Browsing by Subject "University of Texas Elementary School"
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Item A case study of the institutional elements of a university sponsored charter school: urban school reform in an age of accountability(2007) Hansel, Janice Marie, 1949-; Sharpe, Edwin Reese; Lasher, William F.The purpose of this study is to document and analyze patterns of institutional constraints and supports that emerge when an urban elementary school, sponsored by a local university, is conceived and created in a high-stakes accountability environment. The study considers the regulative, normative, and cultural-cognitive pressures placed upon the school in its early years. In its mission to provide a model of exemplary education to a minority population, it is influenced by institutions of governance, traditional schooling, the local community, the university, and others. The author documents the social and political context of the school's creation, in addition to the institutional pressures related to the school's regulatory environment, normative outlook, and cultural-cognitive beliefs and assumptions. This study uses New Institutional Theory as a framework for analyzing data from interviews, documents, and observations. The study is both a theoretical effort to demonstrate the value of New Institutional Theory in education research and a case study which attempts to answer the question: In what ways is the elementary school constrained or enabled by the institutional nature of its creation and on-going effort to be a demonstration site for best practices for elementary level education in an urban setting? This study provides a review of literature regarding New Institutional Theory and the many issues surrounding the current accountability movement. It also suggests avenues of research, including research for education policy development that may usefully address the needs of urban education today. The author aims to provide a case study that is rich enough in detail to provoke discussion of the challenges inherent in the creation of this new educational model, the university sponsored charter school in an urban environment. The author also wishes to draw a theoretical connection between the New Institutional Theory and the dynamics of teacher practice in today's political climate. The case study exemplifies the difficulty of policy implementation when the policy is not designed inclusively. Policymakers need to be sensitive to a diversity of viewpoints and sub-cultures actively operating in the environment in order to develop policy that will build local capacity for increased learning and school improvement.Item Creating an elementary charter school: power, negotiations, and an emerging culture of care(2006) Treviño, Ramona Sullivan; Reyes, Pedro, 1954-The purpose of this study is to document and analyze patterns of organizational culture that emerge when a new charter school free of organizational history and bureaucratic restraints is given the autonomy to critically examine and define its own culture. This study presents an analysis of confluent forces that contributed to the development of a unique elementary charter school culture that has realized the benefits of balancing effectiveness and efficiency. The author documents a series of steps that were taken to bring this about, beginning with a description of the local educational environment, the critical players that defined and championed the cause, the political actors that supported the initiative, significant community debate, leading to a carefully crafted procedural process used to establish the first university sponsored charter school in the State. It is an ethno-historical case study inasmuch as it traces component elements that were blended to create a dynamically balanced organizational culture. Using democratic dialogues, constituent participants were given a voice to express their values, concerns, desires and expectations. Roles and responsibilities of teachers, parents, and school staff were defined according to verified “best practices” applied to assessed needs. The organizational “culture” that resulted became balanced in its common devotion to strive for both efficiency and effectiveness while tending to the broader affective needs of each child. This study provides a review of literature regarding organizational culture, as well as charter schools. In addition, it draws from the expertise of participants and makes recommendations for universal school practices and school leadership. Cultural findings include a balance of efficient systems and caring practice, the presence of a continuous climate of community inquiry; a common partnership between parents, teachers, and the university; forums for democratic dialogue; and the promotion and support of equity by recognizing the unique needs of children and support of the “whole child”. This study also identifies articulated shared basic assumptions and categories of culture that impact hiring and are passed on to new members, as well as the creation and use of stories, rituals, and ceremonies to reinforce core cultural values, recognize successes, maintain a rich sense of history and purpose, and demonstrate pride and joyous engagement. A key finding of the study is the presence of respect and caring and their influence in building a high sense of self-esteem for school participants.Item The University of Texas Elementary School : designing an alumni tracking system(2012-05) Dochen, Kathryn Janene; Doggett, John; Lincove, Jane ArnoldThe University of Texas Elementary School (UTES) is a charter school operated by The University of Texas at Austin that practices innovative research-based teaching methods. The school is in need of a system to track the educational achievements of its alumni and compare them to peers to determine the effects of attending UTES. This report provides an overview of existing studies on school effects and research design methods, offers advice and insight from other charter school administrators who have alumni-tracking experience, recommends data to collect, and outlines a plan of action including the necessary steps to gather such information.