Resolution

Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the shortage of applicants for administrative positions serving the Commonwealth’s 501 school districts.

WHEREAS, More than 20 statistical studies conducted in the United States have concluded that the effects of a principal’s behavior in various aspects of education made a significant impact on student learning; and

WHEREAS, The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the need for educational administrators will grow between 10% and 20% through the year 2005; and

WHEREAS, The average age of principals has risen from 46.8 years in 1987-1988 to 49.0 in 2000-2001, with more than 45% over age 50; and

WHEREAS, A national exploratory study conducted by the Educational Research Service has concluded that there is currently a shortage of candidates for principal positions in urban, rural and suburban school districts at the elementary, middle and high school levels; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania school districts anecdotally report similar shortages in administrative applications; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission conduct a study of the Commonwealth’s 501 school districts to determine if there is a shortage of candidates for principal and other administrative positions in urban, suburban and rural districts at elementary, middle and high school levels; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the commission hold at least one hearing to gather information from the school districts and other organizations which represent administrators; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the commission file a report with the Education Committee of the House of Representatives no later than six months after the date of adoption of this resolution, the report to contain recommended solutions to correct problems, if any exist.