Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tom Weber
St. Paul, Minn.

Study: Leadership in school admins plays huge role in performance

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

A new study from the University Minnesota re-affirms the importance of having strong leadership from school principals and superintendents.

Researchers surveyed more than 8,000 teachers and administrators in nine states, and found that the people leading schools are more likely to affect student outcomes than other factors like poverty or geography.

U of M researcher Kyla Wahlstrom said her study was larger than others on the topic, but came to similar conclusions.

"Leadership makes a huge difference, and I think anybody who's in the field knows that," Wahlstrom said. "But we've not had good empirical research-based information that has proven that, and that's what I think that study does."

Wahlstrom said the study also found that schools shouldn't change principals just for the sake of change -- because turnover in leadership also hampers achievement.