The Role Of The School Principal

By detailing an explanatory sequential mixed methods study grounded in Critical Race Theory (CRT), this book explores the role of effective educational leadership in developing multicultural acceptance in predominantly white schools. Drawing on the rich experiences and accounts of school principals in rural middle schools in the US, the volume asks how principals’ personal attitudes, professional experiences, and the degree to which they view themselves as a mentor and influencer within the school impacts their approach to improving multicultural understanding amongst students, staff, and faculty. The text is organized into five clear chapters, providing critical reflections, a review of the relevant literature, and in-depth discussion of first-hand data. Six key findings relating to whole-school acceptance, the role of individual principal’s attitudes, and support for teaching staff open new avenues for research and inform recommendations for the professional development of school principals. In presenting key theory and practical implications of research, this book will be crucial reading for researchers, scholars, and practitioners in the fields of educational leadership, multicultural education, sociology of education, and teacher education.

Over the past two decades, efforts to improve schools have significantly modified role expectations for principals. Today, school-level administrators are expected to be both visionary leaders and competent managers. Based on the conviction that administration is an amalgam of leadership and management, The School Principal emphasizes the need for practitioners to apply conceptual skills to make "what to do" decisions, to apply technical skills to make "how to do" decisions, and to apply relational skills to engage in democratic decision making. Kowalski frames the book with a discussion of the nature of schools, the roles of principals, and their need to improve schools. The book then provides a balanced treatment of leadership and management, covering issues of personal behavior, instructional leadership, relationship building issues, finances, facilities, personnel management, pupil services, and maintaining safe schools. The text closes with discussion of the vital aspects of practice for contemporary principals, addressing problem solving, collaborative change strategies, and personal commitment to being a principal. Special Features: Vignettes introduce the subject matter in the context of common challenges faced by practitioners. Knowledge-Based Questions and Skill-Based Activities prompt readers to engage with and reflect on the chapter content. The School Principal aligns with the Educational Leadership Consortium Council (ELCC) Standards. Treating principals as concurrently visionary leaders and competent managers, this excellent text addresses the needs of aspiring and practicing principals, providing the tools to build effective and efficient schools.

Designed to teach the principal to efficiently and effectively accomplish noninstructional roles, the third edition of The Principal as School Manager offers advice on expectations and survival techniques to ensure the principal's longevity in the district. Like the previous editions, this book is an essential guide to practice and procedure. Its chapter on school legal issues will be especially useful for principals dealing with improper Internet usage, drug testing, and off-campus searches. Other chapters will explain the role of the assistant principal, the importance of maintaining safe schools in a climate of violence, and the relationship between the principal and the superintendent. This third edition contains new chapters and sections on managing the school curriculum, special education, classroom walk-throughs, creating a healthly school environment, and cyberbullying. Appropriate also for graduate courses on the principalship, educational administration, educational leadership, and personnel administration, The Principal as School Leader is the go-to guide for both novice and veteran school principals.

The Principal's Office is the first historical examination of one of the most important figures in American education. Originating as a head teacher in the nineteenth century and evolving into the role of contemporary educational leader, the school principal has played a central part in the development of American public education. A local leader who not only manages the daily needs of the school but also represents district and state officials, the school principal is the connecting hinge between classroom practice and educational policy. Kate Rousmaniere explores the cultural, economic, and political pressures that have impacted school leadership over time and considers professionalization, the experiences of women and people of color, and progressive community initiatives. She discusses the intersections between the role of the school principal with larger movements for civil rights, parental and community activism, and education reform. The school principal emerges as a dynamic character in the center of the educational enterprise, ever maneuvering between multiple constituencies, responding to technical and bureaucratic demands, and enacting different leadership strategies. By focusing on the historic development of school leadership, this book provides insights into the possibilities of school improvement for contemporary school leaders and reformers.

Who would be a school principal these days? Alarming school issues appear daily in the media and there are reports of ever-increasing workloads impacting stress levels of principals, resulting in high attrition rates. As the role complexity increases and demands surge, would-be applicants must consider deeply their ambitions, their capacity and their knowledge about what it means to become a school principal. Fortunately, some teachers still consider becoming one, as, more than ever, our schools, our teachers and our students need great leaders. Theory, research-informed guidance and practical advice based on experience is gathered here for aspiring principals by a former school principal, now researcher in educational leadership. Topics of leadership skills development, self-care and wellbeing, the role of a mentor, effective career planning, and practical application advice are interrogated through reflective activities to probe motivations, aspirations and leadership career goals. The book can be used independently, as part of postgraduate study or during conversations with a mentor. Uniquely, this book also provides insights and pertinent advice from other current and former principals, and senior education executives predominantly in the Australian context. These rich personal narratives provide practical advice and, in their own individual ways, portray the realities, including the joys, of the job. What is experienced by principals in Australian schools, however, has significant alignment with what is facing school leaders in countries around the world. The maintenance of leadership pipelines must continue to be a focus worldwide to ensure that students are in schools led by great leaders.

This bibliography on principals and vice-principals, the fourth such bibliography published by the Canadian Teachers' Federation, lists materials on the topic published since August 1978. Unlike its predecessors, this bibliography of 759 entries is annotated wherever possible and arranged by subject for easier access to specific kinds of information. Identification numbers are provided for material in the ERIC system. (MLF)