Results From the 2015–16 National Teacher and
Principal Survey.
The role of the school principal has come into sharper focus in recent years, as a growing body of research shines a light on how principals affect student learning. With that knowledge comes a growing recognition that, in an era of accountability, the success of school improvement initiatives depends heavily on having effective leaders on campus.
The school improvement spotlight has, in recent years, shone brightly on teachers. Just outside of the spotlight, yet wielding significant influence in schools, are principals.
“We need to take more seriously that school leadership really matters,” said Jason Grissom, an associate professor of education and public policy at Vanderbilt University who has studied the subject.
School principals often make the news because of a scandal. But several recent stories, plus a New York Times op-ed, take a deeper look at the critical role principals can play in a school’s success or struggles, and their impact on the daily lives of students and teachers.
