Off-campus UNL users: To download campus access dissertations, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your NU ID and password. When you are done browsing please remember to return to this page and log out.
Non-UNL users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this dissertation through interlibrary loan.
A case study of stakeholder perceptions of the informal process of selecting elementary principals
Abstract
The purpose of conducting this study was to identify and describe the informal process that influences the selection of elementary principals. The informal process refers to the results of the social interactions and relationships which affect the decisions of the superintendent and the candidate for the principalship. This qualitative study focused on the perceptions of primary stakeholders involved in the selection process for elementary principals in one large metropolitan school district. A questionnaire was developed and used to guide the interviews of a superintendent, an assistant superintendent for personnel services, two principals and their spouses, two school board members, and four persons who were eligible candidates and actively seeking an elementary principalship. An analysis of the findings indicated that beyond those characteristics and attributes identified for persons who would be viable candidates and beyond formal selection procedures, there is an informal process which includes factors critical to the selection of persons for elementary principalships. Most stakeholders reported limited knowledge of the formal selection criteria and procedures; but, for principal candidates, stakeholders supported persons who exhibited characteristics and behaviors found in the research literature describing effective principals. The data collected in this study call attention to several factors which can enhance an aspirant's chances for an elementary principalship. Elementary principal candidates increase their chances of being selected for a position if they are knowledgeable of the philosophy and expectations of the superintendent. Other factors which were found to be enhancers include mentorships with effective advocates, outstanding job performance, and high visibility with stakeholders. The findings of this study should be helpful to persons who desire to be selected for an elementary principalship.
Subject Area
School administration|Elementary education
Recommended Citation
Heck, Lawrence Joseph, "A case study of stakeholder perceptions of the informal process of selecting elementary principals" (1994). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9516581.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9516581