This teaching case study explores how two school administrators support whole-school performance improvement through professional development (PD). Wilson Elementary School has seen significant academic growth as measured by state assessments. The administrators attribute these improvements to the PD structures they have implemented which focus…

While facilitating a data dialogue concerning racial opportunity gaps in an elementary school, Evelyn Nguyen, a preservice principal candidate, overheard a disturbing and racialized dialogue among third-grade teachers. Evelyn had to decide whether to move an uncomfortable and emotional discussion forward or segue to the next item on the agenda to…

This case focuses on one novice school principal's experience with an elopement incident. School elopement sets the background for this case, and in this situation, the principal sees the need to take action to increase school safety and special needs students' teacher support. The authors enumerate leadership practices and organizational…

A simple parent request unveiled a startling revelation: The principal of Bridgforth Elementary School segregated students by race. Her attempt to establish a culturally responsive framework was met with an Office of Civil Rights (OCR) complaint of racial discrimination. This case will examine the principal's rationale for creating the framework,…

This case explores Coach Rosa's efforts to gain access to teachers' classrooms to support teaching and learning. As Rosa demonstrates, working to gain access is a complex coaching practice and coaches cannot assume that their classroom access at any school is universal. School leaders, including district administrators, principals, coaches, and…

Justine Finley, newly appointed principal of Northside Elementary, had been tasked with increasing her school's grade under the state accountability system and keeping neighborhood families from choosing to enroll in the charter school down the street. The superintendent made these priorities very clear. After spending the first 3 months observing…

Teacher retention rates continue to plummet at schools across the nation. A principal at Sunnyside Elementary watches firsthand as the revolving door of teachers increases significantly in her brief 3 years of leadership at this school. Once well-known and highly regarded at an award-winning school in the northeast, the principal struggles to…

This case presents how a family-school liaison, Claudia Vasquez, attempts to cultivate deeper relationships between families and a bilingual elementary program. Two challenges that Claudia faces are the multiple roles and responsibilities placed upon her, as well as the lack of support from her school community toward engaging multiply-minoritized…

School fundraising is a practice that is common in many schools in the United States. This is also true in high-poverty schools where there are many financial needs that are often not met. Lincoln Elementary School is one of these schools. A well-intentioned first-grade team of teachers develops and works to implement a plan to fundraise using…

School improvement plans (SIPs) are increasingly used to structure the process of setting and monitoring goals. As SIPs are designed to identify and address local problems of practice, there is the possibility that these tools help school leaders initiate and carry out ambitious school improvement. Yet, practical challenges abound in the…

Many educators and school administrators are familiar with the Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS), its application of data, and its effectiveness in resolving barriers to academic and social learning. Properly matched research-based interventions are likely to improve student academic and social outcomes. However, what becomes of the…

This case is designed to help school leaders develop skills needed to work with interdisciplinary groups while demonstrating the complex issues faced while considering the special education needs of students. The case further examines a child study team meeting from the lens of different participants, including the principal, teacher, school…

A suburban elementary school experiences an emergency evacuation. This evacuation event reveals trust and safety concerns. Some parents, staff members, and children express safety concerns, and a key school staff member questions the judgment of another staff member during the emergency event, exacerbating existing tensions between the two. The…

Kathleen Pitts was hired as an elementary principal with the intent of diversifying the educator ranks in a town with growing racial, economic, and cultural diversity. Upon starting her new position, Kathleen faced resistance from the staff and community. In addition, she received little support from her administrator colleagues as she forged…

In this article, we explore how educational leadership, administration, and special education students can effectively use Coordinated Early Intervening Services (34 CFR §300.226) funding. These funds, available under IDEA Part B, aim to address racial disproportionalities in educational opportunities. Through a case study, we examine how a school…