Type of Document	Dissertation
Author	Pamas, Roberto Andrew
URN	etd-06272006-173236
Title	The Behaviors and Practices of Principals in Successful At-Risk Middle Schools
Degree	Doctor of Education
Department	Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Alexander, M. David Committee Chair Mallory, Walter D. Committee Co-Chair Byers, Larry Committee Member Caldwell, M. Teressa Committee Member
Keywords	Principals Practices Susan Powell Successful Behaviors At-risk middle schools
Date of Defense	2006-04-19
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract Students in many at-risk middle schools are not achieving at the same academic levels as their counterparts in middle-class schools. Educators are constantly challenged to ensure academic success to all students despite social and economic obstacles. Today, this challenge is more critical due to the rigid standards established by both state and federal legislation with the advent of the Standards of Learning tests in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the federal No Child Left Behind legislation. A review of the literature indicates that the behaviors and practices of the principal influence and contribute to the success of students; consequently, this study demonstrated that effective leadership contributes to school success. "What are the leadership behaviors and practices of principals in highly successful middle schools with high concentrations of at-risk students?" and "How do principals in these schools influence the learning outcomes to close the achievement gap?" are the two main questions asked in this study. This study answered these questions by examining the behaviors and practices of principals in successful at-risk middle schools, with a study of one successful at-risk middle school supported by a survey of the teachers in that school and two other successful at-risk middle schools. The findings led to some of the following conclusions: the vision of the principal for school success is important and embraced by the school staff; the principal supports instructional programs and resources that address the individual needs of students; the principal promotes collaboration and shared leadership with teachers; the principal values and promotes family and community involvement; the principal is an instructional leader. Some of the recommendations propose that principals in at-risk middle schools must keep the academic success of all students as the main mission of the school; must be an instructional leader; and must effectively manage the budget, resources, staff, and time for instruction.
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