In today's world, Principal Preparation Programs (PPPs) need to be innovative in helping principal candidates be more prepared to lead in changing times, but first, they must receive certification successfully. Completing the Praxis exam is the final requirement to gain certification as an instructional leader in Alabama and is often a stressful…

The narrative inquiry correlates to the Leadership in a Time of Change theme by examining the stories of 10 Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) school leaders serving in White suburban schools. The research study explores the experiences of eight Black and two Latinx school leaders that serve in K-12 school districts after the racial…

This article describes findings from a qualitative phenomenological study that explored the perceptions of assistant principals of curriculum and instruction (APCIs) regarding the effectiveness of their role. The APCI is an emerging role in school administration. Such nascent change in the role of an AP aptly represents the theme of this journal…

In the past year, the coronavirus has been one of the most unpredictable global health crises that has impacted the United States. The decision to move in person learning to remote learning caused uncertainty and unpredictable challenges for the entire education system. This article will highlight transformational leadership best practices for…

This research informed conceptual article explores traditional and current roles and expectations of school leaders and school counselors through the lens of collaboration toward expanding notions of school leadership. The work defines collaboration in the context of K-12 schools with a focus on the roles of school leaders and school counselors…

This case study describes how one school district in Alabama was able to sustain learning and effectively educate students using technology during the COVID-19 pandemic. Investigation of leadership practices found several established procedures that facilitated the education process differently and adapted to change abruptly. The case study…

This paper posits innovative leadership preparation at one University that established collaborative, shared coursework between instructional and teacher leadership. This re/visioned model focuses on cultural proficiency, distributed leadership, and examination of socially just practices fostering more democratic and inclusive practices. The…

Structured organizational groups are composed of two primary groups, leaders and followers. Of the two groups, the success or failure of organizations, such as schools, are dependent on the leader and his or her leadership abilities. Effective leadership and followership in the educational setting is essential to improving and sustaining academic…

Rural instructional leaders require specialized training and ongoing support to effectively navigate within their local and unique contexts. A review of the literature written predominantly between 2007 and 2017 was conducted to explore effective practices in developing and supporting rural instructional leaders. Approximately 32 studies focused…

School culture is the belief and attitude influencing every aspect of how a school functions. Culture shared by all school stakeholders makes the actualization of both short-and long-term objectives easier. In this context, the best practices for shaping school culture for professional educators are personal mastery, team learning, and building a…

During a collegial conversation between faculty members who attended the annual fall conference of the Alabama Association of Professors of Educational Leadership, faculty members posed many questions about how the Instructional Leadership programs for which they worked compared across the state. In the winter of 2015, researchers surveyed faculty…

Based on current research, many students in the middle grades (6-8) have not performed at their highest academic levels. In 2011, more than one-half of eighth graders in 16 Southern states scored basic or below basic on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Alternatively, effective principal-leaders strategically demonstrated…

An effective relationship between the principal and school counselor is essential when improving student achievement. To have an effective relationship, there must be communication, trust and respect, leadership, and collaborative planning between the principal and school counselor (College Board, 2011). Principals and school counselors are both…

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and gain an in-depth understanding of the personal, professional, and sociocultural experiences of ten African American female school leaders serving as assistant principals, principals, and central office administrators in four suburban school districts in the southeast region of the…

Cyberbullying is a growing phenomenon influencing schools, which must be addressed. Transformational school leaders, as the literature suggests, employ strategies for addressing cyberbullying including forming partnerships, implementing education and awareness programs, and applying disciplinary action. The purpose of this study is to understand…