Poor Leadership/ Failing School

Poor leadership is the main culprit for many unsuccessful schools. Leaders set the tone and standards of a school. It is not enough just to be “in charge. “A good leader does so by example, enthusiasm, accepting challenges that promote progress, and enforcing high expectations of themselves and all stakeholders. It is the responsibility of school leaders to maintain qualified teachers and equip them with the necessary tools and training. In order to be successful, it is necessary for school principals to transition from building managers to instructional leaders. For many this becomes difficult because of insufficient principal training programs on that transition. It should not be assumed that because a leader has had administrative courses that he/ she will automatically do well as a school principal. Far too often this has not been the case which results in low performance of teachers and students. The instructional leader must develop a supportive mind set as well as model, support, motivate, teach, and implement strategies that will enable teachers to prepare students for academic success both in school and beyond their school years. In order for this model to work effectively, the principal’s ability to support staff is of paramount importance.
Numerous authors suggest that professional development is the appropriate forum for cultivating the school culture, discussing needs of improvement that are specific to the school, providing teachers with new experiences and teaching strategies, self renewal, creativity, and respect. Professional development is usually focused on teachers: but it should begin with school leaders.