Analysis Of Elements And Process Of School Principals’ Professionalization In Croatia

Abstract

By combining the attributive-taxonomicand process approaches to the profession,resulting from different sociological traditions,the professional elements and the professionalizationof school principals in Croatia are analysed.The research was conducted by survey method in2017. The sample was convenient and included73 principals who participated in the researchactivities of the Centre of Scientific Excellencefor School Effectiveness and Management. Ourresults suggest that the job of school principalsin Croatia cannot be considered a profession yet.There are no fundamental elements that differentiatethe profession from an ordinary occupation.More specifically, there is a lack of expertise inthe area of educational management and leadership(authority), cooperation with professionalassociations in defining the professional socialization(autonomy), as well as high social status(attractiveness) as a result of the state of previouselements. Given the contextual specificity,the discussion presents incentives, obstacles andrecommendations for further professionalizationof school principals in Croatia. The importanceof professional education is emphasized, whosedesign and implementation should involve representativesof principals’ professional associations,as well as decentralization of educationsystem so that theoretical expertise can be developedthrough the practice. As the trained practitionersfocused on a benefit of the educationalsystem stakeholders (altruism), the principalsshould set the conditions of the profession tomake it more attractive for the best candidates.