In recent surveys, superintendents and principals reported several reasons why principals lose their jobs: failure to communicate positively; make wise decisions; build confidence, trust, and support among constituents; and manage complex political influences. Principals cited politics, ineffective administrative practices, and board conflicts.…

Compared 124 California principals' perceptions with 99 superintendents' perceptions on 22 reasons for principal terminations and on 9 organizational outcomes related to ineffective leadership. Superintendents attribute principals' failure to internal personal insufficiencies; principals most often named external factors--political interference…