The Principal's Role in Transition: Instructional Leadership Ain't What It Used To Be, 5(13)

Abstract

With the changes in education, the principal's role as experienced no longer matches the role advocated by instructional leadership theories. These changes shifted the orientation of the principal's work toward managerial tasks away from curriculum and instruction. Through an analysis of in-depth interviews with 13 in-school and school board administrators, this paper examines how principals perceive and experience their role. The data reveal that: principals are agents of accountability, are involved with social service agencies, are concerned with the safety and security of students; and have extended their day through participation on parent advisory councils and with other community groups.