It was concluded that school administrators must do a better job of making policy makers aware of the complexities of the job. Since The Burger King Bill will definitely be back in an amended form for the 1999 session, it is very timely and appropriate to review this very thorough and complete official documentation of the role of the school administrator. Every FASA member should make copies of this article and distribute it as widely as feasible, suggested Doug Crawford, FASA Executive Director. Education administrators who manage elementary and secondary schools are called principals. They set the academic tone, hire teachers and other staff, help them improve their skills, and evaluate them.
Principals confer with staff advising, explaining, or answering procedural questions.
They visit classrooms, observe teaching methods, review instructional objectives, and examine learning materials. The actively work with teachers to develop and maintain high curriculum standards, develop mission statements, and set performance goals and objectives. Principals must ensure they use clear, objective guidelines for teacher appraisals, since pay is often based on performance ratings. Principals also meet and interact with other administrators, students, parents, and representatives of community organizations. Decision-making authority has shifted from school district central offices to individual schools.