Dissertation
A program evaluation: assessing the implementation fidelity of a high school student leadership academy's curriculum and evaluating demonstrated learner outcomes for alignment with the naset youth development and leadership standards
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
May 2014
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-4527
Abstract
The purpose of this mixed methods study was to conduct a program evaluation of a high school student leadership academy to compare participants' learning outcomes to the NASET youth development and leadership standards. A high school in western Pennsylvania had facilitated a youth leadership development program since 2010, and although the curriculum was intentionally created from a specific leadership framework, it had never been evaluated to ensure implementation fidelity. In addition, demonstrated learner outcomes had never been measured for alignment with the NASET (National Alliance for Secondary Education and Transition) youth development and leadership standards. The NASET youth development and leadership standards identified three areas of research focus to support the standards: social emotional learning, self-determination, and leadership practices and behaviors. Methodology included incorporating both the process and the product components of the Context Input Process Product evaluation model (CIPP), along with other quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate fidelity of implementation of the Student Leadership Academy and learners' leadership skills and disposition outcomes. A mixed methods research design embedded in the CIPP program evaluation model was used to answer the research questions, which aligned with the researcher's constructivist and worldview philosophy and created a validating base for the research design. The following goals guided the program evaluation study: (Process) examined how the Student Leadership Academy is currently being implemented. (Product) determined to what extent the anticipated student and programmatic short-term and intermediate leadership skills outcomes of the Student Leadership Academy are being realized in alignment with NASET standards. The central research question was: How does high school student participation in a student leadership academy at a high school in western Pennsylvania contribute to the achievement of the NASET youth development and leadership standards? Additional research questions were as follows: (Process) How are the components of the High School Leadership Academy currently being implemented? (Process) What factors serve to facilitate implementation? (Product) To what extent have student outcomes in Phase I of the Student Leadership Academy been impacted as a result of the weeklong summer leadership workshop? (Product) To what extent do teachers and parents believe students display leadership practices that are attributable to their participation in the Student Leadership Academy? Results showed that student achievement of the ILOs was evident from the data collection, analysis and triangulation. The intentional design of the Student Leadership Academy and implementation of the lesson plans created a climate and learning environment that fostered personal growth and development and leadership growth and development. The study concluded achievement of the ILOs and the NASET youth development and leadership standards, which also disclosed the choices students made to embrace the core values, pursue worthy personal goals, and fulfill a personal mission and vision. Keywords: adolescent leadership, youth leadership, NASET, leadership development, program evaluation
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Details
- Title
- A program evaluation
- Creators
- Louis L. Angelo - DU
- Contributors
- Joyce A. Pittman (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 4527; 991014632567104721