The leader in me : a case study using normalization process theory to analyze school reform implementation

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Implementation of The Leader in Me school reform is analyzed through the lens of Normalization Process Theory (NPT) to underlie this study. After three years of implementation efforts at Rock Valley Elementary, teachers and the principal are interviewed about how implementation efforts of The Leader in Me reform are developing. The following questions drive this research: (1) How does the work completed during implementation of The Leader in Me lead to the school reform becoming normalized, embedded, and integrated into the organization? (2) How does the work completed during implementation of The Leader in Me hinder the school reform becoming normalized, embedded, and integrated into the organization? A qualitative case study design is used for this research study. Interviews, observation, and document collection drive the data collection. Initial coding of the data uses aspects of the NPT theory. Using NPT as the guide, but not the rule by which to analyze findings, allows for attention to data pertinent to this study (Yin, 2009, p. 130). Once initial coding is complete, a second round of analysis is applied as I synthesize findings from the initial round of coding.