Degree Date

6-2016

Document Type

Dissertation - NLU Access

Degree Name

Ed.D. Doctor of Education

Academic Discipline

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. Maryann Kahl

Second Advisor

Dr. Valerie Schmitz

Third Advisor

Dr. Shannon Hart

Abstract

The goal of this program evaluation was to determine the efficacy of the ID Program with struggling high school readers. Especially, efficacy refers to a student’s ability to read, analyze and interpret text, and engage in textual conversations that focus on the text. The ID Literacy Program developed by Dr. Alfred Tatum consists of four platforms with 16 essential questions with each essential question centered around a different theme. The qualitative data gathered consisted of student surveys with open-ended responses, and teacher observations from several student focus groups that are a part of the ID curriculum. In addition, student journals were read and excerpts included as part of the data collection. The results of this Program Evaluation informs the researcher that positive relationships with student to student, student to teacher and student to the text are vital elements for increasing student self-efficacy as defined by a student’s ability to read, analyze and interpret text, and engage in textual conversations that focus on the text. The data revealed that the students’ perceptions of reading and writing had changed for the positive.

Comments

Thank you Dr. Mary Ann Kahl for being my chair when the University underwent changes. Thank you to my editors, for your honesty and feedback. Your endless editing is the reason this project is finally completed. Thank you, National Louis University for allowing me to complete this project after being out on medical leave.

In addition, I would like to acknowledge my fellow doctoral students, Dr. Gregory Williams, Dr. Todd Beadle and Dr. Tanya Johnson. Greg, thank you for your continual support and encouragement. I appreciate you organizing each and every study session. Tanya, I wish to thank you for all of your phone calls and text messages which encouraged me to stay focused and to finish strong.

I would like to thank Jacqueline Spence for always inviting me on academic journeys. We have been friends we were three years old! Thank you for teaching me how to have fun! I would also like to thank, Anderson Dye, my life-long friend for picking up the pieces and restoring our daughters’ faith. Your endless dedication and support is absolutely a testament of your character. Thank you for the encouragement and prayers. Melissa Kirksey, my friend since high school! Your friendship over the years has been absolutely priceless. You are truly a gem and I appreciate your friendship.

I would also like to thank my Godmother, Mary Govann for taking the girls on adventures while I studied. My Godmother Juliette, when my grandmothers transitioned you were there to put the pieces back together and remind “slow and steady wins the race”. I appreciate your honesty and pushing me out of my shell. Your words of wisdom will never be forgotten and definitely have been sown into others. Thank you Jomar and Tai for taking Makenzie to basketball games and practices for an entire season, while I worked on my dissertation. You both have been extremely generous

Attorney D. Rash, my fearless leader! Thank you for allowing me to spread my wings and fly! Your words of wisdom and business mind have allowed me to learn from the best. You are a woman of elegance and grace and has taught me to find the value in everyone. I appreciate all of our reflective conversations after working long hours. Working with you I have become an even stronger leader. Your support and kindness will never be forgotten.

Last but not least, I would like to thank my mentors, Drs. April Holland and Karen Jackson. Both of you have known me since I was a little girl. I appreciate your mentorship and friendship over the years. You both have demonstrated your ability to make hard choices in the face of adverse situations. Thank you for being women of your word and being consistent over the years.

Dedication This project is dedicated to my three daughters, who over the years, watched me overcome numerous obstacles and encouraged me along the way. Working two jobs, in school and running a business...I appreciated how patient you all have been with me during this process, helping me to set up my computer and keeping me on schedule with meeting my deadlines. There were many frustrating times which I encountered, but you pushed me through. I appreciate all of your different personalities and most of all your belief in me. I also dedicated this project to my best friends in the world, my grandmothers. Although you are no longer to be physically present to see this project come to fruition, the wisdom and confidence sown into me, even when I didn’t realize my greatness, is priceless. To my dad who never allowed me to have a pity party for myself, and reminded me never to let something be so good to you that you can’t walk away from except the love of Jesus Christ, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart. To my mother who raised me with an iron fist and taught me to use my God-given talents to effect change. I dedicate this project to my sister who over the years has become a “listening ear”. I dedicate this project to Momma Pat. She welcomed me into her family one stormy day. Over the years, she too has been a huge encouragement and welcomed me into her family.

  • I would also like to thank my MPS family (Matthew Boswell, Toni Straughter, Tracy Martin, Antonio Robinson, Dr. Green, James Wright, Eric Maddoux, my sister, Toilisa Mark and our entire (V-House Crew) who have taught me how to think outside of the box and be a voice for the voiceless. Being a part of this network has taught me that friendship and loyalty are the keys to being a successful educator. You all have imparted wisdom.
  • Last but not least, I want to thank all of my friends, colleagues, professors, who along the way dropped seeds of encouragement through my journey. Bishop and Pastor Hines, I appreciate you for developing my leadership skills, and Ms. Julette Francis-Wade who one day came just in the nick of time.

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