Principal self-efficacy is crucial to educational leadership, especially in instructional and operational areas, as found in this study. The study examines how principals maintain self-efficacy despite their many responsibilities, drawing on Bandura and Schunk's (1981) research on human behavior and belief and perception. Bandura and Adams (1977)…

In this integrative literature review, we synthesize the scant literature from the last 40 years of educational research on how school principals make difficult decisions. Reviewing 15 peer-reviewed articles, articles were coded for the methods used and their substantive findings. We review sampling techniques, the types of problems and methods…

This narrative inquiry examines the experiences of K-12 Title 1 Urban Public-School principals to understand their involvement in the process of school-level budgeting and their efforts to incorporate principles of equity into their budgetary decisions. I recorded the challenges faced by principals when making practical decisions equitable. This…

This study investigated whether and to what extent shared leadership in school was associated with a positive and equitable sense of school belonging among students from diverse backgrounds in the United States. We denoted shared leadership as collective practices that take place in schools in which principals enact inclusive practices in the…

Little is documented in the literature about the leadership practices of principals during times of crisis. This study used semi-structured interviews and document collection methods to broaden understandings of principals' decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the study aims to highlight the novel challenges faced by…

The purpose of this qualitative, descriptive study was to explore how school administrators described their understanding of the decision-making process in the allocation of funds to urban elementary schools in New York. Twelve participants took part in online questionnaires followed by Zoom interviews. A convenience sample of principals were…

This study tested a moderated-mediation model of the processes linking principal ethical leadership and professional learning communities in China, in which teacher obligation is included as a mediator, and teacher participation in school decision making is considered as a moderator. The results from 3374 teachers revealed significant direct and…

School principals play a pivotal role in directing students' classroom educational experiences. However, in the USA, many elementary principals (serving youth 5-12 years old) have had few formal experiences with professional development or coursework that centers on current standards for quality science instruction as guided by the "Framework…

Although quality assurance programs may improve the curricula and outcomes of early childhood programs, some U.S. childcare principals are reluctant to participate in these initiatives. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the motivation that guides Texas childcare principals' decision-making regarding participation in the…

Purpose: This study will examine the school principals' ethical decision-making processes and to explore gender-related differences. Design/methodology/approach: This study employed a mixed-method research design, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with a sample of 10…

Leaders with ever-evolving learning agility demonstrate high performance by making quick and better decisions in the face of uncertain situations. This study aimed to determine the relationship between school principals' learning agility and decision-making styles and the moderating role of gender in this relationship. The research is carried out…

This study explores and explains crisis leadership through surveys and experiential narratives of school principals in the State of Delaware. The study focuses on the lived experiences of school principals for decision-making and responding to the impact that the pandemic (i.e., COVID-19) has had on the educational concerns of students, schools,…

Purpose: Building on arguments drawn from Upper Echelons Theory, this study provides insights into how certain demographic characteristics related to principals--gender, age, tenure, and formal education--may facilitate or hinder the adoption of three generic modes of strategic decision-making: autocratic, participative, and collaborative. Design:…

School leaders have a significant impact on student outcomes; however, there has been a shift from viewing school leadership as the actions of an individual, to seeing leadership as a collaborative endeavour, including in Aotearoa New Zealand. The traditional heroic model of leadership is making way for a new leadership paradigm which considers…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating role of teachers' intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in the relationship between principals' perceived distributed leadership and organizational learning capability in schools. Design/methodology/approach: The study employs a quantitative research design and a survey methodology.…