ERIC Number: EJ1019004
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014-Mar
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0192-6365
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Leadership Challenges in Addressing Changing Demographics in Schools
Madsen, Jean; Mabokela, Reitumetse
NASSP Bulletin, v98 n1 p75-96 Mar 2014
Principals who lead demographically diverse schools play an important role in changing the dynamics that often occur in these contexts. Consequently, principals must have the leadership skills to revolutionize teachers' belief systems. Their energies are consumed with reshaping teachers' instructional practices and focusing on improving student expectations. Teachers may oppose modification of their teaching practices due to fears of letting go of familiar ways of teaching. The inability to influence teachers will result in continual problems of low expectations, unfair discipline practices, and poor student performance.This study focused on (a) how principals perceived their leadership in responding to their schools' changing demographics, and (b) the challenges they experienced in attempting to mediate across school groups. Administrators often questioned their leadership capacity in how to mediate racial differences that occurred in their schools as their student demographics changed. Findings revealed that European American leaders forwarded their responsibilities to the teachers of color, which resulted in ongoing tensions surrounding students of color. African American leaders fell into stereotypical roles, in which they were perceived as being hired to be the disciplinarian and having to prove their expertise on instructional and curriculum issues.
Descriptors: Principals, Student Diversity, Teacher Attitudes, Teaching Methods, Administrator Attitudes, Instructional Leadership, Interprofessional Relationship, School Districts, Interviews, Qualitative Research, Racial Differences, Diversity (Faculty), Cultural Differences, Leadership Styles
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A