Principal effectiveness: the relationship of principal self-efficacy and role perceptions to school climate and student achievement, 1990

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of principal effectiveness with principal self-efficacy and role perceptions, using school climate and student achievement as effective factors. To facilitate the study, the researcher developed and field tested an instrument to measure principal self-efficacy. The Principal Perception Inventory was used to collect role perception data, while the OCDQ-RE (Hoy & Clover, 1986) and the OCDQ-RS (Kottkamp, Mulhern, & Roy, 1987) were utilized to determine the school climate. The sample consisted of 34 elementary and middle school principals and staff. Eighteen principals and 183 teachers responded. The results indicated no significant relationships were found between self-efficacy and any of the stated dependent variables. Relationships were found between: (1) principal role perceptions and student achievement in both reading and mathematics; and (2) between the dependent variables climate and student achievement in both reading and mathematics. Correlations between the research variables and demographic information, revealed: (1) a significant relationship between the educational level of the principal and role perceptions; and (2) a significant inverse relationship between experience as an assistant principal and student achievement in both reading and mathematics. The recommendations presented included: (1) provide professional development programs to assist principals and assistant principals in defining and expanding their role perceptions; (2) provide professional development to assist principals in monitoring, and assessing the school climate, as well as, utilizing the information to adjust leadership styles and organizational factors; (3) provide greater incentives to principals for continued education; (4) provide professional development for individuals assigned to principal positions who have held assistant principals positions for an extended time