The Principal as a Leader, as a Coach, and as an Organizational Climate Setter in Tomorrow's Learning Organizations in the Arab Sector of Israel: The Perspective of Arab Students in Higher Education in Israel.

Abstract

School principals play a central role in the success of learning organizations. However, the extant literature has largely focused on the role of teachers, instructors, and educators in organizations concerning student achievement and learning outcomes. While a growing body of literature has investigated teacher roles in learning organizations, little is known about principals’ role in leading tomorrow’s organizations. Specifically, there is a potential knowledge gap on the roles principals play as leaders, coaches, and organizational climate setters. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of Arab principals as leaders, coaches, and climate setters within tomorrow’s organizations in the Arab sector of Israel. To understand this research problem, a mixed research method was used where relevant data were collected using survey questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. A total of 407 students drawn from the Arab sector of Israel participated in the survey questionnaires, while 69 students also participated in interview sessions. Results from surveys and findings from interviews showed that Arab principals play a key role as leaders in tomorrow’s organizations. That is, Arab principals, provide leadership, direction, and coordination within the school. In elaboration, principals achieve this by developing and maintaining effective educational programs within their schools and promoting the improvement of teaching and learning. As coaches, principals facilitate training, knowledge acquisition, skills development, and learning of effective instructional methods for their teachers. As climate setters, principals create positive interpersonal relationships among stakeholders like teachers, parents, students, and faculty. Also, principals support a safe and secure learning environment and create guidelines for discipline while formulating measures to correct indecent behaviors.