Longitudinal Effects of a Professional Development Program on Principals’ Leadership Practices

• In Event: Sunday Roundtable Session 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Bridging Leadership Preparation and Practices (Table 2)

Abstract

Principal leadership plays an important role in teacher practices and student achievement. Professional development (PD) can help principals to improve their leadership practices—yet few studies to date have examined the effects of formal PD on principals. The present study uses matched data from n = 62 principals and n = 1112 teachers to investigate the longitudinal effects of an 18-month PD program regarding school improvement for principals in Germany. Results from baseline latent change score modelling suggest positive changes in principals’ self-reported leadership practices aimed at improving instructional quality at their schools and promoting teacher development. The positive change in practices is partly reflected in the reports of teachers in the respective schools.

Authors

• André Meyer, University of Potsdam

• Dirk Richter, University of Potsdam