Title

Assessing the Effectiveness of the Role of Assistant Principal in Preparing Individuals for the Principalship

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Department

Educational Administration

Date of Award

Spring 2014

Abstract

Today, there exists an ever-increasing need for qualified campus principals, but limited research focused on assessing the effectiveness of the assistant principalship in preparing individuals for the job of principal. An understanding of the perceptions of principals regarding their level of preparedness is necessary to begin to close the research gaps. This study was designed to provide data to determine if the roles and responsibilities of the assistant principalship are sufficient to prepare an individual to become an effective principal. Through the use of the Principal Readiness Inventory, the researcher gathered data from public school principals working in schools served by the Region 7 Education Service Center. The data were subjected to a discriminant function analysis and a contrast analysis to determine which factors associated with the role of assistant principal are most influential in preparing the respondents for the role of principal. The discriminant analysis did not reveal significant results with regard to the predictive ability of the job-related factors that were measured. The contrast analysis revealed significant results with regard to the predictive ability of respondents' assistant principal experience within the Administrative Skills category on the perception of being moderately prepared, well-prepared, or very well-prepared to become an effective principal. The contrast analysis also revealed a significant difference between the well-prepared group versus the other two groups (moderately prepared and very well-prepared). The study findings provide evidence to conclude that the more heavily assistant principals are involved in duties and situations that fall under the heading of Administrative Skills, the more prepared they will feel to become effective principals.

Advisor

Arthur Borgemenke

Subject Categories

Education | Educational Administration and Supervision | Educational Leadership

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