Program
Education Doctorate
Year Approved
2017
First Advisor
Paulson, Craig
Abstract
The purposes of this qualitative study were to (a) identify leadership characteristics of female African American principals at successful Turnaround Arts schools and (b) explore the leadership factors that allowed these principals to improve academic and behavioral outcomes among students. The theories applied in the study were self-efficacy, transformational leadership theory, and culturally sensitive educational leadership theory. Using a sample of four African American female principals drawn through convenience sampling and a one-on-one interview format, it was found that (a) there are specific orientations among African American female principals that are shared, (b) these orientations have a positive impact on both academic and behavioral outcomes among students, and (c) these orientations can be understood in terms of race- and gender-informed leadership. Specifically, the shared leadership characteristics identified in the study were (a) servant leadership, (b) leadership by example, (c) strength / commitment, (d) othermothering, (e) respectful communication and interaction, (f) remembering / applying roots, and (g) goal-driven leadership. These characteristics, and their usefulness in Turnaround Arts schools in particular, suggest the importance of developing and disseminating race- and gender-informed leadership approaches among African American female principals in predominantly African American schools.
Degree Name
Education Doctorate
Document Type
Doctoral dissertation
Recommended Citation
Robinson-Derden, L. (2017). African American Female Principals at Urban Turnaround Arts Schools: Identification of Characteristics That Contributed to Their Success [Doctoral dissertation, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/541
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