Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify principals' perceptions of the key strategies for developing a culture of student resilience to earn a diploma in high-poverty high schools that have significantly exceeded California's average graduate rate. Methodology. This study utilized a 3-round Delphi technique to reach consensus for developing a framework of principals' key leadership strategies for fostering a culture of student resilience to earn a diploma in high-poverty schools. The subjects were 4 principals from public high schools in the San Joaquin Valley with 75% or more of the student population eligible to receive free or reduced meals and a cohort graduation rate of at least 90.2% in 2013—significantly exceeding California's average rate of 80.2% for that academic year. Findings. The expert panel in this study identified 30 synthesized strategies that fell under the 2 themes of interventions and relationships. All 30 strategies were ranked, and several recommendations for their implementation were provided by the expert panel. Under the overarching theme of interventions, 6 subthemes emerged: attendance, counseling, credit recovery, incentives, training, and tutorials. Four subthemes were identified within the theme of relationships: empowerment, inclusion, involvement, and positive behavior supports. Conclusions. The strategies for developing a healthy, resilient school culture identified by the expert panel in this study are strongly supported by previous research and literature. The findings emphasize the need for high school principals to authentically know their students and communities and to be purposeful change agents for their schools' culture. Society now requires principals to think beyond the academic data and support the human side of those numbers through the implementation of interventions and the development of relationships. Implications for Action. It is recommended that further research be conducted to determine the effectiveness of the key strategies identified by the expert panel. Because this study was limited to the perceptions of principals in the San Joaquin Valley, replication is advised with an expert panel of heterogeneous stakeholders in other schools and counties.