Abstract

Given the pivotal role played by school principals in school effectiveness Sammons 2008 Souza 2006 this study asks how principals work can affect schools outcomes Based in the concepts of school leadership Leithwod 2009 Lima 2001 and school climate Aguerre 2004 Brunet 1992 it was developed a survey with new questionnaires that were tested and applied to a sample of 42 municipal public schools in Rio de Janeiro Brazil Through statistic approach it was investigated possible associations between the principals activity and both the teachers work and students proficiency The data analysis indicates that a recognized and proactive principal specially creating a positive environment to academic practices is an important element for school outcomes The study intended to analyze which aspects related to principals job leadership relationship management etc could be associated to two important school outcomes teachers job satisfaction and students proficiency In doing so seeks to enlarge the discussion about school leadership and its effects to school outcomes by proposing a new quantitative research instrument and presenting the results of an exploratory study with important clues to future researches on the school leadership field