The Single-District Dissertation Maximizing the rewards and reducing risks when pursuing doctoral research in educational leadership

After 11 persistently low-performing high schools in Jefferson County, Ky., posted impressive gains on the state-administered tests in math, various leaders and groups near and far clamored to claim responsibility for the improvements. These stakeholders cited public accountability measures, supplemental school funding, replacement of educators and sundry other reasons for the test score improvements. One district administrator even suggested the gains occurred because the district’s teachers “finally got fire in their bellies.”

 

Three of my doctoral students felt otherwise and confirmed their beliefs.