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…

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: 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:…

The current study aims to identify the reality of the practice of school principals in the eastern region of the decision-making steps, and the researcher adopted the descriptive survey method as an appropriate method for the study. To achieve the objectives of the study, the questionnaire was used as a tool for collecting data on the study…

The role of a school principal is both multifaceted and demanding, often leading to significant emotional exhaustion and burnout. This study explored the challenges faced by veteran principals in balancing their professional and personal lives through a qualitative methodology. It aimed to understand how these principals navigated the complexities…

This study employed an explanatory sequential design and mixed methods to investigate school principals' perspectives on parent-teacher associations (PTAs). The research involved a large sample of 3,606 school principals or senior managers who participated in a survey and a smaller subsample of 6 principals who engaged in a focus group interview…

The role of school principals in shaping school culture is well recognized, yet barriers often prevent them from effectively influencing this critical aspect of educational leadership. This project investigates the perceptions of elementary principals regarding the barriers and behaviors that influence school culture. Using qualitative research…

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to examine the experiences of a principal's perceptions with teacher organizations when dismissing an underperforming teacher. There is a lack of data showing what barriers might influence a principal when having to make this kind of decision. The historical aspect of teacher organizations…

Recent teacher supervision and evaluation system (TSES) reform efforts have resulted in wide adoption of policies targeting improvements in teaching quality and student outcomes; however, impact of these policies has been inconsistent (Hazi, 2019; Stecher et al., 2018). Failure of TSES efforts to realize their intended outcomes is the result of…

Both 'collegiality' and 'distributed leadership' have, as terms, occasioned a good deal of debate. Conceptually elastic, they are often used interchangeably, or not appreciated as embodying a range of leadership styles and relationships. Spurred by an unanswered query from a research project, this theoretical article attempts to clarify what the…

K-12 school principals experience multiple crises throughout their careers, ranging from natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, threats of violence, and school shootings. As the face of the school, principals must navigate these crises while maintaining the everyday responsibilities of being a principal. These crisis events disrupt the learning…

Teacher hiring is a critical lever for improving school outcomes. However, the availability of supply is a significant barrier that affects principals' processes for teacher staffing. Drawing on sensemaking theory and concepts of fit, this study investigates how principals make sense of recruitment and hiring in a local labor market with severe…

Background and Purpose: Distributed leadership is about practice rather than people and formal roles. Although there is no unanimous agreement on a definition of the term, Tian et al. (2016) identify two schools of research around distributed leadership: (a) the descriptive-analytical paradigm and (b) the prescriptive-normative paradigm, which…

Achievement in mathematics, particularly in advanced mathematics courses (such as trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, or Advanced Placement courses), is important for long-term college and career success. However, many students--particularly students who are Black, Hispanic, or from low-income households--do not have access to advanced…