This study investigated the impact that district leader actions have on the overall development and capacity of assistant principals who oversee special education programs in their school buildings. Across the nation and within the Ocean County School District (OCSD), the number of students with disabilities has steadily increased. Notably, OCSD has also experienced a steady turnover of special education assistant principals. Research indicates that some special education administrators do not feel well-prepared to assume their roles, and there is a desire to increase their knowledge in special education. Therefore, the need for school districts to develop a structure for school leader support that has the potential to impact student learning outcomes is crucial. The results of this study laid the foundation for understanding how district leader actions and the development of professional learning opportunities influenced the preparedness and level of confidence of special education assistant principals. District leaders have the potential to accelerate their impact on the learning of students with disabilities when they work directly with special education assistant principals, listen to their needs, and develop learning opportunities that increase their capacity as special education administrators in their school buildings. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, field notes, and document analysis. The conclusions of this action research study indicated that district leader actions and the implementation of professional learning opportunities based on the needs of special education assistant principals could positively impact their professional development and confidence levels to successfully lead the special education programs they oversee at their local schools. The findings illuminate that there is a need for school districts to focus on special education assistant principal leadership development and create structures that foster growth for students with disabilities, special education school staff, and the school administrators that support them. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]