How Principals Make Sense of Communicating With External Stakeholders

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding and Nurturing School Leadership (Table 19)

Abstract

Although much is known about principal communication strategies with teachers, parents/guardians, and students, less is known about how principals communicate with external stakeholders. To investigate this phenomenon I asked: (1) who do principals identify as external stakeholders with whom they communicate?; (2) how do principals’ operationalize this communication?; and (3) how does this operation influence other principal responsibilities? Interview data (N=30) reveal principals identify local community members, such as local advocacy groups and local business leaders, as external stakeholders with whom they communicate. Principals operationalize this process by inviting these individuals to meet to discuss issues related to schooling and the community. Principals describe spending significant time communicating with external stakeholders, which influences time spent on other responsibilities.

Author

• David B. Reid, Seton Hall University