THE ROLE OF NEBRASKA PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN THE PREPARATION FOR STATE-WIDE TESTING: A MIXED METHODS STUDY

Assessment is used to determine whether students are meeting the goals of education. In Nebraska, the goals are measured through statewide testing to meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind. As the requirements of No Child Left Behind increase, this study described the strategies used by Nebraska public elementary school principals in an effort to improvement student achievement. The researcher gathered literature in order to identify the role of the principal in the assessment process and found the focus to be on the preparation of the statewide testing but little on the role of the principal. The literature revealed research based strategies that positively impacted student achievement and this study sought to discover which of those strategies, including professional development and leadership, were being used by elementary principals in Nebraska through a web-based survey. The results showed the strategies being used by Nebraska public elementary school principals included identification of essential state standards and the alignment of curriculum guides with the scope and sequence of the identified standards. Working collaboratively to analyze data, create instruction plans and differentiating to meet individual student needs were also strategies used to prepare for statewide testing. Public elementary school principals in the state of Nebraska were encouraging ownership and teamwork among the staff to improve student achievement and are working to recruit highly qualified staff. Advisor: Jody C. Isernhage