Understanding the Professional Development Needs of School Leaders Through a Psychometric Model

• In Event: Leading and Learning: Examining Principal Development and Evaluation

Abstract

The three most important roles required of principals include the leader of the school, the instructional leadership of the school, and the manager of the school. The interplay among these different roles has created the need for additional principal professional development (PD). Through a statewide survey and psychometric techniques, this study examines principal roles and the needed PD in the three functions as well as the confidence ratings exhibited by principals and superintendents. Results of the study show that principal PD’s are not meeting the growing demands of the principalship. Principals need support primarily in leadership and instructional leadership skills. Further research is needed in what types of delivery models are best suited for the hectic demands of principals.

Authors

• Lee Westberry, The Citadel

• Fei Zhao, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina