Middle level principal preparation and certification: Practices and recommendations.

Abstract

This study was primarily concerned with the experience and university preparation that middle level principals brought to their role as leaders of a school for early adolescents and with the types of state administrative certification and/or endorsements, particularly middle level administrative certification. A total of 77 middle, junior high, and intermediate school principals were sent the Middle Level Principal Survey to assess the nature of their school, their personal and professional background, their preparation to become an administrator, and the types of state certification they and their teachers held. The principals selected were building administrators of outstanding middle, junior high, and intermediate schools identified in the 1987-88 Elementary and 1988-89 Secondary School Recognition Programs. The 40 principals who responded to the survey were representative of 22 different states. The principals ranked the psychology of the early adolescent and middle level teaching methods as the top university administrative courses needed as preparation for a middle level principal. Adolescent psychology/development and middle school curriculum/methods were the two middle level university courses most frequently completed by the responding principals. Six principals surveyed had completed their doctoral studies; the remaining principals held a Master's or Educational Specialist degree. Over half of these principals majored in educational administration; one indicated a major in middle level education. Most undergraduate majors were in some specialized area of secondary education. Two principals reported an undergraduate major in middle level education. A majority of the principals had between 10 and 14 years of teaching experience. All but a few of the principals had prior administrative experience, a majority as an assistant principal. While most states had either middle level teacher certification or endorsement, they did not have middle level administrative certification or endorsement. Middle level education is often associated with either elementary or secondary education. This study found middle level education primarily associated with secondary education. The implications of the data collected through the survey indicated a need for those responsible for the education of early adolescents to receive specialized preparation in middle level education. However, the need for an expanded administrative certification division to include middle level principals was in question.