AN EXPLORATORY INVESTIGATION OF THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SUPERVISORS

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Title of Document: AN EXPLORATORY INVESTIGATION OF THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SUPERVISORS

Jane W. Spence, Doctor of Education, 2015

Directed By: Dr. Margaret McLaughlin, College of Education

This study explored elementary and secondary versions of a new principal supervisor role in order to determine whether there might be marked differences in the functions and responsibilities at each level. The new iteration of this role, which is becoming increasingly popular in large urban school districts, requires those occupying it not only to supervise principals but to improve their instructional leadership as well. This new conception of the principal supervisor role is a change from the traditional work of principal supervisors, which dealt more with ensuring compliance than with coaching principals in instructional leadership. However, despite the move to create new expectations for principal supervisors as a group, there has been relatively little research distinguishing between the work of those supervisors who serve elementary schools and those who serve secondary schools. It is important to examine the functions and responsibilities of these positions at both elementary and secondary levels to determine if the resources of secondary school principal supervisors need to be different from those of their elementary counterparts. This study was intended to inform this question through observation and interviews of a select group of secondary supervisors in one district focused on responsibilities for individual schools, supervisors’ expected impact on school-related district priorities, and allocation of time by responsibility.