Why Principals Matter: Exploring The Research On School Leadership. School Leadership Brief_18P429_digital_FINAL | Page 2

Introduction
Principals’ jobs are changing. In the past,
they were largely building managers,
making sure their school was staffed
and running efficiently while teachers
took care of the teaching. But in recent
years, principals have taken on new and
diverse responsibilities. They now serve as
instructional leaders, develop teachers, and
create a strong, student-focused culture. 1
Principals have become second only to
teachers in their school-level impact on
student achievement. 2
1
1
Tennessee hires approximately 180 first-
year principals each year, and many of those
principals start their careers in Tennessee’s
highest-need schools. 3 Tennessee has
options for policies that could better ensure
novice principals are prepared to tackle the
complex responsibilities of leadership.
This brief provides an overview of national
and Tennessee-specific research around
principal preparation. This research
includes the unique ways that principals