Dissertation
A Case Study on Brentwood Elementary School: A Historical Perspective (1877-2010)
University of West Florida Libraries
Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida
2025
Abstract
Literature has consistently indicated the need to explore the sustainability of community andfamily engagement in schools as key elements for improving student achievement, reducing
absenteeism, and restoring community support for education. The purpose of this case study was
to provide a detailed examination and analysis of the more than 100 years of sustainability of
Brentwood Elementary School located in northwest Florida. The study was developed using
social capital theory (Coleman, 1988), which examines the influences of local organizations and
civic groups relative to the welfare, development, and sustainability of strong community
elements, such as a local elementary school. I generated a timeline documenting changes in the
Brentwood community and how the changes impacted Brentwood Elementary School for more
than 100 years. I interviewed nine demographically diverse adults who lived in the Brentwood
community to share their experiences, individual histories, and relationships with the school, and
their perceptions of the Brentwood community’s influences impacting the school over time. This
qualitative case study explored changes that impacted the school, such as how this once
flourishing community became economically disadvantaged, yet the school has remained open as
surrounding schools have been forced to close. The major findings of this study were that low-
performing schools must think outside the box to remain open, parent involvement is vital to
student achievement for a school to be successful, and federal and local legislators must
acknowledge and correct the negative impacts their policies have imposed on schools.
Details
- Title
- A Case Study on Brentwood Elementary School
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Contributors
- Susan James (Committee Member)Giang-Nguyen Thi Nguyen (Committee Chair)
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries; Argo Scholar Commons
- Format
- pdf
- Number of pages
- 201
- Copyright
- Unpublished work © Jennifer Elizabeth Sewell
- Identifiers
- 99381357279606600
- Academic Unit
- School of Education
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Doctor of Education (EDD)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida