Principal ‘Disengagement’: Are the Solutions Addressing the Problem?

Abstract

Australia has to find solutions to a critical shortage of school principals, and to this end, governments are spending millions of dollars on the development of leadership standards and professional learning programs. This article focuses on the ‘disengagement’ problem and examines the disincentives for aspirants to undertake the role and for incumbents to continue in the role. Various responsive measures are critiqued, and alternative proposals that arise out of discussions with principals are discussed.

Citation

Starr, K. (2007), "Principal ‘Disengagement’: Are the Solutions Addressing the Problem?", Donahoo, S. and Hunter, R.C. (Ed.) Teaching Leaders to Lead Teachers (Advances in Educational Administration, Vol. 10), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 331-348. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1479-3660(07)10020-2