2024 Doctoral Capstone Projects

This mixed-methods study of action research examines the teacher attrition rates in one district aligned to national measures and theories. The purpose of this study is to determine the satisfaction of teachers in their current positions, the reasons that cause them to remain or leave a district and how certain factors including the pandemic, finances and burn-out impact their perception of staying. The main questions that guide this research include what are the factors that have led to faculty leaving the district in the past three years? How do teachers view the way the district supports its staff? And what factors do teachers perceive would be helpful in retaining faculty members? Data collection consisted of surveys and interviews to current and former teachers of the district of study. These surveys and interviews provided insight to the rationale and factors leading to higher than historical average teacher attrition rates. This collection and analysis of quantitative data woven together with qualitative interviews provided a depth of understanding that can guide a district’s future steps in lowering attrition rates. The research concludes that while consideration of leaving a district is ultimately burn-out in the profession, most teachers only choose to leave based on location and family which are outside of the district’s control. However, to alleviate consideration and potential attrition of teachers due to burn-out in the profession, recommendations are included to guide district improvement in teacher support.

This Doctoral Capstone Research Project investigated the effectiveness of the AP exam fee reimbursement incentive at Thomas Jefferson High School (TJHS) in the West Jefferson Hills School District. The financial incentive program reimbursed AP students their AP exam fee(s) for each qualifying score of a three or higher. Three years of AP exam results (2018-2020) when no financial incentive was available, was compared to three years of AP exam results (2021-2023) when the reimbursement incentive was offered. Additionally, AP students and parents were surveyed to gather their perspectives of the reimbursement incentive and how it impacted AP exam registration and AP exam preparation. The average number of AP exams administered, the average number of qualifying scores, and the average AP exam pass rate were all higher during the reimbursement incentive years. The survey results indicated that AP exam participation was mostly driven by the opportunity to earn college credit, and the reimbursement incentive was viewed as a secondary bonus. The survey results supported the rise in AP exam performance since a large majority of the participants viewed the financial reimbursement incentive as influential and motivational. The research findings suggest that the AP exam fee reimbursement incentive was an effective strategy to improve AP exam results at TJHS.