Research has shown that the role of the assistant principal has changed little over the last 25 years (Searby et al., 2016). Assistant principals receive the same leadership preparation training as a principal; yet they are mostly tasked with basic compliance roles such as student management, personnel management, and discipline. After "No…

School leaders, specifically principals, play a pivotal role in shaping student learning outcomes. The benefits of strong leaders extend beyond academic achievement, such as reductions in absenteeism and exclusionary discipline. While quality principals are critical for creating and sustaining quality schools, the staffing pipeline is facing…

Schools are dynamic environments surrounded by static brick and mortar. Schools are a complex entanglement of systems clinging to normalcy led and composed of individuals seeking growth and progress. There is constant turnover as students move through the systems, gaining mastery, seeking support, and receiving guidance. Employees similarly move…

This mixed-methods study explored if there were alignment, or gaps, in leadership standards, preparation, and/or practice of a novice principal or assistant principal. Educational leadership preparation programs have been criticized for the lack of relevant context applicable in real-life settings. Quality leadership standards influence…

The principal's impact as an instructional leader influences many elements that keep a school building running effectively. Assistant principals, as emerging school leaders, must be prepared and cultivated with the proper support and resources to thrive in principalship positions. Support through school district-based principal preparation and…

The problem addressed by this study was that new school administrators are not prepared to lead special education programs. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore new school administrators' perceptions of their preparation and knowledge in leading special education programs in a kindergarten through 12th grade school setting.…

Assistant principals as content-focused instructional leaders are an essential component of educational reform. Continued state and federal accountability for improved student learning requires promoting assistant principals beyond managerial duties toward increased supervision as instructional leaders. Unfortunately, administrators at the high…

In 2020-2021, evaluation focused on continuing to monitor and assess the HireVue and assessment center processes in relation to AP and principal hiring practices. To help ensure that the hiring processes were operating as designed, survey feedback AP and principal candidates provided perceptions of the hiring process. Passthrough rates also…

Recent decades have seen a shortage of qualified secondary school principals. Retirements and an accelerated rate of attrition from the ranks of school leadership has exacerbated this shortage, necessitating an urgency to understand the factors that facilitate the professional development and growth of the next generation of school leaders. The…

Many assistant principals are not provided the opportunity or do not engage in instructional leadership behaviors or responsibilities. This results in some being less qualified entering principalship or even reluctant to pursue principalship. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the exhibition of instructional leadership behaviors…

At one time, finding an assistant principal for a public school in Denver entailed a search through "a gajillion résumés," in the words of one local school district administrator. Even then, some ideal candidates likely fell through the cracks. Those days are over, owing to the development by Denver Public Schools of a "leader…

This qualitative research study used narrative inquiry to explore the professional development experiences needed for assistant principals aspiring to the principalship as perceived by seven principals who lead effective Title I schools. Five research questions guided the investigation of professional development opportunities that principals of…

Understanding the professional development needs of assistant principals is a key component in ensuring that schools are successful. This study provided the opportunity to investigate the professional development needs of New York City assistant principals. Assistant principals have been cited in educational research as feeling unprepared for…

Although the assistant principal position has been the career path for aspiring principals, some researchers have claimed the position lacks adequacy as a training position. With limited research available, the purpose of this study was to explore the induction and acclimation experiences of newly assigned assistant principals. Following a…

As new assistant principals, our participants spoke of the importance of gaining experience. In this qualitative study, four years later, they admit that professional expertise must be a combination of challenging experiences and honest feedback from mentors. Furthermore, they present that this expertise is contingent upon identity. Transitioning…