Factors Influencing Greatness in Economically-Challenged Minority Schools

Presented to the Whitlowe R. Green College of EducationPrairie View A & M University

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

Presented byMargaret Curette Patton

Dissertation CommitteeWilliam Allan Kritsonis, Chair

Camille Gibson, PhD., MemberDavid E. Herrington, PhD., MemberDouglas Hermond, PhD., Member

June 2008

Purpose of Study

The purpose of the research is to explore the universal distinguishing factors that exist among high achieving economically challenged minority (ECM) schools compared to similar acceptable performing schools in the state of Texas.

Problem Statement

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Academic scores of minority groups, namely African and Hispanics, continue to fall well below Caucasian students.

The gap between economically-challenged populations of students and their more affluent counterparts continue to exist.

Texas has not been able to eliminate the gaps between minority students and other more affluent sub-groups.

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11th Grade TAKS Scores5th Grade TAKS Scores

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• African American

•Hispanic

•White

•Econ. Challenged

-Texas Education Agency 2007 State AEIS Report

Significance of the Study

The education system has the distinct opportunity to significantly improve the accessibility and quality of education for its entire people and to enrich their future. The findings of this study can accelerate this process.

Research Questions

1. What universal distinguishing characteristics predict that economically-challenged minority (ECM) schools will be recognized or exemplary in the state of Texas?

2. What practices associated with the transition from elementary to middle schools are predictive of student achievement in high performing economically-challenged minority (ECM) feeder groups?

Limitations

• No high schools met the combined criteria for being part of the sample.

• The selected schools will be asked voluntarily to take part in the study through purposive sampling. Limitations include small sample size and inherent bias among the participants.

• The leadership team in the selected schools may have experienced some turnover over the past four years.

• Feeder groups are similar but not identical in size and demographics due to the varying populations of the high achieving ECM schools.

Limitations continued

• A small number of years of data were used for the study (Post-TAKS years).

• The sample was selected based on the final accountability rating rather than specific indicators like attendance, drop-out rate, and subgroup test scores.

• The final sample of schools was selected from the same educational Region in Texas. The critical analysis revealed that there were a sufficient number of high-performing feeder groups in Region 4 to provide ample data to answer the research questions. The other two regions that were included in the selection process did not have as many feeder groups from which to choose.

Limitations cont.

• The application of all of the components of the Good to Great corporate model may not be easily and fully replicated in the school system.

• The subjectivity of the researcher as the measurement instrument.

Assumptions

• The responses given in interviews will be provided freely and with the utmost honesty.

• Some students fall into both the minority and economically challenged groups.

• Although there are differences between specific minority groups of students, this study will group African American and Hispanic students into one group that will be referred to as a minority group.

Definitions

Comparison schools: Schools that are similar in demographic data: percentage of economically disadvantaged and minority populations; school size; and campus location, but different in academic achievement scores. For example, “matched pairs” was the terminology used in the Arizona Study – schools that are alike in most ways, yet different in the performance measurement that is of interest (Waits, et al., 2006).

Definitions

Economically-challenged student: A student who is eligible for the National School Lunch Program/free/reduced-price school lunch: (a) eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Program; (b) from a family with annual income at or below the federal poverty line (e.g. annual income for a family of three is less than $22,880); (c) eligible for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families or other public assistance; and (d) eligible for benefits under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (McMillion & Roska, 2007).

Definitions

Economically-challenged Minority School (ECM): a school with at least 50% low income, minority (African American or Hispanic) students (Jerald, 2001).

Definitions

Minority school status: A measure of the level of historically disadvantaged minority student groups being served in a school. Low minority schools have less than 5% disadvantaged minority students. Medium minority schools have 5 to 50% disadvantaged minority students. High minority schools have over 50% disadvantaged minority students (Shettle, et al., 2005).

Conceptual FrameworkGood to Great™ – Jim Collins

Input Principles

Stage 1: Disciplined PeopleLevel 5 LeadershipFirst Who, Then What

Stage 2: Disciplined ThoughtConfront the Brutal FactsThe Hedgehog Concept

Stage 3: Discipline ActionCulture of DisciplineTechnology Accelerators

Output ResultsDelivers Superior Performance relative to its missionMakes a Distinctive Impact on the communities it touchesAchieves Lasting Endurance beyond any leader, idea or setback

Visit www.jimcollins.com

to take the Good to Great™ survey.

Conceptual FrameworkGood to Great™ – Jim Collins

Disciplined People•Level 5 Leaders are self-effacing, quiet, reserved, and even shy. These leaders are a blend of personal humility and professional will.

•The great companies made sure to hire the right people for the right positions (First Who then What) before setting a vision or creating the strategy of how to reach the company’s goal.

Conceptual FrameworkGood to Great™ – Jim Collins

Disciplined Thought•Each good to great company maintained unwavering faith that they would prevail in the end, no matter the difficulties, while always confronting the brutal facts of its current reality. •The Hedgehog Concept reflects a deep understanding of those things that individuals are deeply passionate about, what they can be the best in the world at, and what drives their economic engine.

Conceptual FrameworkGood to Great™ – Jim Collins

Disciplined Action

In the culture of discipline, disciplined people with discipline thought combined with an ethic of entrepreneurship yields great performance.

Technology accelerators were found to have never been a primary role in achieving excellence, but when carefully selected assisted in transforming companies.

Making Literature Connections What does Good to Great™ have to do with Economically-Challenged Minority Schools?

Collins’ (2001) findings - there was no single defining action, innovation, or miracle that elevated companies to greatness

Reeves (2007) also found that school improvement in high performing ECM schools “was not the result of a short burst of energy by a few people who soon burned out, but rather the result of steady, sustained efforts” (p. 87).Read the entire article at: http://www.newburghschools.org/newburgh/subpages/cni/articles/November_2007_How_Do_You_Sustain_Excellence.pdf

Making Literature Connections What does Good to Great™ have to do with Economically-Challenged Minority Schools?

In the Beat the Odds Study (2006), there were no easy answers or magic bullets, instead the answer came with the school selecting the most appropriate programs and actions for their particular population and sticking with it. “What performance requires is hard, focused, purposeful work. If diligence, persistence and commitment are lacking, ingenuity and a good program are wasted. It is focus and hard work that matter most.” For more information visit the Beat the Odds Institute: http://www.beattheoddsinstitute.org/index.php

Making Literature Connections What does Good to Great™ have to do with Economically-Challenged Minority Schools?

INPUT FACTORS

Disciplined PeopleCollaborative leadership Purpose-driven Staff

Disciplined ThoughtAddress Student Need Clear visionCurriculum Focus Data DrivenHigh Expectations/No ExcusesStreamlined Activities

Discipline ActionAssessment for improvementDistributed AccountabilityLearning Communities

OUTPUT RESULTS

High levels of proficiency among students

Continued gains in achievement;

Effective and enduring practices and policies are widespread.

Output Results in 2007 Texas Accountability Rating Terminology

  Recognized Exemplary

TAKS (Met Standard)    

Reading/ELA 75% 90%

Math 75% 90%

Writing 75% 90%

Science 75% 90%

Social Studies 75% 90%

SDAA II All Subjects 70% 90%

Completion Rate I 85.0% 95.0%

Annual Dropout Rate 0.7% 0.2%

The literature on high-performing ECM schools reveals…

More of What the Literature SaysGood to Great™ – Education Sector

Disciplined People

Level 5 Leaders

“The research evidence consistently demonstrates that the quality of leadership determines the motivation of teachers and the quality of teaching in the classroom.” (Harris, et. al., 2006, p. 121)

See handout for thorough literary synthesis on high performing ECM schools.

More of What the Literature SaysGood to Great™ – Education Sector

Disciplined People

First Who Then What

“If you want to improve a school system, before you change the rules, look first to the ways that people think and interact together.” (Senge, 2000, p. 19)

“Effective hiring goes beyond selecting teachers: Savvy principals will employ secretaries, custodians, food service personnel, para-educators, and teacher aides who embrace the overall mission of the school.” (Harris, 2006, p. 10) Another principal suggested, “Hire wisely. Use an interview team, and don’t second-guess your gut. Keep looking until you are satisfied.” (Harris, 2006, p.3)

See handout for thorough literary synthesis on high performing ECM schools.

More of What the Literature SaysGood to Great™ – Education Sector

Disciplined Thought

Confronting the brutal facts “Focus on the needs of the individual child as they look at achievement per classroom, per teacher, per student. This approach unmasks poor performance and forces everyone at the school to take responsibility for student performance.” (Waits, 2006, p. 6).

See handout for thorough literary synthesis on high performing ECM schools.

More of What the Literature SaysGood to Great™ – Education Sector

Disciplined Thought

Hedgehog ConceptTrimble (2002) found that high performing, high poverty schools have built-in criteria for making decisions. These procedures are crucial when numerous issues attempt to cause distractions that could take the campus off track from their goals.

See handout for thorough literary synthesis on high performing ECM schools.

More of What the Literature SaysGood to Great™ – Education Sector

Disciplined Action

Culture of discipline

“In the ‘built to suit’ paradigm, high achieving schools went beyond the big picture that standards posed to focusing on the individual performance of each child. In essence, what was present was a vital cycle of instruction, assessment, and intervention.” (Waits, 2006, p. 7)

See handout for thorough literary synthesis on high performing ECM schools.

More of What the Literature SaysGood to Great™ – Education Sector

Disciplined Action

Technology accelerators

The Prichard Report (2005) surprisingly noted that the eight high-performing schools in their study did not perform well on the use of technology. The findings further suggested that technology may not be a necessary component of attaining success. Effective use of technology may enhance what successful schools are already doing, but it is not a crucial ingredient.

See handout for thorough literary synthesis on high performing ECM schools.

Research Procedure

Schools selected for the study met the following sampling criteria…

1. Received an Exemplary or Recognized rating for at least two of the four years from 2004-2007. Each middle school had to be associated with an elementary school that received a rating of Recognized or Exemplary within the same years.

2. Consisted of at least a 50% economically disadvantaged population;

3. Consisted of at least a 50% minority (African American and Hispanic) population.

4. Considered a small, medium or large campus; and5. Located in or near one of the three largest urban areas in Texas –

Houston, San Antonio, or Dallas/Fort Worth.

Comparison Schools

The comparison schools…

– Received an Acceptable rating under the accountability rating system for Texas public schools from 2004-2007.

– Are associated with an elementary school with an Acceptable rating from 2004-2007.

– Met criteria numbers 2-5 on the previous slide.

Why these groups?

2006 Accountability State Summary Report – Texas Education AgencyExemplary, 7.1%

Recognized, 35.5%

Acceptable, 45.1%

Unacceptable, 3.6%

Not Rated, 8.7%

SampleSchool Total Econ Dis. Min. 2004 2005 2006 2007

High Performing District 1 ELEM1 653 81.3 96.2 E E E E

Sixth -1 1112 68.9 88.5 R R R R

MID2 1299 67.9 83.7 R A R R

MID1 938 68.3 93.1 R A R A

Comparison District 2 CELEM1 696 73.7 96.5 A A A A

CMID1/2 1090 61.7 98.8 A A A A

High Performing District 3 ELEM3 891 88.8 98 E E E E

Fifth-Sixth3 949 90.8 95.9 R A A R

MID3 971 86.5 96 R R R R

Comparison District 3 CELEM3 799 92.4 98.2 A A A A

Cfifth-Sixth3 780 87.3 97.6 A A A A

CMID3 971 79.9 96.4 A A A A

High Performing District 4 ELEM4 613 83 88.9 R R R E

MID4 841 92.2 95.1 R R R A

District 4 ELEM5 591 90.5 90.2 R A R A

MID5 878 79.2 85.3 R A R R

Comparison District 4 CELEM4/5 839 81.9 80.7 A A A A

CMID4/5 958 71.1 77.7 A A A A

Participants

Why Houston Area/Region IV?• Over 50% of the schools located in Houston area• No high performing elementary school feeding into high

performing middle schools Region IV of Texas• 12 Campuses• 3 Districts• 60 Staff

– Five participants on each campus include:• Administrators• Teachers/Department Heads

Permission

• Acquire District Permission• Acquire Campus Permission

– Principal Letter– Principal Permission Form– Email, Phone Call, Follow-up Visit

Confidentiality and Anonymity

• No staff, school, or district names used in findings

• Example Coding: DIST1ELEM1.1A

• DIST2MID1.2T (District 2, Middle School 1, 2nd Staff Interview –Teacher)

District 1Elementary 1 1st Staff Interview -

Administrator

Instrumentation

• Researcher used as “instrument of choice” – (Lincoln & Guba, 1985)– Interest in processes at ECM schools– Interest in deep understanding

• Objectivity– Journal (Gibson, 2002)– Monitor effects of interview on researcher

• Transcribe data within a few hours of interview

Data Collection

Triangulation

• On-line responses to interviews (Survey Monkey)• Private one-on-one interviews• Review of news clippings, campus publications,

etc.

Sample Interview Questions

1. What do you see as the top five factors that contributed to or caused the upward shift in performance during the years 2004-2007 (years since TAKS)?

2. Now let’s return to those five factors, and I’d like you to allocate a total of 100 points to those factors, according to their overall importance to school improvement (total across all five factors equals 100 points).

3. Could you please elaborate on the top two or three factors? Can you give me specific examples that illustrate the factor?

4. Did the school make a conscious decision to initiate a major change or transition during this time frame?

Sample Coding System

• Coding matrix contains key themes from the Good to Great Model• Responses will be color coded based on categories.

• Example categories…– Coding Category 1 (red) – Leadership: Who are the leaders?

What are the characteristics of the leaders? Is leadership distributed to others?

– Coding Category 2 (blue) – Recruiting and Retaining Highly Qualified: What are the hiring practices? Is there collaboration before hiring? What types of qualities are looked for in staff? Is there autonomy in hiring?

Data Analysis

APPENDIX E - CODING MATRIX – HIGH-PERFORMING SCHOOLS

ResponsesFreq. Significant Quotes

Disciplined People

Category 1: Leadership

Category 2: Recruiting and Retaining Staff

Dis

cipl

ined

Peo

ple

Displaying the Findings - Chart

APPENDIX F – Checklist Matrix: Predictors of Recognized or Exemplary ECM Schools

Category Exemplary/Recognized Campus

Acceptable Campus

Level 5Leadership

First WhoThen What

Dis

cipl

ined

Peo

ple

Displaying the Findings - Narrative

Transform the data into consistent and easy to understand chunks which are:

•Descriptive

•Explanatory

•Comparative

Vision for Study

It is my hope that the findings of this study may:

• Motivate school leaders to transform mediocre ECM schools into self-sustaining great schools;

• Encourage administrators of low-performing ECM schools to implement strategies to move toward greatness; and

• Create an avenue for children of all backgrounds to receive a high quality of education.

ReferencesCollins, J. (2001). Good to great: Why some companies make the leap…and other’s don’t. New

York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers Inc.

Gibson, C. (2002). Being real: The student-teacher relationship and African American male delinquency. New York: LFB Scholarly Publishing LLC.

Harris, S. (2006). Best practices of award winning secondary school principals. Thousands Oak, CA: Corwin Press and National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Kannapel, P., & Clements, S. (with Taylor, D., & Hibpshman, T.) (2005). Inside the black box of high-performing high-poverty schools. Lexington, KY: Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence.

Lincoln, Y. S. & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

Reeves, D. (2007). How do you sustain excellence? Educational Leadership, 65 (3), 86-87.

Senge, P. (2000). Schools that learn: a fifth discipline fieldbook for educators, parents, and everyone who cares about education. New York, NY: Doubleday.

Texas Education Agency. (2007). Texas assessment of knowledge & skills performance report.. Austin, TX: Agency Division of Performance Reporting-Academic Excellence Indicator System. Retrieved September 23, 2007, from http://www.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/aeis/index.html.

Trimble, S. (2002). Common elements of high performing, high poverty middle schools. Middle School Journal, 33(4), 1-13.

Waits, M. J., Campbell, H. E., Gau, R., Jacobs, E., Rex, T., & Hess, R. K. (2006). Why some schools with Latino children beat the odds…and others don’t. Tempe, AZ: Morrison Institute for Public Policy School of Public Affairs, College of Public Programs Arizona State University and Phoenix, AZ: Center for the Future of Arizona.