If you’ve noticed that some schools seem to consistently outperform others, you’re not alone. Research reveals that effective principals play a crucial role in shaping educational outcomes. But what makes a principal effective, and how can they impact student success?
Did you know that effective principals can boost student achievement by up to 7 months of additional learning per year? Let's prioritize principal development and unlock student success! #EdLeadership #StudentSuccess
The Impact of Effective Principals
Effective principals are the backbone of successful schools. They create a positive school culture, support their teachers, and drive student achievement. But what specific actions can principals take to make a difference?
Research shows that principals who focus on instructional leadership, build strong relationships with teachers and students, and foster a collaborative school environment tend to see better outcomes.
The most effective principals are those who prioritize instructional leadership and build strong relationships with their teachers and students.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
The Role of Principals in Teacher Support
Principals who prioritize teacher support see significant benefits. They provide opportunities for professional development, encourage collaboration, and foster a sense of community among staff. This, in turn, leads to higher job satisfaction and reduced teacher turnover.
Moreover, when principals empower their teachers, they empower their students. By giving teachers the autonomy to innovate and try new approaches, principals can help create a more engaging and effective learning environment.
Key takeaways
- Principal Impact: Effective principals can increase student achievement by up to 7 months of additional learning per year.
- Teacher Support: Principals who support their teachers see higher collaboration and professional development rates.
- Student Behavior: Positive behavioral interventions can reduce student incidents by 56%.
The Impact on Student Behavior
Effective principals also play a critical role in shaping student behavior. By implementing positive behavioral interventions and supports, principals can reduce incidents of misbehavior and create a safer, more supportive learning environment.
This, in turn, can have a positive impact on student achievement. When students feel safe and supported, they are more likely to engage with their learning and reach their full potential.
Conclusion and Call to Action
In conclusion, effective principals are essential for unlocking student success. By prioritizing instructional leadership, supporting their teachers, and fostering a positive school culture, principals can create an environment that allows students to thrive.
So what can you do to support effective principals in your community? Start by advocating for policies that prioritize principal development and support. Encourage your local school district to provide principals with the resources and training they need to succeed.
When principals empower their teachers, they empower their students. By giving teachers the autonomy to innovate and try new approaches, principals can help create a more engaging and effective learning environment.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
The power to unlock student success lies in the hands of effective principals. By supporting and empowering these leaders, we can create a brighter future for all students. Join the movement to prioritize principal development and help shape the next generation of educational leaders.
See what All Access gives your child
Is your child struggling in school?
Get your free personalized learning roadmap
You describe what you see at home. We turn it into a plan you start this week.
- Answer 5 short questionnaires about what you already notice, 30–45 minutes at your own kitchen table
- Your child sits no test and gets no score: nothing to schedule, nothing for them to dread
- You do the answering, the AI does the writing, and a person reviews it before it reaches you
- Access all 40+ courses instantly: reading, math, focus, processing and more, with new ones added regularly
Why we use AI, plainly: it writes from a knowledge base our team maintains and audits. We work through it line by line and pull anything the evidence stops supporting. The roadmap you get on Tuesday reflects what we corrected on Monday, and a human still reads it before you do.
Your school district must evaluate your child free of charge if you ask in writing, whatever your income and whatever the outcome (US, 34 CFR 300.111 and 300.301(b)). That route takes time and answers a different question than you do. This one starts today, from what you already know.
Your answers stay yours. We do not sell your personal information, and we do not hand identifiable assessment data to outside AI companies to train their models.
A screener is a starting point, not a diagnosis. If your child might need formal accommodations (an IEP or 504 plan), or you suspect a vision, hearing or medical cause, pursue a professional evaluation too. That is the only route to those supports.
References
- International Dyslexia Association. (2025). The New Definition of Dyslexia.
- Laura Lurns. (2022). The Five-Pillar Learning Success System.
