A 20 page paper. The role of the principal has become far more complex over the last two decades and how that role is defined and described depends on many different variables, including demographics. This essay discusses the research leading to lists of roles the principal plays and the traits or characteristics found in an effective principal. The writer also comments on leadership styles. The essay also includes components of a research proposal including the methodology, procedures and participants. Bibliography lists 18 sources.
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students standardized-test performance" (Fenwick and Blackman, cited by Rosenthal, 2003). Rosenthal follows by saying "A principal balances all these roles while keeping his chief responsibility, that of being the instructional
leader of the school, in the forefront" (2003). The principalship has been defined and described in a multitude of ways, such as whether or not instructional leadership was visible or
how well resources were managed or whether or not the environment was safe and conducive to learning (Wilmore and Thomas, 2001). Most often, the effective principal has been defined by
an idealized conception of what principals should be like (Wilmore and Thomas, 2001; Hausman, Crow and Sperry, 2000). Also, most often, the notion of an effective principal has to do
directly with what is happening in the general society (Wilmore and Thomas, 2001). Over the last 25 years, a great deal has been written about the role of the
principal (Richardson, Lane and Flanigan, 1996). The principal has enormous responsibility for every aspect of school life (Richardson, Lane and Flanigan, 1996). It is a complex and ever-changing role (Richardson,
Lane and Flanigan, 1996; Peterson and Kelley, 2001) and, in fact, changed so much, it left principals unable to explain why their roles were changing and many simply left the
profession (Richardson, Lane and Flanigan, 1996). Rosenthal (2003) reports that between 1988 and 1998, "the principal turnover rate in the U.S. was 42%" (2003). The average principal works at least
54 hours per week and spends a great deal of time dealing with harsh criticism from the community and the media (Rosenthal, 2003). The times also resulted in studies
that ended with lists of an idealized principal, like "a strong, visionary leader who promotes an atmosphere of collegiality and participation in a learning environment" (Richardson, Lane and Flanigan, 1996).