Background and Aim: The primary objective of this research was to design and present an indigenous model for effective school management in second-grade high schools located in underprivileged areas of West Azerbaijan province, Iran. The proposed model focuses on addressing specific local challenges such as resource shortages, unequal distribution of human resources, and infrastructural limitations.
Methods: This foundational research employed a sequential mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) approach. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 purposefully selected experts in school management until theoretical saturation was achieved. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis in MAXQDA software (version 18), resulting in the extraction of initial codes and themes (Cohen’s Kappa = 0.743). In the quantitative phase, a two-round Fuzzy Delphi technique was utilized to screen and reach a consensus on the 40 extracted indicators (acceptance threshold > 0.70). Finally, the structural relationships between the finalized factors were delineated using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and MICMAC analysis.
Results: Qualitative analysis identified 9 main themes and 40 indicators. The Fuzzy Delphi results demonstrated expert consensus on all indicators (Final Crisp Mean = 7.43, SD = 0.21). The final ISM model was structured into 12 levels, revealing "Administrative and Financial Affairs" as the most foundational and influential factor (Level 12), while factors related to "Teaching and Learning" were identified as the most dependent outcomes (Level 1).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that effective management in deprived areas is a multidimensional and hierarchical phenomenon, the success of which necessitates initial attention to administrative and financial infrastructures. The proposed model provides a practical framework for school principals and policymakers to guide targeted planning and interventions, ultimately contributing to improved educational quality and reduced inequality in these regions.