Preparing Instructional Leaders to Improve Student Achievement: High-Needs School Principals' Perceptions of University Preparation Programs

• In Event: Innovative and Promising Curricular and Delivery Approaches in Leadership Preparation

Abstract

Equipping principals with knowledge and skills in their University Principal Preparation Programs (UPPPs) is fundamental for them to serve as competent instructional leaders. In this qualitative study, we employed a collective case study to investigate the perceptions of six high-needs, Title I elementary school principals about how the UPPPs they attended prepared them on instructional leadership to improve student achievement. Findings indicated that participants did not perceive their UPPPs have prepared them properly on instructional leadership. Particularly, they were not prepared well to identify students’ academic strengths and challenges and to make instructional decisions that would assist teachers in addressing those challenges to improve student achievement.

Authors

• Hamada Elfarargy, South Dakota State University
  Presenting Author

• Beverly J. Irby, Texas A&M University
  Presenting Author

• Rafael Lara-Alecio, Texas A&M University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Fuhui Tong, Texas A&M University
  Non-Presenting Author