The Search For The Role Of An Elementary Principal

[摘要] THE SEARCH FOR THE ROLE OF AN ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALDawn Rattay-Nicolaus, Ed.D.University of Pennsylvania, 2004This dissertation examines the role of the elementary principal in the context of the school in creating and maintaining effective educational programs that add to the success of the whole school environment. It further attempts to investigate the commonalities of qualities among elementary school principals and investigate how elementary school principals incorporate professional development into their supervisory practices and evaluate professional development in regard to instruction. Thus, this research will strengthen the existing body of knowledge concerning the leadership role of the principal in creating and maintaining effective educational evnironments for students and to identify qualities of an effective principal. The nature of this study was descriptive; the methodology used was qualitative guided by the themes of narrative inquiry. Five elementary principals from The Principals Academy of Western Pennsylvania were interviewed. The major findings demonstrated that many educational reforms require teachers and administrators to transform their roles and take on new responsibilities. All five elementary school principals identified more with characteristics of instructional leaders, even though the literature cited supports the idea that principals need to move from instructional to transformational. Perhaps, some of the principals interviewed or even all would move to being a transformational leader if they had their own professional development provided for them. Funding limits some of the elementary school principals in incorporating professional development into their supervisory practices. However, innovative ways of incorporating professional development were also discussed. Finally, the evaluation component was examined, and the conclusion was more evaluation of educational programs by principals is needed.

[发布机构] the University of Pittsburgh

[效力级别] professional development