School Principal Turnover: Implications of Anticipatory Socialization and Role Exit

• In Event: 18.066 - Leadership and Coaching for School Turnaround

Abstract

Up to 50 percent of principals exit their role in fewer than five years. Thus, understanding undesired turnover may provide school systems leverage points in preventing undesired attrition by maximizing limited resources. Utilizing a grounded theory methodology, this study was to examine the decision-making process that leads to early exit from the principalship through firsthand experiences of first-time principals. Data include interviews and biographies of 10 former principals. Findings indicate that there is a predictable, linear decision making process in acquiring and exiting the principalship, regardless of the school setting or principal background, including: (a) anticipatory socialization; (b) first doubts in role; (c) role burnout; (d) considering alternatives; and (e) turning points and final decisions.

Author

• Felicia Rae Truong, AppleTree Institute For Education Innovation