Caribbean Curriculum

Vol. 10, 2003, 6486

THE PRINCIPAL AS INSTRUCTIONAL LEADER

AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Janet Fullerton-Rawlins
This bibliography brings together a selection of works on the
principal as instructional leader. There has been extensive
research in this area, but the bibliography does not attempt to
be comprehensive in coverage. Instead, it attempts to provide
a basic research tool for researchers on the subject. The
bibliography is divided into three sections. The first section
deals with the Caribbean. Because of the paucity of literature
on the region, it was decided to include most of the relevant
literature for which annotations could be provided, regardless
of the date of publication. Although the second section is
international in scope, the majority of the entries relate to the
United States. This section is very selective and only includes
literature from 1990, with emphasis on the more recent
literature. It is organized by the following areas in which the
principal exhibits his influence as an instructional leader: 1)
general leadership, 2) staff development, 3) student
achievement, and 4) community involvement. The final section
identifies some websites that should be useful for Internet
research on this topic.

Introduction
Educational leadership can be broadly defined as a social process in
which one person in an educational organization influences the goals,
vision, work, individual performances, and relations in that organization
(Yukl as cited in Hoy & Miskel, 2001). The role of the principal as an
educational leader is one of the areas in education that has been widely
researched and continues to be researched. However, it is noticeable that
the role of the principal as instructional leader, within the broader
framework of educational leadership, has been receiving a great deal of
attention from researchers. The responsibilities involved in instructional
leadership include setting goals and standards, improving student
performance, providing professional development for faculty and staff,
and engaging the local community. The National Association of
Elementary School Principals (2001) in the United States has highlighted
six standards of instructional leadership:

The Principal as Instructional Leader

1.

Leading schools in a way that puts student and adult learning at

the center while serving as leader and teacher.

2.

Promoting the academic success of all students by setting high

standards and an environment of achievement.

3.

Creating curriculum and instruction that ensure student

progress to agreed-upon academic standards.

4.

Creating a climate of continuous learning for adults that is tied

to student learning.

5.

Using multiple sources of data as a diagnostic tool to assess,

identify, and apply instructional improvement.

6.

Actively engaging the community to share in responsibility for

school success.

According to Brown and Irby (2001), school reform efforts have focused
attention on the principal as the person who facilitates the process of
transforming schools and who leads faculty, staff, students, and
community to levels of excellence (p. vii). Therefore, as an instructional
leader, the principal is the one responsible for achieving educational
excellence in a school.
As a leader, the principals role is akin to a manager of an organization
where the leadership focuses on making decisions about what should be
done to improve the organization (Kowalski, 2003). However, whereas
management seeks to influence people so that they will achieve
predetermined organizational objectives, leadership strives to influence
people to create shared objectives and then attain them (Kowalski, p. 3).
Leadership involves the embodiment and articulation of a vision and its
communication to others (Bush & Bell, 2002). It is this vision that
distinguishes leaders from those who are just good managers. This is the
role that school principals are required to assume as instructional
leaders.
Principals, as instructional leaders, recognize that teaching, learning, and
academic achievement are the main business of the school. They
recognize that the students, staff, parents, and community all come

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Janet Fullerton-Rawlins
together to execute this business in an effective way. The role of
principals is to combine all these elements to ensure that the business of
the school is successfully carried out and maintained. As instructional
leaders, they must ensure that teachers are committed, students are
actively engaged in learning, and parents are supportive. They must be
able to motivate the staff, provide avenues for professional development,
encourage their students, and communicate with parents and the
community at large. In addition to having a clear vision for the school,
principals, as instructional leaders, must have clear and well-understood
goals; establish a safe and positive school climate; focus on academics,
teaching, and learning; and practise shared decision making in tandem
with teachers, parents, and students (Educational Research Service
[ERS], 2000). In effect, they must use their position to move the school to
educational excellence (Kimbrough & Burkett, 1990).
One of the earliest models of instructional leadership was proposed by
Sergiovanni (1995), who suggests that leadership is made up of a set of
forces that the principal uses to make the school effective. These forces
are technical, human, educational, symbolic, and cultural:

The technical leader displays sound management techniques such as

planning and time management.
The human leader harnesses the schools human resources and
motivates them.
The educational leader shows expert knowledge about matters of
education, curriculum, teaching, and learning.
The symbolic leader emphasizes matters of importance to the school
community.
The cultural leader seeks to define a culture of the schoolits goals,
vision, and values.

Sergiovanni suggests that a schools effectiveness depends on a

combination of these forces.
In addition to being instructional leaders, principals must also possess a
wide range of skills to manage the school and lead it to excellence.
Kimbrough and Burkett (1990) posit that principals need more skills than
the ordinary manager in other organizations, and these skills are
important in performing the tasks involved in the leadership role.

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The Principal as Instructional Leader

McEwan (2003) points out that strong principals must exhibit the
following behaviours:

display commitment to academic goals

provide forceful and dynamic leadership
consult effectively with others
create order and discipline
marshal resources
use time well
evaluate results.

Other researchers have identified a number of other skills that principals

must possess, which range from communication and public relations, to
conflict resolution and mediation skills (ERS, 2000).
Although schools may vary in size, complexity, and location, the
fundamental functions of principals remain the same. It is their influence
as instructional leaders that will ultimately develop and lead the school
to success and to excellence.

References
Brown, G., & Irby, B. (2001). The principal portfolio (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA:
Corwin Press.
Bush, T., & Bell, L. (Eds.). (2002). The principles and practice of educational
management. London: Paul Chapman Publishing.
Educational Research Service. (2000). The principal, keystone of a high-achieving
school: Attracting and keeping the leaders we need. Arlington, VA: ERS for the
National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National
Association of Secondary School Principals.
Hoy, W., & Miskel, C. (2001). Educational administration: Theory, research and
practice (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.
Kimbrough, R. B., & Burkett, C. W. (1990). The principalship: Concepts and practices.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Kowalski, T. J. (2003). Contemporary school administration: An introduction (2nd ed.).
Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
McEwan, Elaine K. (2003). Seven steps to effective instructional leadership (2nd ed.).
Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
National Association of Elementary School Principals. (2001). Leading learning
communities: Standards for what principals should know and be able to do.
Alexandria, VA: NAESP.

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Janet Fullerton-Rawlins
Sergiovanni, T. J. (1995). The principalship: A reflective practice perspective (3rd ed.).
Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
CARIBBEAN
Buckley-Jones, Barbara A.
Principals leadership style, its expression and effect on teachers job
satisfaction. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, The University of the
West Indies, Mona, 1988. xiv, 321 p.
This study examined the leadership style of secondary school principals
in Jamaica, and attempted to identify its effects on the job satisfaction of
teachers. Data were gathered through a questionnaire sent to 23
principals and 119 teachers, drawn from all secondary school types.
Results of the data analysis revealed a definite instructional leadership
style, as principals indicated that they emphasized planning, decision
making, communicating, and social and professional support as aspects
of their leadership style, which influenced teacher morale and
performance.
David, Douglas E.
The effects of headmaster/headmistress leadership styles on teachers morale
in primary schools in Region 4. Unpublished masters thesis, University of
Guyana, 1992. vi, 158 p.
This study sought to test the widely held view that leadership styles
have an effect on teacher morale. Questionnaires were used to collect
data from teachers and headmistresses in 20 primary schools in Region 4,
Guyana. One of the findings showed that the leadership style of heads
had a significant relationship with teacher morale.
Davidson, Frances E.
Teachers perceived leadership behaviour of principals and morale in a
selected sample of schools. Unpublished masters thesis, The University of
the West Indies, Mona, 1979. vii, 165 p.
This study sought to identify: 1) the different aspects of principals
leadership behaviour which both principals and teachers considered
important for enhancing the harmonious and productive functioning of
the school, and 2) the reaction of teachers to these aspects of principals

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The Principal as Instructional Leader

leadership. Results of the data analysis showed aspects of instructional
leadership, as both principals and teachers considered participation in
decision making, consideration, and open communication as the major
aspects of the principals behaviour in relation to staff morale.
Hernandez, Denise Lucy Jeanne
The attitudes of primary school principals in St. George East toward the
visionary leadership ideal. Unpublished masters thesis, The University of
the West Indies, St. Augustine, 1991. x, 262 p.
This study attempted to determine whether or not primary school
principals in the St. George East Educational District of Trinidad,
exhibited the attributes of visionary leadership in their efforts to achieve
quality education. One of the findings of the study revealed that almost
all of the principals displayed a positive attitude toward visionary
leadership and its practice in schools, in their efforts to achieve quality
education.
Joseph, Arthur
Principal leadership at the junior secondary school in Trinidad and Tobago.
Unpublished masters thesis, The University of the West Indies, St.
Augustine, 2000. xii, 377 p.
The study sought to determine: 1) the leadership frames most often used
by principals at junior secondary schools in Trinidad and Tobago, 2) the
degree of effectiveness of these frames, and 3) the impact of principals
leadership on teachers commitment to their school and student learning.
The schools under study were categorized as high-achieving or lowachieving. The results of the study showed that there are leadership
differences as well as teacher commitment differences in high-achieving
and low-achieving schools, and that academic performance might be
directly related to principal leadership and teacher commitment.
Mills, Carlton
Leadership and mission: Some challenges for the 21 st century. In
UNESCO/CARNEID. The Caribbean education annual, (pp. 15-19).
Bridgetown: CARNEID Coordinating Centre, 1997. (Caribbean
Education Annual; vol. IV, 96-97).
This paper attempts to provide: 1) a working definition of the concept of
Leadership and Mission and advance some suggestions on how

69

Janet Fullerton-Rawlins
principals can develop effective and achievable missions for their
schools; and 2) issue some challenges to principals on how to
communicate their mission to staff effectively so that they can help to
create better schools for the 21st century.
Mortley-Modeste, Agatha
The role of the school principal in staff development in St. Lucia.
Unpublished masters thesis, McGill University, 1993. ix, 114 p.
This study explored the role of the principal in staff development and
whether it corresponded with the expectations of school teachers. It
found that, generally, school principals play a positive role in staff
development and that this matches teachers expectations. This role takes
the form of conducting orientation sessions for new staff, advising staff
on teaching techniques, encouraging staff to pursue further studies,
inviting their input in school related matters, and preparing effective
professional development day sessions.
Scott-McDonald, Kerida Verity
Dimensions of principal effectiveness in Jamaican primary level schools an
ethnography. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Harvard University,
1989. [viii], 695 p.
This study, based on one-years ethnographic research in two Jamaican
primary schools, documented and analyzed the leadership behaviour
and organization of the principals of these schools. It describes the
content and characteristics of the principals work, the context within
which they worked, the problems they encountered, and the strategies
they used in solving them. The underlying assumption was that the
effectiveness of a school ultimately depended on the effectiveness of its
leader. The study concludes with an examination of the facets of
leadership behaviour that were particularly responsive to the special
demands and constraints of the environment in which the principals
worked, and which helped contribute to school effectiveness.
Simmonds, Alletha P.
Teachers perceived leadership behaviour of principals and teachers
performance in a sample of fifty all-age schools in rural and urban Jamaica.
Unpublished masters thesis, The University of the West Indies, Mona,
1994. xii, 194 p.

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The Principal as Instructional Leader

This study sought to identify the relationship between teachers
perceived leadership behaviour of principals and teachers performance
in a sample of 50 all-age schools in three parishes in Jamaica. From the
data collected, it was revealed that there was a positive and significant
relationship between teachers perceived leadership behaviour of
principals and teachers performance. Principals were perceived to
demonstrate high levels of leadership behaviourtask- and peopleorientedand teachers were generally perceived to perform at high
levels.
Stewart, V. S.
The role of the principal in the secondary school. Educational Journal
of Trinidad and Tobago, 6 (2), September, 1976, pp. 28-35.
The article defines the role of the principal as sociologist, helmsman,
manager, educational expert, and human being. It also shows how the
role of principals is to manage the human and other resources of the
school so that, with society, child, and curriculum, they can steer or
direct the educational process to the all-round development of the child.
Thompson, Cynthia
Preparing principals to be instructional leaders. Caribbean Teacher,
October, 2001, pp. 14-15.
This article describes an in-service programme for principals in Belizean
primary schools between 1996 and 1999, through which 192 principals
received training. It also discusses the role and functions of the principal
as instructional leader.
Worrell, George Christopher
Primary school leadership: A case of two recently retired principals in the
Port of Spain and Environs Education Division. Unpublished masters
thesis, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, 1994. vii, 114 p.
The thesis examined the leadership principles and practices of two
recently retired and highly successful primary school principals of the
Port of Spain and Environs Division of the Ministry of Education in
Trinidad and Tobago. Results of the data analysis revealed that the
leaders styles were autocratic and were effective in terms of the

71

Janet Fullerton-Rawlins
academic results of their students. The findings also showed that they
used their human and material resources successfully to produce highperforming schools. It was observed that the leaders took full advantage
of the location of the schools (one in the centre of Port of Spain and the
under in an upper middle-class residential suburb), which set the tone
for the leaders drive and commitment to academic excellence.

INTERNATIONAL
General
Boyd, Bill
The principal as teacher: A model for instructional leadership. NASSP
Bulletin, 80 (580), May 1996, pp. 65-73.
This article shows how the principal-as-teacher model is one possible
means of making principals effective instructional leaders. This approach
gives the principal a feel for the educational process, allows for the
testing of administrative decisions or policy, provides direct contact
between principal and students, and keeps the principal active
academically.
Butterworth, Barbara and Weinstein, Rhona S.
Enhancing motivational opportunity in elementary schooling: A case
study of the ecology of principal leadership. Elementary School Journal, 97
(1), September 1996, pp. 57-80.
This article examines the efforts of an elementary school principal to
create a motivating school climate. It discusses four ecological principles:
1) the development of activities that recognize individuality and demand
involvement and adaptation, 2) the expansion of resources to the whole
school community, 3) the interdependence of activities at each school
level, and 4) the balancing of resources and activities.
Casavant, Marc D. and Cherkowski, Sabre
Effective leadership: Bringing mentoring and creativity to the
principalship. NASSP Bulletin, 85 (624), April 2001, pp. 71-81.
This article examines the issues and problems associated with the decline
in potential leaders applying for the principalship in the United States. It

72

The Principal as Instructional Leader

then explores the behaviours that constitute effective leadership, and
suggests that mentoring, combined with creativity training, has the
potential to positively affect leadership style.
Childs-Bowen, Deborah; Moller, Gayle and Scrivner, Jennifer
Principals: Leaders of leaders. NASSP Bulletin, 84 (616), May 2000,
pp. 27-34.
This article states that as leaders, principals must build systems to ensure
sustainability of the leadership structure. Four strategies are offered for
principals to help leadership in schools: 1) create opportunities for
teachers to lead, 2) build professional learning communities, 3) provide
quality professional development, and 4) celebrate innovation and
teacher expertise.
Cross, Christopher T. and Rice, Robert C.
The role of the principal as instructional leader in a standards-driven
system. NASSP Bulletin, 84 (620), December 2000, pp. 61-65.
This article explores four elements of effective instructional leadership: 1)
vision and commitment, 2) high expectations and trust, 3) effective
communication, and 4) courage to collaborate. The principals role is
highlighted and discussed.
Ferrandino, Vincent L.
Challenges for 21st century elementary school principals. Phi Delta
Kappan, 82 (6), February 2001, pp. 440-442.
This article points out that the principalship of the 21 st century requires
more than an array of managerial skills. It requires the ability to lead
others, to stand for important ideas and values, and more importantly, it
requires never losing sight of a vision.
Gordon, Bruce G.; Stockard, J. W. and Williford, H.
The principals role as school leader. Educational Research Quarterly,
15 (4), October 1992, pp. 29-38.
Perceptions of the current and ideal roles of the principal were compared
using responses of 147 Alabama teachers. Differences between current
and ideal roles were found for categories of counselor, evaluator,

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Janet Fullerton-Rawlins
motivator, and supervisor. The results emphasized the varying
perceptions teachers have of principals.
Grantham, Tarek C. and Ford, Donna Y.
Principal instructional leadership can reverse the underrepresentation of Black students in gifted education. NASSP Bulletin, 82
(595), February 1998, pp. 101-109.
This article states that principals can help to improve the representation
of Black students in the United States in gifted education, by focusing on
teacher supervision and evaluation, staff development, and quality
control.
Hallinger, Philip
The evolving role of American principals: From managerial to
instructional to transformational leaders. Journal of Educational
Administration, 30 (3), 1992, pp.35-48.
This article analyzes the evolution of the principalship in the United
States between 1960 and 1992, focusing on three main roles: programme
manager, instructional leader, and transformational leader. In each case,
the article explores the basis of the role and its relationship to the
leadership demands from the school environments. It also discusses the
implications for the evolving role of the principalship in the United
States.
Isherwood, Geoffrey B. and Achoka, Judith
The secondary school principal in Quebec. Role and responsibilities.
Education Canada, 31 (1), Spring 1991, pp. 39-43.
This article focuses on the results of a study done on the role of the
principal in English-speaking secondary schools in Quebec. Four aspects
of the principals role were investigated: 1) the expectations held by
secondary school principals, 2) conflicts experienced by secondary school
principals, 3) ambiguities that exist in the role of the secondary principal,
and 4) how the contemporary role of the principal compares with that of
20 years earlier. In looking at the final question, the discussion showed
that the role has changed because of changes in the school environment
and that the principal is now less autocratic, and more inclined to consult
teachers, staff council, parents, and the orientation committee on matters
of policy.

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The Principal as Instructional Leader

Karpicke, Herbert and Murphy, Mary E.

Productive school culture: Principals working from the inside.
NASSP Bulletin, 80 (576), January 1996, pp. 26-34.
This article asserts that principals are responsible for setting the
conditions which result in a culture that produces excellence. It accepts
that they cannot do it alone, however, they can provide the leadership
and support that produce an environment which reflects productivity.
McEwan, Elaine K.
Seven steps to effective instructional leadership (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks,
CA: Corwin Press, 2003. xviii, 197 p.
This book highlights seven steps to instructional leadership. These are: 1)
establish, implement, and achieve academic standards; 2) be an
instructional resource for staff; 3) create a learning-oriented school
culture and climate; 4) communicate schools vision and mission to staff
and students; 5) set high expectations for staff and oneself; 6) develop
teacher leaders; and 7) develop and maintain positive relationships with
students, staff, and parents. It concludes with a checklist of things a
principal can do to become an effective instructional leader.
Moorthy, David
The Canadian principal of the 90s: Manager or instructional leader?
Or both? Education Canada, 32 (2), Summer 1992, pp. 8-11.
This article states that although principals typically emphasize their
managerial role, they need to increase their role as instructional leaders.
The principals role as an instructional leader involves three main areas:
1) defining the school mission, 2) overseeing the instructional
programme, and 3) promoting the school learning climate.
National Association of Elementary School Principals
Leading learning communities: Standards for what principals should know
and be able to do. Alexandria, VA: NAESP, 2001. 96 p.
This handbook is designed to guide elementary and middle-level
principals in developing their responsibilities in key instructional areas.
These responsibilities include setting goals and standards, improving

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Janet Fullerton-Rawlins
student performance, providing professional development for staff,
effectively using data and testing tools, and engaging the local
community. It also sets out six standards that define instructional
leadership for todays principals. These are: 1) leading schools in a way
that puts student and adult learning at the centre, 2) promoting the
academic success of all students, 3) creating and demanding rigorous
content and instruction, 4) creating a climate of continuous learning for
adults, 5) using multiple sources of data as a diagnostic tool, and 6)
actively engaging the community.
Niece, Richard D.
The principal as instructional leader: Past influences and current
resources. NASSP Bulletin, 77 (553), May 1993, pp. 12-18.
The article describes a study of secondary principals that attempted to: 1)
generate categories of instructional leadership, 2) identify sources
previously influencing secondary principals emerging into instructional
leaders, and 3) note sources that principals seek out for advice and
information. The findings show that effective instructional leaders are
people-oriented, function within a network of other principals, and value
strong mentor relationships.
Parker, Stephanie A., and Day, Victoria P.
Promoting inclusion through instructional leadership: The roles of
the secondary school principal. NASSP Bulletin, 81 (587), March 1997, pp.
83-89.
According to this article, purposeful leadership is the key to school
communities. The article outlines five aspects of instructional leadership
which principals must practise to create school communities: 1) clearly
define and articulate an inclusive school mission, 2) foster a school
climate aimed at all students success, 3) manage and coordinate
curriculum and instructional resources to support inclusive goals, 4)
monitor and support each students progress, and 5) model reflective
management and teacher supervision practices.
Quinn, David M.
The impact of principal leadership behaviors on instructional
practice and student engagement. Journal of Educational Administration, 40
(5), 2002, pp. 447-467.

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The Principal as Instructional Leader

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between
principal leadership behaviours and teacher instructional practice
descriptors. The study was conducted in eight elementary, eight middle,
and eight high schools in the United States. Teachers in each school were
surveyed on the principals instructional leadership abilities. Results
showed that instructional leadership practices correlated highly with
instructional practice descriptors. The study confirmed the importance of
instructional leadership and gives some insight into the nature of this
leadership.
Schmieder, June H. and Cairns, Donald
Ten skills of highly effective principals. Lancaster, PA: Technomic
Publishing Company, 1996. xxiii, 111 p.
This book defines the following 10 skills that educators believe are most
likely to create effective leadership and instructional leadership: 1)
having a vision; 2) demonstrating a desire to make a significant
difference in the lives of staff and students; 3) knowing how to evaluate
staff; 4) understanding that change is ongoing and may alter vision; 5)
being aware of ones biases, strengths, and weaknesses; 6) knowing how
to conduct group meetings; 7) having self-confidence; 8) knowing how to
assess job responsibilities; 9) knowing how to encourage involvement by
all parties in the educational community; and 10) having a sense of ethics
and professional values.
Smith, Roger
The primary headteachers handbook: the essential guide for primary heads.
London: Kogan Page, 2002. 224 p.
This book, which is intended as a guide for primary school principals in
the United Kingdom, shows how to approach the day-to-day running of
a primary school. It also shows how to create organizational structures in
which staff and students can be inspired. It examines topics such as
planning for success and a positive school ethos, developing staff,
teaching and learning, running the school as an organization, coping
with inspection, and raising and maintaining standards.
Wanzare, Zachariah and Da Costa, Jos L.
Rethinking instructional leadership roles of the school principal:
Challenges and prospects. Journal of Educational Thought, 35 (3),
December 2001, pp. 269-295.

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Janet Fullerton-Rawlins

This article argues that the principals tasks, especially those associated
with instructional leadership, are numerous, challenging, and complex.
It identifies 38 major roles of the principal, including creating a visible
presence in the school and supervising instructional activities of
teachers. The article also examines the principals instructional
leadership role, the major constraints inherent in this role, and strategies
for alleviating problems.
Welch, Frances C.; Lindsay, Sandra and Halfacre, John
Quality principals: Questions to consider. Principal Leadership, 1 (6),
February 2001, pp. 56-59.
This article argues that to be effective leaders, principals need to
communicate clearly with all concerned with the schoolwhat they
believe, what they expect, where they have been, and where they want to
go.
Staff Development
Blase, Joseph and Blase, Jo
Effective
instructional
leadership.
Administration, 38 (2), 2000, pp. 130-141.

Journal

of

Educational

This article gives the result of a study in which over 800 American
teachers responded to a questionnaire which asked them to identify and
describe characteristics of principals that enhanced their classroom
instruction, and the impacts those characteristics had on them. The
findings revealed two themes of effective instructional leadership: 1)
talking with teachers to promote reflection, and 2) promoting
professional growth.
Blase, Jo and Blase, Joseph
The teachers principal. Journal of Staff Development, 22 (1), Winter
2001, pp. 22-25.
This article discusses effective instructional leadership. It also looks at
how principals can improve teaching, and how teachers views of leaders
affect what they do in the classroom. In addition, it highlights two major
themes in instructional leadershiptalking with teachers to promote
reflection, and promoting professional growth.

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The Principal as Instructional Leader

Colley, Amy
What can principals do about new teacher attrition? Principal, 81 (4),
March 2002, pp. 22-24.
This article makes the point that principals can help to stop the flight of
teachers from the profession. They can do this by providing support as
instructional leaders, culture builders, and mentor coordinators, and by
creating an environment in which new teachers are able to thrive.
Educational Research Service
The principal, keystone of a high-achieving school: Attracting and keeping
the leaders we need. Arlington, VA: ERS for the National Association of
School Principals, and the National Association of Secondary School
Principals, 2000. vi, 85 p.
This report reviews the research on the leadership roles of effective
principals. It also gives guidelines for recruiting and hiring principals,
and gives suggestions for professional development activities.
Kelleher, James
Encouraging reflective practice. Principal Leadership, 3 (2), October
2002, pp. 20-23.
This article looks at how principals can encourage their teachers in
reflective practice as a part of the professional development vision of the
school.
Knipe, Caroll and Speck, Marsha
Improving competence in the classroom. Principal Leadership, 3 (2)
October 2002, pp. 57-59.
This article states that principals, as leaders of schools, must take an
active role in creating adequate professional development for staff
members, as this helps to improve student achievement.
Maulding, Wanda and Joachim, Pat
When quality really counts. Contemporary Education, 71 (4), 2000, pp.
16-18.

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Janet Fullerton-Rawlins
According to this article, quality in education depends to a large extent
on the teachers. Principals must establish a partnership between
themselves and teachers. They should also emphasize to teachers that
the success of the students is important. This will instil an atmosphere of
confidence from the staff in the ability of the instructional leader to assist
them in improvement and/or growth, when necessary.
Riggs, Ernestine G. and Serafin, Ana Gil
The principal as instructional leader: Teaching high school teachers
how to teach reading. NASSP Bulletin, 82 (600), October 1998, pp. 78-84.
The main focus of this article is The Strategic Teaching and Reading
Project, which was developed in the United States to be used in
secondary classrooms to improve the reading ability of all students.
However, the article initially discusses the role of the principal in
providing professional development for staff to improve student
achievement.
Youngs, Peter and King, M. Bruce
Principal leadership for professional development to build school
capacity. Educational Administration Quarterly, 38 (5), December 2002, pp.
643-670.
This article gives the findings of a qualitative study of four urban
elementary schools in the United States. The study sought to examine the
extent to which, and the ways in which, principal leadership for
professional development addressed three aspects of school
organizational capacity: 1) teachers knowledge, skills, and dispositions;
2) professional community; and 3) programme coherence. The findings
revealed that effective principals can sustain high levels of capacity by
establishing trust, creating structures that promote teacher learning, and
by either connecting their faculties to external faculties or helping
teachers generate reforms internally.

Student Achievement
Andrews, Richard L.; Basom, Margaret R. and Basom, Myron
Instructional leadership: Supervision that makes a difference. Theory
into Practice, 30 (2), Spring 1991, pp. 97-101.

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This article examines the supervisory practices of instructional leaders
that have been found to increase student achievement. Four practices are
identified as important: 1) resource provider, 2) instructional resource, 3)
communicator, and 4) visible presence.
Bulach, Clete; Lunenburg, Fred C. and McCallon, R.
The influence of the principals leadership style on school climate
and student achievement. People in Education, 3 (3), September 1995, pp.
333-350.
This study examined the influence of the principals leadership style on
school climate and student achievement. Principals and teachers in 20
elementary schools in the United States were involved in the study. The
results of the study revealed that principals who involved students,
parents, and community in the decision-making process have higher
student achievement.
Dempsey, Dennis F.
The principal push for technology. High School Magazine, 7 (1),
September 1999, pp. 30-33.
This article suggests that if schools are going to meet the challenges of
preparing students for the 21st century, school principals must be
involved in the integration of technology throughout the school. It also
states that the principal must lead by example by using the technology
himself and establishing an environment that encourages the use of
technology.
DuFour, Richard
The learning-centered principal. Educational Leadership, 59 (8), May
2002, pp. 12-15.
In this article, a former principal describes how he transformed his high
school from an emphasis on teaching to an emphasis on learning, by
functioning as a learning leader rather than an instructional leader. The
article asserts that all principals should become learning leaders who
promote student and teacher learning.
Ediger, Marlow
The school principal as leader in reading instruction. Reading
Improvement 37, (1), Spring 2000, pp. 20-29.

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This article suggests that the principal has a leading responsibility in

improving the school curriculum. It discusses the principals vital role in
assisting teachers to help each student become the best reader possible,
and presents several ways that principals can help teachers improve
reading instruction.
Fink, Elaine and Resnick, Lauren B.
Developing principals as instructional leaders. Phi Delta Kappan, 82
(8), April 2001, pp. 598-610.
This article reflects on the experiences of the Community School District
in New York City over an 11-year period, during which the school
district amassed a strong record of successful schooling improvement. It
identifies nesting learning communities and cognitive apprenticeships as
keys to success, and asserts that principals are responsible for
establishing a pervasive culture of learning and teaching in each school.
Foriska, Terry J.
The principal as instructional leader: Teaming with teachers for
student success. Schools in the Middle, 3 (3), February 1994. pp. 31-34.
This article shows how cooperation between a principal and teachers
helped to improve student learning. After administering the cognitive
section of the National Association of Secondary School Principal
(NASSP) Learning Style to students and tabulating the results, the
principal worked with teachers to personalize instruction and improve
student learning.
Neuman, Mary and Pelchat, Judith
The challenge to leadership: Focusing on student achievement. Phi
Delta Kappan, 82 (10), June 2001, pp. 732-736.
In this article, three educatorsa superintendent, principal, and teacher
leaderreflect on the relationship between leadership and student
achievement. The discussion centred on how to promote leadership that
encourages instructional agenda in schools.

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Community Involvement
Epstein, Joyce Levy
School/family/community partnerships: Caring for the children we
share. Phi Delta Kappan, 76 (9), May 1995, pp. 701-712.
This article states that the reasons for developing school, family, and
community partnerships are to: 1) improve school programmes and
school climate, 2) provide family services and support, 3) increase
parents skills and leadership, 4) connect families with others in the
school and the community, 5) help teachers with their work, and 6) help
students succeed in school and later life. The article also provides
guidelines for building these relationships.
Epstein, Joyce L. and Sheldon, Steven B.
Present and accounted for: Improving student attendance through
family and community involvement. Journal of Educational Research, 95
(5), May/June 2002, pp. 309-318.
This study shows how family/school/community partnerships may
contribute to the reduction of student absenteeism and truancy. Data
were collected on primary and secondary schools rates of daily student
attendance and chronic absenteeism, and on specific partnership
practices that were implemented to help increase or sustain student
attendance. Results suggest that schools interested in improving or
maintaining good attendance could benefit from taking a comprehensive
approach, which includes students, educators, parents, and community
partners.
Griffith, James
Principal leadership of parent involvement. Journal of Educational
Administration, 39 (2), 2001, pp. 162-186.
This article reports on a study undertaken to determine the principal
behaviours associated with high levels of parental involvement in
schools. The study collected data from 82 elementary schools in the
United States, school principals, and school archives. The findings of the
study reveal that the general belief is that principals behaviour influence
parent involvement. The findings also identify specific roles associated

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with parent involvement and factors traditionally associated with parent
involvement.
Hatch, Thomas
How community action contributes to achievement. Educational
Leadership, 55 (8), May 1998, pp. 16-19.
This article highlights developments at Alliance Schools in Texas, USA,
which show that the power of community involvement for improving
learning may come from a number of different sources. It shows that
community involvement contributes to improvement in three areas: 1)
the physical conditions, resources, and constituencies that support
learning; 2) the attitudes and expectations of parents, teachers, and
students; and 3) the depth and quality of the learning experiences in
which parents, teachers, and students participate.
Melaville, Atelia I., and Blank, Martin J.
It takes a whole community. Principal, 80 (1), September 2000,
pp.18-20, 22.
In this article elementary school principals from several rural and urban
community schools explain how close-knit community partnerships
created campuses that involved parents, energized teachers, and
enhanced childrens learning.
McPhee, Rob
Orchestrating community involvement. Educational Leadership, 53 (4),
December/January 1995/6, pp. 71-74.
In this article, an Alberta high school principal describes the process of
transforming a small vocational training school into an innovative school
of science and technology. It shows how discussions with all
stakeholders proved to be very useful.
Sanders, Mavis G. and Harvey, Adia
Beyond the school walls: A case study of principal leadership for
school-community collaboration. Teachers College Record, 104 (7), October
2002, pp. 1345-1368.

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This paper describes how one urban elementary school in the United
States developed strong connections with 10 community businesses and
organizations as part of its programme of school, family, and community
partnerships. These partnerships supported the schools efforts to
provide a challenging and nurturing learning environment for its
students.

WEBSITES
Educational Leadership
This website is intended to help people interested in locating information
on leadership in education. It contains the following: 1) a bibliography of
books on educational leadership, 2) articles on educational leadership, 3)
Dr. Ruth Rees [developer of the website] M.Ed course outline on
educational leadership, and 4) a case study. It is intended that, over time,
the website will evolve in response to others input, with case studies,
interactive checklists, etc, being added.
URL: http://educ.queensu.ca/~reesr/leadership.html
The Knowledge Loom: Principal as Instructional Leader
This Knowledge Loom spotlight evolved through the work of the
Principals Leadership Network in the United States, which is a regional
programme of the Education Alliance at Brown University in
partnership with the National Association of Elementary School
Principals. This spotlight allows users to: 1) read about best practices, 2)
gain insight into successful strategies, 3) review research that supports
the practices, 4) view stories about the best practices in real schools and
districts, 5) add their own stories, questions, and bits of wisdom, 6)
participate in online panel discussions, and 7) discover supporting
organizations and resources.
URL: http://knowledgeloom.org/pil/index.jsp
Leadership in Education: Bibliography
This outline for a course by Coral Mitchell of the Faculty of Education,
Brock University, includes an extensive list of selected references.
URL: http://www.ed.brocku.ca/~cmitchell/dout.htm

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Janet Fullerton-Rawlins
Principal Leadership
This is the page for the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learnings
(CELL) Principal Leadership Colloquium Series. Links are provided to
the following colloquia: Colloquium I: Challenges of the Modern
Principalship; Colloquium II: Shapers of the Principalship; Colloquium
III: Paradigms to Strengthen the Principalship.
URL: http://cell.uindy.edu/principalleadership.php
Principal Leadership
This website, created by The National Association of Secondary School
Principals (NASSP), is committed to continually improving services to
middle and high school leaders. It contains news, views, and highlights
about the principalship. It also gives a link to a professional development
site.
URL: http://www.principals.org
Principal Reference List
This page from the Institute for Educational Leadership: School
Leadership for the 21st Century Initiative has an extensive list of
references. Some of the references provide links to the full text of the
document.
URL: www.iel.org/programs/21strefprincipal.html
Principals: Annotated Bibliography
This is an online bibliography by the Educational Leadership Academy
of Northern New York (ELANNY), which is a specialized resource for
enhancing the leadership capabilities of practising and prospective
educational administrators. The site provides links to the full text of
many of the entries in the bibliography.
URL: http://www.clarkson.edu/business/shipley/elanny/AB_Principals.htm
School Leadership: A Profile Document
This website was created by Valda Svede and Diane Jeudy-Hugo as one
of the assignments for the computer conferencing Masters Level Course
1048: Educational Leadership and School Improvement, taught by Dr.
Paul Begley at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the
University of Toronto. It presents various aspects of the school
principals duties and offers rubrics for evaluation.
URL: http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/~vsvede/index.html

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