A framework for the duties of an educational administrator such as a vice principal is provided a number of important professional standards. The vice principal, also known as an assistant principal, promotes a learning vision that is shared everyone in the school. She is in charge of establishing a fair and ethical environment in which students and staff feel comfortable learning. The assistant principal is in charge of overseeing current human and financial resources as well as forecasting future requirements. It’s possible that staying on top of educational regulations, and possibly working to influence them, will be part of the job.
The administrator must understand what educational outcomes are important for learners in a 21st century, pluralistic society in order to create a vision of learning that is accepted in practice the school staff. She must be able to bring her colleagues together, negotiate when necessary, and believe that all students can learn. She can keep families informed about the direction she wants the school to go as well as the progress made toward that goal speaking at monthly school board meetings, for example.
The assistant principal may be in charge of staff and student safety and motivation. Four job tasks that help to keep the school a place where people want to be are fairly handling discipline issues, recognizing student and staff accomplishments, monitoring the school’s climate, and supervising extra-curricular activities. On in-service days, the assistant principal may also participate in staff development presentations and assist teachers in setting professional goals for themselves each year. Conducting annual teacher evaluations may be a shared responsibility with the principal. Following teacher evaluations, the vice principal should provide relevant positive and negative feedback to teachers in a professional and respectful manner.
The vice principal must be an excellent communicator. Writing newsletters or school website updates to keep families informed and strengthen community ties may be part of the administrator’s job description. The assistant principal, principal, and guidance counselor may share responsibility for developing connections to community resources, such as businesses and social organizations.
The administration is in charge of the school’s day-to-day organization and operation. The assistant principal and the principal may collaborate on the school’s annual budget. She may also be tasked with dealing with daily, unanticipated administrative issues and ensuring that they are resolved quickly and fairly.
By serving on committees or contacting and meeting with policymakers to change educational laws, educational administrators can be change agents. At legislative hearings, for example, the vice principal might advocate for student legal rights to privacy. The vice principal’s job description includes influencing broader local or national education policy, which is often overlooked but crucial.