Principal selection in a time of change: A study of identified standards necessary for principals of the twenty-first century, and the extent to which they are sought by hiring superintendents

The purpose of this study was to determine the criteria that superintendents use when they are selecting principals and whether or not those criteria match the standards identified by the Interstate School Licensures Consortium and other professional organizations.; Data were collected through a questionnaire that was mailed to one third of the superintendents in the state of Pennsylvania, along with interviews with three superintendents. The four main research questions asked in the survey were: (1) What factors do superintendents consider to be the most important in selecting principals? Why? (2) What degree of significance do these factors play in the appraisal of principal candidates? (3) In what ways are these new skills and aptitudes assessed? (4) Are these the same factors identified in literature as necessary for 21st century principals? Why or why not?; The study findings show that 58% of the time the qualities that superintendents are seeking are the same as those listed in the ISLLC standards, although most superintendents are not aware of what those standards are. These are the same qualities identified in literature as necessary for principals of the twenty-first century. It also indicated that the interview and reference check are the tools utilized most often in the assessment of candidates.