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BOE changes its requirements for principals
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Posted on Nov 05 2008
The Public School System’s Board of Education last week voted to change the requirements for holding the position of principal.
The change came as some BOE members were concerned about the number of acting principals in the school system, even as officials from the Western Association of Accrediting Schools and Colleges prepare to visit nine schools this year.
“It’s a WASC issue,” said BOE vice chair Herman Guerrero. “In terms of stability…we need to have them designated.”
Previously, principals were required to pass PRAXIS I and II, hold a master’s degree and obtain administrator’s certification.
Under the new rules, principals must pass PRAXIS I and II, hold a master’s degree and be working toward obtaining the administrator’s certification.
Ramon Diaz, acting Human Resources director for PSS, said a principal holding a master’s degree in education is well into the necessary courses needed for the administrator’s certification.
During the meeting, board member Tanya King said she would like to see principals become PRAXIS certified in the administration area, as opposed to a subject area like math or science.
“I believe there are areas of competency, such as education law, they should be aware of,” she said.
Currently, principals can be PRAXIS certified in any area, and since many principals are former teachers, many are certified in their respective specialty, she said.
King said she thinks principals should be required to take the administration test, in order to avoid future litigation.
“If you have to take two tests, one as a teacher and one as an administrator, so be it,” she said.
