From Children of Poverty to Children of Hope: Exploring the Characteristics of High-Poverty High-Performing Schools, Teachers, Leadership and the Factors That Help Them Succeed in Increasing Student Achievement

This research study was developed to gather an understanding of what characteristics as well as the perceived experiences of leaders and teachers in high-poverty, high-performing schools. Further, to focus on and learn what characteristics along with practices leaders and teachers in high-poverty, high-performing schools are doing that transforms kids at risk to children of promise. What practices and characteristics enable them to be successful despite the odds being stack against them? The purpose of the study is to examine high poverty; high performing schools and investigates the environmental and personnel characteristics that supported their success. Investigating the role and characteristics of the school's principal and teachers it is hoped that the information from this study would lead to other leaders and teachers understanding how others are successful in high-poverty, high performing schools and influence other schools with similar demographics, where children who live in poverty are not succeeding to succeed.;After this study of high poverty, high performing schools my research should add to the knowledge about rigorous curriculum and relevant instruction in high poverty schools since the fact that there is a growing population of low socioeconomic status students who are beginning to affect a large numbers of school districts. Additionally, the significance of this study will allow schools to have a blueprint on how to close the achievement gap between races and incomes. Schools need to start using strategies that address the achievement problems of students in high poverty schools students in high poverty schools.