Work

Where the Growth Happens: A Qualitative Case Study of Preparation for Equity Work in One Principal Preparation Program

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: As public schools in the United States grow increasingly diverse, the need for equity-focused school leadership has become more pressing. This study examines the design and implementation of one equity-focused principal preparation program. Using a qualitative single case study design, we explore the program’s preparation of graduates who lead with an equity focus in high-need schools. Analyses indicate positive impacts of the program’s unique cohort experience and multidimensional curriculum. We also identify areas for growth, including students’ desire for more instructional modeling of equity-focused practice and a consistent commitment to equity. We discuss implications for leadership preparation programs and policy.

Source: Journal of Research on Leadership Education

DOI: 10.1177/19427751261481783

Authors: Rachel E. Rana, Jennifer Baucom Ayscue, Cassandra F. Rubinstein, Zainab Abdul-Qaabidh, Mary Kathryn Oyaga

Institutions: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University

Language: English

Topic: Teacher Education and Leadership Studies

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,400