Mid-Level School Leadership Evaluation: An Exploratory Case Study

Abstract

Evaluation of people in education focuses mostly on teachers and principals. Evaluations for mid-level school leaders such as vice principals, department heads, deans, content leads, and others, rely on the same evaluation tools for teachers and principals rather than evaluations designed for mid-level school leader’s unique role. This mixed-methods, exploratory case study sought to explore current education-type evaluations to see if any could be reframed for those serving as mid-level school leaders and what limitations, if any, existed in these evaluations. Participants across four school sites on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi that belonged to the Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools (HAIS) were surveyed. Following the surveys, 20 semi-structured interviews were conducted, with mid-level school leaders and faculty, to further examine the research questions. Implications and reflections on the data collected, consider possible areas to include from existing evaluations for mid-level leaders and potential limitations to avoid.