ERIC Number: EJ1233111
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Nov
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1941-3432
EISSN: N/A
Qualitative Case Study of Teachers' Morale in a Turnaround School
Lane, Louis J.; Jones, Don; Penny, Glenn Richard
Research in Higher Education Journal, v37 Nov 2019
A small Southeastern high school that had undergone a turnaround or conservatorship process experienced a lower than average teacher retention rate. The authors conducted a qualitative case study to investigate teachers' experiences and perceptions of how turnaround strategies may have influenced their morale and how that effect on morale may have affected the teachers' retention. Bandura's self-efficacy theory provided the conceptual framework for this study. The research questions addressed teachers' perspectives of morale as well as their views and experiences with the conservatorship process. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 8 teachers who were actively employed at the school before the conservatorship process and who were subsequently retained by the district. Interview results produced 6 themes relating to factors that influence teachers' perspectives of morale: (a) powerlessness, (b) excessive visitations, (c) loss of confidence, (d) ineffective instructional practices, (e) stress and burnout, and (f) ineffective professional development opportunities. This qualitative research study identified factors that may potentially affect teachers' morale positively and promote social change in in turnaround schools by fostering an environment where stakeholders work collaboratively to increase teachers' retention and further school success.
Descriptors: Case Studies, School Turnaround, Teacher Morale, Teacher Attitudes, High School Teachers, Teacher Persistence, Faculty Mobility, Self Efficacy, Self Esteem, Instructional Effectiveness, Teacher Burnout, Stress Variables, Faculty Development, Social Change, Stakeholders, Cooperation, Intervention, School Effectiveness, Low Achievement, Elementary Secondary Education, Federal Legislation, Educational Legislation
Academic and Business Research Institute. 147 Medjool Trail, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081. Tel: 904-435-4330; e-mail: editorial.staff@aabri.com; Web site: http://www.aabri.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education; Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Every Student Succeeds Act 2015
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A