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Principals directly affect exam results: study
University of Melbourne economists have determined that school principals have a direct impact on students’ scores in standardised testing such as NAPLAN.
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By: James Wells in Faculty Focus, Industry & Research, News, News, Radio+TV, Research News, Top Stories June 7, 2016 0
University of Melbourne economists have determined that school principals have a direct impact on students’ scores in standardised testing such as NAPLAN.
Using Victorian Education Department public school data, economist Dr Mick Coelli and colleagues found that principals who set clear strategic objectives for their schools, encourage collaboration between staff and promote professional development have students who perform better in the standardised tests.
Coelli said these findings could assist policymakers in identifying effective principals and supporting those who need it. He said this is the case because the data isolates the principal’s impact on the child.
“The most important part of the analysis is to separate out the effect of the school principal from the effect of the school itself,” Coelli said.
The Victorian education minister, James Merlino, welcomed the research and said it would be used to guide state policy.
“Supporting principals – particularly new and aspiring principals – with professional and leadership development and better support will help ensure our kids can get the best possible education, and the best shot in life,” Merlino said. “This research shows why we must continue to do this.”