The purpose of this study was to determine if a difference exists between teacher perceptions of principals' leadership behavior in low-performing schools and teacher perceptions of principals' leadership behavior in high-performing schools.

Teachers comprise the greatest professional population of a school; they have the most contact with students; and they have perhaps the greatest influence on school climate. For this reason, teacher morale is a topic of great concern to public school administrators. Moreover, research suggests that poor teacher morale negatively affects student performance just as high teacher morale positively affects student performance. Research also indicates that teacher morale is influenced more by the leadership style of the principal than any other single factor. This study was designed to determine whether certain relationships exist between teacher morale and the following independent variables: (1) principal trust and (2) leadership satisfaction. Additionally, investigations were conducted to determine whether the aforementioned independent variables lead to increased student achievement. Information regarding teacher morale was collected from 65 teachers using the 2009 MDed - Multi Dimensional Education Incorporated (MDed) Survey at three 7-8 Initiative schools in a large suburban district in southeast Texas. It was the intent of this study to determine whether principal leadership and teacher morale are significantly correlated. The study also demonstrated whether or not teachers' and principals' perceptions of leadership behaviors contribute to student achievement. vi After analyzing the data, it was found that principal leadership behaviors do significantly impact teacher morale, and student achievement. Additionally, it was found that positive teacher morale and student achievement in the Initiative Schools influenced positive student behaviors, ultimately reducing student discipline referrals. Multiple interventions were put into place that led to the positive outcomes. The interventions, new principal leadership, ongoing intensive staff development, establishment of small learning communities, reduction of student population and low student to teacher class ratios, were the catalysts that lead to the Initiative Schools' transformational success, a transformation of high teacher morale, increased student achievement, and positive student behaviors.

The school principal is viewed as one of the most influential individuals on a school campus (Cohen, McCabe, Michelli, & Pickeral, 2009; Edmonds, 1979; Leech & Fulton, 2008). With this influence, the principal plays a great role in facilitating the climate of the school; which in turn, can have a significant impact on student achievement (MacNeil, Prater, & Busch, 2009). The purpose of this study was to explore high school teachers' perceptions about leadership practices of their principals, as well as to gain an understanding of the teachers' perceptions of school climate in a large urban district in the Western United States. Data was collected with the use of two survey instruments, the Leadership Practices Inventory, which measures the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, and the Organizational Climate Description Questionnaire revised for secondary schools, which measures five dimensions of high school climate. Participating teachers were asked five demographic questions including: age, gender, number of years teaching, number of years teaching with current principal, and level of education. The schools with participating teachers were categorized by three other variables: total response rates, School Performance Framework scores, and the percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced price lunch. Across nine high schools, 334 usable surveys were collected. Pearson correlations were used to find relationships among variables within the survey instruments, while MANOVA calculations with appropriate ANOVA post hoc were used to find differences in demographic variables. It was found that engaged teacher behavior coupled with principals who model expectations and give authentic, goal aligned encouragement related to high levels of positive school climate. Additionally, data suggested schools whose teachers perceived their principal in a negative manner related to low levels of school climate regardless of the socioeconomic make-up of the student body.

Teacher demographics of gender, age, years as a teacher, years at current school, and level of school (elementary, middle, high) were examined in relation to perceived leadership style and school status. Multiple regression analysis found that only years at current school that was significant in how they perceived their principal's transformational or passive avoidant leadership style. No demographic variables were significant for transactional style or school status. Overall, teachers were satisfied with the principal's leadership style and effectiveness. Teachers most often cited school culture as having an influence on student achievement in both improving and non-improving schools. Limitations of the study included self-reported teacher perceptions of principal leadership style from 16 schools in one school district which limits generalizability; no controls for teacher classroom performance and no verification of respondents actually observing principal behaviors; time of year survey was given; and, the use of one instrument to measure leadership style may not reflect the actual leadership style of the principal.

Author's abstract: Effective leadership behaviors are imperative in contributing to student achievement and the overall culture of a school. School leaders must mold the culture of the school in order to create an environment which is conducive to learning. Studies on school leadership and student achievement have highlighted the evidence of school leadership behaviors which contribute to student achievement. The purpose of this investigation studied the extent of school leadership behaviors and or characteristics that contribute to student achievement. This study was designed to identify the relationship between the behaviors of the school leader and student achievement. The study determined if teachers and principals perceptions of leadership behaviors contribute to student achievement. More specifically, this investigation was designed to study the behaviors and practices of elementary principals as it relates to student achievement in elementary school students in a large urban school district. Sixty-three elementary teachers and six principals were selected for this study. The six principals were apart of the focus group interview. Data was collected through teacher and principal surveys, audio-taped interviews and transcriptions. SPSS 13.0 was selected as a means to interpret and analyze data. 2 The results of the study support the literature and indicate that principal leadership is critical to student achievement in elementary school students. More specifically, it raised the question about what specific leadership behaviors are used to increase student achievement. This study further clarified that the principal is the primary person for instituting leadership among all within the school which ultimately contribute to student success. The elementary principal has a demanding and challenging job in and of itself, but by recognizing the leadership behaviors, the principal can influence the climate, productivity, effectiveness of their school and ultimately student achievement.

This edited volume examines innovative ways of preparing, supervising, and evaluating principals and explores factors that promote effective leadership practices. Chapter authors consider how principals’ leadership practices affect teachers’ instruction, satisfaction, commitment, retention, and effectiveness, and present evidence that principals can influence key student outcomes as well. Covering topics such as school leaders’ use of time, their efforts to reduce implicit bias, how leadership practices are associated with teachers’ workplace attitudes, leadership and student achievement, and how school leaders can best be supported under new federal legislation, this volume is a “must read” for educational leadership and policy faculty, school and district administrators, and researchers committed to promoting effective principal leadership.

Leadership and School Quality is the twelfth in a series on research and theory dedicated to advancing our understanding of schools through empirical study and theoretical analysis. Hence, the chapters include analyses that investigate relationships between school organizations and leadership behaviors that have an impact on teacher and school effectiveness.