Date of Award

Fall 12-15-2023

Level of Access Assigned by Author

Open-Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Educational Leadership

Advisor

Catharine Biddle

Second Committee Member

Ian Metta

Third Committee Member

Maria Frankland

Abstract

An action research study in a high school setting applies the Organization-Public Relationships (O-PR) theoretical frame to a short-term communications initiative designed to elicit measurable engagement in the initiative and increased parent feelings of commitment and trust in their relationship with the school. A survey administered before the initiative yields actionable data on communication needs and preferences, levels of satisfaction, and parent feelings of commitment and trust. Survey data gathered after the communication initiative is used to determine changes in levels of satisfaction, commitment and trust. Among the findings are verified and consistent indications of secondary engagement in the communication initiative’s messages and content across grade levels. Descriptive findings include a slight increase in indications of trust and a slight decrease in indications of commitment following the initiative. Inferential comparisons led to findings of variance between respondent groups which suggest that the two demographic variables (grade level of respondent’s student, the presence of one or more formal school supports) are factors in indications of trust and commitment in their relationship with the school.

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