In this report, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute looks at why many districts struggle to place top-notch principals in their schools. It explores practices in five urban districts, analyzing their recruitment, hiring, and placement of principals. It concludes with recommendations for districts to improve these processes so that the best candidates can be hired in their schools.

We also give this report a nod for highlighting several practices from outside of the education sector, which might be effectively applied to broaden the pool of excellent school leaders.