Educational publications and reports suggest that the single most significant contributing factor to dilemmas and problems in school administration stems from lack of leadership. School administration officials are usually former teachers or principals who have worked hard to qualify for their positions and have many years of experience. But experience does not necessarily qualify one to be a leader.
Taking into account that the school administrators are prepared, highly qualified, and highly capable of fulfilling the role as Principal, Assistant Principal, or any other school administrator role, public school administrators have three recurring issues and dilemmas beyond their immediate control: budget, annual measurable outcomes (AMOs), staffing and compensation.
· Budget: Schools are closing and consolidating due to low enrollment, but how will that change impact the local administration teams? Also due to low student enrollment and budgetary constraints, school systems are opting to follow the suggested administrator ratio guidelines and thereby eliminate administrative positions. Additionally, school systems are opting to offer a financial incentive to encourage early retirement of its seasoned employees.
· Annual Measurable Outcomes: Due to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, schools have to meet the annual measurable outcomes, AMOs, in order to make adequate yearly progress. The principal is ultimately blamed or celebrated, depending on the annual outcome.
· Staffing and Compensation: Maintaining a highly qualified staff can be difficult because of seniority and tenure issues, and issues of compensation. Determining who will be on the staff from year to year is an arduous, annual process. Teachers and staff are more likely seek employment in more competitive markets, or even change industries. Administrators can end up back in teaching positions simply due to budgetary cuts, poor performance, or even by choice.
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