Public school principal selection by Indiana public school superintendents

• Main Author: Dillon, William D.
• Other Authors: Drake, Thelbert L.
• Format: Others
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: School principals > Indiana > Selection and appointment.; School superintendents > Indiana > Attitudes.; Vocational qualifications > Public opinion.
• Online Access: http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/handle/handle/175862; http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/955089

This study was suggested by the need to examine the role of Indiana superintendents in candidate selection, the recruitment and selection procedures used in principal selection and the prioritization of criteria used to evaluate the candidacy of individuals for the principalship with respect to Indiana public elementary and secondary schools. A three-part questionnaire was sent to each of 296 superintendents in Indiana requesting a ranking of superintendent functions in selection, candidate determination procedures, and criteria prioritization. Demographic variables were included to determine if superintendents' prior experiences or sizes of districts represented affected decisions about principal selection. A total of 191 responses were analyzed in terms of descriptive statistics and statistically significant differences among demographic groupings. The following null hypothesis was analyzed in terms of five demographic categories: "There are no significant differences among superintendents' ratings of the important selection criteria or desired principal competencies or characteristics on the basis of any of the following categories." Five categories were analyzed. 1. Whether hiring for an elementary principalship or a secondary principalship. 2. Size of district from which responding superintendent reported. 3. Number of principals hired as superintendent. 4. Number of years as superintendent. 5. Number of years as principal (if any). Although statistically significant differences were found, none was determined to represent an important difference among these categories. Candidate competencies considered most important by responding superintendents were the following: "Ability to listen effectively to others," "Ability to communicate effectively with others, and "Ability to work cooperatively with a variety of other people and groups."The data supported communications and "people skills" for principal candidates, and the importance of proven administrative experiences. The data also supported an interest by responding superintendents in controlling the principal selection process. === Department of Educational Administration and Supervision