Leadership and School Success: The Behaviors And Practices of a Principal in an Effective Christian School

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this research project was to identify the best practices of principal leadership and gain an understanding of its effects on school success.

METHODOLOGY
The population sample included the principal of a Christian school in an urban area. She, along with teachers, staff and other administration were interviewed and surveys given to each member of the teacher, staff, administration and board of directors. They completed the Leadership Practices Inventory and Five Domain Survey (Powell, 2004).

KEY FINDINGS
The author notes: “The school study highlighted the principal’s leadership practices and behaviors as they relate to the school’s effectiveness. Kouzes and Posner’s Leadership Practices Inventory exposed her leadership characteristics early into the interpreting of the data. In the five domains: Modeling the Way, Inspiring a Shared Vision, Challenging the Process, Enabling Others to Act, and Encouraging the Heart, the principal’s strengths were evident throughout the study” (p. 140).