Fantastic principals and where to find them: lessons about internal promotion of school leaders selected via the system for public managment positions in Chile

Abstract

The importance of leadership for student learning is undeniable, but studies warn of a global crisis in the recruitment and retention of principals due to the complexities associated with this position. In Chile, principal selection favors the recruitment of external candidates over internal promotion, which entails difficulties derived from the insertion into a new school culture. This article introduces an alternative perspective and, through a qualitative case study, analyzes the trajectory of 10 municipal school principals selected through Senior Public Management (ADP) after a process of internal promotion. Findings are organized using the framework proposed by Moorosi (2010): Anticipation, future principals are identified early, exercise leadership informally and access professional learning opportunities; Acquisition, future principals access formal leadership positions, developing professional knowledge and increasing their visibility with the school community; and Performance, principals face the transition to office and must manage relationships with other relevant actors. Based on these findings, five lessons are discussed for a strategy of internal promotion of future school leaders that can complement external recruitment for a future principal career in Chile.