Standing in the Gap: Theory and Practice Impacting Educational Opportunity and Achievement Gaps

Abstract

This case study is the first known employing flow in educational administration in the United States. Using Csikszentmihalyi’s flow theory and Dantley’s purpose-driven leadership, an administrator’s practices were examined with respect to two guiding questions: (a) is purposefulness integral to closing extant gaps in achievement, and (b) are the elements of flow found in successful educational administration? The recorded interview was subjected to template analysis developed from tenets of both theories. The results are that all nine elements of flow were found, as were the tenets of purpose-driven leadership in the work experience of an administrator’s success in closing the district’s achievement gap.

Keywords

opportunity gap achievement gap flow theory purpose driven leadership positive psychology Black female superintendent school reform Urban Education case studies spirituality

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