An Embedded Single Case Study Of A Large Urban Charter School In The Midwest In The United States: The Impact Of School Leadership On Student Academic Achievement

Purpose: The purpose of this single case study was to examine the role one African American immigrant male principal plays in helping minority students attending a large urban charter school in the Midwest of the United States achieve proficiency standards. Research Methods/Approach: The study utilized embedded single case study research design to address the primary question: How does one African American immigrant male principal describe his role in helping minority students attending a large urban charter school in the Midwest of the United States achieve proficiency standards? The study also sought to examine two secondary questions: How do teachers perceive the role of the principal in helping minority students achieve proficiency standards? How do parents perceive the role of the principal in parent – school engagement to help minority student achieve proficiency standards? Data was collected from multiple sources such as in-depth interview with the principal, two separate focus group interviews with six teachers and five parents and review of document in-use. Qualitative data was collected using digital voice recorder, transcribed and coded per the coding manual for qualitative researchers third edition by Saldana (2016). Critical Race Theory lenses was used to interpret the findings of the study. Findings: The findings show that the principal plays critical role in influencing the academic achievement of minority students when he engages in leadership practices that involve focus on student academic success, focus on standards to guide teaching and learning, hiring and retaining qualified teachers, creating a collaborative safe school environment, distributed leadership and instructional leadership. The principal’s ability to provide instructional leadership was found to have a major influence on teaching and learning at the school. Conclusions and Implications: This study highlighted the unique role a minority principal plays in helping minority students achieve proficiency standards. The study suggests the hiring of minorities into school leadership positions and providing them with additional training opportunities in instructional system and curriculum studies to advance their skills in providing the needed supervision and training to teachers