| Abstract: | Irrespective of how the roles, tasks, and responsibilities of principals have evolved due to educational change and reform, the school principal still holds the key to achieving school effectiveness. Over the last few decades, extensive studies have been conducted on the role of the school principal. Most scholars, researchers, and school reformers have discussed the role of the school principal as the school leader, school manager, key decision maker, facilitator, problem solver, chief executive officer, chief learner, marketer, team leader, and agent of change (Edmonds 1979; Clark, Lotto, and Astuto 1984; Smith and Purkey 1983; Gamage 1990, 1996a, and 1996b; Barth 1991; Sergiovanni 1987; Thomson 1993; Caldwell 1994; and Cranston 1996). These studies, however, provided only limited information about the profiles and professional development of school leaders who are meeting the new challenges in 21st-century schools. In recent years, as a result of increased collaboration and communication among educational institutions in various nations, a series of research projects to examine and compare aspects of school leadership, including professional education and experiences of school leaders, have been conducted. This paper presents the profiles and entry perspectives of Australian and Japanese school principals, and information on preservice and in–service training programs related to professional development. Implications for changes in university-level professional development programs, and selection and training of school principals in both Australia and Japan are examined. |
