Principal Selection Decisions Made by Teachers: The Influence of Work Values, Principal Job Attributes, and School Level

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate principal selection decisions made by teachers ( N = 169) serving on school councils. Analysis involved a between-within split-plot factorial design. The dependent variable was teacher rating of a principal candidate. The between-groups factors were teacher-dominant work value and school level. The within-groups factors were principal-dominant work value and principal job attributes. Teachers preferred candidates with whom they shared a dominant work value. Elementary and middle school teachers preferred candidates oriented toward instructional leadership. High school teachers preferred candidates oriented toward management. Findings suggest teachers participating in principal selection decisions may need training in personnel selection practices.

Does Recruitment Message Content Normalize the Superintendency as Male?

“…The notion that participant ratings of recruitment messages may hinge on the number of students enrolled is supported by the findings of recent recruitment studies (Winter & Dunaway, 1997;Winter, McCabe, & Newton, 1998). For example, when elementary, middle, and secondary teachers reviewed position announcements for the principalship emphasizing either instructional leadership or school management, teachers in the larger schools (i.e., high schools) rated the position announcements emphasizing school management job attributes more favorably, whereas teachers in smaller schools (i.e., elementary, middle) rated position announcements emphasizing instructional leadership job attributes more favorably (Winter & Dunaway, 1997).…”

“…For example, when elementary, middle, and secondary teachers reviewed position announcements for the principalship emphasizing either instructional leadership or school management, teachers in the larger schools (i.e., high schools) rated the position announcements emphasizing school management job attributes more favorably, whereas teachers in smaller schools (i.e., elementary, middle) rated position announcements emphasizing instructional leadership job attributes more favorably (Winter & Dunaway, 1997). Teachers responded similarly when evaluating applicants for administrative positions (Winter et al, 1998). Whereas high school teachers rated applicants preferring to engage in school management more positively, elementary and middle school teachers rated applicants preferring to engage in instructional leadership more positively.…”

What do we expect of school principals? Congruence between principal evaluation and performance standards

“…Defining the role of the school principal is a difficult task due to a complex set of job responsibilities, skills necessary to perform the job and values. Scholars have portrayed the role of the principal in several ways: (a) as consisting of several functions (DuFour and Eaker 1987, Pajak and McAfee 1992, Rosenblatt and Somech 1998; (b) as approaches and characteristics (Rinehart et al 1998); (c) as values (Winter et al 1998); (d) as skills necessary to fulfil certain responsibilities (Clark 1995, Furtwengler and Furtwengler 1998, Herrity and Glasman 1999.…”

Superintendents’ Perceptions about Social Distance, Succession, and “Sunset” Provisions for Asian, Latino, and Native American Candidates Seeking Building-Level Administrator Positions

“…Turning from screening decisions to hiring decisions (see Figure 1), our review reveals only a single study (Winter, McCabe, & Newton, 1998). This study differs in some very important ways.…”

“…Much additional information is needed about hiring as well as screening decisions for building-level administrators made by parties with vested interests. Only a single study (see Winter et al, 1998) broaches hiring decisions for building-level principals, and it does so only from the perspective of teachers acting as site-based council members. Direly needed within this research vein is additional information about how hiring decisions are made by other stakeholders.…”