A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF THE PRACTICES OF SUPERINTENDENTS IN DEVELOPING THEIR ADMINISTRATORS AS INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS

The purpose of this qualitative study is to examine the influence of superintendents in developing their administrators as instructional leaders. This study will examine the practices of school districts that have demonstrated success on the Pennsylvania School System Assessment results in which students consistently scored proficient on their assessments. The assessment results in combination with the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced lunch was the determining factors of which districts were chosen for this research study. The researcher will examine the practices and opportunities provided to administrators that develops their instructional leadership skills. The purpose is to determine if common themes exist, such as staff development, embedded activities and authentic learning, to name a few, that support administrators in being instructional leaders. The research will provide the effective practices demonstrated by school districts that support instructional leadership. Improving teaching and learning is a major responsibility of leaders in our schools. Therefore, this research study will provide the strategies implemented by superintendents in developing the practices to support administrators in becoming instructional leaders in their building