Influence of School Turnaround Leadership: A Case Study on an American Indian School

• In Event: Roundtable Session 39
  In Roundtable Session: Discussing the Landscape of Native Education Today

Abstract

In recent years, school turnaround efforts aimed at improving the lowest performing schools have become a prevalent approach to school improvement in education policy and reform circles across the Nation. However, only a limited number of studies have sought to understand the ways that turnaround influences practice in schools. Even fewer studies focus on American Indians who are in school turnaround. In this case study we retrospectively explore how teachers, principals, and district administrators reported how a school turnaround specialist program influenced policies, practices, attitudes, school culture, and student outcomes. Specifically, we used interviews, focus groups, surveys, and documents to gather triangulated perspectives on leadership practices, data-driven instruction, teacher collaboration, professional development, instructional practices, and school culture.

Authors

• Jameson David Lopez, Arizona State University - Tempe

• Evelyn Concepcion Baca, Arizona State University - Tempe

• Sharon Nelson-Barber, WestEd