What is a school leader's best initial step for developing programs for economically disadvantaged students?

The best initial step for a school leader in developing programs for economically disadvantaged students is to identify the barriers that hinder students' academic success. This approach is foundational because understanding the specific challenges that these students face is crucial for designing effective programs. Barriers can include a range of issues such as lack of access to resources, insufficient academic support, or external factors affecting their home life.

By identifying these barriers, a leader can gain valuable insights into the unique needs of the student population, allowing for targeted interventions. This assessment phase lays the groundwork for subsequent actions, such as conducting surveys to further refine understanding, creating partnerships to provide resources, or implementing tutoring programs that directly address the identified challenges. In essence, identifying barriers provides the necessary context and understanding needed to develop programs that are relevant and effective for economically disadvantaged students.