These standards are the basis for performance evaluation of principals in the Palo Alto Unified School District. They describe what principals are expected to know and be able to do.
Principals are key members of the district leadership team.
They have responsibilities to lead and manage their school sites, to be active and contributing members of the District leadership team, and to communicate and collaborate effectively with the school community. Principals are expected to be skilled at delegating and at choosing appropriate decision-making methods. They may fulfill their responsibilities by delegating tasks to other members of their administrative team or to teachers. In all cases, however, the accomplishment of the task and the quality of the work or decision are the responsibility of the principal. These standards are also the basis for performance evaluation of other members of the administrative team at secondary schools, specifically, assistant principals and deans.