Nonprofit organization Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) bring their unique experiences to their executive positions but are often unprepared for new responsibilities and challenges, which require a broad skill set. The problem identified was the gap in professional development in unexpected and acute areas. This study aimed to explore the…

This qualitative case study explored K-8 principals' perception of the contribution of job-embedded professional learning on skills and efficacy in instructional leadership, guided by Experiential Learning and Self-Efficacy Theory. The study addressed two research questions: the first explored how principals perceived the contribution of…

Principals can have a positive impact on student achievement by employing specific actions targeted at improving teaching and learning. District offices can have a positive impact by helping principals develop and grow as leaders, but how and under what conditions? While growth and development are entwined with relationships, little is understood…

The principal holds a pivotal role within a school community. Approximately 15%-22% of principals in their first 5 years resign from their positions (Fuller et al., 2018; Goldrink & Taie, 2018). High principal attrition rates decrease student achievement, the quality of learning, and staff morale and retention (Fuller, 2012; Louis et al.,…

As the world of education has changed, so have the roles and expectations of the evaluating administrators. Public schools have begun to insist that principals take much of the responsibility for teachers' instructional development and support. Some principals use a managerial approach, and others use a coaching style of motivating their…

The positions of the school board and superintendent have been in place for years and in that time not only have the dynamics of education changed, but the societal structures have also evolved. This quantitative study examined the relationships that exist between the school board's engagement in training and professional development and their…

This qualitative research study explored how principal efficacy influences the implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). At the time of this study, the majority of literature focused on efficacy in MTSS focused on the teacher and minimal literature focused on the principal efficacy. Research has explored in-depth the principal as…

Principals are essential in any institution of learning. Great schools do not exist in the absence of a great principal, which demonstrates the importance of strong leadership. However, due to complexities and the demanding nature of their jobs, there has been an increasing deficiency in the supply of these professionals. Schools have recorded…

Opportunity gaps for certain student groups are well documented across the United States as well as in the Mid-Atlantic state where this research occurred. According to Miksic (2014), "American public education aspires to provide rich and poor, Black and White, immigrant and native-born, with equal opportunities for success" (para. 1).…

Research on teacher professional development (PD) reveals teachers do not implement what they learn at professional development with consistency or fidelity. This quantitative predictive correlational study examined whether special education teaching experience, administrator support through time and planning, administrator support through…

School leaders play a vital role in ensuring student achievement. In fact, they are second only to classroom instruction. All too often, however, principals are immersed in administrative duties with little time or training to become true leaders of learning who can shape the success of a school. This dissertation focuses on the need for central…

The purpose of this qualitative, multiple case study was to describe how exemplary superintendents build leadership capacity with their executive teams using Kirtman's (2014) Seven Competencies for School Leadership. This multiple case study used purposeful criterion sampling and recommendations from a panel of experts to identify seven…

The purpose of this study was to understand the instructional leadership role development of new principals. The overarching research question that guided this study was: How do new principals transition into an instructional leadership role? Using a basic qualitative approach, 12 new principals participated in the study. Data collection included…

Given the increasing emphasis on student achievement in the public school setting the development of building leadership is vitally important. As a school-based factor, principal leadership is second in its impact only to the effects of the classroom teacher (Leithwood, Louis, Anderson, & Wahlstrom, 2004; Darling-Hammond, Davis, LaPointe, and…

Despite the vast research on mentoring, little is known about the effect mentoring has on the leadership capacity of first year administrators. Improving student achievement is imperative to public education, and improving school leadership at individual sites will increase student performance. Schools that are raising student achievement in spite…