The Impact of Conflict on School Board Members' Decision Making and Student Achievement

The Impact of Conflict on School Board Members' Decision Making and Student Achievement PDF Author: Stacey Marten
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Academic achievement
Languages : en
Pages : 113

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Book Description
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore school board members' perceptions of conflict, the practices board members use to promote collaboration and trust in dealing with conflict, and then address how conflict impacts their decision making to enhance student achievement. Some of the findings from this research revealed that board members were able to mediate the negative effects of conflict on their boards by developing an agreed upon agenda to address and process conflict issues, by thoroughly deliberating topics to address task conflict, and by developing relationships to build trust and prevent relationship conflict. Also, most of the districts in this study shared the same conditions that correlated to districts with high-achieving students as identified by the Lighthouse Inquiry (Delagardelle, 2008). The one area that offered the greatest opportunity for improvement was for boards to have all their board decisions focused on student achievement. To that end, boards would need to define what student achievement is for their district, how they would measure and monitor it, and how they would stay focused on their central mission without getting sidetracked. There is no single solution to improve collaboration and trust. Instead, boards need to utilize a series of actions to enhance board dynamics that include opportunities for board members to interact, to find common ground, to hear everyone's viewpoint, to be transparent, to do a self evaluation, to establish an agenda process to enhance meeting structure, and to encourage community member input.

The Impact of Conflict on School Board Members' Decision Making and Student Achievement

The Impact of Conflict on School Board Members' Decision Making and Student Achievement PDF Author: Stacey Marten
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Academic achievement
Languages : en
Pages : 113

Get Book Here

Book Description
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore school board members' perceptions of conflict, the practices board members use to promote collaboration and trust in dealing with conflict, and then address how conflict impacts their decision making to enhance student achievement. Some of the findings from this research revealed that board members were able to mediate the negative effects of conflict on their boards by developing an agreed upon agenda to address and process conflict issues, by thoroughly deliberating topics to address task conflict, and by developing relationships to build trust and prevent relationship conflict. Also, most of the districts in this study shared the same conditions that correlated to districts with high-achieving students as identified by the Lighthouse Inquiry (Delagardelle, 2008). The one area that offered the greatest opportunity for improvement was for boards to have all their board decisions focused on student achievement. To that end, boards would need to define what student achievement is for their district, how they would measure and monitor it, and how they would stay focused on their central mission without getting sidetracked. There is no single solution to improve collaboration and trust. Instead, boards need to utilize a series of actions to enhance board dynamics that include opportunities for board members to interact, to find common ground, to hear everyone's viewpoint, to be transparent, to do a self evaluation, to establish an agenda process to enhance meeting structure, and to encourage community member input.

The School Board Effect

The School Board Effect PDF Author: Alexander U. Ikejiaku, Ph.D.
Publisher: Author House
ISBN: 1491801832
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 207

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Book Description
Every school board adopts a unique governing style which affects the way the district is managed. This book identifies some of those styles and examines their potential impact on district administration, and ultimately on student achievement. The book also clarifies the role of school boards in unequivocal terms, discusses board-superintendent relations, and offers several recommendations and critical takeaways for education stakeholders. The author's doctoral research which gave rise to this book shows that a school board's governing style has the potential to affect educational outcomes in consequential ways, particularly in urban districts where the greatest impact was observed. A content outline for a set of professional development modules on school board governance is provided in the book, including an in depth review of the roles and responsibilities of school boards, and some case studies on board-superintendent interaction.

The School Board Effect

The School Board Effect PDF Author: Alexander U. Ikejiaku
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1491801859
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 205

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Book Description
Every school board adopts a unique governing style which affects the way the district is managed. This book identifies some of those styles and examines their potential impact on district administration, and ultimately on student achievement. The book also clarifies the role of school boards in unequivocal terms, discusses board-superintendent relations, and offers several recommendations and critical takeaways for education stakeholders. The authors doctoral research which gave rise to this book shows that a school boards governing style has the potential to affect educational outcomes in consequential ways, particularly in urban districts where the greatest impact was observed. A content outline for a set of professional development modules on school board governance is provided in the book, including an in depth review of the roles and responsibilities of school boards, and some case studies on board-superintendent interaction.

School Board Conflict, Decision-Making Processes, and Professional Development: The Effect on Superintendent Turnover

School Board Conflict, Decision-Making Processes, and Professional Development: The Effect on Superintendent Turnover PDF Author: Mark Jutabha
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 159

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Book Description
ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION School Board Conflict, Decision-Making Processes, and Professional Development: The Effect on Superintendent Turnover by Mark Jutabha Doctor of Education University of California, Los Angeles, 2017 Professor Christina A. Christie, Co-Chair Professor Diane Durkin, Co-Chair Within California, superintendents continue to experience a high rate of turnover, affecting over six million students in nearly 1,000 school districts. The literature cites conflict as a key indicator affecting superintendent tenure. Knowledge of roles and responsibilities and political interests are often highlighted as contributing to this conflict. School boards--typically comprising three, five, or seven individuals who are charged with managing the superintendent as well as determining local policies to ensure state and federal laws are followed--also play a role. Their ability to skillfully resolve conflict is essential. While much of the existing research on this topic centers on identifying causal factors of turnover, this study sought to identify significant indicators that separate high and low turnover districts. I posited that turnover is associated with the level of training board members and superintendents receive. Moreover, findings from the literature show higher functioning districts have established protocols for decision making. Therefore, I wanted to compare decision-making processes between high and low turnover districts. I partnered with the California School Board Association to conduct a survey of superintendents and school board members on these key issues. The study found relationships between board members and superintendents and specific areas of governance to be key indicators of conflict. Further, these indicators were found to be primary reasons for board members or superintendents not returning to their roles the following year. Effective conflict resolution was also found to be associated with turnover. I found no association between high and low turnover districts and the use of decision-making protocols. However, I found a difference between high and low turnover districts in how board members and superintendents were trained in knowledge of roles and responsibilities and constituent and community interests. Furthermore, respondents had high interest in ongoing professional development with feedback. Service providers such as consultants or county offices of education can use these findings to inform professional development delivery methods designed to address the turnover indicators. This is an important consideration given the challenges in scheduling training for board members who typically have other, competing professional responsibilities. A school board with a clearer understanding of roles and expectations and the ability to skillfully resolve conflict can not only improve superintendent turnover rates but also positively impact the education of California's student and teacher population.

District Leadership That Works

District Leadership That Works PDF Author: Robert J. Marzano
Publisher: Solution Tree Press
ISBN: 1935542362
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 297

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Book Description
Bridge the great divide between distanced administrative duties and daily classroom impact. This book introduces a top-down power mechanism called defined autonomy, a concept that focuses on district-defined, nonnegotiable, common goals and a system of accountability supported by assessment tools. Defined autonomy creates an effective balance of centralized direction and individualized empowerment that allows building-level staff the stylistic freedom to respond quickly and effectively to student failure.

Conflict and Decision

Conflict and Decision PDF Author: John Martin Rich
Publisher: Harper & Row Barnes & Noble Import Division
ISBN:
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 468

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Book Description


The Impact of School Boards on Student Achievement Efforts

The Impact of School Boards on Student Achievement Efforts PDF Author: Robert P. Harney
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Academic achievement
Languages : en
Pages : 117

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Book Description
The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the perceptions of school boards' impact on student achievement. To achieve this, three interrelated groups were studied: school board members, superintendents, and parents. Participating were twelve sitting school board members, six sitting superintendents, and fourteen parents of school aged children. The findings of this research identified areas of conceptual agreement within each group as well as significant areas of disagreement. These differences highlighted issues that can impact a district's ability to work with all necessary constituents to improve the student achievement efforts in their school districts. This study, though not a comparative study among the three groups, did reveal interesting and fundamental areas of both agreement and disagreement between each group. Communication was a prominent theme as an area of need when looking at the attempts of all three groups while working toward achievement goals in their respective districts. Additionally, board member knowledge of their own impact on student achievement, as well as the understanding parents have about school boards' potential effect, showed areas where improvements could be made that may improve districts' student achievement efforts. Areas of varied perspectives highlight potential systemic deficiencies. Findings also provide some direction for possible solutions to solidify attempts to implement a unified effort to improve districts' student achievement goals as well as their educational programs.

Possibilities of the Impossible

Possibilities of the Impossible PDF Author: Portia S. Bonner
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 147586423X
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 211

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Book Description
Using metaphors of nets, trenches, sink holes and cisterns, this book shows instances of the obstacles that hinder academic success for our children. The purpose of this book is to bring an awareness of what is broken in our educational system by looking at leadership and reform efforts in the midst of relationships, sustainability of reform efforts in economic unpredictability, the impact on the future workforce, and what is needed to overcome obstacles. A second purpose is to engage educators, in particular leadership, in thought provoking conversations around building the trusting relationships amongst stakeholders that is necessary for effective, transformative and successful school districts. The book introduces three case studies of three school districts that, in the form of short vignettes, share stories of how relationships can impact the climate and culture of a district. This book will contribute significantly to the establishment of trusting relationships that empower educational leaders to work through reform efforts for the good of their communities and help future leaders persevere and not fall into despair in their leadership journey, but instead learn along the way.

How Not to Be a Terrible School Board Member

How Not to Be a Terrible School Board Member PDF Author: Richard E. Mayer
Publisher: Corwin Press
ISBN: 1452237131
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 161

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Book Description
Build a successful board by knowing where the land mines are Veteran school board member, Richard E. Mayer, takes a humorous but substantive approach to the serious relationship between school administrators and board members. While the overwhelming majority of school board members have good motives, even people who mean well can make bad moves. This book shows how to prevent good intentions from creating bad outcomes. Each chapter presents a negative school board scenario, offers alternatives, and provides win-win solutions. Key features include 28 brief case studies Lessons learned for board members Lessons learned for administrators In addition to highlighting typical traps, the case studies light the path to positive collaboration and shared decision making between superintendents and school boards. Whether you are a school board member or an administrator who is trying to figure out what goes on in school board members′ heads, How Not to Be a Terrible School Board Member provides clear direction in a realistic and memorable way.

School Governance

School Governance PDF Author: Richard C. Hunter
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 1412987652
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 393

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Book Description
This volume in the point/counterpoint Debating Issues in American Education reference series tackles the topic of school governance, providing readers with views on multiple sides of governance issues and pointing them toward more in-depth resources for further exploration.