Abstract:
From January 1999 all New Zealand schools have been required to implement new processes for performance appraisal of their principal, based on nationally prescribed 'Professional standards', and fixed term tenure for principal employment. These measures were introduced to "allow Boards of Trustees to periodically review whether the school's existing senior management matches their changing needs" and "to help ensure that schools are led and managed by high quality professionals". (Ministry of Education, April 1998).
This paper will report on case study research into principal appraisal in two New Zealand primary schools (core with teaching principal; the other with a non-teaching principal). The study took place over 1998 and 1999 and focussed on the extent and impact of changes to each school's governance and management processes as a result of the implementation of new principal appraisal requirements.
Particular issues examined in the study include the extent to which:-
- Given the higher stakes now involved in principal appraisal, Boards will need to apply a more rigorous and formal process than formerly?
- This may result initially in a less comfortable employment arrangement than formerly?
- This may also result over time in better linkage between principal appraisal and school self-review and/or strategic planning?
This paper will report on case study research into principal appraisal in two New Zealand primary schools (core with teaching principal; the other with a non-teaching principal). The study took place over 1998 and 1999 and focussed on the extent and impact of changes to each school's governance and management processes as a result of the implementation of new principal appraisal requirements.
Particular issues examined in the study include the extent to which:-
- Given the higher stakes now involved in principal appraisal, Boards will need to apply a more rigorous and formal process than formerly?
- This may result initially in a less comfortable employment arrangement than formerly?
- This may also result over time in better linkage between principal appraisal and school self-review and/or strategic planning?