Changes at West High
The case study involves how a newly appointed principal at West High will change the “old guard” as the current principal, a 30-year veteran at the school, retired due to mounting pressures from central administration to focus on academics and increasing student achievement. While staff favored the previous principal due to his laissez-faire demeanor, parents and the community began to question the leadership, or lack thereof, of the administration. Academic performance continued to decrease. Students exhibiting behaviors like class cutting, fights, and absenteeism were on the rise. Parents began to request transfers to another local high school. The vice principal, whose leadership style matched the previous administration, felt he deserved the position of principal (Hoy & Miskely, 2013, …show more content…
The greatest determinant of learning is not socioeconomic level or school funding, but rather the instruction that takes place in the school community (Schmoker, 2006, pg. 7). In this instance, the majority of the teachers lack the commitment needed to ensure the implementation of effective instruction. The goal of further observations includes fostering conversations on what effective instruction looks like and how strategies utilized by teachers can impact learning. My democratic approach to observations would provide a lens on all practices in place at the school level. In this area, if too much structure or control exists—in terms of instruction—it can negatively affect a teacher’s motivation and autonomy, impact the quality instruction, and produce uniformity (Ubben, Hughes & Norris, 2011, pg. 204). Additionally, a visible principal communicates the message that they are involved, engaged, and interested in the operation of the school while maximizing opportunities for interactions with teachers and students. (Marzano, Waters & McNulty, 2005, pg.
The case study involves how a newly appointed principal at West High will change the “old guard” as the current principal, a 30-year veteran at the school, retired due to mounting pressures from central administration to focus on academics and increasing student achievement. While staff favored the previous principal due to his laissez-faire demeanor, parents and the community began to question the leadership, or lack thereof, of the administration. Academic performance continued to decrease. Students exhibiting behaviors like class cutting, fights, and absenteeism were on the rise. Parents began to request transfers to another local high school. The vice principal, whose leadership style matched the previous administration, felt he deserved the position of principal (Hoy & Miskely, 2013, …show more content…
The greatest determinant of learning is not socioeconomic level or school funding, but rather the instruction that takes place in the school community (Schmoker, 2006, pg. 7). In this instance, the majority of the teachers lack the commitment needed to ensure the implementation of effective instruction. The goal of further observations includes fostering conversations on what effective instruction looks like and how strategies utilized by teachers can impact learning. My democratic approach to observations would provide a lens on all practices in place at the school level. In this area, if too much structure or control exists—in terms of instruction—it can negatively affect a teacher’s motivation and autonomy, impact the quality instruction, and produce uniformity (Ubben, Hughes & Norris, 2011, pg. 204). Additionally, a visible principal communicates the message that they are involved, engaged, and interested in the operation of the school while maximizing opportunities for interactions with teachers and students. (Marzano, Waters & McNulty, 2005, pg.