A Review of Research on the Role of School Leaders in Improving Student Learning Outcomes.
To highlight the pivotal role of school leaders in shaping teaching and student learning outcomes, this evidence review of 70+ studies from all over the world unpacks:
- The impact of school leadership on student learning outcomes.
- How different leadership styles may influence student results.
- How school leadership affects teachers and teaching practices.
- The conditions that enable school leaders to make a more significant impact.
Many students in developing countries face a significant learning gap. Nearly 7 in 10 students in these regions are not mastering basic reading skills by age 10 (World Bank, 2022). In comparison, most students in wealthier countries are finishing primary school with better reading, writing, and math abilities. While only 14% of students in places like Europe and North America struggle with basic math and reading, the numbers soar to 84-88% in Sub-Saharan Africa and 76-81% in parts of Asia (Clarke, 2022). Given this, there’s a global push from governments and educational groups to find ways to boost learning and ensure every child gets a quality education.
