Effects of Principal Turnover on School Performance

• In Event: Examining and Enhancing the Leadership Pipeline

Abstract

This study asks two questions: What is the relationship between principal turnover and school performance? What is the relationship between the number of principals at a school within a given time span and school performance? We use data on all public schools in Colorado for the years 2014 and 2018 to examine the relationship between turnover and school performance while controlling for school characteristics. Analyses included difference-in-differences for the first research question and OLS after first differencing for the second question. Results indicated almost 50% of schools experienced principal turnover, and the schools experienced between zero and three turnover events. Regression analyses showed no significant differences in school performance based on turnover status or number of leadership changes.

Authors

• Dick M. Carpenter, University of Colorado

• Megan Oleson

• Misty DeHerrera