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Promotion to leadership, not just merit, but insider knowledge: What do school principals say?


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Principal survey profile

Gender Female Male      
Sample 54.74% 45.26%      
NSW1 74% 45.26%      
School Location Urban Rural      
Sample 65.59% 34.41%      
NSW1 72% 28%      
Years as a Principal 0–5 6–10 11–20 20+  
Sample 23.81% 32.80% 31.22% 12.17%  
Principal Age Band (Years) 25–35 36–45 46–55 56–60 60+
Sample 1.05% 15.26% 26.84% 34.21% 22.63%
NSW2 1.9% 17.7% 37% 28.3% 15%
Years in Teaching Service 0–10 11–20 21–30 31+  
Sample 1.58% 16.84% 30.53% 51.06%  
Selection Panels Convened None 1–5 6–10 11–15 16+
Sample 4.21% 26.32% 30.53% 18.95% 20%

How effective is the current interview process in the assessment of merit?

Response Frequency %
The interview process is ineffective 73 54.9
The interview process is effective 46 34.6
Interview is just one part of the process 8 6
There is no alternative to interview 4 3
Unsure 2 1.5

Do non-merit variables (NMVs) influence selection panel decisions?

Response Frequency %
NMVs influence deliberations 115 70
NMVs don’t influence deliberations 47 29
Unsure 2 1

Interview profile of principals

Interview Number School Type Gender Age Band (Years) Principal Experience (Years) School Location
1 Primary School Male 60+ 15 Urban
2 High School Male 60+ 8 Rural
3 Primary School Female 56-60 13 Urban
4 Primary School Female 46-55 10 Rural
5 High School Male 46-55 10 Urban
6 High School Male 46-55 7 Rural
7 High School Female 46-55 1 Urban
8 High School Male 46-55 10 Rural
9 High School Female 46-55 4 Urban
10 Primary School Female 36-45 2 Rural
11 High School Female 46-55 12 Urban
12 Primary School Male 36-45 4 Urban

How much merit selection training has been completed by principals?

Response Frequency %
None 27 15.4
1-2 hours 71 40.6
3-4 hours 40 22.9
5+ hours 37 21.1

Can merit be “measured” objectively?

Response Frequency %
Yes 26 14.7
Maybe 54 30.5
Unsure 22 12.4
No 75 42.4

Is it possible to exclude NMVs when recruiting new school leaders?

Response Frequency %
Definitely yes 16 9.1
Probably yes 39 22.3
Probably not 95 54.3
Definitely not 25 14.3

To what extent are non-merit variables factored into panel deliberations?

Response Frequency %
Human nature is subjective 103 67.8
Selection criteria / evidence enables objectivity 48 31.6
Unsure 1 0.6

Principal perspectives on the reliability of the current merit selection process

Response Frequency %
It facilitates best fit 80 47.2
It raises integrity concerns 79 46.8
Problematic software/time consuming 5 3
Selection requires a practical component 5 3
eISSN:
1178-8690
Idioma:
Inglés
Calendario de la edición:
Volume Open
Temas de la revista:
Social Sciences, Education, other