The Promise of Transformational Leadership for Closing the Achievement Gap

124 Pages·2014·0.67 MB·English

by  Tim Heck

UC San Diego
UC San Diego Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Title
The Promise of Transformational Leadership for Closing the Achievement Gap /
Permalink
https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5042f2dx
Author
Heck, Timothy Ian
Publication Date
2014

Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation
eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library
University of California
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS
The Promise of Transformational Leadership for Closing the Achievement Gap

A dissertationsubmitted in partial satisfaction of the
requirements for the degree Doctor of Education

in
Educational Leadership
by
Timothy Heck

Committee in charge:

University of California, San Diego

Professor Amanda Datnow, Chair
Professor Alan Daly

California State University San Marcos

Professor Jennifer Jeffries

2014
©
Timothy Heck, 2014
All rights reserved.
The Dissertation of Timothy Heck is approved, and is acceptable
in quality and form for publication on microfilm and electronically:

Chair

University of California, San Diego
California State University San Marcos
2014

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DEDICATION
I dedicate my dissertation work to my family and many friends. A special
feeling of gratitude goes out to my loving parents, Matthew and Dr. Carol Heck, whose
words of encouragement, love, and support are never ending. I also dedicate this
dissertation to my many friends who have supported me throughout the process. I will
always appreciate all they have done, especially Dr. Cheree McKean for always giving
me a gentle nudge in the right direction, Dr. Abigail Larrison for the many hours of IRB
assistance and data review, and Dr. Jenifer Golden for her advice.
I dedicate this work and give special thanks to my wonderful son Shawn for being
there for me throughout the entire doctorate program and recent trials of life. You have
been my best inspiration.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Sir Winston Churchill

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Signature Page ................................................................................................................... iii
Dedication .......................................................................................................................... iv
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................v
List of Figures .................................................................................................................. viii
List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... ix
Acknowledgements ..............................................................................................................x
Vita ..................................................................................................................................... xi
Abstract of the Dissertation .............................................................................................. xii
Chapter One: Introduction ...................................................................................................1
1.1 Context of the Problem ......................................................................................2
1.2 Research Questions ............................................................................................5
1.3 Significance of the Study ...................................................................................6
1.4 Definition of terms .............................................................................................7
1.5 Organization of the Dissertation ........................................................................8
Chapter Two: Literature Review .........................................................................................9
2.1 Overview ............................................................................................................9
2.2 Middle School Context… ..................................................................................9
2.3 Leading Schools Under Sanction .....................................................................10
2.4 Overview of Transactional Leadership ............................................................12
2.5 Overview of Transformational Leadership ......................................................14
2.6 Characteristics of Transactional and Transformational Leadership ................17
2.6.1 Idealized Influence .........................................................................19
2.6.2 Individualized Consideration .........................................................19
2.6.3 Inspirational Motivation.................................................................20
2.6.4 Intellectual Stimulation ..................................................................21
2.7 Measuring Transactional and Transformational Leadership ...........................22
2.8 Blending Leadership Styles .............................................................................24
2.9 Leadership Impacts Practice ............................................................................26
2.10 Ethical Criticisms of Transformational Leadership .......................................30
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2.11 Conclusion………………………………………………… ...........................31
Chapter Three: Methodology .............................................................................................33
3.1 Introduction of the Study Design .....................................................................33
3.2 Research Questions ..........................................................................................33
3.3 Research Design...............................................................................................34
3.4 Sample and Population ....................................................................................35
3.5 Data Collection Procedures ..............................................................................37
3.6 Qualitative Data Analysis ................................................................................38
3.7 Limitations of the Study...................................................................................40
3.8 Positionality .....................................................................................................41
Chapter Four: Results ........................................................................................................42
4.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................42
4.2 Contexts for Leadership ...................................................................................43
4.3 Teamwork, Support, & Collaboration .............................................................44
4.4 Accountability ..................................................................................................46
4.5 Planning & Structure........................................................................................48
4.6 Modeling & Leading by Example ....................................................................50
4.7 Using Data to Inform Decision Making...........................................................52
4.8 Fostering Increased Parent Involvement ..........................................................54
4.9 Promoting Respect ...........................................................................................56
4.10 Connections to the 4Is ....................................................................................57
4.10.1 Idealized Influence: modeling and parent involvement ...........................58
4.10.2 Individualized Consideration: planning & structure & respect ...............60
4.10.3 Inspirational Motivation: accountability ..................................................61
4.10.4 Intellectual Stimulation: teamwork, support, & collaboration; data ........62
4.11 Differences Between the Sites ........................................................................63
4.12 Conclusion ......................................................................................................64
Chapter Five: Discussion & Conclusion ............................................................................66
5.1 Summary of the Study ....................................................................................66
5.2 Connections to Prior Research ........................................................................68
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5.3 Implications for Future Research ....................................................................71
5.4 Implications for Policy & Practice ..................................................................73
5.4.1 Professional Development .................................................................73
5.4.2 Leadership of the Site Principal .........................................................74
5.4.3 Opportunities to be Explored .............................................................76
5.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................78
Appendix A: Email Invitation ...........................................................................................79
Appendix B: Junior High School Informed Consent .........................................................80
Appendix C: Blair Informed Consent ................................................................................82
Appendix D: Dodgson Informed Consent .........................................................................84
Appendix E: Audio Consent ..............................................................................................86
Appendix F: Principal Interview Protocol .........................................................................87
Appendix G: Teacher Leader Interview Protocol ..............................................................90
Appendix H: District Official Interview Protocol .............................................................93
Appendix I: Excerpts for Inter-Raters................................................................................95
References ........................................................................................................................104
vii
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure1: 4I‘s Characteristics ..............................................................................................18

viii
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Kappa Coefficients for Themes ...........................................................................40
Table 2: The Connections Between the 4 Is and Emerging Themes .................................58

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