A Comparison of Role Expectations Between Catholic and Public Elementary School Principals

Despite the numerous descriptions of the role of the elementary principal written by professional organizations and by writers in the field of school administration, little information is available comparing the roles of the Catholic school elementary principal and the public school elementary principal. These distinct yet similar administrative roles deserve the attention of those in the field of education. Educational leader, communicator, manager, faith leader, staff developer, evaluator, prime teacher, pastoral leader, and public relations officer are a few of the diversified roles of the elementary principal described in related literature. While both the public school and the Catholic school principal share many of these roles, some of these administrative roles are exclusive of one another