Principal shortages have become a nationwide issue, with education publications frequently discussing the devastating problem of not having enough high-quality candidates apply for administrative positions. The conundrum begs the question: Where have all the instructional leaders gone? To meet the challenge of keeping high-quality principal…

For several years, the author has been traveling a path in school leadership that began in 2002, when she left the classroom to become a curriculum resource teacher. Today she holds the position of an assistant principal in the Orange County Public School District in Orlando, Florida. In this position, she participated in the mandatory Preparing…

Describes benefits of a leadership team consisting of co-principals and an assistant principal at two elementary schools in Mansfield, Massachusetts, the goal of which is to reduce time devoted to management and increase time devoted to instructional activities. (PKP)

By emphasizing practical technology applications, a Fairfax County (Virginia) school won national recognition. The principal built a model technology center by utilizing an assistant principal's expertise, developing teacher training via voluntary summer sessions and inservice programs, hiring a full-time technology advisor, and securing adequate…

A study, based on a sample of 400 assistant principals in 15 major cities, revealed that most wanted significantly more responsibility and have a high level of job satisfaction. Almost half hope to become principals, and another 29 percent want to become central office administrators. (MLF)

Districts can quickly relieve the principal shortage by hiring recently retired principals and aspiring assistant principals, keeping good principals on the job, reconsidering early retirement options, providing monetary incentives, and recruiting candidates from local universities and outside education. Nurturing assistant principals is the best…

Assistant principals are jacks-of-all-trades who must be ready for anything. Successful vice-principals build positive relationships, know their role, are good listeners, discover where to get help, maintain their composure, respect parents' feelings, commit to excellence, and learn how to handle stress. (MLH)