Novice principals' experiences and responses to challenges are important for understanding their sensemaking of their role, especially in view of the contextual complexity of leadership in small schools. Using interview data from 19 novice principals in small schools, we explore principals' sensemaking of their key challenges and responses.…

For much of the past half-century, scholars from various parts of the world have studied the early stages of school principals' careers. This article presents the results of a review of research on novice principals (NPs) regarding its current status, intellectual structure and conceptual structure. The review conducted bibliometric and content…

Research on principal leadership is extensive; however, studies suggest such research cannot be generalized across all contexts, as educational leaders' needs are a result of the specific context in which they work. Since there is limited research on principal leadership in the Dominican Republic (DR), the country can benefit from current and…

The role of the principal, as an instructional leader is one of the most important roles in education today. The demands of high accountability that are placed on school principals have caused legislators and educational reformers to require more rigorous training for school leaders. Many states now have mandated state mentoring programs for entry…

Governmental legislation in Great Britain has substantially changed headteachers' roles and underlined their responsibility for school improvement. This paper presents a preliminary evaluation of the HEADLAMP (Headteachers' Leadership and Management Programme) scheme for beginning principals. Interviews with some program participants revealed…

It is generally accepted that effective principals make for effective schools. In the United Kingdom, the key player providing needed intelligence, vision, energy, and thinking is called the headteacher. The issue considered broadly in this paper is educational leadership in the UK. It addresses the critical role of the headteacher and how to…

This study was designed to examine the effectiveness of one element in the academic preparation of school administrators in Montana: the administrative internship. The paper begins with a review of relevant studies. As school districts demand more skills and abilities of administrators, especially in the techniques of collaboration and…

Findings of a study of beginning principals and their roles as managers are presented in this paper. Interviews were conducted with 12 new primary and secondary principals in Victoria, Australia as part of a longitudinal study from 1989 to 1993. This paper focuses on interview data collected during the first year of the study. Drawing from…

In order to assess some of the major problems and frustrations faced by beginning administrators, a study investigated nine first- and second-year public school administrators in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Questions asked the principals centered on their recollections of the most challenging problems faced and what was hardest for them as…

Several problems and issues are typical of the beginning years of a principalship. A study of first- and second-year principals in a midwestern state classified these problems and issues into three broad areas: role clarification, limitations on technical expertise, and difficulties with socialization to the profession and to a particular school…

The position of school principal has become complex and pressure packed. The job always has required skills and leadership, but now principals must be strong instructional leaders as well. This research roundup examines the changing role of the school principal and discusses how principals can operate effectively as both managers and instructional…