Leadership advocacy towards teacher and student success: Addressing inequities and opportunities in a rural district

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of a districtwide teacher development initiative in a rural high-need area in Texas in the United States. This article examines the effects of the Teacher and Student Advancement Program (TAP), a system for teacher and student evaluation, designed to improve school culture and climate and positively impact student learning. When comparing the district’s reform strategies in generating equal opportunities for students, the article considers how this district is addressing inequities and creating opportunities in this rural area by demonstrating leadership advocacy towards teacher and student success. The article adds to the existing literature by exploring the challenges and success related to implementing the TAP model in a rural school district, aiming for information gleaned from this study to be of relevance to global audiences working in similar settings.