Date of Award

12-2000

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Department

Teaching, Learning, and Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. Charles Warfield

Second Advisor

Dr. Walter Burt

Third Advisor

Dr. David Cowden

Abstract

The purpose of this research study was to investigate whether principals of summary accredited elementary schools and principals of non-accredited elementary schools significantly differ in their perceptions in regards to selected strategies used to prepare students for the Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP). More specifically, this study attempted to address three focused interrelated questions: (I) Will principals of summary accredited elementary schools and principals of nonaccredited elementary schools significantly differ in their perceptions in regards to selected curriculum strategies used to prepare students for the MEAP? (2) Will principals of summary accredited elementary schools and principals of non-accredited elementary schools significantly differ in their perceptions in regards to selected instructional strategies used to prepare students for the MEAP? and (3) Will principals of summary accredited elementary schools and principals of non-accredited elementary schools significantly differ in their perceptions in regards to selected preparation strategies used to prepare students for the MEAP?

Educational literature and research were used to verify the fact that the three questions do impact strategies used to prepare students for the MEAP. A research survey was conducted with elementary principals to ascertain the extent that curriculum, instructional strategies, and student preparation influence student performance. The chi-square (X^2 ) statistical test was used to analyze the three independent variables of the study. This test was used to distinguish the magnitude of the relationship between the variables. The level of significance for testing the hypotheses of this study was set at .05.

In this study when the data analysis was run, 6 of the 18 hypotheses tested resulted in the null hypothesis being rejected and the alternate hypothesis being accepted. The other 12 hypotheses, when tested, resulted in the null hypothesis being accepted. The research was limited to the perspectives of elementary principals. The recommendation was made that future studies include secondary principals and other categories of schools.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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