Exploring Cultural Responsiveness Among European American Principals in Rural Schools With High-Performing African American Readers

A comparative case study approach was applied to explore the extent of cultural responsiveness of two European American principals working in two select rural elementary schools where African American students consistently scored high on reading achievement tests. Results suggested African American students’ high levels of reading performance in the rural school environments were influenced largely by synergistic systems of community integration, culturally relevant leadership practices, and teacher professional development. Recommendations for practicing rural principals, principal preparation programs, and educational researchers are shared.