Demographic factors affecting the career development of school principals

In this study, taking into account demographic characteristics of pre-school, primary and secondary school principals and vice principals who work in these schools, whether there were any significant differences between perceptions regarding their career development. By means of this, we tried to analyse which demografic factors determine positive or negative impact on career development. In addition, in this research we tried to understand the poblems experienced in the career process, the general attitude of principals towards their professions. In the first part of the research, knowing the rising importance of career conception in the business life, the theoretical framework for the concept of career has been formed. Career is emphasized by stating different definitions with variety of views. Career stages, career choice and factors affecting an individual's career choice are analized. The importance of career planning has been expained by taking into account the individual and the organization. Career-related general issues have been discussed at the end of the first part. The second part of the study focused on the profession of management and different definitions are given for. The concept of career, in terms of school administrators were discussed. Career development of school principals are described. Also the benefits of this situation were discussed for the organisation and its employees. In the first chapter an overview of the steps of the career stages are unique to the profession of school management. In this stage, a special career features of school principals were explained. At the end of the first part of this chapter, principals' career problems were analysed to illuminate the issue further. The research has been carried out using surveys. The population of the study was formed by principals and vice principals working for goverment pre-school, primary and secondary schools in the province of Istanbul, county of Kucukcekmece. 100 principals and vice principals selected from this county form the sampling of the study. Data collection means used in the study consists of two parts. The first part consists of the personal information, while the second part consists of 40 statements regarding career development. Frequency(f), percentage(%), aricmetic average(x), priority, t-test, single variance analysis(ANOVA) Tukey-HSD multiple comparison test have been performed in the process of analyzing gathered data.