2011 Innovative ETD Award
Ph.D. Leadership and Change
Antioch University, U.S.A.
In her doctoral dissertation, Wendy Stack studied why the education pipeline in the United States is not preparing enough students for success and high school dropout rates in the nation’s urban areas are alarming. Her study assessed “Gear Up” (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) in the Chicago area; her findings showed a significant relationship between parent involvement and 9th grade GPA and overall student success.
Video clips integrated along with the dissertation text effectively illustrate parents’ perspectives and provide meaningful narrative to reveal the complete picture that data alone could not. Wendy’s dissertation story began with a video clip of parents actively lobbying for the GEAR UP program and ended with a series of skillfully inserted videos of parents talking about how parent involvement affects student progress in their lives.
Wendy is presently Director, Chicago Teachers’ Center and Chicago GEAR UP Alliance at Northeastern Illinois University.
Thesis:
The Relationship of Parent Involvement and Student Success in GEAR UP Communities in Chicago
Video Acceptance:
