Proficiency levels in schools often correlate with the poverty levels of schools. However, in 2018 three schools in Utah beat the state average proficiency rate on all three of Utah's end of year summative English language arts, mathematics, and science exams. These high scores provide evidence that schools are not necessarily limited by poverty in helping students succeed academically. By examining the schools that beat the state average on at least one exam, this study describes the conditions that were in play, which contributed to their students' academic achievement. A description is given of the conditions in the schools that are believed to produce high achievement. These conditions existed and these actions were taken to help a school with a high-poverty population break the perceived bond of poverty and low academic results to produce uncommonly high student achievement. This study identified the schools in Utah with a high poverty rate (70% or above) and also have student academic proficiency rates higher than the state average on at least one of the state assessments. The data indicates there are 80 schools with a high poverty rate. While only three of those schools had student academic proficiency rates on all three tests that were above average for the state of Utah, eight schools are included in the study as they had student academic proficiency rates above the state average on at least one test. This study reveals that these schools focus attention on school structures, positive school culture, leadership of the principal and his willingness to share leadership with teachers, improving instruction, and efficacious parent engagement. These things are the levers that helped move academic success forward in these schools, even though they are schools with a high rate of students experiencing poverty.

The role of an assistant principal is both challenging and multifaceted. The role of an assistant principal who is both Black and female is compounded as this demographic of leaders must navigate both the present demands of the position and racial stressors that often cause low self-confidence and feelings of inadequacy (Robinson, 2014). Cited research indicates that mentoring is effective in developing both leadership capacity and self-confidence or self-efficacy for new school leaders (Allen et al., 1995; Barnett et al., 2017; Calabrese and Tucker-Ladd, 1991; Craft et al., 2016; Gurley et al., 2015; Harris, 2020; Hausman et al., 2002; Lester et al, 2011; Liang and Augustine-Shaw, 2016; Marshall and Phelps, 2016; Parfitt and Rose, 2020; Ryan, 2011; Searby et al., 2017; Spillane and Lee, 2014). The purpose of this study was to identify the perspectives of mentoring on Black female assistant principals' self-confidence and leadership capacity development. A secondary purpose was to learn if participants perceived that race had any impact on their ability to serve successfully in the role. Data analysis revealed that relationship, not race was the primary driver needed for a successful mentoring relationship. Data also supports a positive perceived relationship between mentoring and improved leadership capacity and self-confidence for Black female assistant principals. Findings and implications could aid school districts, policymakers, and principal preparation program leaders with establishing and diversifying practices and/or programs to strengthen the leadership capacity and confidence of Black female assistant principals. / Doctor of Education / The role of an assistant principal is both challenging and multifaceted. The role of an assistant principal who is both Black and female is compounded as this demographic of leaders must navigate both the present demands of the position and racial stressors that often cause low self-confidence and feelings of inadequacy (Robinson, 2014). This study investigated the perspectives of mentoring on Black female assistant principals' self-confidence and leadership capacity development. Additionally, the researcher aimed to learn if participants perceived that race had any impact on their ability to serve successfully in the role. Data analysis revealed that relationship, not race, was the primary driver needed for a successful mentoring relationship. Data also supported a positive perceived relationship between mentoring and improved leadership capacity and self-confidence for Black female assistant principals. Findings and implications could aid school districts, policymakers, and principal preparation program leaders with establishing and diversifying practices and/or programs to strengthen the leadership capacity and confidence of Black female assistant principals.