Principals are second only to teachers in their impact on student learning—and in Florida’s highest-need schools, effective leadership is the catalyst for outsize gains. Florida TaxWatch convened a roundtable on May 14, 2025 with the latest Principal Leadership Awards (PLA) winners to surface the strategies behind sustained improvement. Drawing on data-driven selection (FL-VAM) and firsthand practice, this summary distills what works and why it matters for schools serving predominantly at-risk students.
Participants emphasized four pillars: (1) attracting and retaining high-quality teachers through strong culture, targeted support, and judicious autonomy; (2) developing teachers via clear expectations, professional learning communities, and tiered academic/behavioral supports; (3) building relationships beyond campus—engaging families, local employers, and nonprofits to turn schools into resource hubs; and (4) managing time and personnel with intentional delegation, visible instructional leadership, and staffing that places the strongest teachers where they are most needed.
The discussion aligns with national research: supportive leadership improves retention and instructional quality; PLCs raise student outcomes when they share goals and accountability; family engagement and community partnerships boost attendance, behavior, and achievement. Principals also flagged realities on the ground—teacher burnout, vacancies in high-demand areas, and increased student needs—underscoring the importance of mental-health awareness, predictable routines, and trust-building.
Florida TaxWatch encourages action across stakeholders. Superintendents can share and scale these practices districtwide. Policymakers can invest in school-based services, leadership pipelines, and flexibility to partner with business and community groups. Employers can provide internships and resources that connect learning to careers. Nonprofits can help schools operate as community hubs. The throughline is clear: when principals are empowered to lead people, instruction, and partnerships well, students exceed expectations—and whole communities benefit.
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