An Investigation of the Leadership Behaviors of Principals in Middle Schools of Excellence and Middle Schools of Progress in North Carolina as Perceived by Principals
An Investigation of the Leadership Behaviors of Principals in Middle Schools of Excellence and Middle Schools of Progress in North Carolina as Perceived by Principals

Author: Annie Peters Wimbish

Publisher:

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 254

ISBN-13:

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The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a significant difference between leadership behaviors of principals employed in middle schools identified as Schools of Excellence and leadership behaviors of principals employed in schools identified as Schools of Progress. The influences of principal demographic variables of gender, experience and education level, as well as school size, were also studied. The population of this study included all of the 80 middle school principals of identified 2002-2003 Schools of Excellence and all 90 middle school principals of identified 2002-2003 Schools of Progress. A total of 61 principals returned accurately complete survey instruments. Each principal participated by completing a Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire - Form XII Self and Demographic Form. The data analyses for this study were accomplished through the application of analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The conclusion of the study indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between the leadership behaviors in principals employed in middle schools identified as Schools of Excellence and Schools of Progress as perceived by principals on the scale of Superior Orientation. There was no statistically significant difference between the perceptions of principals as related to principals' gender, experience, education level, and school size.

A Case Study of Attitudes and Perceptions of Leadership Characteristics as Perceived by Middle School Teachers and the Principals
A Case Study of Attitudes and Perceptions of Leadership Characteristics as Perceived by Middle School Teachers and the Principals

Author: Theodore Benjamin Bowen

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13:

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This dissertation determined the congruence with the order of importance concerning what middle school teachers and middle school principals value regarding the behavioral characteristics of effective middle school principals and if a relationship exists between those characteristics and the 2006/2008 North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions Surveys. The indications and suggestions of this research were based on the data collected from many different middle schools representing different geographical areas within a large school system located within the piedmont-triad central region of North Carolina. Information was obtained from different multi-question surveys from middle school teachers and principals, open-ended questions, and focus group interviews. This component of the study identified any common behavioral characteristics that the teachers and principals, at the same school, have of themselves with an order of importance. This information was compared to the 2006 and 2008 results of the North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions Surveys information from the same middle schools to determine if a correlation existed between the total data collected. The results of this research indicated that the younger teachers with less teaching experiences wanted their principal to have the traits of a manager and an instructional leader. The older teachers with more teaching experiences wanted their principal to have the traits of one who uses people skills and one who has a vision. The principals see themselves primarily as instructional leaders.

Principals' Leadership Behaviors as Perceived by Teachers in At-risk Middle Schools
Principals' Leadership Behaviors as Perceived by Teachers in At-risk Middle Schools

Author: R. Anthony Johnson

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 362

ISBN-13:

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A need for greater understanding of teachers' (N= 530) perceptions of the leadership behaviors of principals in Title I middle schools (n = 13) is prevalent exists. The researcher used the "Audit of Principal Effectiveness" survey to collect data. The researcher also used Hierarchical Linear Modeling as the quantitative analysis. Significant teacher-level variables were teacher age, years the teacher worked for current principal, and teacher gender. Significant school-level variables were principal gender, principal teaching experience, and percentage of low-income students scoring proficient in mathematics. Principals should understand how teacher- and school-level variables affect the principals' perceived leadership behaviors. This study has implications for university personnel, school district personnel, school principals, and hiring committees.

Leadership Behaviors of Middle Level Principals of Exemplary Suburban Middle Schools
Leadership Behaviors of Middle Level Principals of Exemplary Suburban Middle Schools

Author: Kevin C. Duckworth

Publisher:

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 133

ISBN-13:

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This mixed methods study analyzed the perceptions of teachers and principals regarding the leadership behaviors displayed by the principal that contributed to exemplary school status. Qualitatively, subjects provided perceptions of leadership behaviors through interview responses and site visits. Teachers' (N=74) and principals' (N=5) perceptions indicated agreement between the behaviors that impacted exemplary school status. Quantitatively, subjects provided perception data regarding the leadership behaviors displayed by the principal that contributed to exemplary school status through survey data. Teachers and principals attributed the leadership behaviors identified in the Factors: Organizational Direction, Interactive Processes, Student Relations, Instructional Improvement and Curriculum Improvement as strengths that were critically important in achieving exemplary middle school academic status. Overall, perception data indicated that middle schools that are achieving exemplary academic performance are led by administrators who hold the self-perception that they are highly effective and are also perceived as highly effective by their faculty and staff members.

An Analysis of Leadership Behaviors of School Administrators in North Carolina Schools Exclusively Serving Children of Military Families as Perceived by School Administrators and Teachers
An Analysis of Leadership Behaviors of School Administrators in North Carolina Schools Exclusively Serving Children of Military Families as Perceived by School Administrators and Teachers

Author: Timothy E. Howle

Publisher:

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 242

ISBN-13:

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The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of leadership behaviors of principals of North Carolina schools that exclusively serve children of military families based on the perceptions of school administrators (principals and assistant principals) and teachers. This study provides an additional view of the relationship between the perceptions of leadership behaviors of school administrators and their teachers. The population/sample consisted of 28 school administrators (16 principals and 12 assistant principals) and 632 teachers (K-12). The actual number of respondents included all 28 administrators and 365 teachers. The data obtained for the study were collected via a web-based survey provided to all school administrators and teachers in schools located on the Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina military installations. The survey instrument, Principal's Leadership Behavior Survey, was developed by Dr. Charles Bagwell and Dr. Isaiah Reid at South Carolina State University and was designed to measure the leadership perceptions of school administrators and teachers. The Principal's Leadership Behavior Survey (Principal Form) was completed by school administrators to obtain data on their self-perceptions of their leadership behaviors. The Principal's Leadership Behavior Survey (Teacher Form) was completed by teachers to obtain data concerning their perceptions of their school administrator's leadership behaviors. Survey data were analyzed using the Statistical Package of the Social Sciences (SPSS-15). The One Way Analysis Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypotheses. The data were analyzed within five subscales of leadership behaviors: vision, curiosity and daring, empowering others, leading form the front, and integrity. After the collection of data and analysis were completed, the study found that there were significant differences between the perceptions of leadership behavior of school administrators and teachers in all five leadership behavior subscales.

The Impact of Principal Leadership on Working Conditions and TeacherRetention in North Carolina Middle Schools
The Impact of Principal Leadership on Working Conditions and TeacherRetention in North Carolina Middle Schools

Author: Catherine Tomon

Publisher:

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 139

ISBN-13: 9781109561333

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Research indicates that administrative leadership is the most important factor in determining the climate of a school, and there are specific leadership attributes such as improving working conditions that promote retention. This study seeks to identify leadership behaviors that positively affect quality teacher retention among two particular groups (Beginning teachers with 1-3 years of experience and career teachers with 4+ years of experience) in the middle schools of North Carolina. A Fisher's Exact Test was performed on the data that were collected from the 22 leadership questions on the 2006 North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions Survey. Ten of those questions were statistically significant at the 0.05 level. A Pearson Chi-Square was conducted to determine what working condition domain had the most impact on quality teacher retention for both beginning and career teachers. According to the findings of this study, there is a relationship between principal leadership and quality teacher retention, wherein different leadership attributes can be used as predictors for quality teacher retention. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest llc. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.].

Effective Leadership
Effective Leadership

Author: Pamela Murphy Helms

Publisher:

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 336

ISBN-13:

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A small public school system in the piedmont of North Carolina was the setting for this study. Individual school data, as well as aggregated data from studied schools were analyzed in order to form overall conclusions of perceptions of leadership within the district. Schools were grouped according to the age of the student (elementary K-5, secondary 6-12) in an effort to provide the opportunity for further data analyses. -- The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the principals' self-reported leadership behaviors and the teachers' perceptions of the principals' leadership behaviors using Kouzes and Posner's Leadership Practices Inventory based on the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. The researcher disaggregated data to determine the area(s) in which principals perceive themselves strong or weak, and compared those perceptions to the views teachers hold. The researcher also disaggregated data to determine the relationship of perceptions of leadership at elementary and secondary levels. There was also a focus on leadership perceptions based on gender and teacher experience level to determine if either of those affect teachers' perceptions of principal leadership. -- Through collecting questionnaire research and surveys of principals and teachers, these quantitative data were analyzed to determine if there was a gap between teacher perception of leadership behaviors and leaders' self-perceived behaviors.

School Leadership in North Carolina Through the Eyes of Distinguished Leaders
School Leadership in North Carolina Through the Eyes of Distinguished Leaders

Author: Yvette A. Stewart

Publisher:

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 235

ISBN-13:

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"The purpose of this study was to interview and observe the principals selected to participate in the inaugural cohort of the North Carolina Distinguished Leadership in Practice (NCDLP) program to understand what leadership practices they applied within their schools that positively impacted teaching and learning. The major research question for this study was, "How does a principal's leadership support high quality teaching and learning?" From this major research question, five guiding questions emerged to serve as integral components of this study: 1. What do distinguished principals perceive to be the relationship between the principal leadership and student achievement in North Carolina? 2. What are the leadership perspectives and outlooks of NC DLP principals that support high quality teaching and learning in their schools? 3. What are NC DLP principals doing to develop "leadership capacity" that support high quality teaching and learning in their schools? 4. What competencies within the School Executive Standards do distinguished principals perceive to be the most important in their leadership? 5. What School Executive Standards do distinguished principals perceive to be the most important to improve student achievement? Qualitative data were collected from semi-structured interviews, leadership surveys, and site visit observations with six principals. Member-checking, document analysis, and field observations of principals during regular and staff development days were conducted to collect data on the principals' leadership practice. The focus of both the interviews and site visits centered on descriptive questions which revealed information about the "hows" and "whys" of changes in principal leadership behavior following participation in the NC DLP program as well as the impact of the leader's practice on teaching and learning and organizational structures. Key findings revealed that principals are expected to play an active role in leadership, consider the processes, activities, and relationships within their school and use those factors to positively affect teaching and learning (Bottoms & Schmidt-Davis, 2010). Overall, the findings from this study suggest that principals who center their attention on developing the culture of the school and creating synergy of individual skills of teachers, learning relationships among teachers, a relentless focus on instruction, and ongoing mobilization of resources will make significant contributions to teaching and learning in a school."--Abstract from author supplied metadata.