Mitigating the Dunning-Kruger Effect: California Urban School Principals' Perceived Skill Sets in 10 High-Performing Schools

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 21
  In Roundtable Session: Partnerships Across Urban Contexts

Abstract

This study reports findings of ten urban California educational leaders’ views about their perceived emotional, psychological, and cognitive skillsets to mitigate the Dunning-Kruger Effect and maximize equity in student learning in ten of the state’s highest performing, low socioeconomic status schools. Psychologists David Dunning & Justin Kruger (1999) investigated cognitive biases of university students as they were first tested then subsequently asked to report their estimates of how well they scored. Those most competent reported a reasonable confidence level whereas those least competent expressed the highest confidence. This study seeks to report California school leaders’ perceptions regarding their skillsets to mitigate the Dunning-Kruger Effect and maximize equity in student learning within ten of the state’s highest performing, low SES schools.

Authors

• Teri Anne Marcos, National University

• Donald Wise, California State University - Fresno

• William Loose, Azusa Pacific University

• Wayne Padover, National University

• Susan Belenardo, University of California - Irvine