The Next Generation of Principal Evaluation: Principal Effectiveness in a Changing Policy Context

• In Event: Innovations in Leadership Evaluation: Policy, Practice, and Emerging Technologies

Abstract

We describe the landscape of state principal evaluation policies in this era of evolving accountability policy and shifting attitudes towards high-stakes testing and an expanding research base about effective principal leadership practices. We then highlight gaps and tensions between these policies and the measurement of effective leadership practices. We explore (dis)alignment between leadership measurement and evaluation tools and research emphasizing the importance of principals’ strategic management and problem-solving, as well as principals’ leadership for equity. (Mis)alignment between research on effective leadership practices and state principal evaluation systems has implications for evaluation policy’s ability to support effective school leadership.

Authors

• Ellen B. Goldring, Vanderbilt University

• Kathryn James McGraw, Vanderbilt University