A survey for principals

Yesterday we did a survey for teachers. Today let us do a survey for principals. The principalship is a very important position because he or she sets the atmosphere at the school not only for the teachers and students but for parents and the community in which the school is located.

Too often many parents do not know the principal except by name and fragments of information about his or her background. Yet this individual wields a great influence on how your child is educated. This survey should help you to get better acquainted with the principal of your child’s school. As a parent you should make it a point to become acquainted with the principal. He or she will welcome your friendship and interest in operating the school.

The Survey for Principals

To the Principal of My Child:

This survey is not a critique on your ability as a principal. As a parent I am trying to find out what you think about operating a school and how you work with your staff. I simply want to know “how” and you conduct the school. Please take a few minutes to explain.

1. There are ( ) classroom teachers on my staff.

2. I am (aware) (not aware) of each teacher’s philosophy of teaching.

3. I am (aware) (not aware) of the contents of each teacher’s subject matter that he/she teaches in the classroom.

4. I (have) (have not) discussed and (approved) (not approved) what and how each teacher teaches.

5. It is (necessary) (not necessary) that I do the above.

6. I (allow completely) (do not allow completely) my teachers to work as they wish.

7. I visit each teacher’s classroom ( ) times a (week) (month) (year) for a total of ( ) per school year.

8. I (receive) (do not receive) lesson plans and (make) (do not make) comments on them.

9. In faculty meetings we (always discuss) (almost never discuss) teaching methodology.

10. My personal philosophy of teaching is ( )

11. I feel that children should be taught in a (child-centered schooling) (an academic core curriculum).

12. What do you feel should be done to improve the level of learning in our students?

13. I read about ( ) books per year in the field of education.

14. I read about ( ) professional journals per year.

15. I have been a teacher for ( ) years and a principal for ( ) years.

16. All my teachers are certified to teach in the grade level or subject assigned. (yes) (no). If no please explain why not.

17. I (encourage) (do not encourage) my teachers to stress basic fundamentals in all of their teaching.

18. I and my teachers (know) (do not fully know) what specific content all children at a certain grade level should be required to learn.

19. I (fully understand) (do not fully understand) the demographics of the students at my school.

20. I (do) (do not ) know the background experience and training of my teachers.

21. I (believe) (do not believe) that reading and writing should be a part of all subjects and an important part of grading.

22. I encourage my staff to teach reading using (phonetics) (whole language) (a combination of both).

23. I believe in a curriculum centered on teaching (basic academic core knowledge) (child-centered) schooling.

24. Teaching material (is) (is not) adequate in my school.

25. I hold the following degrees: ( )

26. I would (like) ( not like) to have site based management at my school.

Thank you for taking time to reply to this survey.

Strictly a personal view. Anthony Pellegrino writes every Monday and Tuesday. Mr. Pellegrino can be reached at tonypell@saipan.com