Listen to article \u2022\u00a00:00 min<\/p>\n
Most Philadelphia principals believe the city\u2019s district and charter schools are moving in the right direction, though they are also frustrated with punishing workloads and inadequate access to resources.<\/p>\n
And while the majority of principals are satisfied with their leadership roles, Philadelphia School District school leaders are less likely to feel positive about their levels of support and autonomy. Only about half of district principals reported feeling backed by central administration, and about the same number said felt they had the authority to make decisions about school policies and practices.<\/p>\n
Two-thirds of principals citywide have considered leaving their jobs, with most contemplating K-12 jobs outside Philadelphia or in the education sector but not in a school or district.<\/p>\n
The results come via a new survey commissioned by the Philadelphia Citywide Talent Coalition, a group asked by the Philadelphia Mayor\u2019s Office of Education to design and implement strategies to hire and retain more effective teachers and teachers of color. <\/p>\n
Elevate 215, a Philadelphia-based education nonprofit, commissioned the study on the talent coalition\u2019s behalf, surveying 135 district and charter school principals this spring.<\/p>\n
Here are some takeaways from the recently released report:<\/p>\n
There are some reasons to be optimistic<\/p>\n
Most principals have spent more than a decade in Philadelphia schools, district or charter.<\/p>\n
Both charter and district principals said they think Philadelphia schools are going in the right direction \u2014 64% of charter principals and 55% of district principals. (In all, 36% and 45%, respectively, believe the sectors are going in the wrong direction.)<\/p>\n
Charter and district principals report a satisfaction gap in some areas<\/p>\n
While charter and district principals report similar levels of satisfaction in areas like relationships with students (95% for district principals and 96% for charter principals), there were areas of disparity.<\/p>\n
More than three-quarters, 80%, of charter principals felt they had access to adequate funding, supplies, and support staff. Just 23% of district principals were satisfied with their level of resources.<\/p>\n
Facilities satisfaction was a key area of difference, too \u2014 83% of charter principals said they were satisfied with their access to adequate facilities, while 34% of district principals did.<\/p>\n
Only 32% of district principals said they were satisfied with their workload; 54% of charter principals reported workload satisfaction.<\/p>\n
In all, 51% of district principals said they felt supported by their central office administrators, while 88% of charter principals did. The same percentage of district principals said they felt they had autonomy to make decisions regarding school policies and practices; 81% of charter principals did.<\/p>\n
Principals\u2019 top challenges are consistent<\/p>\n
Principals across sectors reported that staff shortages, workload, inadequately prepared teachers, and expectations around student achievement are top challenges.<\/p>\n
Principals sound off<\/p>\n
Asked what policymakers should know, the principals \u2014 who were not identified in the report by name or school \u2014 had much to say.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne piece of advice I would give policymakers is to listen directly to school leaders who are doing the work every day,\u201d one principal wrote. \u201cRetention will improve when leaders are not expected to carry the weight of academics, culture, staffing, family engagement, safety, and community concerns without adequate support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another principal was succinct, writing: \u201cdo not micromanage!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople need to be paid more, especially teachers. We also need to be able to enforce truancy policies. It\u2019s frustrating for all involved,\u201d another principal said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAttract, support, and help retain high-quality educators,\u201d wrote another principal. \u201cWe can\u2019t [hire large numbers of teachers<\/a> without permanent certification<\/a>] and expect miracles. Hold parents more accountable for school attendance \u2014 other states do.\u201d<\/p>\n