Leadership matters : a qualitative case study exploring how leaders impact teacher and student performance in power of ICU schools

Rooted in education reform, this study examined the unique perspectives of building leaders implementing changes in their schools using The Power of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Program. The Power of ICU is a system that assists K-12 schools by prioritizing quality instruction and learning for teachers and students. The researcher investigated how participants’ leadership strategies and ICU tenets impacted teacher and student performance. The study analyzed secondary principals serving schools exclusively in grades seven through twelve. The case study design included five principals with five or more years of experience leading model ICU schools. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each building leader to determine the factors that led to positive teacher and student outcomes. The findings of this study are particularly beneficial for current and future school leaders. Four themes were found. The first two included leadership strategies of serving others and fostering cultures of collaboration to improve school effectiveness. The last two included ICU best practices, such as establishing accountability systems and prioritizing student learning to enhance teacher and student performance. The findings suggest that school leaders commonly demonstrated servant leadership to enhance school effectiveness. They fostered a culture of collaboration by empowering staff, building collective accountability, and implementing innovative practices—such as promoting healthy grading habits by focusing on learning—to support both teachers and students.