Malone Dissertation Proposal 1

Washington State Superintendents and K-12 Online Learning:

Leadership Perceptions, Challenges & Opportunities

Dissertation ProposalGlenn E. Malone

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Malone Dissertation Proposal 2

Context

•Growth of Online Learning

•Washington Policy & Effects

•Challenges for Superintendents

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Malone Dissertation Proposal 3

Problem

• Loss of students to out of district online learning opportunities.

• Superintendents should be addressing the underlying problems.

• Past literature provides little direction for Washington State superintendents on this issue.

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Malone Dissertation Proposal 4

Purpose

To examine the perceptions, interpretations, and

reactions of superintendents in Washington in response to the

rapid growth of K-12 online learning. 

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Malone Dissertation Proposal 5

Review of the Literature

• Pressures for Educational Reform & Online Learning (Wise, 2010)

• Growth of Online Learning (Watson et al., 2010)

• Effectiveness of Online Learning (Barbour & Reeves, 2009)

• Superintendents & Online Learning (Robison, 2007)

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Malone Dissertation Proposal 6

Theoretical Framework3 Themes

1. Innovation

2. Leadership

3. Change

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Malone Dissertation Proposal 7

Anticipated Research Questions

1. What are superintendents’ perceptions about the rapid advancement of online learning and the impact on their school systems, particularly the unplanned diffusion of this innovation throughout their systems?

2. What changes to the traditional roles and responsibilities of superintendents are associated with this specific disruptive innovation?

3. What models of leadership or implications about superintendent roles are indicated from current superintendent responses? 5/4/11

Malone Dissertation Proposal 8

Methodology

•Mixed Methods Design

•Kansas ~ Augustine-Shaw (2001)

•Ohio ~ Robison (2007)

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Malone Dissertation Proposal 9

Anticipated Methods for Data Collection

•Statewide Survey

•Possible Interview Follow-up

•Document Analysis from Selected Districts

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Malone Dissertation Proposal 10

Anticipated Outcomes

• Understanding how superintendents are reacting to online learning and the impact of those actions can help reveal the underlying logic of their decisions and can inform other superintendents to evaluate their options.

• Policy makers need a better understanding of superintendent options and reactions to inform new policies and future actions.

• This study will add to the scholarly research and literature in the field by investigating the phenomenon of disruptive innovation.

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Malone Dissertation Proposal 11

Questions?

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