ABSTRACT
Many of the issues covered in the preceding chapters depend on effective site leadership. Indeed, principals are instrumental in implementing district human resource strategies. They play critical roles in teacher recruiting, staffing, inducting, developing, and performance managing, functions explicitly discussed in Chapter 10 on the principal as human capital manager. Principals are also considered the primary instructional leader in schools and must work with teachers to translate state and district academic standards into school and classroom curriculum and instructional strategies. These actions are expected while principals also foster a positive learning climate, build parent and community support, manage budgets and facilities, comply with federal, state, and district policies and reporting structures, and engage in their own professional development. With the complexity and requirements of the principal’s work, it makes sense for school districts to carefully recruit, select, and develop school leaders-to strategically manage principal talent.
