Not Like Us: An Exploration of Urban Educators’ Motivation During a State Takeover in Texas

• In Event: Innovating Equity and Culture in Urban Education

Abstract

While there have been over 100 state takeovers of public school districts since 1989, research denotes that these transitions, even after hiring new administrators and implementing new academic and financial practices, rarely improve the students’ academic outcomes and improve per-pupil spending. Often forgotten and ignored during these takeovers are urban educators (teachers, administrators, auxiliary staff) who are forced to weather these changes, often without any input and under the threat of dismissal by state officials. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the experiences, through qualitative inquiry, of educators in Houston Independent Schools District and garner an understanding of which factors influenced their motivation through the Two-Factory Theory of Motivation-Hygiene.

Authors

• Virginia S. Redwine Johnson, Texas A&M University

• John A. Williams, Texas A&M University