A First Look at the Spatial Geography of New Principal Labor Markets

• In Event: Labor Markets and Economics of Education

Abstract

Recent studies regarding the spatial geography of new teacher labor markets show them to be very small, which has important implications for teacher recruitment and distribution. Comparable evidence with regard to principal labor markets does not exist, which is surprising given concerns about supply/demand imbalances, particularly in some geographic areas. In this study, we use data from a survey of first-year principals in a single state to gain an initial understanding of the spatial geography of new principal labor markets. Our results suggest that, like teachers, the recruitment of new school leaders depends heavily on the quantity and quality of the supply of local candidates.

Authors

• Karen J. DeAngelis, University of Rochester

• Brad White, Illinois Education Research Council

• Jennifer Carol LaFleur, University of Rochester