Empirical Research
Four Leadership Theories Addressing Contemporary Leadership Issues as the Theories Relate to the Scholarship, Practice, and Leadership Model
Volume 7 Issue 3 - Sep 28, 2009 - 8:49:39 AM
By Heidi Joy Gregory-Mina

Organizations are currently concerned with a lack of leadership talent, which is why there is a need for creating a bridge between theoretical and application-based knowledge (McShane & Glinow, 2005).The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast transformational, transactional, charismatic, and contingent leadership styles to determine future effectiveness in terms of the following contemporary leadership issues: knowledge management, informatics / innovations and rapid change, and ethics. The framework for this paper is the scholarship, practice, and leadership model, which is an appropriate framework, because of the complex individual and group dynamics leader’s face today.

Empirical Research
A Pilot Study: The relationship of hope and anxiety in graduate-level counseling students anticipating taking a tests and measurements course.
Volume 7 Issue 3 - Aug 11, 2009 - 3:44:30 PM
By Sandeep Kaur, B.A.

This study explored the hope and anxiety levels of students anticipating taking the tests and measurements course and possible implementation that can make the experience smoother. The participants were graduate students in Masters in Counseling Services program at a private university in a metropolitan area. The findings from the study demonstrate that students anticipating taking tests and measurement exhibit high level of hope and anxiety. Factors contributing to anxiety include fear of math, fear of the unknown and lack of other skills. The results also show that good teaching, exposure to material beforehand, studying and reassurance are helpful strategies to reduce students’ anxiety.

Empirical Research
The Relationship between the Educational Qualifications of Chief Financial Officers and the Effectiveness of Local District Financial Leadership in Alabama Public Schools: A Policy Analysis
Volume 7 Issue 3 - Aug 10, 2009 - 5:17:39 PM
By Philip Westbrook, Ed.D.
Well-publicized cases of financial mismanagement in Alabama public school districts prompted the state legislature in 2003 to establish educational requirements for Chief School Financial Officers (CSFOs). As a result, there are individuals currently serving as CSFOs with various levels of education. This study explores the relationship between educational qualifications and the effectiveness of local district financial leadership. A correlational analysis was used to determine if a relationship exists between the educational qualifications of CSFOs and the effectiveness of local district financial leadership.

Empirical Research
The Level of Emotional Intelligence in Principals of Recognized and Acceptable Schools
Volume 7 Issue 3 - Aug 10, 2009 - 5:12:29 PM
By Todd Stephens, PhD and Douglas Hermond, PhD

The intent of the study was to examine the relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI), as measured by the Mayer Salovey Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test, and a principal’s success in leading a school, as measured by the school’s academic rating. The premise underlying this investigation is that successful schools need leaders who can facilitate sustained change in schools by building relationships. An examination of seventy principals indicated that principals of recognized schools and principals of acceptable schools did not show significant differences in the level of overall EI they exhibited, nor did they differ across the four EI branches.

Empirical Research
The Organization and Administration of a Deficit Curriculum: The Dominant Operating Core Curriculum of a Hispanic Serving Educational System
Volume 7 Issue 3 - Aug 10, 2009 - 5:07:55 PM
By James Satterfield Ed.D., Leslie Gonzales, and Stephanie Zelenak, Ed.D.

This study examines the dominant technical core curriculum of a Hispanic serving public school district in the State of Texas. This study provides an understanding of how a public school curriculum operates from a deficit perspective. The researchers were able to code the entire school district curriculum and developed a set of curriculum categories based on findings. Once coded the researchers determined that the dominant curriculum was focused on three categories—Remediation/Test Prep, Vocational Career Training Education, and Public Service Education. In addition to the coding the researchers interviewed district teachers to determine their feelings about the school systems curriculum. The researchers were able to use direct teacher quotes that offer specific further understanding to how a Hispanic serving public school district is teaching children.