A Descriptive Analysis of the Perspectives of Neville High School's Teachers Regarding the School's Renovation.

Abstract

It has been suggested since the early 80's that America's public schools are not meeting the needs of America's citizenry and that the schools are in need of repair. This paper describes a study conducted at Neville High School (Louisiana) in 1996-1997 and designed to examine the effects of facility renovation on faculty morale. Data collection included comments from 10 teachers along with direct observations, participant observation, and document review. Questions considered participant views of the renovation process; their levels of frustration; their concerns over changes in certain physical properties that may effect school tradition and heritage; and feelings of pride, motivation, and new attitudes. Findings show a wide spread of competing emotions, e.g., participants expressed negative comments about change while indicating how excited they were about the newness of it all. Despite numerous negative comments, overall morale appeared to be higher as a result of the renovations. Teachers were more active, showed greater collegiality, and were interested in showing visitors the newly renovated areas. Appendices describe the participants and present the history of the school. (Contains 4 references.) (GR) ******************************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ******************************************************************************** A Descriptive Analysis of the Perspectives of Neville High School's Teachers Regarding the School's Renovation Christella G. B. Dawson Dr. D. Randall Parker Northeast Louisiana University Louisiana Tech University 0 Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Mid-South Educational Research Tim Association in New Orleans, Louisiana 01 November 5, 1998 in 0 CD U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND CENTER (ERIC) DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS IL lechis document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. BEEN GRANTED BY la CI Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Christella G.B. Dawson Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. 2 1 TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) BEST COPY AVAILA31 F