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Sustainability Planning Strategies of Effective Public-School Administrators: A Multiple-Case Study
Dissertation   Open access

Sustainability Planning Strategies of Effective Public-School Administrators: A Multiple-Case Study

Jeremiah L. Carter
University of West Florida Libraries
Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida
2025

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Abstract

Current literature shows little evidence of effective sustainability planning in public schools. The purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore the most effective sustainability strategies based on the perceptions and experiences of public-school leaders in a major, urban school district in the southeastern United States. The study was developed using a theoretical framework based on the six primary elements of social systems: structure, individuals, culture, politics, a technical core, and the environment (Hoy & Miskel, 2008). Data was gathered through interviews with school leaders whose sustainability programs have earned national recognition through the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools initiative. The study synthesized the data gathered from the three participating Green Ribbon schools into a list of common themes representing the most effective strategies for the implementation of sustainability plans in public schools. Four common themes emerged across the participating schools: organizational structure and bureaucracy have both inherent strengths and weaknesses, starting small is the key to manageable growth, student involvement is essential for success, and accessibility and choice increase involvement. It is expected that the results of this qualitative study will spark further research into public-school sustainability and potentially lead to changes in state and local policies.
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