What Do Private Schools Look for in Principals? Evidence from Job Advertisements

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Leadership Preparation Access Equity: Inclusive Practices, Pathways, Technologies, and Evaluation

Abstract

This study examines how employer expectations shape leadership skill requirements and salary offers in private school principal hiring. Using data from 35,896 job advertisements in China, the study applies topic modeling and statistic learning analyses to explore the alignment between stated leadership competencies and compensation practices. Results show that employers place the greatest value on principals’ experience, while leadership behaviors are not reflected in salary offers. Additionally, schools that demand more leadership skills often offer lower salaries. These findings indicate that leadership preparation programs should prioritize supporting principals in resource-limited schools. The study provides empirical evidence to understand how the labor market values leadership skills and offers insights to align preparation programs with actual employer demands.

Author

• Siche Feng, Western Michigan University