Degree Name

EdD (Doctor of Education)

Program

Educational Leadership

Date of Award

5-2000

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Hal Knight

Committee Members

Jon Smith, Louie MacKay, Russ Mays

Abstract

The focus of this study is on teachers' perceptions of those classroom skills and intraschool skills needed for success in schools currently engaged in the implementation of a model of school reform. An instrument was developed based on the skills identified by the Interstate New Teachers Assessment and Support Consortium (1992) and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (1989). Faculty in schools currently engaged with a model of reform responded to survey items based on two scenarios: one describing a classroom environment; the other describing an intraschool environment. Data were collected from 495 faculty members in 22 schools in the Memphis City Schools system. The schools represented eight models of school reform including Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound, Paideia, Accelerated Schools, ATLAS Schools, Audrey Cohen College model, Co-NECT Schools, Success For All/Roots and Wings, and Modern Red Schoolhouse. The data were analyzed to determine if a perceived set of skills existed that served both the intraschool and classroom environments. Further, the impact of teacher engagement, teacher experience, level of educational attainment, and school models on teacher perceptions were explored. Results indicated that a common domain set of skills exists. This set of skills was found to be impacted by levels of teacher engagement, years of experience, and model of reform. Results of the study were sent to the Memphis City Schools. The research into the perceptions of teachers demonstrates that teachers operate from a common set of skills. The skills in this set vary according to teacher experience, levels of engagement in the implementation of the model, and the model being implemented. The study identifies a set of skills from which teachers work. These include teachers' abilities to discriminate among a variety of skills and skill sets to customize an approach to a task or objective create a mandate for educators. Teachers must learn to use the skill set as a tool matching skills to pathways of success in schools.The research into the perceptions of teachers demonstrates that teachers operate from a common set of skills. The skills in this set vary according to teacher experience, levels of engagement in the implementation of the model, and the model being implemented. The study identifies a set of skills from which teachers work. These include teachers' abilities to discriminate among a variety of skills and skill sets to customize an approach to a task or objective create a mandate for educators. Teachers must learn to use the skill set as a tool matching skills to pathways of success in schools.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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