One might assume that principals and teachers working alongside each other would hold similar views about what’s happening in their schools, but not so fast finds a recent Education Week survey:

1. While 52% of teachers said student discipline is “a major source of friction when it comes to the teacher-principal relationship,” just 24% of principals see it that way.

   At the same time, when an Ed Pulse survey asked what students are most vocal about, school discipline came up 50% of the time.

2. 69% of principals “completely agree” that their teachers feel empowered to bring problems to them, but only 25% of teachers said that’s true.
3. 41% of principals “completely agree” that they have the subject-matter content know-how needed to help teachers improve instruction, but just 21% of teachers see it that way.
4. When it comes to informal instruction feedback, 30% of principals say they should be giving it on a weekly basis. However, while 18% of teachers agreed with that, 56% would prefer such feedback just a few times a year.
5. Although a whopping 86% of principals “completely agree” that they support teachers who start innovative or new initiatives, only 45% of teachers think they do.

Any surprises or business as usual?

With my many thanks, have yourselves a very blessed and bright Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and 2020.~ Carol