Urban Charters Versus Traditional Urban Public Schools: Leadership, Discipline, and Student Conduct

• In Event: 63.026 - Dispositions of School Leaders: Impact on School Climate

Abstract

To move the field closer to untangling the charter versus public school debate, this study will compare leadership practices surrounding discipline and student conduct between urban charters and public schools that serve low-income, students of color. Leadership’s approach to discipline will be investigated by comparing punitive authoritarian measures such as suspensions and educational/therapeutic strategies like classroom management training and positive behavior interventions. Student conduct will be comprised of problematic peer-directed behaviors (e.g., bullying, sexual harassment, gang activity, etc.) and authority-directed behaviors (verbal abuse and acts of disrespect towards staff). To uncover which leadership variables could account for significant differences in student conduct across school type, several analyses will be conducted including a factorial analysis, MANCOVAs, and partial correlations.

Authors

• M. Meghan Raisch, Temple University

• James Earl Davis, Temple University