Secondary school principal leadership: An integrative paper

This Integrative Paper reviews literature related to the leadership of the school principal. It is organized into content based on the categories identified in reviewing the body of research on the topic. These categories include the evolution of principalship, leadership theories relevant to the principalship, school leadership complexity, effective principalship and standards for school principals, and principals' continuous growth as leaders. Research indicates that much work has been done on leadership theory and its relationship with principals, effective leadership qualities and characteristics, as well as the significance of effective leadership in student achievement. Although studies on how to develop as a leader have just been beginning to advance in the last decade, rarely have any of these studies considered perspectives of practicing secondary school principals.