Publication Date
5-2024
Advisor(s) - Committee Chair
Aaron Hughey, Lester Archer, Monica Burke
Degree Program
Educational Leadership
Degree Type
Doctor of Education
Abstract
The public higher education system in the United States has inherited a multitude of aims and missions in order to fulfill its social and educational objectives. As a result, many higher education institutions suffer from unclear goals. Nevertheless, the researcher identified the student's goal-oriented process as the fundamental aspect of this educational system from its inception until the present. The exploratory single-case embedded study conducted at a regional comprehensive institution highlighted the differences, difficulties, and issues faced by students, administrators, and the institution itself in its pursuit of specific goals in higher education. Indepth interviews were employed to investigate the data obtained from cohorts of undergraduate students (n = 6) and administrators (n = 10) at the chosen university. By combining an adjustment model of Path-Goal leadership theory with a psychological Goal-Setting theory, the study proposes a clear and data-driven approach to reorganizing student support programs and initiatives within the constraints of limited institutional resources and ambiguous policies. This study aims to advance research on educational leadership within complex systems. The study examines various strategies and programs employed by Institution X using the Student-Goal Setting approach to align these goals with the institution's leadership processes. The results emphasize the significance of transparent communication, encouraging inclusive initiatives, and efficient goal-setting methods in improving the development of students' path goals. Obstacles institutions face include a lack of coordination, imprecise strategic planning, and deficiencies in program implementation and communication strategies. Recommendations include implementing transparent, data-driven strategies that effectively balance student needs and institutional objectives, as well as a possible application of artificial intelligence in higher education system.
Disciplines
Curriculum and Instruction | Education | Educational Administration and Supervision
Recommended Citation
Pham, Tuan, "REFINING THE GOALS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES: AN EXPLORATORY SINGLE-CASE EMBEDDED STUDY OF A STUDENT-CENTERED PATH-GOALS SETTING" (2024). Masters Theses & Specialist Projects. Paper 3734.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/3734