Michigan Occupational Information System
#102 - SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR 

A  Michigan Jobs & Career Portal   service.

School Administrators manage school systems or parts of a system to promote satisfactory business and instructional operations for staff members and students.  

JOB DUTIES    

Superintendents may:

Formulate plans and policies for educational programs and submit them to school boards for approval  

Direct the preparation and presentation of school budgets and determine the amount of millage required to finance educational programs  

Interpret the program and policies of a school system to school personnel, community groups, and governmental agencies  

Supervise the examination, appointment, staff development, evaluation, and promotion of administrative and teaching personnel  

Ensure that laws applying to attendance of children at school are enforced  

Administer programs for the selection of school sites, construction of buildings, and provision of equipment and supplies  

Coordinate the work of a school system with related activities of other school districts and agencies  

Administer the school system's student transportation program  

Address community and civic groups to inform and enlist support  

Principal's may:

Evaluate a school's educational program to ensure conformance to state and school board standards  

Coordinate educational programs through meetings with staff and review of teaching activities  

Recommend the hiring, supervising, and evaluation of teachers  

Confer with teaching personnel, pupils, and parents  

Develop and supervise the class assignments of teachers and pupils  

Order and allocate supplies and equipment  

Ensure that school facilities are maintained and secured  

Enforce attendance and disciplinary policies  

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

School Administrators may specialize in these areas:

099.117-022 SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS direct and coordinate activities concerned with the administration of city, county, or other school systems in accordance with board of education and State Department of Education policies.  

099.117-018 PRINCIPALS direct and coordinate the educational, administrative, and counseling activities of primary through secondary schools.  

099.117-026 EDUCATION SUPERVISORS or department chairpersons develop the program curriculum for students, supervise teaching personnel, evaluate teaching techniques, and assist in the interviewing and in-service training of teachers.  

099.117-010 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DIRECTORS develop and administer programs to provide educational opportunities for students.  

097.167-010 VOCATIONAL TRAINING DIRECTORS supervise and coordinate vocational training programs for a public school system, according to school board policies and state education code.  

094.167-014 SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTORS formulate programs and policies that relate to the education and training of handicapped children in accordance with state and federal guidelines. They may also develop and monitor programs for gifted children.  

099.167-014 EDUCATION CONSULTANTS plan and coordinate educational policies for a specific subject area or grade level.  

092.167-010 PRESCHOOL DIRECTORS supervise activities of preschools, day care centers, or other child development facilities to prepare children for primary school.  

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:  

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

School Administrators supervise other administrative staff members, teachers, or school personnel, depending on the area of specialization. Surroundings are well lighted and comfortably heated or air-conditioned. They often have to attend conferences and workshops and make speeches.  

Unlike teachers, School Administrators often work twelve months a year. Most have a regular workweek, although many arrive before other school staff members in the morning and are the last to leave. Special school events or community meetings often require evening attendance. Some travel may be involved when attending conferences, workshops, and meetings.  

Membership in professional associations is not required, but most School Administrators belong to a national association directly related to their level of administration and frequently belong to state and local associations. Members must pay membership fees.  

You Should Prefer:

• Activities concerned with the communication of data  

• Activities involving business contact with people  

• Activities resulting in prestige or esteem from others  

• Activities involving direct personal contact  

You Should Be Able To:

• Use reason and logic  

• Use arithmetic quickly and accurately  

• Understand the meanings/relationships of words  

• Use words effectively in both writing and speaking  

• Direct and plan an entire activity or the activities of others  

• Organize and implement educational policies and programs  

• Relate well to people as well as gain their support  

• Make decisions using your personal judgment  

• See details/recognize errors in numbers/spelling/punctuation  

• Respond to the changing needs of students and the community  

• Work under pressure  

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

The drop-out rate was 2% the first year, 5% the second year, and 8% the third year. At this rate of increase, what is the  

projected drop-out rate for the fourth year?  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Must be able to read and understand budget/accounting terminology, curriculum development terms, child psychology textbooks, social welfare concepts and public policy/board policy that are often written in legalistic phrases.  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a report indicating program specifications so that you can present it to the Board of Education.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate excellent analytical skills and be detail oriented in managing the operations of a school.  

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1600 FOREIGN LANGUAGE , 2000 LIFE MANAGEMENT , 2200 MATH , 2800 PUBLIC SPEAKING , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3100 STUDY & WORK OPTIONS , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

050 EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION

Programs in Educational Administration provide opportunities to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to qualify for administrative positions in education. These positions include principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent, curriculum coordinator, dean, and other educational specialists. Positions in Educational Administration often require a master's degree.  

Courses will differ from school to school but may include:

  Search for a College and/or Instructional Program  

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript  

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com  

EDUCATION AND TRAINING DIRECTORS

The military places great importance on training to prepare service men and women for their military careers. Programs include training in technical skills, physical fitness, and leadership development. Education and training directors plan, develop, and manage education and training programs for military personnel.  

What They Do

Education and training directors in the military perform some or all of the following duties:  

• Develop new training courses  

• Review and approve course material and training outlines prepared by instructors  

• Plan and evaluate new teaching methods  

• Assign duties to instructors, curriculum planners, and training aids specialists  

• Evaluate the program of students and instructors  

• Train instructors in course subject matter  

• Develop training and educational policies and objectives  

• Coordinate training for military personnel at civilian schools or through correspondence courses  

Special Requirement

A 4-year college degree is normally required to enter this occupation. Some specialties require a master's degree.  

Training Provided

No initial job training is provided to officers in this occupation.  

Helpful Attributes

Helpful fields include education, physical education, organizational development, personnel management, and industrial psychology. Helpful attributes include:  

• Interest in developing educational programs  

• Preference for working with people  

• Interest in work involving many subject areas  

Work Environment

Education and training directors work in offices and classroom training facilities. Those directing physical training work in gyms or outdoor settings.  

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian education and training directors work in schools, colleges, universities, vocational and technical schools, and training departments in business and industry. They perform duties similar to those performed by military education and training directors. They may also be called educational program directors, vocational training directors, and education supervisors.  

Opportunities

The services have about 2,500 officers working as education and training directors. On average, they need 150 officers to become training directors each year. Education and training directors are usually selected from officers in many different occupational fields. They may direct training in their own or another occupational field. This occupation is normally available to officers who have had experience in an occupation besides education.    

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Related experience may be obtained by directing major student activities, such as student government, band, athletics, and clubs. Some school districts appoint teachers to "acting" or assistant Administrative positions which provide experience. In addition, postsecondary programs in educational administration offers administrative internships. Military service may offer opportunities for experience as well.  

            School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships  

mentorships  

job shadowing experiences  

touring a local School Administrator employer  

internships  

volunteer work with a School Administrator employer  

community service work with an agency  

College placement office referral and direct application to school districts are common ways to find a job. Professional journals and newspaper want ads also list job openings. Civil service exams are required for those who wish to work for government agencies. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

K12jobs.com ( http://www.k12jobs.com )  

Teacher Jobs ( http://www.teacherjobs.com )  

MEMSPA Jobs ( http://www.memspa.org/page.cfm/7/ )  

National Educators Employment Review ( http://www.thereview.com )  

AASA Job Bulletin ( http://www.aasa.org/apps/jobs/ )  

The Private School Employment Network ( http://www.privateschooljobs.com )  

Michigan Talent Bank ( http://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/MTB_EMPL.EntryMainPage )  

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal  

MONSTERTRAK.COM ( http://www.jobtrak.com )    

JobOptions ( http://ww1.joboptions.com/jo_main/index.jsp )  

Michigan Department of Career Development ( http://www.michigan.gov/mdcd/ )  

Michigan Works! ( http://www.michiganworks.org )  

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

The earnings of School Administrators depend on the level of responsibility, the individual's training and experience, and the region where the Administrator is employed. The salary range depends almost entirely in the school district. Usually the larger and wealthier the district, the higher the salary. Private School Administrators usually earn less than Public School Administrators do.

According to a recent nationwide survey, average annual salaries (2001-02) of public School Administrators were: $121,794 for Superintendents, $96,627 for Assistant Superintendents, $83,944 for Senior High School Principals, $78,176 for Junior High School Principals, $73,114 for Elementary School Principals, and $60,672 for Assistant Principals.  The median yearly earnings of  "all" workers in the U.S. were $31,044 in 2001.

In Detroit, annual salaries (2001-02) paid Public School Administrators ranged from $62,000 to $87,000 for Assistant Principals. The annual base salary for principals is $85,000.  

School Administrators employed by the State of Michigan earned annual salaries of (mid 2002): Principal, $49,151 to $72,412 and Education Consultant, $43,201 to $65,313; and School Superintendents $56,814 to $84,355.  

School Administrators usually receive the same benefits as other school employees including paid vacations and holidays; retirement programs; hospitalization, life, and health insurance; and sabbatical leaves. Some administrators also receive dental and optical care insurance. Some school districts provide a car or car allowance for upper level School Administrators.  

Advancement often consists of promotion to work requiring greater experience and responsibility and additional administrative duties. A possible career ladder for a School Administrator may be: Teacher, Education Supervisor, Assistant Principal, Principal, Central Office Administrator, and Superintendent.  

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 452,800 education administrators employed in 2000. More than half of these were administrators in elementary, junior, and high schools. The employment of principals and assistants is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2010. However, little change in the employment of superintendents is expected. Such issues as rising operating costs of schools, collective bargaining for higher teacher salaries, student alcohol and drug abuse, changing enrollment patterns, and the need for curricular reform and innovative teaching methods will require School Administrators with good managerial skills. Employment opportunities are likely to be more favorable at the elementary school level as the elementary school population (ages 5-13) will increase by 4.5 million through year 2010. Competition for school administrative jobs will be keen.

There were approximately 7,850 School Administrators employed in Michigan Public Schools in the 1998 school year. About 75% of them worked in urban areas. Most School Administrators were employed by city and county school systems. Some Administrators were employed by private and parochial schools. About 19.0% of the Administrators were female.

Student enrollment in Michigan's public schools has decreased over the past 15 years. As a result, the demand for School Administrators has been limited. However, about 52% of the Administrators in public schools are eligible for  

 retirement. Employment openings will occur as these Administrators choose to retire and as student enrollment rises. There has been some growth in the number of private schools in Michigan. These schools have increased their employment of School Administrators in recent years.  

Administrators who are trained to implement and manage school curriculums, which include computers, interactive multimedia, electronic databases, on-line communication, Local Area Networks (LAN's), satellite teaching systems (remote instruction), and other advanced teaching tools will have more favorable job opportunities. Such technology in schools is expected to better educate students in order to participate in an increasingly competitive and global environment.

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.