknowledged and investigated.

    Virginia Tech | University Libraries | Contact Us
     

     

    VTechWorks

    AboutPoliciesHelp

    Browse

    All of VTechWorksCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    Log inRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    If you believe that any material in VTechWorks should be removed, please see our policy and procedure for Requesting that Material be Amended or Removed. All takedown requests will be promptly acknowledged and investigated.

    Virginia Tech | University Libraries | Contact Us