The Cost of Poor Leadership in Public Education: Leadership Impacts and Results

Sustaining success in public schools is strongly linked to district leadership. In both quantitative and qualitative studies, leadership practice is identified as having a direct correlation to both staff and student success. . The intent of this inquiry is to determine what predominant leadership factors contribute to the success or failure of a public-school district? Current research supports a framework for a leadership team that focuses on five leadership domains; human relations, trust and decision-making, instructional leadership, control, and conflict. Results from the review of the literature as well as quantitative data from a school survey will show that work is necessary to reverse the costs of ineffective leadership. The development of new leadership focuses will allow school leaders to create positive school cultures and learning environments where all stakeholders are encouraged to flourish and succeed.