Principal Effects: Using Hierarchical Linear Growth Models to Investigate the Effects of Principal Training and Tenure on Teacher Hiring and Student Proficiency

• In Event: School Leadership Across Contexts

Abstract

In this paper, we use hierarchical growth models to estimate the impact of principal education and experience on student achievement and teacher qualifications. We use state administrative data to capture information on all schools and principals in the state over a six year period (2001-06). We find that principals’ graduate training and school tenure – both as principal and as assistant principal – play small but significant roles in their impact on school outcomes.

Authors

• Brad White, Illinois Education Research Council

• Alex J. Bowers, Teachers College, Columbia University