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The Leaders behind the Instructional Leaders: A Literature Review of Principal Supervisors as a Lever for Anti-Racism

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Title: The Leaders behind the Instructional Leaders: A Literature Review of Principal Supervisors as a Lever for Anti-Racism
Language: English
Authors: Kathryn Wiley, Pete Locher, Charleston Yanders, Steven Lofton
Source: Journal of Educational Supervision. 2025 8(2):30-51.
Availability: UB ScholarWorks. Graduate School of Education, University at Buffalo, 119 Foster Hall, 300 Hayes Road, Buffalo, NY 14214. e-mail: scholarworks@buffalo.edu; Web site: https://scholarworks.lib.buffalo.edu/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Descriptors: Literature Reviews, School Districts, Principals, Supervisors, School Administration, School Supervision, Administrative Principles, Racism, Race, Administrator Role, Administrator Responsibility
Abstract: This article presents findings from a literature review examining the role of principal supervisors through the lens of anti-racist district leadership (Shah et al., 2022). Analysis of peer-reviewed studies and professional standards revealed that research on principal supervisors largely emphasizes technical functions like coaching and evaluation while neglecting the racialized dimensions of these practices. Similarly, professional standards often invoked "equity" in vague terms, with minimal engagement with race, racism, or anti-racist competencies. Few professional standards addressed the structural redistribution of resources needed to remedy entrenched anti-Black inequities in school funding and instructional quality. These findings highlight a significant gap in the literature and professional standards, raising questions about whether and how principal supervisors are poised to support principals in anti-racist practices. We argue for more robust, race-conscious research, clearer professional standards, and aligned policy efforts to develop principal supervisors as agents of anti-racist change--especially in a sociopolitical climate increasingly hostile to educational equity.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1501999
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: The Leaders behind the Instructional Leaders: A Literature Review of Principal Supervisors as a Lever for Anti-Racism
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Educational+Supervision%22"><i>Journal of Educational Supervision</i></searchLink>. 2025 8(2):30-51.
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  Data: UB ScholarWorks. Graduate School of Education, University at Buffalo, 119 Foster Hall, 300 Hayes Road, Buffalo, NY 14214. e-mail: scholarworks@buffalo.edu; Web site: https://scholarworks.lib.buffalo.edu/
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Literature+Reviews%22">Literature Reviews</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Districts%22">School Districts</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Principals%22">Principals</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Supervisors%22">Supervisors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Administration%22">School Administration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Supervision%22">School Supervision</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Administrative+Principles%22">Administrative Principles</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Racism%22">Racism</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Race%22">Race</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Administrator+Role%22">Administrator Role</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Administrator+Responsibility%22">Administrator Responsibility</searchLink>
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  Data: This article presents findings from a literature review examining the role of principal supervisors through the lens of anti-racist district leadership (Shah et al., 2022). Analysis of peer-reviewed studies and professional standards revealed that research on principal supervisors largely emphasizes technical functions like coaching and evaluation while neglecting the racialized dimensions of these practices. Similarly, professional standards often invoked "equity" in vague terms, with minimal engagement with race, racism, or anti-racist competencies. Few professional standards addressed the structural redistribution of resources needed to remedy entrenched anti-Black inequities in school funding and instructional quality. These findings highlight a significant gap in the literature and professional standards, raising questions about whether and how principal supervisors are poised to support principals in anti-racist practices. We argue for more robust, race-conscious research, clearer professional standards, and aligned policy efforts to develop principal supervisors as agents of anti-racist change--especially in a sociopolitical climate increasingly hostile to educational equity.
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      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 22
        StartPage: 30
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Literature Reviews
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Districts
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Principals
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Supervisors
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Administration
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Supervision
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Administrative Principles
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      – SubjectFull: Racism
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      – SubjectFull: Race
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      – SubjectFull: Administrator Role
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      – SubjectFull: Administrator Responsibility
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: The Leaders behind the Instructional Leaders: A Literature Review of Principal Supervisors as a Lever for Anti-Racism
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            NameFull: Kathryn Wiley
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            NameFull: Pete Locher
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            NameFull: Charleston Yanders
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            NameFull: Steven Lofton
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              Y: 2025
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              Value: 8
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