Abstract
This article reports the results of a study of the retention of principals in Catholic elementary and secondary schools in one Midwestern diocese. Findings revealed that personal needs, career advancement, support from employer, and clearly defined role expectations were key factors in principals’ retention decisions. A profile of components of successful retention is included.
Highlights
Of the respondents in the study, 9 of 22 had both public and Catholic school teaching experience, and 5 had been principals in both systems
Conflict with pastors, secondary school presidents/heads of schools, and governing bodies was a significant cause for principals leaving the principalship
Some principals who left the principalship did so to assume a different role in Catholic education
Summary
Of the respondents in the study, 9 of 22 had both public and Catholic school teaching experience, and 5 had been principals in both systems. Those statistics raise a question about whether such differences in expectations related to governance and authority relationships affect the pastor-chief administrator/principal relationship. Additional questions may have to do with the expectation of those with service in both public and private systems regarding compensation, benefits, continuing employment, and retirement. When considering the administrative staffing of Catholic schools in the future, the literature suggests that system leadership must take steps to minimize such disincentives (Canavan, 2001)
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