THE PERCEIVED IMPACT OF THE 2006 NORTH CAROLINA STANDARDS FOR SCHOOL EXECUTIVES ON UNIVERSITY EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP PREPARATION PROGRAMS

Abstract

Not surprisingly, the members of the Ad Hoc Committee on School Administration - a committee established by the North Carolina State Board of Education for the purpose of revising standards for principals in North Carolina - perceived that the 2006 North Carolina Standards for School Executives would have an impact on both university preparation programs for school administration and practicing principals. The purpose of this study was to determine not only the perceived impact, but the perceived implications of the new standards on both preparation programs and principals. Major findings include perceived impact and implications in at least six areas: university curriculum and assessment; enhancing principal leadership skills for the 21st century; evaluation of principals; professional development and support for principals; alternative licensing of principals; and uniform standards for preparation programs. While the true impact cannot be known for some time, the critical incident - passing of the 2006 Standards in December 2006 - certainly launched a number of new initiatives including a new evaluation instrument for principals in North Carolina, a revision process for North Carolina principal preparation programs to align with these new standards, and multiple conversations about the emerging concept and language of the school principal as a "school executive."