Embedded Files
By: Brandon Collins
Learning Targets
Students should be able to explain the role a principal plays in a school
Describe how a principal can influence academic performance
Identify the factors that make a successful principal.
Role of a principal in a school
The role of a principal can be broken into two major facets, these being leadership and management. While they may seem somewhat similar, leadership and management both address different aspects of the school and need to be approached in different manners.
Leadership
Influences motivation, knowledge, or practice. (Spillane, 2017, p. 280)
Can be provided through a number of different channels, such as co-planning sessions or meetings with teachers and departments
Management
Helps to maintain the current way of doing things.
Is vital in order to provide consistency throughout a school and within curriculum
Ensures all administrative needs are me
Lastly, as mentioned in the Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership, a principal should be focused an ensuring that teachers and staff are able to perform their jobs and provide for their students effectively. (Sterrett, W. L., Parker, M. A., & Mitzner, K, p.18) Some ways that a principal can assure that this goal is met is by attempting to keep class sizes to a reasonable level, preventing unwarranted interruptions to the classroom environment, or allowing for ample IT support which is especially important in today's learning environment. The video to the right discusses how a principal can help to reach, influence, and support teachers.
How does a principal impact academic performance
Principals hold a surprising amount of influence on student academic achievement. According to a study done by doctor Xianxuan Xu (2018) of William and Mary, a highly effective principal can have an impact as large as two or more extra months of learning and achievement within a single school year. The same study also found that an ineffective principal can have the same effect but in reverse, leading to students being two or more months behind expectations. (p. 1) However, the impact of the principal is almost entirely indirect. Academic performance that is bolstered by the principal is almost always the result of effective managerial and leadership practices by the administration. This is reiterated by David Soehner and Thomas Ryan (2011) who also state that the influence of the principal is "almost entirely indirect." (p. 279) A great way that a principal can help to foster this indirect influence is by being both highly visible and highly active within the student body and thereby fostering an excellent school atmosphere. This can be done through being visible at sporting events, pep rallies, or even by simply walking around in the hallways. (Soehner, Ryan, 2011, p. 282).
Here are some ways a principal can be present in the student body.
What makes a successful principal
As the primary leadership position within a school, a successful principal can have a large impact on both faculty happiness and student achievement. Perhaps the most important role of a principal is to foster the creation of a "culture of learning and achievement" as described by Christopher Day in an article he wrote for the journal of Educational Leadership and Administration. (2007, p.19)
In order to accomplish this, a successful principal must posses a number of traits. These being:
Excellent interpersonal skills
High emotional intelligence
Diagnostic skills to identify and remedy problems within the school
A strong work ethic
The willingness to actually address issues instead of merely providing lip service (Waldron, N., McLeskey, J., & Redd, L p. 59)
Without these traits and great motivation a school administration will be unable to truly remedy most issues that arise and will most likely fall back on mere 'lip service' and false promises.
Conclusion
The two most important functions of the principal are to provide both leadership and management to a school. They must ensure that teachers are given ample support and opportunities for growth while also providing a smoothly functioning administrative group. Doing so is vital in order to help grow student achievement and a great principal will be able to accomplish these goals through use of strong interpersonal and emotional skills. The role of the principal cannot be understated as they steer the school towards their goals through providing opportunities for cooperation and professional development within the faculty, while also assisting student achievement through fostering a strong school culture.
End Questions
1) Which of the following is NOT a way a principal can be present within the student body
a) Going to and assisting at a club bake-sale fundraiser
b) Holding a large pep rally in the gym before a homecoming game
c) Meeting with parents during at a PTA meeting
d) Walking around the cafeteria and speaking with students during lunch
2) How could a principal best provide managerial guidance within a school?
a) Helping a history teacher get certified to teach AP level history courses
b) Helping to make sure paperwork in the office is processed correctly and efficiently
c) Holding a meeting with the English department on how to better reach ESL kids
d) Providing school funds to the Theatre department
References
Day, C. (2007). What Being a Successful Principal Really Means:. Educational Leadership and Administration, 19, 13-24.
Soehner, D., & Ryan, T. (2011). The Interdependence of Principal School Leadership and Student Achievement. Scholar-Practitioner Quarterly, 5(3), 274-288.
Spillane, J. (2017). Leadership and Learning: Conceptualizing Relations Between School Administrative Practice and Instructional Practice. How School Leaders Contribute to Student Success, 49-67. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-50980-8_4
Sterrett, W. L., Parker, M. A., & Mitzner, K. (2018). Maximizing Teacher Time: The Collaborative Leadership Role of the Principal. Journal of Organizational &Educational Leadership, 3(2).
Waldron, N., McLeskey, J., & Redd, L. (2011). Setting the Direction: The Role of the Principal in Developing an Effective, Inclusive School. Journal of Special Education Leadership, 24, 51-60.
Xu, X., Dr. (2018). Principal’s Impact on Student Achievement. Retrieved from https://p14cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_917767/File/Programs & Services/Professional Development/Tool Kit/TLE/1 Stronge-Principal_Impact_on_Student_Achievement_9_26_18.pdf.
Correct answers:
#1: B
#2: A
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