Date of Award
12-6-2023
Document Type
Dissertation
Selected Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities
Department
Education
School
School of Education and Human Services
Abstract
The increasing diversity within the U.S. education system necessitates the presence of influential leaders capable of fostering Cultural Responsiveness (CR) through their leadership strategies. Previous research has underscored the critical significance of implementing CR in achieving effective outcomes for students’ needs in today’s evolving educational environment. Nonetheless, a gap exists in understanding middle-level leaders' challenges when striving to implement CR approaches in a bureaucratic system. This qualitative phenomenological study sought to delve into the real-life experiences of middle-level district curriculum administrators operating within a bureaucratic structure. The study examines middle-level district curriculum administrators’ descriptions of roles, experiences, communication and advocacy, priorities, and constraints. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seven middle-level curriculum administrators. As a result of the thematic findings, three key themes were identified: (a) Navigating Challenges Despite Competing Priorities; Stakeholders And Administrators; (b) Actions and Decisions; Enacting Culturally Responsive Leadership; and (c) Communication and Advocacy. The findings demonstrate various challenges and constraints imposed upon participants based upon the nature of a bureaucratic system, coupled with the often difficult process of navigating CRL in the modern socio-political environment of the United States. Notably, one key finding underscores the importance of garnering the buy-in from high-level administration and stakeholders to implement CR successfully.
Related Pillar(s)
Study
Recommended Citation
Bucco, Ann Marie, "Culturally Responsive Leadership: The Lived Experiences of Mid-Level Administrators in Public Education Navigating Competing Priorities" (2023). Theses & Dissertations. 195.
https://digitalcommons.molloy.edu/etd/195
