Up to 50 percent of principals exit their role in fewer than five years, depending on geographic region. Thus, understanding undesired turnover may provide school systems leverage points in preventing undesired attrition by maximizing limited resources. Utilizing a grounded theory methodology, this study examines the decision-making process that…

Although we now have a growing number of general suggestions for improving instruction in principal preparation programs as well as studies on particular instructional models, there is a dearth of studies that compare the broad range of traditional and innovative instructional strategies available to professors of educational leadership. Moreover,…

Each school should have a well-prepared principal capable of improving student performance. While principal preparation advocates identify important program features (e.g., extended internships), few studies assess the impact of placing new principals trained by programs exhibiting these features on student learning. Using comparative interrupted…

First-year assistant principals are commonly faced with problems that they are not prepared for, including dealing with socialization to a new work environment, tension between administrators and teachers, resolving conflict, and learning how to be in a secondary leadership position. Sometimes they quit or request to change jobs. A professional…

This paper describes a study in which questionnaires were mailed to 50 British beginning headteachers to examine professional induction, highlighting the means by which respondents journeyed from teacher to principal. The survey focused on how the process of professional development evolved; the extent to which a headteacher, given some external…

The paper is intended to disseminate information and to seek participant suggestions concerning the most recent phase of an ongoing program of state policy research focused on the professional development and state licensure of early career principals. The program, known as the Ohio Principals' Leadership Academy: Entry Year Program (OPLA:EYP), is…

This paper presents what beginning principals do to effect change in their schools during entry and closure of the first year. The survey instrument, based on a survey of 12 first-time high school principals conducted in five states and on a 1987 study of new secondary headmasters in the United Kingdom, was mailed to new principals in 16 states.…

This study identifies the factors leading to the socialization of new principals. The study examined the identification of new principals, the socialization or learning processes that lead to the principal's professional development, the extent to which other principals (peers) play a part in that socialization, the extent to which the selection…

This study examined the impact of external influences on beginning headteachers in England. A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 50 beginning headteachers who started their positions in September 2000. The research was part of a larger study on the experiences of beginning headteachers and principals in several countries. This paper…

Mentorship programs are a promising approach to the professional development needs of new principals. The Southeastern Regional Principals' Academy provides professional development and collegial support for early-career principals in the primarily rural schools of southeast Ohio. For its 1999-2001 pilot program, 19 principals were organized into…

This paper presents findings of a study that examined the effectiveness of a New York City mentoring program in meeting the needs of first-year principals. Data were derived from: (1) a survey of 44 out of 109 new elementary school principals who participated in the Bank Street College of Education mentoring program in New York City; (2) a focus…

The Louisiana Leadership in Educational Administration Development (LEAD) program is a technical assistance network designed to help newly appointed administrators improve their instructional leadership skills. LEAD began in 1987 as a 3-year federal grant and was adopted by the Louisiana State Board of Education in 1989 as a certification…

In this paper critical skills needed by beginning principals are identified in order to guide mentors as they support and assist novice principals by indicating effective ways of dealing with critical responsibilities. A review of related literature and research-based information is presented followed by a description of the study. Findings were…

This paper presents the findings of a field study designed to develop a descriptive and explanatory model of the on-the-job socialization of first-year elementary school principals by examining changes in their initial perspective during their first year in the principalship. The theoretical model that emerged from the study indicates that…

The Socorro Independent School District is one of the fastest growing districts in Texas. In response to the complex issue of a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse student population, poverty, and shrinking pool of educational leader candidates, the district launched an Assistant Principals Academy, designed to prepare individuals to step…