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The Politics of Principal Evaluation

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Abstract

This article examines the politics of principal evaluation through both an extensive review of the literature and in-depth interviews with principals and superintendents. The findings reveal that the format and processes used in principal evaluation often vary from one district to another and that principals and superintendents frequently hold different perspectives about the purposes and usefulness of evaluation. Most principals felt their evaluations were not useful and were unduly influenced by political forces beyond their control. Superintendents believed that evaluations were well developed and useful in assessing principal competence. Principals should take an active role in the development and implementation of evaluation processes, while superintendents need to clearly communicate evaluation processes, purposes, and sources of information.

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Davis, S.H., Hensley, P.A. The Politics of Principal Evaluation. Journal of Personnel Evaluation in Education 13, 383–403 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008161417522

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