Abstract:
The principal plays a significant role in the success of a school. It is important that leadership training programs prepare principals to be instructional leaders who know how to employ research based instructional strategies, implement programs that improve student achievement, analyze data, empower others, select appropriate professional development, and create a culture of collaboration and high expectations. The purpose of this study was to determine if the Rising Stars Leadership Training Program developed by Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) was perceived as an effective leadership preparation program by the participants. The research study census included 112 school administrators within a RESA district. A mixed-methods study utilized the Leadership Practices Inventory survey (Kouzes & Posner, 2003) along with open-ended questions and interviews. Results of an independent t-test on the LPI survey results revealed that there was little difference in the perceived leadership practices of administrators who completed the Rising Stars Program and administrators who did not. The open-ended questions and interviews provide data that gives insight to the strengths and weaknesses of the Rising Stars Program as well as areas for improvement. The information gleaned from this study could be instrumental in selecting future leadership training programs.