The Role of School Leadership on Transformation of Urban Schools with Low Student Achievement
The following research paper presents the following topic: "The Role of School Leadership on Transformation of Urban Schools with Low Student Achievement." The problem is that urban schools with low student achievement require changes and it remains unclear what the role of school leadership is in this transformation. Topics related to the following research question are presented: what is the role of school leadership in low student achievement urban school transformation? Urban schools with low student achievement, the role of school leadership, and the effects of leadership are discussed. This is followed by a summary and conclusion.
Urban Schools with Low Student Achievement
Larry Lezotte stated that while schools are improving, they are not keeping up with current needs of society (Sellers, 2002). Lezotte reported that students must read and do math at a 9th grade level or higher, solve semi-structured problems, communicate orally and in writing, work with a diverse population, and use computers for basic processes if they are going to graduate from school, work, and have access to the middle class income. Most students are not achieving these goals; only 10% of high school students meet these standards (Sellers, 2002). Therefore, change is required for schools and students to do better (Sellers, 2002). According to Lashway (2004) low-performing schools include students who do not meet academic standards and many of these schools tend to be urban with minority student populations whose test scores fall below white student scores.
Educational standards in public schools today are higher and change is needed, and instructional change is a problem for teachers, students, and administrators since it is demanding, unfamiliar, and difficult (Elmore, 1997; 2001). Elmore reported that leaders as well as teachers and stude...