Michigan State University Extension
Diversity and Pluralism - 02170096
12/95/
ERIC TITLE NUMBER: ED236811 AUTHOR: Baltzell, D. Catherine; Dentler, Robert A.
TITLE: Selecting American School Principals: A Sourcebook
for Educators.
YEAR PUBLISHED: 1983
NOTE: 68 p.; For a related document, see ED 238 206.
ABSTRACT: This sourcebook presents results of a recent case
study of how principals are selected in American public
school districts. Part 1 (chapters 1-3) describes and
evaluates conventional selection practices in 10 randomly
supplied school districts according to a five-step process:
vacancy announcememts, selection criteria, applicant pools,
screening, and employment decisions. These procedures as
currently practiced do not do justice to the importance of
the principalship, nor do they manifest any consistent
likelihood of attracting or selecting the best qualified
candidates. Chapter 3, "Pathways to the Principalship,"
provides case histories of five principals of varying
competence, in order to illustrate the vagaries of the
selection process from the applicants' perspective. Part 2
(chapters 4 and 5) describes three promising alternative
procedures currently in use at five school districts: (1)
assessment centers; (2) district operated internships; and
(3) "exemplary" common practices. A comparative analysis
follows, delineating the difference between the conventional
practices described in part 1 and these alternatives. The
essential advantages of the latter derive from sequential
screening, which provides more objective, reliable, and
comprehensive data for assessing applicants, so that
appointments are based more on merit than on contingencies.
The result is greater credibility for the selection process
and a corresponding enhancement in prestige for the
principal. Guidelines are included for developing or
revising a principal selection procedure. (TE)
KEY DESCRIPTORS: Administrator-Characteristics;
Administrator-Evaluation; Administrators-; Affirmative
Action; Assessment-Centers-Personnel; Educational
Administration; Elementary-Secondary-Education; Evaluation
Methods; Internship-Programs; Personnel-Policy; Recruitment-
KEY DESCRIPTORS: *Administrator-Qualifications;
*Administrator-Selection; *Evaluation-Criteria; *Management
Development; *Principals-
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