Just as the teacher shortage has been declared over [see http://www.edexcellence.net/gadfly/issue.cfm?issue=6#414], states are reporting shortages of qualified candidates to become principals. It's not that there aren't enough certified principals to go around; in Indiana, which is struggling to fill principal positions, the state issued licenses to 975 new administrators last year though there are only 1,882 schools in the entire state. The problem is that many teachers get administrator licenses in order to receive an increase in pay based on the salary schedule, not because they have any interest in becoming a principal. And given that principals generally work longer hours and years than teachers, experienced teachers often make more money on an hourly basis than do principals. Instead of trying to make the job of principal more attractive, Indiana has responded to its principal shortage by instituting a new licensure test.
"Schools struggling to fill principal's jobs," by Kim Hooper, Indianapolis Star, January 21, 2003