Have you ever thought about what makes the difference between an effective school and a failing one? Is it the quality of textbooks, the attractiveness of the facility, the number of computers, or the combination of grades at a school?
While all these factors may have an impact, there are more important elements that consistently surface in research studies. They include active parent and community involvement, challenging goals and effective teacher feedback, adequate time to learn, a safe and orderly school environment, and cooperative and professional teacher relationships.
One more factor that often comes up as essential for effective schools is school leadership. All the factors noted above are directly impacted by the quality of the principal.
A good principal has a dramatic impact on student achievement. In fact, an effective principal over time can improve student learning as measured by standardized tests by as much as 22 percent according to recent research by the McRel Institute. This happens when a school has a highly effective principal verses just an average leader.
This points out the value and importance of strong school leaders. It also justifies the care this district takes whenever it is time to hire a new principal. The steps CPS takes when hiring a new administrator are these:
- Online applications are evaluated, which include a score on an electronically delivered screener.
- References are called to determine promising candidates’ past performance.
- A phone interview utilizing a standardized perceiver instrument is conducted on the top applicants.
- A principal team interviews the people identified in the phone interviews.
- Site interviews utilizing parent and staff input are conducted with those who have rated highly on the four prior steps.
- If needed, visits are made to the schools of the final two or three candidates. A consultant phone interview may also be done at this phase.
- A final interview is conducted with the superintendent.
- All the data above is analyzed and a successful candidate is offered the job.
What exactly does the district look for in a strong principal candidate? First of all they look for a person who has a service orientation. This means they are dedicated to helping staff improve and to helping students become successful. It also means they have a positive attitude about learning and confidence that the school can bring about success even with struggling learners.
Secondly, CPS looks for people who can establish positive relationships with students, staff, fellow school leaders and parents. They must see this as a priority and have strategies for accomplishing it. School leaders must see themselves as facilitators of a team and not as individual performers.
Thirdly, candidates must possess an understanding of what effective instruction looks like and have strategies for improving learning at their sites. Related to this they need to be able to help staff plan improvements and develop ownership for change initiatives. They also need to have an understanding of how to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of their site and the accomplishment of their goals. An ability to work with data and measure results is essential.
Perhaps most importantly, successful candidates must have the best interest of students as the top priority. They must be willing to do whatever it takes to help all students be successful. A demonstration of empathy, understanding, and concern for all kinds of learners is essential.
The leadership of the school principal is often an overlooked factor in school success. It is also a frequently neglected factor in individual student growth. This is a mistake. The quality of principal leadership is key in creating the conditions that are necessary for an effective school. Good principals make everybody in their schools better. Strong principals cause adult development which results in significant student gains. Being a principal is not a job for the lazy or faint of heart.
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