Strengthening Program in Academic Leadership of Primary School Administrators: A Modified Priority Needs Index Study

Abstract

Academic leadership establishes a link between academic achievement and school improvement. This research aims to 1) study the current conditions, desirable conditions, and needs regarding academic leadership among primary school administrators, and 2) develop a strengthening program in academic leadership for primary administrators. The study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 involved studying the current conditions, desired conditions, and needs for enhancing academic leadership among school administrators. The sample consisted of 414 participants, including 117 school administrators and 297 teachers from schools under the Office of Kalasin Primary Educational Service Area 2. The research instrument was a rating scale questionnaire. Phase 2 focused on developing an academic leadership enhancement program and evaluating its appropriateness and feasibility. The research instrument used in this phase was a program evaluation form. The data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, as well as the modified Priority Needs Index. The results indicated that the current condition of academic leadership among school administrators, evaluated across four aspects, was at a moderate level. Meanwhile, the desired condition of academic leadership was rated at the highest level overall, with the highest average in the aspect of mission formulation. The needs assessment showed that the areas requiring the most development, in descending order, were instructional supervision, mission formulation, curriculum management, and promoting a teaching and learning atmosphere. The program to strengthen academic leadership for primary school administrators consisted of 6 components: principles, goals, objectives, content, learning process, and evaluation. The program content was divided into 4 modules: mission formulation, promoting a teaching and learning atmosphere, instructional supervision, and curriculum management.