Campus Location
Dallas Campus (Online)
Date of Award
11-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Department
Organizational Leadership
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Julie Lane
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
Javier Flores
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
Scott Self
Abstract
This qualitative narrative inquiry explores the role of school leaders in implementing the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (MKVA) within a public school district in West Texas. The study addresses the challenges school leaders face in supporting homeless students and the strategies they employ to ensure academic success and socio-emotional well-being. Drawing on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and Bertalanffy’s general systems theory, the research examines how school leaders' personal understandings and professional experiences influence MKVA provisions' implementation. The study employs semistructured interviews and reflective journals to gather participant data, followed by a member-checking process to enhance the accuracy and credibility of findings. Through thematic analysis, the research identifies key challenges, including resource limitations, inconsistent policy implementation, and the social-emotional impacts of homelessness on students. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of community partnerships and support systems in facilitating effective MKVA implementation. The findings suggest that school leaders play a pivotal role in creating supportive environments for homeless students but face significant barriers to fully realizing MKVA’s potential. The research concludes by offering recommendations for school leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to improve homeless students' educational experiences and outcomes through more consistent and comprehensive MKVA application.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Jones, Brian, "Bridging Gaps. The Role of School Leaders in Implementing the McKinney-Vento Act for Homeless Student Success" (2024). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 823.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/823
Included in
Educational Leadership Commons, Education Law Commons, Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration Commons, Higher Education and Teaching Commons, Junior High, Intermediate, Middle School Education and Teaching Commons, Other Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons