Qualities of Instructional Leadership Among Principals in High-Performing Christian Schools

Abstract

The 2011 Cardus Report found that Christian schools are developing students’ faith but are not developing students’ academic opportunities at any greater rate than are their public school counterparts. Drawing upon data collected from 18 principals and 280 teachers across six Christian school systems, this mixed-methods study identifies the qualities of principal instructional leadership in high-performing Christian schools. Multiple findings, including teachers reporting a significant correlation between gender and instructional leadership and a correlation between instructional leadership and servant leadership characteristics, will facilitate Christian schools and educational leadership programs in preparing principals as instructional leaders.

 

Dr. Mary Martin has served in Christian education for thirty years as a classroom teacher, principal, and professor. Her educational passions include training pre-service teachers in research-based teaching methods and helping Christian schools with instructional coaching and instructional leadership.