Degree Date

12-2020

Document Type

Dissertation - Public Access

Degree Name

Ed.D. Doctor of Education

Academic Discipline

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. Susan Moxley

Second Advisor

Dr. Carla Sparks

Third Advisor

Dr. Daniel Buckman

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of departmentalization as a strategy at the elementary upper grades to affect gains in the school’s accountability and gains in achievement performance. Based upon standardized testing measures, accountability for student achievement has dramatically increased in elementary schools; rigorous standards have increasingly affected teachers to become highly skilled in subject content areas. This increase in teacher content knowledge expertise requirements have caused many administrators to seek alternative instructional strategies to meet this need. Departmentalization is one of many potential methods that administrators and educators may implement in order to provide expert subject area instructors at the elementary grades. This study determined if there was a significant difference in the success of students in the fourth and fifth grades when departmentalizing versus maintaining a traditional classroom organizational structure. Research, interviews and state assessment data looked at determining the success of departmentalizing. Results of this study did not definitively suggest that departmentalization was the answer to increase student achievement, but the research, surveys and interviews do suggest that departmentalization is effective when implemented with several additional supportive factors such as, teacher buy-in, communication and sufficient professional development.

Comments

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................... iv

PREFACE............................................................................................................................ v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.............................................................................................. vii

DEDICATION ................................................................................................................. viii

Figures............................................................................................................................... xii

CHAPTER ONE.................................................................................................................. 1

Introduction......................................................................................................................... 1

Purpose of the Program Evaluation......................................................................... 2

Rationale.................................................................................................................. 7

Goals...................................................................................................................... 11

Research Questions............................................................................................... 13

Conclusion............................................................................................................. 14

CHAPTER TWO............................................................................................................... 16

Review of Literature.......................................................................................................... 16

History of Departmentalization............................................................................. 17

Classroom Environments....................................................................................... 19

Advantages in the Traditional Classroom............................................................. 20

Advantages in the Departmentalized Classroom................................................... 22

Student Perception of the Departmentalized Classroom Model........................... 24

Conclusion............................................................................................................. 25

CHAPTER THREE........................................................................................................... 27

Methodology...................................................................................................................... 27

Research Design Overview................................................................................... 27

Participants............................................................................................................ 30

Data Gathering Techniques................................................................................... 31

........... Survey........................................................................................................ 32

........... Individual interviews................................................................................. 33

State Test Scores........................................................................................ 34

Ethical Considerations........................................................................................... 34

Data Analysis Techniques...................................................................................... 36

Survey........................................................................................................ 36

........... Individual interviews................................................................................. 36

State Test Scores........................................................................................ 37

Conclusion............................................................................................................. 37

CHAPTER FOUR............................................................................................................. 38

Results............................................................................................................................... 38

Findings................................................................................................................. 39

........... Teacher Surveys......................................................................................... 40

........... Administrative Surveys............................................................................. 58

Fourth Grade Student Surveys................................................................... 72

Fifth Grade Student Surveys..................................................................... 78

Teacher Interview Questions..................................................................... 84

........... Administrative Interviews......................................................................... 89

State Results.............................................................................................. 94

As Is....................................................................................................................... 98

Context...................................................................................................... 98

........... Culture....................................................................................................... 99

Conditions................................................................................................ 101

Competencies.......................................................................................... 102

Interpretation....................................................................................................... 103

Judgments............................................................................................................ 106

Recommendations............................................................................................... 109

Conclusion........................................................................................................... 111

CHAPTER FIVE ............................................................................................................ 113

To-Be Framework............................................................................................................ 113

Envisioning the Success To-Be............................................................................ 113

Context..................................................................................................... 114

........... Culture..................................................................................................... 115

Conditions................................................................................................ 116

Competencies........................................................................................... 118

Conclusion........................................................................................................... 119

CHAPTER SIX............................................................................................................... 120

Strategies and Actions..................................................................................................... 120

Objective 1: Planning for the Departmentalization Shift................................... 120

Objective 2: Create a Communication Plan to Promote Departmentalization... 122

Objective 3: Develop a Built in Planning Time and Ensure

Teacher Collaboration is Specialized............................................. 123

Objective 4: Develop a School Wide Professional Development Plan.............. 123

Objective 5: Create a Structural Change of Logistics........................................ 124

Objective 6: Goal: Assessment of the Effectiveness of Implementation of the Departmentalization....................................................................................................... 125

Conclusion........................................................................................................... 125

CHAPTER SEVEN......................................................................................................... 127

Implications and Policy Recommendations.................................................................... 127

Policy Statement.................................................................................................. 128

Analysis of Needs................................................................................................ 129

Educational Analysis............................................................................... 130

Economic Analysis.................................................................................. 131

Social Analysis........................................................................................ 132

Political Analysis..................................................................................... 132

Legal Analysis......................................................................................... 133

Moral and Ethical Analysis..................................................................... 134

Implications for Staff and Community Relationships......................................... 134

Conclusion........................................................................................................... 136

CHAPTER EIGHT.......................................................................................................... 138

Conclusion....................................................................................................................... 138

Discussion............................................................................................................ 138

Leadership Lessons............................................................................................. 140

Conclusion........................................................................................................... 142

References....................................................................................................................... 145

Appendices...................................................................................................................... 151

Appendix A: Teacher Survey........................................................................................... 152

Appendix B: Administrator Survey................................................................................. 161

Appendix C: 4th Grade Survey........................................................................................ 168

Appendix D: 5th Grade Survey........................................................................................ 170

Appendix E: Teacher Interview....................................................................................... 172

Appendix F: Administrator Interview............................................................................. 174

Appendix G: Email Invitation Teacher Survey............................................................... 176

Appendix H: Email Invitation Administrative Survey.................................................... 177

Appendix I: Informed Consent for Participation Parental Consent for Child................. 178

Appendix J: Informed Consent for Participation Child Assent Form............................. 182

Appendix K: Email Invitation Interview Participation................................................... 185

Appendix L: Informed consent for Survey: Individual Adult Participant....................... 186

Appendix M: Informed Consent Participant Interview................................................... 187

Appendix N: Informed Consent Administrator School Site Survey:

Individual Adult Participant....................................................................... 188

Appendix O:AS IS Analysis............................................................................................ 189

Appendix P: TO BE Analysis.......................................................................................... 190

Appendix Q: Strategies and Action Chart....................................................................... 191

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