Dissertation
The characteristics of a high-performing independent school in the United States
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
Jun 2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000134
Abstract
High-performing schools have a greater impact on student achievement. Unfortunately, not every school is high performing. Low-performing schools are a central concern in educational reform. Most research on educational performance is conducted on traditional public schools and parochial schools. Non-faith based private/independent schools have been understudied. Characteristics of high-performing traditional public and parochial schools include effective hiring practices, increased teacher involvement in decision-making, the use of data to drive programmatic improvements, strong leadership, a commitment to professional development, a strong teacher mentoring program, and positive relationships between students and their teachers. With over 32,000 independent/private schools in the United States serving over 4,800,000 students, it is critical to examine the key factors that may contribute to higher performance in independent schools. This qualitative case study sought to identify and explore the characteristics which existed in a single high-performing independent school in the United States. This case study investigated three major questions: (1) How do parents, teachers, and administrators describe the characteristics of one high-performing independent K-12 school? (2) How do parents, teachers, and trustees describe the attributes of school leaders in one high-performing independent K-12 school? (3) How do parents, teachers, and administrators describe the school climate in one high-performing independent K-12 school? Findings from this study addressed six key themes (1) Strong School Culture, (2) Strong Processes in Place for Hiring and Supporting Faculty, (3) Selective Admissions, (4) Strong Relationships Across all Constituencies, (5) The Use of Data to Drive School Improvement, and (6) Strong Leadership. Analysis of these themes identified a link between each theme and the characteristics of a high-performing independent school. The recommendations from this study are designed to help guide school leaders in creating school environments that are high-performing.
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Details
- Title
- The characteristics of a high-performing independent school in the United States
- Creators
- Stuart Hirstein
- Contributors
- Joy C. Phillips (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xi, 100 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991014695240004721