This study was designed to determine whether the alignment of state and local priorities was a predictor of improving results, specifically the reduction in the percentage of inexperienced principals and percentages of low-performing schools and the increase in graduation rates. The population of this study included 115 North Carolina school districts organized according to the percentage of low-performing schools in each district. The design of the study was a quantitative, nonexperimental study using accountability data for the 2020-2021 school year, the low-performing district designation from the 2018-2019 school year (in place through 2020-2021), and publicly posted district improvement plans in effect for the school year studied. Research Question 1 analyzed the independent variables of "Percentage of Inexperienced Principals" and "Principal Recruitment and Retention Goals in District Improvement Plans" with the dependent variable of "Percentage of Low-Performing Schools." When analyzed using a multiple linear regression, a statistically significant relationship was not found. In Research Question 2, the "Percentage of Low-Performing Schools" was one of two independent variables studied to determine whether, when combined with the "Percentage of Inexperienced Principals, Graduation Percentages (Rates)" could be predicted. These variables were also analyzed using a multiple linear regression and together yielded a statistically significant finding. Additionally, the slope coefficient for the independent continuous variable, "Percentage of Low-Performing Schools," was statistically significant as a predictor of "Graduation Percentages (Rates)." While systems alignment could be observed between federal, state, and court-ordered improvement activities specific to principal recruitment and retention, the presence of "Principal Recruitment and Retention Goals in District Improvement Plans" did not lead to a statistically significant finding when considered as a predictor of the "Percentage of Low-Performing Schools." However, the "Percentage of Inexperienced Principals" combined with the "Percentage of Low-Performing Schools" did have a small, statistically significant effect on the prediction of "Graduation Percentages (Rates)" in North Carolina school districts. Therefore, within the limited parameters of this study, there is no evidence to indicate that court-ordered reform initiated by "Leandro v. State of North Carolina (Leandro v. NC)" introduces competing priorities within the current systems alignment for school improvement. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]