A four-year college degree and a master’s degree in education or educational leadership are typically required for a career path to become a vice principal, also known as an assistant principal. Many vice principals also finish a Rank 1 or PhD program after completing their master’s degree. Many colleges and universities across the country offer specific programs for people interested in becoming vice principals or earning other educational administration credentials.
Before applying for a job in administration in most states and school districts in the United States, a person must have at least three years of successful classroom teaching experience. As part of a licensing process that varies by state, administrators must typically pass a standardized test or tests. On official state government websites, many states detail the process and outline the steps required to become a vice principal or other school administrator.
Handling student discipline, managing and implementing curriculum needs, overseeing budgetary matters, hiring and evaluating teachers and non-certified personnel, attending board and staff meetings, acting as a liaison between the school district and the community, and providing general assistance and oversight in a broad range of school functions are among the core job duties of an assistant principal. A good vice principal should be a good communicator, have excellent organizational skills, and be able to create a positive learning environment. A vice principal or assistant principal, like all administrators, works more days per calendar year than a classroom teacher, closer to 245 days than 187 days. During the school year, most vice principals work between 50 and 60 hours per week, with 40 hours per week during the summer.
A vice principal is required to attend school functions, functions, and meetings after school hours on a regular basis. The accountability of public school administrators has increased as a result of national educational reform movements such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Vice principals are responsible for ensuring that the schools in which they work meet all state and national academic standards. Administrators can be fired, asked to resign, or reassigned if their schools fail to meet minimum educational requirements, and all states have a protocol for identifying struggling or non-compliant schools.
Private-sector administrators and teachers typically earn significantly less than their public-sector counterparts. Those who teach in the private sector, on the other hand, may point to other advantages as a reason for their decision.