Advisory Committee Chair
Loucrecia Collins
Advisory Committee Members
Evelyn Nettles
Gary Peters
William B Rogan
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
2016
Degree Name by School
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) School of Education
Abstract
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore principal perceptions of how reading scores improved in high-poverty, high-performing schools in Alabama that had achieved Torchbearer School status. In 2005, the Alabama State Department of Education began bestowing the honor of Torchbearer schools to schools in high poverty areas throughout the state that have achieved high academic performance in Reading and Math. The goal of this qualitative study was to understand principal experiences and the essence of what it meant to be a principal of a successful high poverty school, to hear the voices of the participants. Participant descriptions revealed the true essence of the phenomenon rather than the researcher’s preconceptions. Data from ten principals representing eight school districts throughout the state of Alabama were gathered through semi-structured interviews. Five themes emerged from the analysis of this data. The themes that emerged were Student Needs; Data; Culture; Collaborative Work; and Commitment and Dedication. Researchers have demonstrated that the school leader plays a pivotal role in improving student performance. Understanding Torchbearer principal practices and perceptions concerning reading instruction may inform other school and district administrators as well as policy makers on professional development and practices that could lead to real and sustainable change in turning around high poverty low performing schools’ reading performance. Keywords: high-poverty schools, principal perceptions, reading instruction, Torchbearer schools
Recommended Citation
Bryant, Vilveca, "Igniting the Path to Reading Success: Torchbearer Principals' Perceptions of Reading Instruction" (2016). All ETDs from UAB. 1277.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/1277