It’s Time to Upgrade to Principal Selection 2.0

Abstract

Education researchers have continually noted the importance of the principal in affecting student achievement and school success. Despite this importance, school districts seldom use reliable methods to select principals. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the selection processes used to select principals in California. Results indicate that public school principals were selected to their current principalship by the least reliable and least predictive methods of selection. Education stakeholders should make a concerted effort to improve principal selection methods.