An assistant principal usually works in a school and assists the principal in dealing with student behavior issues, teacher evaluations, and other school functions such as extracurricular activities and the cafeteria. The assistant principal, also known as a vice principal, is in charge of many of the school’s tasks and needs in order to relieve the principal of some of his or her responsibilities, and is often more concerned with the school’s day-to-day operations. He or she may also be working to establish his or her worthiness for promotion, as many assistant principals use the position as a stepping stone to becoming a principal.
The number of assistant principals at a school is usually determined the school’s size and student population, but most schools have at least one. An assistant principal is deeply involved in the daily activities of students, teachers, and parents who are involved in their children’s education. When dealing with students whose behavior is disruptive or dangerous to other students, this frequently takes the form of discipline. When dealing with teachers who are not meeting the mandatory goals set the state or region in which the school is located, disciplinary action may be taken. While an assistant principal does not have the authority to fire or formally reprimand teachers, he or she is usually the first person to discuss areas for improvement on a regular basis, before the principal gets involved.
An assistant principal is frequently involved in various aspects of the school’s operation. Though the principal is usually in charge of creating and managing the school’s budget, assistant principals are often in charge of ensuring that budgeted activities are properly managed and overseeing the operations of extracurricular activities and programs. Because assistant principals deal with disciplinary actions and daily issues on a regular basis, they may be more familiar with students than a principal who isn’t as involved with them.
Many assistant principals in the United States have become heavily involved in standardized testing procedures as a result of the increased focus on standardized testing in American education. An assistant principal will frequently collaborate with teachers to determine the best ways to help students pass tests, as well as administering the tests or instructing other faculty members on how to do so properly. Assistant principals’ various responsibilities and roles are typically related to those of a school’s principal, and serving as an assistant principal is frequently used as a form of preparation for becoming a principal. Some assistant principals, on the other hand, choose to stay on as assistants for the rest of their careers.