Through use of samples of 35 elementary schools and 10 secondary schools validity data were obtained for an observation instrument that was designed to assess seven types of competencies for public school principals. Principals' ability to provide product documentation for their activities in the administrative responsibility areas of Fiscal Management and Staff Personnel was found to be most predictive of teacher job satisfaction, of students' positive evaluation of the school climate, and of standardized achievement test performance. Results tended to be most valid for elementary school samples. Data supported the hypothesized mediation of principal influences on students through teachers.
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