Beyond University Classrooms: Building the Capacity of Urban Principals in Underperforming Schools Through Leadership Coaching

• In Event: Transformative Calls for Educational Reform in Urban Contexts

Abstract

This investigation explored how leadership coaching impacted the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of urban public school administrators in K-12 underperforming schools regarding leadership and management and measured student achievement growth during the time of coaching. A mixed methods approach included analysis of a survey of urban principals’ perceptions about changes in their leadership behaviors, student achievement growth on standardized tests during the time of coaching, and participants’ and coaches’ perceptions of their experience in the program from interviews and coaches' logs. Results reveal significantly increased principal capacity in nine leadership responsibilities and positive student achievement gains after coaching. This information will assist professional developers, university professors, and school personnel as they structure and implement programs to support urban school administrators.

Authors

• Beth Brigante Higbee, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools

• Susan R. Warren, Azusa Pacific University

• Virginia Elizabeth Kelsen, Claremont Graduate University

• Patricia Mark, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools

• Deidra Price, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools

• Ying Hong Jiang, Azusa Pacific University