A Quantitative and Qualitative Examination of Principal Turnover

• In Event: Roundtable Session 90
  In Roundtable Session: Principalship Roundtable

Abstract

Research on the causes of principal turnover have increased in the last five years, with the most detailed information on principal career paths coming from studies utilizing state administrative data sets. The major finding in this research is that principal turnover is extraordinarily high, making school reform and teacher capacity-building extremely difficult. Although there have been surveys and case studies focused on the causes of principal turnover, most of the studies of principal turnover and exit behavior have been quantitative in nature, potentially omitting important variables. The research in this paper examines both qualitative and quantitative data to explore the factors associated with principal turnover from schools and attrition from the principalship, and, thus, focuses on a surprisingly under-researched issue.

Authors

• Edward J. Fuller, The Pennsylvania State University

• Michelle D. Young, University Council for Educational Administration