Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify the self-reported leadership approaches and demographic characteristics of activities directors of highly successful public comprehensive secondary schools in Southern California that met or exceeded criteria for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) growth targets in all components during the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 reporting periods, based on results of Bass and Avolio's (1995) Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire 5X Short Leader Form (MLQ-Self). Methodology. In the fall of 2010, activities directors of schools that met the selection criteria were sent the MLQ-Self instrument developed by Bass and Avolio (1995). The instrument also surveyed demographic characteristics. Of the 127 surveys sent, 98 were returned, constituting a return rate of 77%. Descriptive statistical analysis examined the self-reported leadership approaches of the activities directors and their demographic characteristics. The demographic characteristics of each leadership approach were also analyzed and described. Findings. The study established a unified profile for the activities directors of highly successful public comprehensive secondary schools in Southern California, illustrating the primacy of transformational leadership approaches and Contingency Reward, regardless of demographic characteristics. Conclusions and Recommendations. Recommendations include analysis and perfection of information channels for cocurricular activities research and best practices. Further recommendations are made for the study of the activities directors of secondary schools using 360-degree feedback.