Degree Name
EdD (Doctor of Education)
Program
Educational Leadership
Date of Award
8-2019
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Hal Knight
Committee Members
William Flora, Martha Michieka, Pamela Scott
Abstract
This purpose of this study was to determine to what extent programs for language-minority students at TBR community colleges adhere to the recommendations contained in the Conference on College Composition and Communications 2009 Statement on Second Language Writing and Writers and to investigate the factors beyond these professional recommendations that influence administrative decision-making about these programs and their designs. This study contained a survey sent to individuals at all 13 community colleges in the Tennessee Board of Regents system and follow-up interviews with 5 survey respondents from different institutions.
Analysis of the results of the study indicates all TBR community colleges across the state are utilizing the CCCC’s 2009 recommendations to some degree but that no single institution has fully implemented every recommendation. Additionally, the survey showed that, across the system, the most followed recommendations are those related to classroom practices. Other areas assessed including placement, available resources, administrative decisions, and instructor qualifications were all implemented in decreasing order. The least followed recommendations are those concerning recruitment of learners into the program.
Results also show that other factors beyond professional recommendations which influence the design and delivery of programs for language minority students include financial or budgetary considerations, administrative considerations beyond budget, misconceptions or a lack of knowledge about language minority students, the presence of experienced or dedicated ESL faculty, partnerships between offices on campus, the local, state, and national political climate, and an understanding that no program can meet the needs of all learners. These conclusions yield a number of considerations useful to individuals looking to implement or improve services for language minority students at their institution.
Document Type
Dissertation - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Chapman-Rambo, Caitlin, "Programs for Language Minority Students at TBR Community Colleges: A Study of Factors Affecting Design" (2019). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3627. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3627
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.