The role of the elementary principal is more challenging and complex than ever before. Principals are not only expected to be strong leaders, but they are expected to practice shared leadership with their various constituent groups. The ever-changing responsibilities of the position have contributed to disparate views on the role of the principal. Different constituent groups vary in their perceptions of an effective principal. The better a principal understands the perceptions and expectations of the various constituent groups he or she serves, the more likely it is that a principal can fulfill the expectations and be perceived as effective. This study identified the perceptions of parents and teachers with regard to the characteristics of an effective elementary school principal. An inventory was used as the primary source of quantitative data for the study. Qualitative data was gathered through participant responses to a series of open-ended questions relating to five leadership themes interviewed within the inventory. Twenty-nine parents and forty teachers from three separate primary schools (grades kindergarten through three) within one school district were surveyed.

The purpose of this descriptive case study was to understand what elementary principals, elementary teachers, and parents of elementary school students perceive as effective leadership skills in the areas of instructional leadership and school culture for an elementary principal. Five elementary principals, 75 elementary school teachers, and 33 parents of elementary students from two school districts in south central Pennsylvania participated in the study. Each participant responded to a survey created by the researcher. In addition, all five principals and eleven teachers participated in face to face interviews. For the parents, 18 responded to open ended focus group questions. In the area of instructional leadership principals favored qualities that mirrored their daily activities such as : (a) setting instructional goals, (b) using assessment results to show progress, and (c) observing teachers and staff to improve instructional methodology, while teachers and parents considered valuing teaching and learning and motivation of staff as very important qualities of an effective elementary principal. Principals, teachers, and parents all highly valued many school culture qualities such as: (a) developing positive relationships, (b) being trustworthy, (c) respecting others, and (d) supporting others.