Exploring Principal Leadership Practices that Influence School Improvement Outcomes: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Department

Educational Administration

Date of Award

Summer 8-18-2025

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the perceptions and leadership practices of middle school principals in Texas who led sustained improvement efforts on campuses previously rated as low performing. The purpose of the study was to understand how principals implemented strategic planning, monitored the implementation of those plans, utilized data to inform decisions, and overcame barriers to achieving academic growth. Grounded in the Effective Schools Framework and supported by distributed and transformational leadership theories, the study aimed to provide a deeper understanding of how leadership practices contribute to school improvement within high-accountability contexts. The study utilized a descriptive qualitative design with a two-phase data collection approach. Phase I involved an electronic questionnaire completed by twelve principals, while Phase II included in-depth virtual interviews with five principals who volunteered for further participation. Participants shared their strategic planning approaches, campus leadership structures, data use practices, and methods for overcoming resistance to change and promoting stakeholder ownership. The findings offer insight into how principals used vision alignment, stakeholder engagement, structured monitoring systems, data-informed interventions, and collaborative leadership to support sustained academic improvement. This study contributes to the existing body of research by highlighting the practical strategies and leadership dispositions necessary to lead turnaround efforts. The implications support leadership development efforts and policy recommendations that prioritize strategic thinking, shared accountability, and adaptive leadership practices across school systems.

Advisor

Teresa Farler

Subject Categories

Education

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