Characteristics and success of information systems development efforts in public school systems

This thesis discusses the differences between traditional businesses and schools regarding information system project management, by analyzing several project characteristics and how they affect educational end-user perceptions of system successes. While many other businesses have mastered the project management processes, school districts are just now beginning to see that such processes and techniques are even necessary; Here we use survey data from school teachers and administrators, along with two case studies to investigate factors that impact the success of information system development projects among Nevada public schools. The results highlight areas that are either currently lacking, or need to be focused on, in school districts, such as training, type of implementation, communication, the involvement of end-users and project champions. This study will help provide school districts and their project managers with information that can help mitigate the risks associated with information system development and implementation within school districts

Exploring Public Perceptions Of The Recovery Response As A Result Of Hurricane Michael’s Landfall

Hurricanes remain among the most frequent and costliest natural disasters to impact the United States both in terms of loss of property and life (Rudden, 2022; NOAA, 2021a; NOAA, 2022a, 2022b, 2022c). Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria brought renewed attention to the subject of disaster recovery as they collectively cost the nation over $373 billion dollars in damage and over 3,200 lives lost in the 2017 hurricane season (NOAA, 2022a, 2022b; Reguero et al., 2018; USNHC, 2018). Property and lives are at most risk during the first 72 hours following a major hurricane (Col, 2007; Kohn et al., 2012; Dourandish, Zumel, & Manno, 2007; Harris et al., 2018). While previous research focuses on communities’ long-term recovery, limited data has been collected involving the roles of government in immediate recovery efforts. Major hurricanes become a focal point in the lives of those affected, and through these events they shape public expectations, assessments, and attitudes toward government leadership (Darr, Cate, and Moak, 2019). The qualitative study solicited the perceptions and opinions of the survivors of Hurricane Michael in Bay County, Florida to expose previously unknown phenomena related to the storm’s effects on the community and its work towards recovery. Recommendations to shorten immediate recovery time include continuous pre-storm collaborative planning, pre-storm public education campaign, improvements in communication, increase in personnel, and linear research into immediate recovery