Heavy Turnover in New York's Principal Ranks
More than half the principals in the New York City public school system have left their jobs over the past five years, opening the way for a remarkable influx of often younger newcomers, some in their 20's and 30's with impressive credentials but little teaching experience.
In October 2000, there were slightly more principals over age 60 than under 41, according to the Department of Education, and not a single principal under 31. In fall 2005, there were 274 principals under 41, more than four times as many as those over 60. Two dozen principals had not yet turned 31.
The bulk of the city's 1,451 principals, about 1,100, are between the ages of 41 and 60. But the faces have changed. Since the start of the 2001-2 school year, according to the department, 730 principals have left their jobs. This year, more than half have been in the job for less than three years.
The transformation is occurring at the very moment when Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein is seeking to give principals more authority over everything from how they spend money to how their students should learn. It also comes after a decade of upheaval through two city administrations over the role of principals.
Mr. Klein said the school system was simply catching up to the private sector in making room for talent of all ages, and noted Bill Gates's youth when he started Microsoft.
posted by Whitney Tilson at 7:47 PM
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