High-Needs Schools
The High-Need Schools Strand (HNS) consists of UCEA and BELMAS researchers who are conducting empirical research on high-need school leadership across the globe. The first step in our research was to examine how leaders in high-need schools were addressing the challenges and opportunities posed in these schools. Based on our initial findings, the HNS research team decided to examine in greater depth the qualities of leadership critical to leading high-need schools. Several project team members met in Gosport, England in February 2015 to finalize our research protocol, which has been piloted tested by HNS researchers. As a result, the major focus of our in-depth case studies examines three areas: learning, leadership, and context. The project has sought to identify school principals working in a number of different cultural contexts by addresses the following research questions:
Our research protocol provides network members with a comprehensive and universal tool to collect data in high-need schools investigating learning, leadership, and context. The interview protocol obtain data from principals, staff members, governing board members, parents, and in some cases, students. HNS researchers are encouraged to use all the protocol to gain a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the factors affecting the school setting. Using a common format allows HNS members to validate findings across multiple school settings throughout the world.
- What fosters student learning in high-need schools?
- How do principals and other school leaders enhance individual and organizational performance in high-need schools?
- How do internal and external school contexts impact individual and organizational performance in high-need schools?
Our research protocol provides network members with a comprehensive and universal tool to collect data in high-need schools investigating learning, leadership, and context. The interview protocol obtain data from principals, staff members, governing board members, parents, and in some cases, students. HNS researchers are encouraged to use all the protocol to gain a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the factors affecting the school setting. Using a common format allows HNS members to validate findings across multiple school settings throughout the world.