Elementary School Principals\u27 Utilization of Walkthroughs in the Role of Instructional Leaders

Principals now find themselves in the age of accountability and improvements with the expectation that they will function as instructional leaders. Walkthroughs provide a vehicle for principals to step into the role of instructional leaders. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how elementary principals utilized walkthroughs in their role as instructional leaders. The researcher conducted the study in five elementary schools in a Georgia school district, located east of Atlanta, which invested resources to develop principals as instructional leaders by providing specific training in conducting walkthroughs. To accomplish the purpose of this study, the researcher analyzed the interview responses from the 20 participants of whom five were elementary principals and fifteen were elementary teachers. Documents related to walkthroughs, such as walkthrough forms and school improvement plans, were also analyzed. Using the basic interpretive approach, the researcher identified common themes that emerged from analysis and interpretation of the collected data. Findings of the study were congruent with the literature in terms of the purpose and benefits of walkthroughs. Elementary principals and teachers identified walkthroughs to be an instructional leadership strategy that provided a snapshot of the teaching and learning that occurred in the school. Principals and teachers reported that principals conducted walkthroughs to monitor the instructional program and student progress. Principals and teachers found walkthroughs to be beneficial. Walkthroughs allowed principals to maintain visibility, provide data driven professional learning, foster professional learning communities, promote individual teacher growth, and acknowledge teachers. The data also revealed that by conducting walkthroughs, principals were able to perform six of ten instructional leadership functions identified by Hallinger. Data suggested that the way walkthroughs are implemented in schools matters. All participants must have an understanding of the purpose and process of the walkthrough and the relevance of the data collected. Including teachers as walkthrough partners and focusing on student learning can have a positive impact on the school\u27s learning climate. Implications of the study provided contributions to the literature on walkthroughs and suggested ways that principal walkthroughs can be used to promote continuous school improvements

Get Rich or Die Tryin’: Media and Black Male Academic Identity Development

Black males encounter many difficulties in their educational journeys. Often these disadvantages can be linked to socioeconomic and environmental factors, which have consistently plagued the Black community. However, a relatively unexplored area of interest in higher education is the influence media representation has on the academic identity of Black males. Routinely shown in media outlets as athletes, entertainers, and criminals, Black males rarely view positive representations of themselves across media, thus limiting their academic pursuits. From this study, the researcher hoped to develop a fuller understanding on the influence between multimedia and Black male identity and academic success in higher education. Through the use of photo-elicitation and semi-structured interviews the researcher consulted with six full-time undergraduate Black males who attend historically Black institutions in the South. From the information acquired through each participant’s lived experience, the researcher learned about each contributor’s unique academic identity and means by which educators can increase and develop Black male persistence and achievement in higher education

Design study of test models of maneuvering aircraft configurations for the National Transonic Facility (NTF)

The feasibility of designing advanced technology, highly maneuverable, fighter aircraft models to achieve full scale Reynolds number in the National Transonic Facility (NTF) is examined. Each of the selected configurations are tested for aeroelastic effects through the use of force and pressure data. A review of materials and material processes is also included

Aurora Volume 10

College formerly located at Olivet, Illinois and known as Olivet University, 1912-1923; Olivet College, 1923-1939, Olivet Nazarene College, 1940-1986, Olivet Nazarene University, 1986-https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/arch_yrbks/1012/thumbnail.jp

Aurora Volume 08

College formerly located at Olivet, Illinois and known as Olivet University (1912-1923) Olivet College (1923-1939), Olivet Nazarene College (1940-1986), and Olivet Nazarene University (1986-Present).https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/arch_yrbks/1007/thumbnail.jp

Origin of negative differential resistance in a strongly coupled single molecule-metal junction device

A new mechanism is proposed to explain the origin of negative differential resistance (NDR) in a strongly coupled single molecule-metal junction. A first-principles quantum transport calculation in a Fe-terpyridine linker molecule sandwiched between a pair of gold electrodes is presented. Upon increasing applied bias, it is found that a new phase in the broken symmetry wavefunction of the molecule emerges from the mixing of occupied and unoccupied molecular orbital. As a consequence, a non-linear change in the coupling between molecule and lead is evolved resulting to NDR. This model can be used to explain NDR in other class of metal-molecule junction device.Comment: Submitted for review on Feb 4, 200

Where Did They Go: Retention Rates for Students of Color at Predominantly White Institutions

The United States higher education system is comprised of students from various racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. Despite appearing diverse on the surface, many predominantly White institutions (PWIs) encounter impediments in retaining and graduating students of color. Over the past few decades, universities have made tremendous strides to correct past transgressions, which contributed to high dropout and transfer rates amongst students of color. Despite college’s efforts to be inclusive, discriminatory acts still occur on college campuses. Research has shown that campus racial climate contributes to the retention of students of color within the college. This literature review will delve into various factors that obstruct retention rates amongst students of color at PWIs and methods in which PWIs can enhance their current retention rates