Perceptions of Teachers in their First Year of School Restructuring: Failure to Make Adequate Yearly Progress

• Main Author: Moser, Sharon
• Format: Others
• Published: Scholar Commons 2010
• Subjects: consequence; efficacy; NCLB; school reform; Title I; American Studies; Arts and Humanities
• Online Access: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/1717; https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2716&context=etd

The 2007-2008 school year marked the first year Florida's Title I schools that did not made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for five consecutive years entered into restructuring as mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. My study examines the perceptions of teachers entering into their first year of school restructuring due to failure to achieve AYP. Four research questions guided my inquiry: What are the perceptions of teachers regarding their school's failure to make Adequate Yearly Progress? What are the understandings of teachers regarding the restructuring process? What are the perceptions of teachers regarding the restructuring process? In what ways have their perceptions of the restructuring process changed their reading instruction? The purpose of this study is to gain insight into teachers' perceptions of AYP and its restructuring consequences. I applied grounded theory, ethnography as a research tool, and critical discourse analysis as a research tool to this organizational case study. Twelve teachers from Star Elementary School, a rural Title I elementary school, served as participants. I collected data using field notes, semi-structured interviews, and surveys. I collected data for a total of 148.25 hours over a period of 31 days at Star Elementary School. My analysis of the data revealed while teachers placed blame on students, parents, and policy makers, they also looked inwardly to their own shortfalls and contributions to AYP failure. Teachers understood the specific consequences related to AYP failure and demonstrated an understanding of data analysis of their student state test scores. Teachers did not demonstrate an understanding that NCLB (2001) allows for teachers to be part of the decision-making process regarding curriculum and instruction at their school. Teachers also reported decreased authority and autonomy due to Star's failure to make AYP. My research supports the Restructuring Inverse Impact Theory: consequences of NCLB's (2001) reform mandates intended to enhance student achievement may negatively impact that achievement due to the undermining of teacher efficacy.