The Search for Principal Effectiveness: Increasing Principals' Time on Instructional Leadership Through the SAM Process

• In Event: Unique Principal Preparation Models and Lessons Learned

Abstract

Research over the past 35 years consistently reveals that principals spend minimal amounts of time on instructional leadership activities. Similarly, we know very little about how principals might be trained to change their time allocation to focus more on instructional leadership tasks. The paper describes the implementation and the time use of principals involved in the SAM® process, a program specifically developed to increase principals’ time allocation in the domains and tasks of instructional leadership. Using mixed methodologies, the paper describes patterns of principals’ time allocation and principals’ reflections and experiences during the change process as they work toward increasing instructional time use, including the structural and cultural changes that are made in SAM schools.

Authors

• Ellen B. Goldring, Vanderbilt University

• Jason A. Grissom, Vanderbilt University

• Christine M. Neumerski, Vanderbilt University - Peabody College

• Richard Blissett, Vanderbilt University - Peabody College

• Joseph F. Murphy, Vanderbilt University

• Andrew C. Porter, University of Pennsylvania