The good principal: A case study of early-career charter principals’ role conceptualizations

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 157-165
Author(s):  
Felicia R. Truong
Keyword(s):  
Charter School ◽  
School Principals ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
The United States ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Charter School Principals ◽  
Service Training

Up to 75 percent of charter principals in the United States leave the role within five years. Understanding how early-career principals conceptualize the role could help strengthen principal preparation and in-service training. This study analyzed early-career charter principals’ descriptions of the principalship in order to understand their framework for what it means to be a good principal. A qualitative case study was used, focused on semi-structured interviews with 15 charter school principals. Charter school principals in this study primarily defined being a ‘good’ principal using examples and descriptions of soft skills and personality traits.

Policy actors’ perceptions of qualitative research in policymaking: the case of higher education rulemaking in the United States

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca S. Natow
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
The United States ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Actors ◽  
Target Populations ◽  
The Us

Background: As calls for evidence-based policymaking become increasingly common, qualitative research has much to offer the policy community. However, policymakers frequently evidence a preference for quantitative research. By discounting the importance of qualitative research in the policymaking process, resulting policies and their target populations miss out on the benefits that qualitative research uniquely offers.Aims and objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine how qualitative research has been perceived and used in the US government’s rulemaking process for creating higher education regulations.Methods: This qualitative case study included data from semi-structured interviews with 34 policy actors involved in higher education rulemaking, rulemaking documents, and research reports cited in several key higher education regulations.Findings: Many policy actors viewed qualitative research favourably, but qualitative studies have seldom been cited in higher education rulemaking. Several respondents discussed validity concerns and some policymakers’ misunderstandings regarding qualitative methods. Moreover, storytelling can influence policy actors’ perspectives about the content of policies, and qualitative research was viewed as effective at identifying compelling stories. Thus, narratives derived from qualitative research may provide an opportunity for qualitative researchers to have their work considered in policymaking processes.Discussion and conclusion: Qualitative research faces challenges with gaining visibility and influence in the development of regulatory policy. However, this study has shown that qualitative research has the potential to be both useful and persuasive to policymakers. Studies that discuss relevant stories may be particularly compelling.

scholarly journals Responding to school funding challenges in no-fee and fee-paying schools: Lessons from South African principals

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inbanathan Naicker ◽  
Phumlani Erasmus Myende ◽  
Zamokwakhe Thandinkosi Ncokwana
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
School Leadership ◽  
South African ◽  
School Principals ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
School Funding ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Professional Managers ◽  
Contingency Leadership

Drawing on the quintile system of categorising schools, South African public schools are bifurcated into no-fee and fee paying schools. Emerging research has shown that school principals in both categories of schools encounter several challenges with regard to school funding. In this article, we employ contingency leadership theory to examine how school principals respond to the school funding challenges they encounter. An interpretive, qualitative case study drawing on semi-structured interviews with 4 purposively selected principals was conducted. To augment the interview data, purposively selected school documents were reviewed. Through thematic analysis, it was found that principals in fee-paying and no-fee schools employ a cocktail of practices to respond to the challenges they encounter. From the findings, we learn that school funding challenges push principals to enact a form of transgressive leadership where they adopt a context-driven, as opposed to a policy-driven approach to school leadership. Furthermore, the funding challenges drive school principals to renegotiate their roles as professional managers of the school and as ex-officio members of the School Governing Body. This results in school principals becoming more entrepreneurial in their school leadership.

A Qualitative Case Study of Exemplary Principal Leadership in the United States Virgin Islands: An Application of Kouzes and Posner’s Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership

2021 ◽  
pp. 194277512199005
Author(s):  
Suetania Emmanuel ◽  
Clinton A. Valley
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Principal Leadership ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
United States Virgin Islands ◽  
The United States ◽  
Virgin Islands ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Exemplary Leadership ◽  
Five Practices

Effective leadership is foundational to the success of all organizations. This qualitative case study aimed to explore exemplary principal leadership in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). The study was based on Kouzes and Posner’s model of exemplary leadership. Interviews were held with school principals, teachers, and nonteaching staff members in three schools in USVI. The principal leaders in the USVI were found to exhibit the five practices of exemplary leadership as postulated by Kouzes and Posner. The study recommends that the Education department in USVI should develop guidelines and professional development opportunities to enhance exemplary leadership practices among principals.

scholarly journals Exploring the Writing Challenges Faced by M.Phil. and Ph.D. Scholars: A Case

2021 ◽  
Vol VI (IV) ◽  
pp. 34-41
Author(s):  
Hina Iqbal ◽  
Muhammad Saeed
Keyword(s):  
Academic Writing ◽  
English Language ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Interactive Programming ◽  
Report Quality ◽  
Grammatical Errors ◽  
Language Courses

Academic writing plays a pivotal role in developing research proposals. The present study aimed to explore the grammatical errors that M.Phil/PhDs scholars commit in academic writing. The present study employed a qualitative case study designed to explore the challenges in the English language faced by the M.Phil and PhDs scholars. The 20 Ph.D. and 36 M.Phil scholars were selected by busing purposive sampling technique. Data were collected by using two self-developed semi-structured interviews protocol. Thematic analysis approach was employed for data analysis. The findings revealed that all the participants reported that correct use of tenses was a big hurdle that entailed the other grammatical mistakes and reduced the report quality because all the lexical aspects are linked with these mechanics. The study recommended that English language courses be offered to postgraduate, M. Phil and Ph.D. scholars to learn the technical aspects of the language and provide students with online interactive programming.

scholarly journals PERCEPTIONS OF MRSM ENGLISH TEACHERS ON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND THEIR EXPECTATIONS ON IN-SERVICE TRAINING

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (42) ◽  
pp. 155-167
Author(s):  
Faizahani Ab Rahman ◽  
Nurul Afrahah Hussin ◽  
Sutha Sugumaran
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Research Question ◽  
English Teachers ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Group Methods ◽  
Service Training

This paper looks at the perceptions of MRSM (Majlis Amanah Rakyat or also known as People’s Trust Council) English teachers on their current professional development and their expectations on in-service training. As teachers, they are often expected to act as a source of motivation to their students apart from being accountable in providing instructions, knowledge, and skills in their respective academic subjects. However, very often, teachers are not provided with sufficient and appropriate training that would prepare them to be the kind of teacher that they are required and expected to be. This prompts this study that determines whether the in-service training provided is sufficient and aptly to help the teachers produce academically excellent students. This case study used a qualitative approach with purposive sampling of seven English teachers at Maktab Rendah Sains MARA, Beseri in Perlis with teaching experiences between 10 to 30 years. Semi-structured interviews and focus group methods were used to answer the research question which dwells on the MRSM English teachers’ expectations of professional development teacher training of their students’ achievement. The findings of the study revealed that teachers expect to have more professional development in terms of pedagogy, proficiency level, technology integration, and stress management. They also believe that improvement in professional development can positively affect their students’ achievement as teaching and learning processes can be done more effectively. It is therefore recommended that MARA should highlight its current in-service training and development policy to be consistent with the needs of teachers.

scholarly journals Feasibility of de-linking reimbursement of antimicrobials from sales: the Australian perspective as a qualitative case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadine T Hillock ◽  
Tracy L Merlin ◽  
Jonathan Karnon ◽  
John Turnidge ◽  
Jaklin Eliott
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Funding Decision ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Off Label ◽  
Linked Model ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

Abstract Background There is a disparity in the economic return achievable for antimicrobials compared with other drugs because of the need for stewardship. This has led to a decline in pharmaceutical companies’ willingness to invest in the development of these drugs and a consequent global interest in funding models where reimbursement is de-linked from sales. Objectives To explore the perspective of stakeholders regarding the feasibility of de-linked reimbursement of antimicrobials in Australia. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants sourced from the pharmaceutical industry and individuals representing public-sector payers or regulators. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded and thematically analysed using the framework method. Results Five key themes were identified in the interviews: funding silos are a barrier to de-linking reimbursement; varying levels of supporting evidence are (currently) required for funding depending upon setting; funding status or cost is used as a stewardship tool; a de-linked model may cost more; and concerns regarding governance and access to antimicrobials exist in the private sector. Conclusions Australia’s current multi-tiered funding of medicines across different levels of government was perceived as a barrier to de-linked reimbursement. Participants felt that the responsibility for antimicrobial funding and stewardship should be integrated and centralized. Implementing a nationally funded de-linked reimbursement model for new antimicrobials would require a review of funding decision-making criteria, given that most MDR infections are off-label indications and could not then be funded through the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Findings from this study could be applicable to other countries with reimbursement frameworks similar to Australia.

Practicing Responsiveness: Using Approximations of Teaching to Develop Teachers’ Responsiveness to Students’ Ideas

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Schneider Kavanagh ◽  
Mike Metz ◽  
Mary Hauser ◽  
Brad Fogo ◽  
Megan Westwood Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Teacher Learning ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Teacher Educator ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Early Career Teachers ◽  
Responsive Instruction

As practice-based teacher education (PBTE) has become more prevalent, debates about its contribution have emerged. Critics of PBTE question whether emphasizing practice will support a technocratic approach to teacher education rather than promoting instruction that is responsive to students’ ideas. This qualitative case study was motivated by an interest in understanding whether and in what ways practice-based approaches to teacher learning can support teachers in practicing responsiveness as opposed to practicing decontextualized moves. To this end, we investigated how early-career teachers in a practice-based professional development program were supported to approximate teaching practices. We focused on the extent to which approximations of practice supported teachers to hone their skill at being responsive to students’ ideas. Findings revealed characteristics of approximations of practice that support teachers in developing their capacity to enact responsive instruction. These findings have implications for program design, teacher educator pedagogy, and future research.

The Uncharted Nature of Licensure Requirements for Charter School Principals: Implications and Possibilities for Policy Action

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-27
Author(s):  
Samantha Hedges ◽  
Anne-Maree Ruddy ◽  
Lori Boyland ◽  
Jeff Swensson ◽  
Jenna Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Charter Schools ◽  
Charter School ◽  
School Principals ◽  
Policy Action ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Public School Principals ◽  
Charter School Principals ◽  
Traditional Public School ◽  
Training And Support ◽  
Licensure Requirements

The authors drew upon state policy documents and other public sources to review licensure requirements for charter school principals. The results indicate that few states have adopted licensure requirements for charter school principals compared with traditional public school principals, and many exempt charter school principals from licensure altogether. They found that training and support for charter school principals is available, but is concentrated in the states with the highest number of charter schools. These findings have significant implications for policy makers, charter school advocates, and authorizers. These implications are discussed and related to the existing literature regarding principal preparation and licensure.

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