Date of Award

5-2010

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Executive Leadership

First Supervisor

Jeannine Dingus-Eason

Second Supervisor

Gloria Jacobs

Abstract

This qualitative interview study used data from in-depth semi-structured interviews, field notes, documents. and participant demographic information sheets to understand novice urban elementary school principals' experiences with socialization into the 21 51 century principalship. The primary research question guiding this study asked what resources novice urban elementary school principals drew upon to navigate the first three years of the principalship. A research subquestion asked what influenced the participants' socialization into the principalship. Findings indicated that principals actively pursued ongoing learning and drew upon an array of resources comprised of inside mentors, outside coaches, and personal mechanisms. Their use of resources, and the challenges and expectations of the 21 51 century principalship influenced principals' experiences with learning a new role in a new organizational setting. Findings from this study may provide school district and university leaders, practitioners, and policy makers with insight for improving principal induction practices.

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