The College of Education
Announces the Final Examination of
Kevin Almack Gideon
for the degree of
Doctor of Education
June 13, 2016 at 1:00 pm
405 Ball Hall, University of Memphis
Memphis, TN
Biographical Sketch
Bachelor of Arts, History, Rhodes College
Master of Arts in Teaching, Education, Cumberland University
Education Specialist, Leadership, University of Memphis
Advisory Committee
Lee Allen, Ed.D., Associate Professor, Instruction and Curriculum Leadership, Committee chair
Jeffery Byford, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Instruction and Curriculum Leadership
Louis Franceschini III, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor, Department of Leadership
Renee Murley, Ed.D., Clinical Associate Professor, Instruction and Curriculum Leadership
Major Field of Study
Instruction and Curriculum
Period of Preparation: 2013 – 2016
Comprehensive Examination Passed: August 2015
DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS IN A MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Abstract
In 2014, the City of Bartlett, Tennessee created a municipal school system to serve the educational needs of the community. To maintain the school system and further the education of it students, as well as establish meaningful relationships in the community, business-education partnerships should be developed. The purpose of these partnerships would be to promote academic growth while also fostering civic responsibility. A quantitative study was conducted using a survey tool to ascertain the key attributes (goals, characteristics, challenges and activities) associated with the formation of partnerships between Bartlett City Schools and businesses located within the city limits of Bartlett, Tennessee. Based upon the results of the survey and analysis using the Friedman test, the nonparametric equivalent of the Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (R-ANOVA), coupled with systematic use of the Wilcoxon Signed Rank procedure, the analog to dependent t-test, to identify differences, several findings became clear.
Both business and education participants identified “workforce preparedness” as the primary goal for such a partnership. They also identified that the primary characteristics for a business-education partnership to develop were “a clear vision of what the partnership wants/plans to achieve” along with “good communication” and “specific, achievable goals.” The study further found that the primary challenges impacting business-education partnerships were insufficient “human resources” and “financial resources.” Noteworthy were the differences in commitment level observed between the business and education sectors for the following activities, “financial incentives” and “workplace tours.”
Building upon the positions of the business and education sectors in Bartlett, Tennessee, the researcher further believed this study indicated a shift in the focus of business-education partnerships. The demand for workforce preparedness, coupled with mentoring, and internship based learning and experiences signaled a resurgence of the vocational movement that has had a cyclical impact on education since the early 1900s.