Date of Award

2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Education

Abstract

Systems thinking is an umbrella term which encompasses both systematic thinking and systemic thinking. Systematic thinking is characterized by a logic flow of repeatable and predictable actions in order to accomplish an aim in a system. Systemic thinking is characterized by the understanding of the interconnections between systematic processes and parts of the larger organizational system. Additionally, systemic thinking includes the understanding that systems are both concrete and abstract with both internal and external factors serving as linkages to the systems. Systems thinking leadership in education is critical as the landscape is dynamic as it relates to what is valued and thus defined as an accountability metric for schools and districts. Systems thinking leaders understand that the accountability metric becomes the aim of their organizations, thus their organizations systems must align to the determined aim. When leaders are able to think and act systemically, they are able to advocate for what should be valued in education in a manner that understands both the internal and external factors that contribute to critical conversations for students. Thisdissertation study utilized a comprehensive literature review in order to determine and define seven constructs of systems thinking along with 84 statements that constituted a Continuum of Systems Thinking (COST) survey for research administration. Through gathering and analyzing COST survey data through an exploratory factor analysis, followed up with a confirmatory factor analysis, five factors of systems thinking were able to be determined and defined. Fifty-three survey statements remain after the statistical analyses in order to constitute the final COST survey encompassing the factors: (1) Leveraging Interconnections Through Systemic Thinking, (2) Data-Based Analysis Leading to Action, (3) Leading by Engaging, (4) Concrete and Abstract Systems, and (5) Systematic Process Knowledge.

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