Impact of Leadership Style on Student Achievement of K-12 Students

• In Event: AERA Research in Progress Roundtable Session Two
  In Invited Roundtable: Research-in-Progress RT007 (Thursday)

Abstract

The relationship between principal leadership styles and student achievement is increasingly recognized in educational research. While quantitative studies have examined statistical links between leadership and outcomes, fewer have explored teachers’ perceptions of these styles in daily practice. This mixed-methods study investigates teacher perceptions of transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire leadership and their influence on student achievement in K–12 schools in urban Southern Colorado. Guided by a phenomenological approach and Full Range Leadership Theory, the study combines semi-structured interviews and document analysis with surveys measuring leadership effectiveness. Student achievement will be assessed using publicly available test scores. By integrating qualitative and quantitative data, this research aims to deepen understanding of leadership’s impact and inform strategies to enhance student performance.

Author

• iqra shahbaz, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs