Keys to Success: Critical Skills for the Novice Principal

Findings of a study that identified critical skills for the novice principal are presented in this paper. Two theoretical frameworks are used to view the issue of principal effectiveness--a taxonomy of necessary skills and socialization. Surveys of 1,125 novice principals and 435 superintendents in California produced 450 and 208 responses, respectively. Findings indicate a strong agreement among and between principals and superintendents regarding the skills that new principals need. Both groups said that conceptual, self-awareness, and people skills were more important than knowledge of technical skills. Both principals and superintendents identified the new principal's greatest challenges as creative fiscal management and working with a variety of interest groups. Universities must therefore develop administrator preparation programs that reflect the emerging paradigm shift in the form of full-time, intensively socializing, and academic training programs. Five tables and four figures are included. Appendices contain copies of the two questionnaires, statistical data, and the Daresh taxonomy of skills. (Contains 27 references.) (LMI)