| Abstract [eng] |
This modern world is constantly changing, facing new challenges that force the search for new solutions. Along with the changing world, the school inevitably changes, and more and more people face with the question of what competencies and skills students of today will need in their future. Importance of learning to learn, communication, digital literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration competencies is constantly updated in educational documents to ensure a quality of education needed by students. Improving student achievement is a national priority set out in the Lithuanian Progress Strategy “Lithuania 2030” (Lithuanian Progress Strategy “Lithuania 2030”, n.d.). Student achievement is a complex phenomenon that is influenced by a social context, age range of students, education of students’ families, values, social status, individual abilities of a child, mastery of a teacher. There is more and more talk about effectiveness of a school leader's activities and its significance for the results of an organization. This paper examines impact of a school principal’s activities on achievement of primary school students in mathematics. A study was conducted to reveal which factors of a school principal’s activity influence students' learning achievements in mathematics. To achieve the goal, the following tasks have been set: to theoretically substantiate importance of learning achievements of primary school students and assumptions of influence of a school head's activities on mathematical achievements of primary school students; to substantiate the methodology of researching influence of a school principal’s activities on mathematical achievements of primary school students; to establish links between the activities of a school principal and mathematical achievements of primary school pupils. Depending on the aim of the survey, a mixed research strategy has been chosen, using quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The research took place during school year 2020-2021. The study involved 50 first-graders and 48 second-graders as well as four teachers. The students were tested twice using the Mathematical Diagnostic Progress Test: at the beginning of the school year and in the second half of the school year. The students were tested in class during the lesson. It was found that the deterioration of the results of the mathematical diagnostic test for primary school students was observed during the implementation of the study. The results of the qualitative study revealed that the activities of a school principal can have a direct and indirect impact on the achievement of primary school students. Undoubtedly, the whole activity of a school principal influences achievements of primary school students, but the two areas of activity of a school principal - the management of material and human resources - have a direct and the greatest influence. |
