7/30/2019 How Does a School Leader’s Role Influence Student Achievements

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/how-does-a-school-leaders-role-influence-student-achievements 1/2

 How Does a School Leader’s Role Influence Student Achievements? A Review of Research Findings and Best 

 Practices 

A Summery and Reflection

Bruce Cooper 

After reading the school finance article by David Gamage, Don Adams, Ann McCormack titled  How Does a

School Leader’s Role Influence Student Achievements? A Review of Research Findings and Best Practices, I feel

that a majority of the “Best practices” suggested here are ones that Maine and in particular, my school district

embrace. Gamage et al. state, “ The improvements in student achievements are recognized as the foremost objective

of school reforms and restructuring efforts.” The state and local school districts have stressed the importance of 

increasing student achievement by strictly applying the No Child is Left Behind Act. It was signed into law in

January 2002 in the USA and is one of the most prominent and visible actions taken by any government towards

achieving this goal.

At the Augusta Schools District, we have taken this a step further in our schools. Our principal’s are given incentive

to improve student learning with a pay bonus for their academic rise in achievement scores. Plus, held accountable

for it by building commitments in developing a shared vision for motivating and energizing the teachers and

students.

In Guthrie’s article, School Finance: Fifty Years of Expansion the focus is on the increase spending trend and its

ramifications. Partly due to the A significant share of the increase is the result of an 86% inflation adjusted increase

in teachers’ salaries between 1949– 50 and 1971 – 7 2. But more over, a substantial part of the increase in per-pupil

spending is a result of expansions in services provided by the schools. More expensive, specialized classes for high

school students, compensatory education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, special education and

related services for students with disabilities all lend to the higher cost.  

I am drawn to one very important aspect of funding public education that sometimes is over look or at least under

appreciated. It is that a share of the total increase must be attributed to the workings of the political system

governing schools, and the politicization of education. It is no more evident than in election years. 

7/30/2019 How Does a School Leader’s Role Influence Student Achievements

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/how-does-a-school-leaders-role-influence-student-achievements 2/2

As a school leader, among the many task that I would take on, would be an all out effort to connect the school with

the community. To often we focus on what we as educators can do for our students, it needs to be more of a

partnership. When thing go wrong it is the schools fault. We must establish the village approach and get more parent

involvement with the process. When parents are involved, students but in to the system. The importance of a good

education is valued in the home and community. It is not just what you do from 7:00 – 2:00 but is an interracial part

of life. Families need to give more than lip service to the value of learning. My school would make great efforts in

drawing in the family as a major unit in the child’s education. Pride in student achievement woul d be celebrated

with the entire family. Success would be promoted and failure looked on as disgrace for both the family and the

school and remediation applied to achieve the goals. 

In the school, my leadership style would be one of teamwork. In all my years of teaching, I have seen a wide verity

of styles and the one that got the most done was one that made all participants feel that the had a meaningful part in

the system. Not just an employee being told what to do, but a part of a team with valued input, ideas and task to

 perform. Buying in to change is best accomplished if all members feel that they were heard and that the change is

nesserry for the betterment of the students.