A Mixed Methods Study of the Perceived Effectiveness of the Rising Stars Leadership Development Program for Principals and Assistant Principals

Secondary Education    Principals/Superintendents

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TITLE A Mixed Methods Study of the Perceived Effectiveness of the Rising Stars Leadership Development Program for Principals and Assistant Principals
 
RESEARCHER Kimberly Carter Morgan
College of Education and Human Services
Valdosta State College
Unpublished doctoral dissertation: December 2015

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement’s Rising Stars Program was perceived as an effective leadership preparatory program by the participants.

METHODOLOGY
The population of 112 principals and assistant principals in the Georgia Regional Educational Services Agency schools were e-mailed the survey and 93 responded (83% response rate). Participants completed the Leadership Practices Inventory along with 18 questions specific to the Rising Stars Program, and provided demographic information. The typical respondent was female (60%), between 36-47 years of age (54%), with 0-5 years in school administration (33%) or 6-10 years (30%). Approximately one-quarter of the respondents worked at a middle school, with another quarter at a high school, and the other half at an elementary school. Fifty-one (55%) completed the Rising Stars program.

KEY FINDINGS
On 87% (N=26) of the leadership behavior statements, there were no statistically significant differences in how the Rising Stars administrators rated themselves on the LPI survey compared to the group of administrators who did not participate in the Rising Stars Program.