Ed.D. Doctor of Education Doctor of Education Case Study 5

Question 1

A case study of a failing turnaround school shows the improvement plan focuses exclusively on test prep. Which systems-thinking concept does this approach violate?

Accepted Answer

Root cause analysis and leverage points

Answer

Systems thinking requires identifying root causes and high-leverage intervention points; test prep addresses surface symptoms while leaving underlying instructional and cultural causes unchanged.

Question 2

A case study shows that a district's equity audit found resource disparities between high- and low-income schools. Which budget allocation model would best address this finding?

Accepted Answer

Weighted student funding formula

Answer

Weighted student funding provides additional resources for students with greater needs (poverty, ELL status, disabilities), directly addressing resource inequities identified in the audit.

Question 3

In a case study, a higher education administrator finds that first-generation college students have lower persistence rates. According to Tinto's model, which institutional factor most explains departure?

Accepted Answer

Lack of academic and social integration

Answer

Tinto's retention model holds that insufficient academic and social integration into campus community is the primary driver of student departure, especially among first-generation students.

Question 4

A case study analyzes a principal who fosters high trust and shared decision-making, resulting in increased teacher efficacy. Which theoretical framework best explains this outcome?

Accepted Answer

Social capital theory applied to schools

Answer

Social capital theory explains that high-trust relational networks in schools generate collective resources—including shared efficacy—that improve professional practice and student outcomes.

Question 5

An Ed.D. case study of a district literacy initiative finds effect sizes ranging from 0.10 to 0.15. How should the researcher interpret these findings for practitioners?

Accepted Answer

The effect sizes are below Hattie's hinge point and indicate minimal practical impact

Answer

Hattie's hinge point of d=0.40 represents the average expected effect; effect sizes of 0.10–0.15 fall well below this threshold, indicating limited practical educational significance.

Ed.D. Doctor of Education Practice Test

Ed.D. Doctor of Education Practice Test

Ed.D. Doctor of Education Doctor of Education Case Study 5