Principals' experiences in rural schools often differ from that of their urban and suburban counterparts. They often experience challenges that are not only unique to their specific contexts but influence their roles as instructional leaders. With instructional leadership at the forefront of the principalship, it is important to explore how rural…

In order to have organizational order and/or improvement, a school must first have strong and reliable leadership at the principal level. School leadership directly affects teacher turnover, job satisfaction, efficacy, and teacher burnout. This dissertation examines Florida's Level II Principal Preparation Program requirements and looks into how a…

In this qualitative grounded theory study, I interviewed participants from and analyzed documents associated with three community/state colleges in Florida. Additionally, I have included the perspective of key informants from the state and/or the Florida College System. The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory study was to develop a…

Demographics of the United States' school system continue to change and diversify. Meeting the needs of diverse learners is critical to the success of all children. Building and sustaining equitable learning environments has proven to be a challenging task for school leaders. Barriers that hinder equity continue to plague schools and are rooted in…

Teachers' perceptions of long-term career success are largely related to the levels of support they receive early on in their careers. This study on teacher retention and the factors that influence teacher choice to remain in the field after the first five years of employment, examined three schools of varying demographics and socioeconomic status…

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "Breaking Barriers to Learning." Contents include: (1) The Importance of…

School closures, inequitable technology, and diminished access to educational support negatively impacted learning for all students during the COVID-19 pandemic but more so for students with disabilities. In anticipation of learning loss for all students, the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) mandated each school district to develop an…

Community college leaders have very demanding jobs. They are pulled in many directions, both professionally and personally--and they're responsible for the welfare of hundreds or even thousands of students, faculty and staff. But, as the safety instructions on an airplane imply, those in positions of authority have to take care of themselves…

Successful schools in the twenty-first century must have effective principals for sustained student success. School leaders facilitate working conditions for the success of students, realizing that teachers make the most difference in student achievement. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship in school leaders' role in…

One month after the Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, left three dead and many injured and arrested, another university faces a tough decision about whether to allow controversial alt-right leader, Richard Spencer, to speak on campus. What seems like a simple decision to allow or deny a speaking request becomes a much deeper…

Although standards for world language education have brought forth a needed shift in instructional practices--moving from traditional to communicative, proficiency-based methods--research suggests that many teachers have yet to modify their practices. This study follows three teachers at the K-12 level who attended a summer professional…

Urban schools across the country have been identified as having far lower rates of students that are prepared to graduate into STEM college programs and/or begin STEM careers. Issues with urban high school's drop-out rate and below average performance on STEM courses, in concurrence with the increasing demand for STEM occupations across the United…

The University of Central Florida (UCF) was established in 1963. It is a young, hungry, energetic, and innovative university with a total enrollment of more than 66,000 students and a fully online segment that is growing. UCF positions itself to provide opportunities to people who might not otherwise have access to earn a high-quality college…

To address increasing accountability demands, instructional leaders must find ways to expand the current reality of faculty development to create a culture where continuous growth and learning are the standard for professional behavior. Growth Infusion is a framework for creating such a culture. The framework is a result of an extensive search for…

School principals are charged with complex responsibilities that can include developing a school vision and culture, supporting teacher effectiveness, managing challenges and crises, communicating with the greater community, and more. However, recent research and surveys of school administrators indicate that principal preparation programs do not…