A Study of Leadership Competencies of Turnaround School Principals
Author | : Paulette Gaddy-Smalls |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 0 |
Release | : 2021 |
ISBN-10 | : OCLC:1338648061 |
ISBN-13 | : |
Rating | : 4/5 (61 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: This study aimed to contribute to the growing field of research on the effectiveness of efforts to improve chronically underperforming schools grouped under a turnaround model. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the characteristics ascribed to principals who have been effective in raising student performance at low-performing schools that fall under this model. The study looked to identify and understand the competencies and characteristics that principals, teachers and district leaders believed were essential for turnaround principals to be effective turnaround leaders. The researcher probed the lived experiences of principals, teachers, and district leaders associated with three types of public turnaround schools: (a) schools that have shown clear and steady improvement under the turnaround model, (b) schools that have remained stagnant under the model and (c) schools that have regressed under the model. Qualitative methods were used to collect, analyze and interpret data. Data were collected from interviews with turnaround school staff and from archival documents such as principal performance reviews and staff-provided performance surveys of school principals. A study of these data sources may contribute to the growing body of research centered on turnaround schools and potentially support districts in their protocols for hiring and retention decisions related to turnaround principals. This study may also serve as a resource for districts to increase the likelihood of success of turnaround principals in similar school settings.