This study aims to examine the characteristics of, and the changes in, principals' job performance at each of three elementary schools after applying an open recruitment system for school principals, as well as the factors affecting such changes. The ...
This study aims to examine the characteristics of, and the changes in, principals' job performance at each of three elementary schools after applying an open recruitment system for school principals, as well as the factors affecting such changes. The researcher interviewed school staff including principals, assistant principals, teachers, and parents at each school site. In addition, the internal data of the schools, documents on the characteristics of the open recruitment system, school principals, and regional conditions of the case schools were classified for analysis of the factors of such changes.
The study results showed that each school developed diversified curriculum by applying regional characteristics in order to realize the school vision. Schools had utilized external resources for the efficient management of school resources. The opportunity to communicate with others was a positive aspect of the system; however, school principals, teachers, and staff had additional duties and more work, which led to a negative response. The characteristics of the open recruitment system for school principals were among the most important influencing factors noted. That is, school principals had chosen a particular school where they could realize their educational philosophy. They felt greatly responsible for their own school management and improvement plans and for the commitment to the public during the contest. In addition, the evaluation for principals is expected to be conducted every two years, which was also perceived as a driving factor for changes. Therefore, the open recruitment system for school principals, including the evaluation component, seems to be beneficial and is expected to result in positive changes in schools. Consequently, this indicates that such a system could be an alternative to solving problems of the current system of appointing school principals via promotion. However, considering such negative effects as teachers' workload, implementing the
open recruitment system for school principals needs to be done gradually and more carefully after further systematic research.