Assistant Principal

Job Duties

Assistant principals help principals in most aspects of school administration. Some intend on being assistant principals for their entire career, while others acquire the position in order to prepare for becoming principal. Their duties vary, but usually include scheduling student classes, ordering textbooks and supplies, and coordinating transportation, custodial, cafeteria, and other support services. They are often responsible for student discipline and attendance problems, social and recreational programs, and health and safety matters. In some instances, they may counsel students on personal, vocational, and educational matters. Assistant principals are playing an increasingly important role in developing new curricula, evaluating teachers, and dealing with school-community relations, all of which were previously the sole domain of principals. The number of assistant principals employed by a given school is usually dependent on the size of that school's student populati on.

Job Skills

Assistant principals need to have specific knowledge of leadership concepts gained through experience as well as formal education. They must possess qualities such as leadership, determination, confidence, innovativeness, and motivation. Today, assistant principals are required to be intimately familiar with computer technology. This is because they are required to gather information, collect data, and coordinate technical resources for their students, teachers, and classrooms. They should be good decision-makers and be able to organize and coordinate work efficiently. Strong interpersonal skills are essential, due to the high percentage of time spent interacting with others.

Income

In 2002, assistant principals earned a median annual salary of between $62,230 and $70,874, depending on the grade level of their schools. High school assistant principals earned the most on average, followed by Jr. high/middle school assistant principals, and finally, elementary school assistant principals. Benefits for assistant principals are typically very good, including 4 or 5 weeks of vacation each year and generous health and pension packages.

Training and Education

Most assistant principals have a master's degree in education administration or educational supervision. Some, especially those aspiring to be principals, have a doctorate or specialized degree in education administration. In private schools, due to the lack of State licensure requirements, some assistant principals have only a bachelor's degree. In some States, assistant principals are required to be licensed as school administrators, and many States use national standards developed by the Interstate School Leadership Licensure Consortium. Some States also require assistant principals to take continuing education courses in order to be able to renew their licenses. Most assistant principals hold teaching positions prior to advancing to an assistant principal position.

Employment

In 2002, education administrators (the occupational category to which assistant principals belong) held about 427,000 jobs. 60% worked for State and local governments, and 20% worked for private institutions. Less than 5% were self-employed.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, employment of assistant principals is expected to grow faster than the average. A large percentage of assistant principals are expected to retire during this period, and education continues to hold greater importance in people's lives. There has been a steady increase in responsibility for principals, making their jobs much more stressful. They have become more accountable for the performance of students and teachers, as well as responsible for adhering to a growing number of government regulations. In many areas, overcrowded classrooms, safety issues, budgetary concerns, and teacher shortages have added to the stress. This combination of changes has discouraged many teachers from taking jobs as assistant principals.

For more information on how to pursue this profession, please see our Education Degree directory.

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Academic Dean Or Chairperson

Job Duties

Academic deans and chairpersons work in colleges and universities, providing various types of administrative support. Academic deans, including deans of faculty, provosts, and university deans, establish academic policies and programs, develop budgets, and make faculty appointments. They supervise and coordinate deans of individual colleges and chairpersons of academic departments. They often spend a good deal of their time working on raising money for their institution.

College or university chairpersons are responsible for departments that specialize in particular fields of study, such as English, biological science, or mathematics. In addition to their teaching duties, they also coordinate schedules of classes and teaching assignments; propose budgets; recruit, interview, and hire applicants for teaching positions; evaluate faculty members; encourage faculty development; serve on committees; and perform other administrative duties. A primary part of their job is balancing the interests of faculty, administrators, and students.

Job Skills

Academic deans and chairpersons need to have specific knowledge of leadership concepts gained through experience as well as formal education. Strong interpersonal skills are essential, due to the high percentage of time spent interacting with others. They must possess qualities such as leadership, determination, confidence, innovativeness, and motivation. Today, academic deans and chairpersons are required to be intimately familiar with computer technology. This is because they are required to gather information, collect data, and coordinate technical resources for their students, teachers, and staff. They should be good decision-makers and be able to organize and coordinate work efficiently.

Income

In 2002, academic deans and chairpersons earned a median annual salary of between $73,595 and $107,414. Benefits for academic deans and chairpersons are typically very good, including 4 or 5 weeks of vacation each year and generous health and pension packages.

Training and Education

Academic deans and chairpersons most often hold a doctorate in their specialized field. Most have attained a professorship before they advance to dean or chairperson status. Many colleges and universities offer advanced degrees in higher education administration, educational supervision, and college student affairs. These programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Educational Leadership Constituent Council.

Education administration degree programs include courses in school leadership, school law, school finance and budgeting, curriculum development and evaluation, research design and data analysis, community relations, politics in education, and counseling. Education supervision degree programs include courses in supervision of instruction and curriculum, human relations, curriculum development, research, and advanced teaching courses. Education directors advance through promotion to more responsible administrative positions or by transferring to more responsible positions at larger schools or systems. They also may become superintendents of school systems or presidents of educational institutions.

Employment

In 2002, education administrators (the occupational category to which academic deans and chairpersons belong) held about 427,000 jobs. 60% worked for State and local governments, and 20% worked for private institutions. Less than 5% were self-employed.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, employment of academic deans and chairpersons is expected to grow faster than the average. While colleges and universities are often subject to fluctuating economic cycles, overall student enrollment will continue to grow, creating more of these types of positions. A large percentage of academic deans and chairpersons are expected to retire during this period, and education continues to hold greater importance in people's lives. However, competition for academic deans and chairpersons, positions which hold a high level of prestige, is expected to remain fierce.

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