Abstract:
Research indicates that the impact of educational leaders on student success is second
only to that of teachers’ instruction. This influence arises from a set of core leadership
practices, which leaders adjust for the requirements and context of their particular
environment (Leithwood, Louis, Anderson, & Wahlstrom, 2004, 2008). Research shows
that culturally responsive practice, that is, creating equitable opportunities for all
students, is successful in serving the increasingly diversified student body that all
educators face (Bartolome, 1994; Gay, 2000; Irvine, 2001; Ladson-Billings, 1994;
Novick, 1996). How leaders maintain successful teaching practices in multicultural
settings, however, needs further exploration and is the central question for this study. A
qualitative study using a case study design was conducted, including three purposely
selected Mid-Atlantic independent schools. Interviews of 16 school leaders, 3 teacher
focus groups, multiple field observations, and document and artifact review provided
data. Findings include: (a) Leaders’ adherence to site-specific values was essential to
making their visions a reality. These values surfaced in three core leadership practices:
setting direction, developing people, and developing/redesigning the organization in a
manner designed to sustain culturally responsive practice. (b) The head of school must
set the direction for the school. Specifically, when the head reinforces and models core
values critical to culturally responsive practice through specific and visible actions, the
community understands these values, embraces them, and works in unison to sustain
them, thus building a strong school culture. (c) By distributing leadership, heads of
school ensure that the values and culture that fortify these culturally responsive
communities are consistently reinforced throughout the community. These findings
suggest that school leaders may need to employ a holistic approach to ensure that
culturally responsive practice is sustained throughout the school community.
