According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of K-12 principals is expected to grow at a slower rate than most professions. Despite this limited job growth, it is estimated that in the next decade 40 percent of today's principals will retire (National Association of Secondary School Principals, n.d.). This shortage has created a two prong dilemma. The first is the perception that the shortages are driven by "demands for a new and different kind of school principal" (Roza, Celio, Harvey, & Wishon, 2003). The expectations of school leaders have taken a dramatic shift in recent years: Building principals are now expected to be instructional experts, who can improve student outcomes and turn failing schools around in short periods of time (Maxwell, 2014; Council of Chief State School Officers, 2015).
Obtaining the Graduate Certificate for Principal Licensure will allow individuals that have more experience and expertise expedite the process to become a licensed principal, thus being able to take on a leadership position.