Congruence of perceptions among the principal, mentor teacher, and novice teacher regarding the principal's role in a campus mentoring program

The literature is convincing that teachers are leaving the profession in record numbers (Owing, 2004; Ingersoll, 2002). Although there are a variety of reasons that may spur this problem, there is substantial evidence that mentoring programs are an effective means of addressing this issue and that principals serve a critical role in the success of these programs (Moir 2001; Ingersoll, 2001a). Although mentoring and principal support have been recognized as key components in the retention of novice teachers, the literature does not document overwhelming success when mentoring is implemented in most schools. One must question the reasons for the continuation of teacher attrition when these retention factors have been clearly identified. The primary purpose of this study is to examine the congruency of perceptions among the principal, novice teacher, and mentor teacher regarding the role of the principal in supporting mentoring programs at the campus level. The relationship between a principal's perception of his/her role in a mentoring program and the teacher retention rate at the school was studied. In addition, the study explored the preparation and readiness of the principal to serve in a leadership role in the development and implementation of a campus mentoring program.