At Orlean Beeson School of Education, doctoral students complete educational research projects (dissertations) as a culmination of the advanced degree program Educational & Organizational Leadership.
“The School of Education supports advanced studies because we want to contribute to the betterment of schools, we want our knowledge to improve the lives of teachers, leaders and students in educational settings both locally and around the world,” said Anna McEwan, dean of the School of Education.
This year, doctoral candidates, Brian Sauls and Frederick Demetrius Scott received outstanding dissertation of year for their work, “Implementation of Effective Character Education Programs by High School Administrators of National Schools of Character,” as supervised by Kara Chism, assistant professor and Character Leader in Residence.
Their study focused on how high schools earned the prestigious National School of Character designation, using the Quality Implementation Framework as its theoretical foundation. Noting the scarcity of prior research on character education at the high school level, the researcher conducted a descriptive qualitative study, interviewing 12 current and former high school administrators across seven states.
The research identified four key themes that contribute to the success of character education programs: embedding character education into the school’s culture, tailoring programs to the unique needs of the school community, ensuring staff commitment, and addressing the financial costs of implementation.
The study also highlighted practical considerations for future administrators, including the importance of assessing a school’s specific strengths and weaknesses, gathering input from stakeholders, and forming dedicated leadership teams.
The findings emphasize how strategic planning and dedicated leadership can create transformative character education programs, inspiring administrators nationwide.
Through innovative research on topics of teaching, learning and leadership, the school continues to advance knowledge within the field of education. Learn more about investing in the purpose driven preparation of our graduate students, which pays dividends as they fulfill their calling to serve as leaders in schools and other educational settings.
Fall 2023
Aikerson, LaRhonda: The Impact of Principal Leadership and Teacher Organizational Citizenship Behavior on School Climate and Culture in Urban Schools (Anna McEwan)
Alexander, Georgette: Exploring the Relationship Between Teachers' Social and Emotional Competencies and Stress in Alabama's Small Urban Elementary Public Schools (Mary Yakimowski)
Alford, Michael: Elementary School Principals' Perspectives of Social-Emotional Learning (Les Ennis)
Anderson, Brittian: Leadership Styles, Years of Teaching Experience, and the Perceived Relationship on Collective Teacher Efficacy in Rural Title I Schools (Amy Benton)
Baker, Jana: Autonomy, Self-Efficacy, and Their Relationship with Job Satisfaction in Novice and Veteran Teachers: A Mixed Methods Study (Jane Cobia)
Bayko, Chelsea: Secondary Leaders' Legal Knowledge of Special Education Discipline (Mary Yakimowski)
Beason, Mandy: Teacher Retention during a Crisis: Described Experiences of Secondary Teachers with Fledgling Experience and Their Decisions to Remain in the Profession Post- COVID (Amy Benton)
Bester, Katherine: Enhancing Self-Efficacy and Broadening the Role of School Counselors in Suicide Intervention for Black Teenagers (Jane Cobia)
Bonner-Royster, Tamara: Roadblocks that Impact Implementation of Best Practices in Reading Instruction Among Middle and High School Educators (Monique Witherspoon)
Burns, Justin: A Qualitative Study of Alabama Superintendents' Opinion on the Effects of Conditions and Strategies in Local School Tax Initiatives (Jane Cobia)
Byrd, Melanie: A Quantitative Study on the Relationship Between Educator Compassion Fatigue and Student Achievement (Kristie Chandler)
Crockett, Tanya: Character Education: An Exploration of Implementation in National Schools of Character (Kara Chism)
Feggins, Janicya: Exploring the Relationship Between Teachers' Social and Emotional Competencies and Stress in Alabama's Small Urban Elementary Public Schools (Mary Yakimowski)
Glaspie, Shanita: Environmental Factors Associated with 5th Grade Reading Success for African American Students (Anna McEwan)
Junjulas, Stacy: Exploring the Perceived Effectiveness of Mathematics Intervention Strategies in Alabama High Schools (Kristie Chandler)
Kaufmann-Perry, Minouche: Gauging School Leaders' Intercultural Sensitivity in Elementary Internationally Focused Public Schools (Mary Yakimowski)
Mathis, Mandy: Leadership Styles, Years of Teaching Experience, and the Perceived Relationship on Collective Teacher Efficacy in Rural Title I Schools (Amy Benton)
Mattews, Kecia: Teacher Preparedness Perceptions Related to Optimal Student Financial Literacy Education in Public School Systems (Les Ennis)
McKinney, Jennifer: Exploring the Perceived Effectiveness of Mathematics Intervention Strategies in Alabama High Schools (Kristie Chandler)
Powell, JD: A Qualitative Study of Alabama Superintendents' Opinion on the Effects of Conditions and Strategies in Local School Tax Initiatives (Jane Cobia)
Sauls, Brian: Implementation of Effective Character Education Programs by High School Administrators of National Schools of Character (Kara Chism)
Scott, Frederick: Implementation of Effective Character Education Programs by High School Administrators of National Schools of Character (Kara Chism)
Shaw, Chris: Teacher Retention during a Crisis: Described Experiences of Secondary Teachers with Fledgling Experience and Their Decisions to Remain in the Profession Post- COVID (Amy Benton)
Sims, Laura: Effective Leadership for Change in Alabama Science of Reading Spotlight Schools (Kara Chism)
Slaughter, Mary: Roadblocks that Impact Implementation of Best Practices in Reading Instruction Among Middle and High School Educators (Monique Witherspoon)
Sommerville, Jackie: The Impact of Principal Leadership and Teacher Organizational Citizenship Behavior on School Climate and Culture in Urban Schools (Anna McEwan)
Teal, Anna: Effective Leadership for Change in Alabama Science of Reading Spotlight Schools (Kara Chism)
Thomas, Elizabeth: Roadblocks that Impact Implementation of Best Practices in Reading Instruction Among Middle and High School Educators (Monique Witherspoon)
Westwood, Kristen: Secondary Leaders' Legal Knowledge of Special Education Discipline (Mary Yakimowski)
White, Benjamin: Character Education: An Exploration of Implementation in National Schools of Character (Kara Chism)
York, Cristy: Teachers' Experiences During Implementation and Sustainment of Character Education in National High Schools of Character (Kara Chism)
Spring 2024
Beard, Arthur: Contributing Factors Related to Burn Out and Retention Among Male High School Principals in the Southeastern United States (Les Ennis)
Byrd, Melanie: A Quantitative Study on the Relationship Between Educator Compassion Fatigue and Student Achievement (Kristie Chandler)
Glaspie, Shanita: Environmental Factors Associated with 5th Grade Reading Success for African American Students (Anna McEwan)
Haley, Rachel: The Effectiveness of Attendance Interventions: A Meta-Analysis at the Elementary Level (Amy Benton)
Hall, Burtram: Contributing Factors Related to Burn Out and Retention Among Male High School Principals in the Southeastern United States (Les Ennis)
Hicks, Sonya: Urban Middle School Math Teachers' Descriptions of Overcoming Obstacles to Using Best Instructional Practices (Lisa Beckham)
Robinson, Duana: Urban Middle School Math Teachers' Descriptions of Overcoming Obstacles to Using Best Instructional Practices (Lisa Beckham)
Wesley, Michael: School Factors that Support African-American Male High School Students (Mary Yakimowski)
York, Cristy: Teachers' Experiences During Implementation and Sustainment of Character Education in National High Schools of Character (Kara Chism)
Summer 2024
Adams-Hicks Sonya: Urban Middle School Math Teachers' Descriptions of Overcoming Obstacles to Using Best Instructional Practices (Lisa Beckham)
Butler, Christi: Exploring School Leaders' Self-Efficacy in Management, Instructional and Moral Leadership (Mary Yakimowski)
Davis, Dustin: Parent Perceptions of Third-Grade Reading Readiness (Kara Chism)
Garrett , Robyn: Parent Perceptions of Third-Grade Reading Readiness (Kara Chism)
Johnson, Jonathan: Educational Leaders' Strategies for the Rural Technology Gap: A multi-site case study (Amy Benton)
Robinson, Duana: Urban Middle School Math Teachers' Descriptions of Overcoming Obstacles to Using Best Instructional Practices (Lisa Beckham)
Rountree, Mary: A Multiple Case Study Exploring Collaborative Practices Enhancing Primary Reading Literacy in Successful Alabama Schools (Mary Yakimowski)
