Campus Location
Dallas Campus (Online)
Date of Award
10-2025
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9498-3122
Document Type
Dissertation
Department
Organizational Leadership
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Javier Flores
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
J. Scott Self
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
Timothy F Slater
Abstract
Now that access to technology is prevalent, digital communication in school districts and between schools and parents should be of high priority. Since schools do not emphasize digital communication policies and practices, a problem seen is a lack of communication across districts involving school staff, parents, and students. Determining school leaders’ roles in closing digital communication gaps through policies and procedures deserves further study because effective communication leads to awareness, involvement, relationship building, and student success. In this study, the knowledge gap theory and qualitative action research through reports and interviews assisted in understanding the perspectives of six school staff and three families to determine an intervention to help address the factors and challenges that contribute to digital communication gaps in a K–12 charter school located in Southern Texas. Based on participant responses, the need to implement policies and procedures emerged as the main theme, with the following subthemes: (a) current, centralized, consistent, and clear information; (b) incorrect and blocked numbers; (c) connected and unconnected participants; and (d) campaigns and training to address digital communication gaps. Keywords: digital communication, digital divide, family involvement, postsecondary education, low socioeconomic status
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Aguilar, Ruby Cabrera, "Understanding Digital Communication Gaps With Hispanic Families in a Charter School in South Texas" (2025). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 948.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/948