A Mixed Methods Study of Retaining Black Women K-12 School Leaders Within an Urban Charter School Authorizer

Date of Award

8-1-2024

Degree Name

Ed.D. in Leadership for Organizations

Department

Department of Educational Administration

Advisor/Chair

James Olive

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted longstanding issues in student achievement in the United States, with only 37% of students from grades 4-12 showing proficiency in math and reading, as measured by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The East Coast Charter Authorizer (ECCA), which oversees one of the largest and most diverse public-school systems, has taken on the responsibility to address these systemic issues. While there are initiatives to diversify the teaching workforce, and an intensive focus on evaluating schools, there is a critical gap in ensuring school leadership is representative of the student population and has the environment necessary to be successful in their roles as school leaders, and in implementing the kind of creative change needed to address systemic inequities. This study focuses on the experiences of Black Women School Administrators (BWSAs) and the necessary organizational conditions to improve their retention and effectiveness. This study employed a convergent social justice mixed methods research design to address the inequity in the experiences and presence of Black Women Principals in K- 12 schools. Quantitative data from a Qualtrics survey (N=12) and qualitative data from interviews (N=10) were collected concurrently to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research problem. The integration of both data types, as well as available research - known as triangulation, allowed for a robust analysis of the impact of perceived 4 experiences with the ECCA on Black Women Principals. Ensuring participant confidentiality and honoring their wishes to contribute comfortably were paramount and as such, prioritized throughout the study. The findings underscore the need for the ECCA to provide more tailored support to Black women leaders, addressing specific challenges unique to their experiences and fostering a more equitable educational environment. The study resulted in an equity-oriented framework that drove the generation of an action plan. The action plan includes a phased evaluation starting with a 1-month mock evaluation, followed by a 3-month Networked Improvement Community (NIC), and a final 2-week reflection period. Key recommendations emphasize the importance of stable, diverse leadership and the need for tailored support mechanisms for BWSAs. By addressing issues such as microaggressions and systemic barriers, the ECCA can foster a more inclusive and effective educational environment. This approach not only aims to improve student outcomes but also to create a supportive and equitable landscape for Black women in educational leadership.

Keywords

student achievement; leader retention; K-12 school leadership' diversity; equity; school accountability; grounded theory; education policy and practice; Black women school leaders; charter school leadership; educational equity; leadership evaluation bias

Rights Statement

Copyright © 2024, author.

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