Leadership Content Knowledge and Mathematics Instructional Quality in the MSPs: A Study of Elementary and Middle School Principals

The Leadership Content Knowledge RETA projects is a large-scale, research and technical assistance project that will investigate the nature of elementary and middle school principals' knowledge of mathematics and beliefs about mathematics learning and teaching- i.e. their Leadership Content Knowledge (LCK)- and its effect on their practice of classroom observation and teacher supervision.

We will examine the characteristics and level of LCK that principals in the MSPs have, how LCK can be developed and improved, and how it affects principals' classroom observations, judgments about the quality of instruction, and interactions with teachers regarding mathematics instruction.

We will also study empirical linkages between leadership practices, instruction, and students' mathematics learning. The project addresses the following key features of the MSP projects: teacher retention, challenging courses and curricula, and sustainability. All interested MSPs that focus on elementary or middle school mathematics will be eligible to participate and will receive technical assistance in exchange for their participation.

Phase I of the work will yield diagnostic information about the level of principals’ Leadership Content Knowledge which districts and MSPs can use as a needs assessment.

For MSPs that participate in Phases II and III, we will provide leadership training in mathematics teaching and learning for a substantial sample of principals as an intervention. Our research will allow us to refine instruments that assess the multidimensional aspects of LCK, which we will share with the MSP community at large, including the Learning Network, along with periodic reports and briefs on findings.