Date of Award
Spring 5-2021
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education in School Leadership
Department
Center for Leadership & Learning
College
College of Education
Committee Chair
Dr. Sarah Gordon
Second Committee Member
Dr. John Freeman
Third Committee Member
Dr. Christopher Nail
Program Director
Dr. John Freeman
Dean of Graduate College
Dr. Richard Schoephoerster
Abstract
School districts have adopted policies to limit chronic absenteeism, including changing policies to incentivize teachers to take fewer days off from the school year (Mershon, 2015) due to the effects of a teacher being out of the classroom. These effects include the effects on student achievement (Clotfelter et al., 2006; Ehrenberg et al., 1991), on colleagues and the school district (Bradley et al., 2007; Miller, 2008), and the use of substitutes in lieu of a teacher (Bruno, 2002; Herrmann & Rockoff, 2010). This qualitative, phenomenological study sought to understand teachers’ perspectives regarding policies and practices that are aimed to promote teacher attendance. Using indepth interviews, this study explored the perceptions and experiences of 12 participants ranging in ages, years working in education, years working in the Stuttgart School District, and grades of students taught. Findings in the study relate to (a) teacher motivations; (b) policy and practice effectiveness; (c) reasons for absences; (d) policy improvements and criticisms; and (e) mental health. Findings may inform policy makers at the state level, local school boards, and school administrators to create policies or practices that promote teacher attendance. The theoretical underpinning for this study was Maslow’s Need Theory (Maslow, 1943).
Recommended Citation
Reed, Tyler Stephen, "Examining Teacher Perceptions of District Policies on Teacher Absenteeism in Arkansas" (2021). ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present. 8.
https://orc.library.atu.edu/etds_2021/8
Included in
Educational Administration and Supervision Commons, Elementary Education and Teaching Commons, Junior High, Intermediate, Middle School Education and Teaching Commons, Secondary Education and Teaching Commons