Assistant Principals are they appreciated?

[Anonymous]

I asked this question because, we are experiencing a principal search for a high-school. The request was to have a national search and the results provided were locals from the metro-commuting area. Yet, one candidate had the experience that would one would say was not of an assistant principal. The other candidate's most recent postions was of principal and instructional coach. Again, not one job-seeker from within DCPS Assistant Principal rank and file matriculated to and through the process.

Now, we are hearing about certain schools that are reaping accolades...so I am wondering if these schools have assistant principals, does one think that a promotion possibility is in order? Could one look at it as succession planning for the school system?

[Anonymous]

OP -- maybe it is just me, but I'm having a lot of difficulty understanding what you are asking. Maybe post your question again, in a different way?

[Anonymous]

ditto

[Anonymous]

OP -- is this what you are saying?

Your child is at a DC high school, and the high school needs a new principal. There was supposedly a nation-wide search for applications, but you didn't get many responses. The few responses you did get were from local applicants -- and none of those were assistant principals.

So you are wondering, why aren't assistant principals from DC schools applying to be principal of your school? Youa re thinking, perhaps they stay at their own high school, and then move up to principal there when the time comes?

[Anonymous]

OP here - Okay...DCPS has national searches for principal positions. Yet, many times there are very few or none job applicants who are currently working DCPS assitant principals vying for a principal position within DCPS. It just comes across as unfortunate to always rely on national searches and not promote those in the assistant principal ranks.

I was just stating, when you hear about phenomenal schools like Banneker, Wilson, SWW I just wonder the chances of assistant principals moving up within the same school is "iffy" but an opportunity to run your own school is quite lucrative.

If one school succeeds then we all succeed...so as a practical matter wouldn't you let your succession planning begin amongst the rank and file.

[Anonymous]

Maybe some teachers aspire to be principals until they become assistant principals. After that experience they may decide they prefer to be in the classroom. I've known two former assistant principals who chose to go back to teaching but they are not in DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Administrative positions are tough. You'll see systems go through them quickly, as they tend to stay a bit, work hard, burn out and leave or move on to central office positions.