The School Principal: Key Man in Educational Change

Abstract

Believing that the principalship is the key position for facilitating change, this author provides practical suggestions for the principal as change-agent.

Barriers and Resistance to Innovation

“…Phelps (1972) and Tye (1972) both assert that the principal, as a leader as well as an administrator, is a key figure in the area of educational change. suggests that administrators who have the power to handle the problems encountered in installing innovations will be more effective than other system members.…”

“…Phelps (1972) feels the principal has a responsibility to identify areas requiring action, to evaluate courses of action, to assume overall supervision of the planning of an innovation, to ensure the necessary means for its implementation are available, and to continuously assess the progress of the innovation. Tye (1972) feels the administrator can make other specific contributions to encourage innovation. He can provide efficient avenues of communication, manage and resolve intergroup confl ict, facilitate decision making, provide resources and act as a link with other systems outside the target system.…”