Background/purpose: This study explores the different ways in which critical friend roles are conceptualized. The critical friend role is adaptive by nature, with significant ambiguity surrounding it, which has resulted in disjointed and fragmented literature. This study sought to provide insights into the varied and potentially boundary-spanning…

The purpose of this study was to explore and contextualize leadership development practices of secondary school principals in Oromia National Regional State using a parallel mixed research design. Data were collected from 48 principals and four education officials via questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis. Quantitative…

Purpose: Current school leadership research has primarily utilized quantitative methods to explore the relationship between leadership and teacher learning. However, there is a notable gap in understanding how principals facilitate professional learning, especially in centralized educational settings. This study aims to address this gap by…

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore principals' perceived self-efficacy after their completion of a professional leadership cohort. Six principals from the Central Southwest region of the United States participated in this study. Each of the principals had previously graduated from a professional leadership cohort that…

Genius Hour, also known as 20% Time, was coined by Daniel Pink (2009) and is an inquiry-based approach to business and learning grounded in autonomy and intrinsic motivation, ultimately, encouraging critical, creative thinking and problem-solving (Juliani, 2016).The review of related literature examined a specific type of inquiry-based learning…

In the United States (U.S.), the heart of public education lies in the commitment to providing every child with the necessary resources for their learning and development. Today, in 2024, principals are responsible for ensuring all students have equitable access to education by integrating technological advancements, maintaining a rigorous…

Over the past twenty years, a shifting demographic in schools has created the need to view and lead them through a culturally proficient and equitable lens. School leaders, however, remain short-changed on the preparation time needed to address important issues that surpass the narrow lens of content and instruction. This study used a qualitative…

School leadership ranks among the most influential factors in student learning. Yet, principals contend with complex challenges every day, including teacher shortages, student well-being and safety concerns, resource constraints, and much more. It's no surprise they are reporting unprecedented levels of job-related stress. To position principals…

We examine the process of developing web-based case studies, a novel form of professional learning for principals, specifically related to inclusive school leadership. Based on the input from 39 principals, 5 case studies were developed with branching scenarios that provided multiple options for decision-making. These "choose your own…

Educational policy in the United States in the past decade has focused on eliminating the achievement gap by establishing legislation orienting educators toward research-based evidence and increased accountability at all levels of the system (Daly, Liou et al., 2014). Educational leaders play an important role in initiating and maintaining change,…

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived leadership experiences of Black women principals in Title I schools in North Carolina. The theories guiding this study are Black feminist thought and Intersectionality which amplify and center the voices of Black women. The central research question for this study was "What…

Educator leadership requires continuous development, including extended professional learning opportunities for principals in the field. This is also true for district leaders who likely have even fewer robust opportunities to grow professionally. We conducted a comparative interrupted time series of publicly available student achievement data…

Attrition rates among school leaders have risen in recent years, and scholars cite a lack of meaningful connections and responsive professional learning as leading reasons why they are leaving the field. School leaders are called to navigate unfamiliar and complex challenges, often working in isolation with limited opportunities for collaboration…

Public school systems and school-based administrators are facing increasing expectations and accountability regarding educational equity. In their attempts to meet these expectations, school systems are training and providing professional development to educational leaders. The purpose of this explanatory, sequential mixed-methods case study was…

Drawing from her experiences as a principal and coach, Aspasia Angelou offers invaluable insights, templates, and resources for principals in Title I or priority schools. With tools for professional development, reflective practices, and collaborative team development, principals can effectively address challenges, support students at risk, and…