Developing Excellence in School Leadership: An Assessment of Principalship in the Pacific Region. A Report to Pacific Educational Researchers.

N

18

Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC.

Administrator Effectiveness; Community Involvement; Curriculum Development; Educational Environment; Elementary Secondary Education; Foreign Countries; Instructional Leadership; Leadership; Parent Participation; Principals; Staff Development; Student Behavior

Pacific principals' perceived priority needs for professional development are examined. Mailed surveys of 439 principals in 10 jurisdictions yielded 243 responses, or a 55 percent response rate. Respondents rated themselves on task effectiveness and professional development needs. Results indicate a need for information concerning community resources, facility and equipment needs assessment, absenteeism reduction programs, and conduct codes. The two greatest challenges include reducing teacher and student absenteeism and increasing parent and community involvement. Recommendations are made for utilization of staff development information, development of performance criteria, and implementation of mentoring programs. A discrepant finding was that principals requested the most information about tasks that they perceived themselves as performing most effectively. Fourteen statistical tables and a copy of the questionnaire are included. (LMI)

1991

ED324830