Principals org, nonprofit to study turnover and its effects

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has selected the Learning Policy Institute to manage a large-scale research project that leaders hope will improve principal turnover rates nationwide. The study is designed to explore what factors influence principal turnover, the rates of turnover in different demographic settings and the costs associated with turnover among school leaders, the NASSP announced Thursday. According to data released in 2018 by the U.S. Department of Education, principal retention rates in high-income districts is about 85%, while retention rates in lower-income districts is about 79%. Turnover can impact student achievement and teacher satisfaction because principals don’t stay long enough to see their growth plans for schools mature.The NASSP hopes the results will help policymakers and district leaders craft plans to improve principal retention rates. The first research brief is slated for release on March 19, a second brief will be released in July, and the third brief and final report should be released in the fall.