Date of Award

Spring 6-5-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Education

First Advisor/Committee Member

Dr. Kristine Gritter, PhD

Second Advisor/Committee Member

Dr. Julie Antilla, PhD

Third Advisor/Committee Member

Dr. David Wicks, EdD

Keywords

positive outlier, beating the odds, elementary school, ecological systems, organizational culture, standardized state testing

Abstract

There are a limited number of case studies of positive outlier elementary schools, otherwise known as schools that are beating the odds, and more of such studies are needed in order to effectively replicate positive problem-solving solutions. Positive outlier schools and districts, the focus of this dissertation, are those that score significantly above demographically similar schools and districts on standardized state testing. For example, none of the existing case studies highlight organizational culture as a key factor despite the fact that many of the more targeted topically focused studies cite school culture as a top factor. Additionally, the longest running case study of a positive outlier school only covers five years of data. This study addresses both of these problems as well as several others by evaluating 10 years of data through interviews with 30 participants, inquiring specifically about culture as well as climate and leadership and numerous other variables (factors), and following up with additional in-depth interviews. The theory that most closely represents a holistic approach and therefore comes closest to addressing the data in this case study is Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Theory of Human Development. Ultimately, more case studies of positive outlier school systems should be done because the case study is a good methodological fit for examining key variables of outlier schools. In conclusion, additional research on positive outlier school systems that is holistic in nature should be conducted via case studies, with an emphasis on expanding the literature at the elementary level.

Keywords: positive outlier, beating the odds, wicked problem, elementary school, Bronfenbrenner, Bioecological Theory of Human Development, ecological systems, organizational culture, standardized state testing, leadership.

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