Strategies for Reinventing the Principalship.

The position of school principal has become unattractive; consequently, fewer qualified applicants are appearing to fill vacancies. To recruit new principals and retain veteran principals, a new model of the principalship is needed. This paper reviews research on factors that influence applicants and presents a brief overview of efforts to redesign the principalship. The research shows the main reason people are not applying for principal positions is the overwhelming workload required of the position. Additionally, people react differently to features of the position. Features that appeal to males may not appeal to females; features that appeal to elementary- and middle-school teachers may not appeal to high-school teachers; features that appeal to aspiring principals may not appeal to veteran principals. Most emerging models of the principalship cited from the research propose dividing the principal's duties into components performed by two or more individuals. To increase the applicant pool, the paper recommends the following: (1) consult studies examining the interaction between job features and applicant characteristics and modify the job in ways to appeal to underrepresented groups; (2) make job modifications uniquely suited to the school level; and (3) alter the position to appeal to prospective applicants at all stages of their careers. (Contains 28 references.) (WFA)