The association between local public school board member beliefs and behaviors and student academic achievement

Advisors: Kelly H. Summers.Committee members: Benjamin Creed; Stephen Tonks.Includes illustrations.Includes bibliographical references.The primary purpose of this study was to survey Illinois public school board members to examine the association between local public school board member beliefs and behaviors and student academic achievement. Relatively little research exists linking school board member behaviors and beliefs to school district student academic achievement data. Specifically, this study examined self-reported mindset beliefs of school board members and how those beliefs related to several outcomes, including how board members report spending their time during board meetings and the importance placed upon certain board activities. All data were collected via a survey. The final sample was 44 participants from the northern Illinois region. Overwhelmingly, all board members reported growth, rather than fixed, mindsets. Implications for the board room are discussed.Ed.D. (Doctor of Education