The Role of Principal Succession Planning in Identifying, Preparing, and Developing a District's Future School Leaders

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Six
  In Roundtable Session: Show Me the Honey: Consideration in Attracting Talent to Schools and Classrooms (Table 11)

Abstract

This study seeks to identify how school districts utilize Aspiring Leader Programs to identify, prepare, and develop their future school leaders. We examine how expectations, norms, and understanding of quality associated with school leadership in the district are established and sustained in the process. We specifically address the traits and qualities of top school leaders, “ideal” school leader, and preparation and development leaders. We interpret the findings of our study through the lens of Lazear and Rosen’s Tournament Theory (1981) and Kanter’s Homologous Reproduction Theory (1977). Preliminary results from our qualitative case study analysis revealed two major themes: 1) top-down singular vision of leadership espoused by the district and 2) how their processes promote “hiring for fit.”

Authors

• David G. Buckman, Augusta State University
  Presenting Author

• Henry Tran, University of South Carolina
  Presenting Author

• Simone A. F. Gause, Coastal Carolina University
  Presenting Author