Keywords

organizational structure, science achievement, departmentalized, non-departmentalized, elementary school

Abstract

This quantitative research study addressed a gap in the literature regarding organizational structure at the elementary school level and science achievement. Organizational structure, departmentalized or non-departmentalized, is an educational strategy dating back many years; however, current literature suggests there are justifications for both instructional models. While there are multiple theoretical ideas surrounding organizational strategy, limited empirical research, specifically in science achievement, exists. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between organizational structure and science achievement. Student socio-demographic variables were examined to determine if they moderated the relationship. Further, literature regarding science achievement suggests that prior English Language Arts (ELA) may be related to science achievement. A second purpose was to examine the relationship between prior ELA achievement and current science achievement. The analysis was completed using data from one cohort of Grade 5 students within one large urban school district in Central Florida. Scale scores and subscores were collected from the 2020-2021 Grade 4 Florida Standards Assessment ELA and the 2021-2022 Grade 5 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test 2.0 Science. The findings supported the non-departmentalized organizational structure which may help educational leaders make decisions determining the use of organizational structures within schools to attain high student achievement outcomes in science. Additionally, analysis found that prior ELA achievement can be used as a predictor for science achievement. Educational leaders may use these results to implement various curriculum designs, interventions, and cross-curricular opportunities within ELA and science classrooms. Finally, this study resulted in additional questions that could be examined by future researchers to build upon these results and add to the literature regarding organizational structure and science achievement.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Summer

Committee Chair

Ceballos, Marjorie

Degree

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

College

College of Community Innovation and Education

Department

Educational Leadership

Degree Program

Educational Leadership, Executive Track

Format

application/pdf

URL

https://stars.library.ucf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1361&context=etd2023

Language

English

Rights

In copyright

Release Date

August 2029

Length of Campus-only Access

5 years

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Campus-only Access)

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Accessibility Status

Meets minimum standards for ETDs/HUTs

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Restricted to the UCF community until August 2029; it will then be open access.

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