Attitudes, Experience and Education of Illinois Elementary Principals Concerning Early Childhood Education.

Overview & Synopsis

This paper reports the results of a statewide survey of elementary school principals by the Illinois State Board of Education to obtain information on the status of early childhood education in Illinois public and nonpublic schools. Such information has important implications for principals developing policies and programs, for determining the certification and placement of principals in schools, and in designing and implementing preservice and inservice programs to enhance the knowledge and skills of principals. More specifically, the survey collected information about: (1) the supply and demand for early childhood education programs and services as perceived by local school officials, (2) the various types of kindergarten programs currently in operation among the public and nonpublic schools, (3) the number and types of early childhood education programs, and (4) the opinions of local school officials concerning selected early childhood education issues. Conclusions drawn indicate that large scale inservice training is needed for principals in early childhood education if the provision of such programming in the public schools is to be expanded and improved and if principals are to play an educational leadership role in the process. Extensive tables summarizing survey results and the survey form are included. (DST)