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Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2978-8185
AccessType
Open Access Dissertation
Document Type
dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Degree Program
Education
Year Degree Awarded
2024
Month Degree Awarded
February
First Advisor
Mary Lynn Boscardin
Subject Categories
Disability and Equity in Education | Educational Leadership | Special Education Administration
Abstract
The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to analyze the relationships that existed between the special education leaders and other members of a district leadership team in order to measure their access to social capital. Quantitative data were collected using surveys of one school district’s leadership team and social network analysis (SNA) was used to visually analyze the connections between members of the team. Qualitative data were subsequently collected via semi-structured interviews of each of the 19 members of the leadership team. What types of ties do the special education administrators have to fellow administrators within district leadership teams? What level of influence do the special education administrators hold as measured by access or position within a district administrative leadership team’s social network? Themes of trust, support/advice, acceptance/reassurance, and collegial relationships emerged as a result of the research. A model conceptualizing the impact and import of social capital in special education leadership within a district leadership team was developed and depicts how themes that emerged in this study can interact with each other to form positive collaborative networks that not only support leaders of special education but all members of the leadership team. Recommendations for future research are included.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/36515397
Recommended Citation
Rist, April K., "Examining Social Capital and its Role in Special Education Leadership" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations. 3085.
https://doi.org/10.7275/36515397
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_2/3085
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Included in
Disability and Equity in Education Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Special Education Administration Commons