Job Search and Career Advancement Among Assistant Principals: Evidence From Wake County

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: Tracking an Educator's Career: Coaching, Evaluation, and Wages

Abstract

The number of assistant principals has grown considerably over the last few decades. As often there are far more APs than positions for principals, such growth raises questions about career advancement among APs seeking the principalship. Using unique person-level data on APs in the largest school district in North Carolina, I document Black-White and male-female gaps in work experience and evaluation ratings among APs who apply to principal vacancies. Consistent with prior studies, I also find that Black APs accrue more years of experience in their roles than White APs before advancing to the principalship, although I observe no such gap between male and female APs.

Author

• Elc Estrera, Wake County Public School System