Attributes of Principals of Top Performing Public Secondary Schools in The Division of Cavite Province

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Most educators believe that school leadership is crucial to realizing the high expectations for student achievement that have been put in place in most school districts over the last several years. There is a growing consensus regarding the attributes of effective school leaders. However, many of these attributes are difficult to clearly define and more difficult to objectively measure. This study was undertaken to examine the common attributes of the principals of top performing public secondary schools in the Division of Cavite Province.

METHODS

This study used a qualitative descriptive research design utilizing in-depth interviews to discover and understand the attributes and career paths of principals of top performing public secondary schools in NAT in the Division of Cavite. The goal of a qualitative descriptive study is a comprehensive summarization, in everyday terms, of specific events experienced by individuals or groups of individuals.

RESULTS

The major findings showed that principals of top performing public secondary school were older, usually between 45 to 55 years, married and had graduate degrees. They have served long years as classroom teachers, and worked as head teachers before assuming the principalship position. The study identified some attributes and leadership characteristics of the principals that supported school success. It was an advantage for the principal to have a graduate degree in educational management. With regards to leadership characteristics, successful high school principals of top performing public secondary schools in the Division of Cavite established relationships of trust, collaborated effectively with all stakeholders to develop a school vision with high expectations for all, positively shaped and sustained a warm school culture, selected and developed people to become leader within the organization, and reached out to all involved to make the most of the resources available to build academic achievement for students.

DISCUSSIONS

Data collected in this study identified some attributes and leadership characteristics of these Principals that supported school success. The personal and professional support obtained during the principals' career and quality of mentoring experiences are significant elements in their success. It is notable that these high school principals are visionary and keep the interests of their students as the central focus of their work.