Minnesota Principals Survey (MnPS)

In the late fall of 2021, principals across the state participated in the inaugural Minnesota Principals Survey (MnPS). The goal of the survey, generously funded by The Minneapolis and Joyce Foundations, is to elevate principal voice.

Main Reports

The extensive findings of the MnPS are available in the full report, executive summary, and 1-page summary linked at right. 

2023 Breakdown Reports

In March 2023, we released a series of reports summarizing notable differences in the MnPS data among respondents by key characteristics: gender identity, race/ethnicity, and years of job experience. Learn more and access the reports here.

In the Media

• What Principals Tell Us They Need
  Katie Pekel and Amy LaDue. MSBA Journal, July 2022. 
• Survey: Principals' Biggest Concern is Lack of Mental Health Support for Staff, Students
  KARE 11, April 2022.
• U of M Principals Survey Reveals Challenges, Optimism, and the Need for Support Among Public Schools Leaders
  UMN Twin Cities News, April 2022

Key Findings

Encouragingly, school leaders reported high general job satisfaction with 83% of respondents somewhat agreeing or agreeing that they were generally satisfied with being a leader in their school. Contributing most to this satisfaction were relationships with students and staff, and seeing students grow—socially, emotionally, and academically. Finally, 93% of leaders reported that they felt their work is valued by the staff at their school. Principals also reported that they have faced a number of challenges, and could use additional support, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health resources rose to the top of the list of needed supports:

One theme that emerged across the data was a need for more professional development, specifically in the area of Culturally Responsive School Leadership. Principals reported self-efficacy on 49 leadership tasks in 4 broad areas. While 80% of leaders agree that instructional leadership is their primary role, they also report it as the area they feel least confident and the area they wish they could spend more time.

In the coming months, we will be conducting focus groups to better understand the data from the perspective of principals across the state. Additionally, over the next year, we will be releasing policy and practice briefs on topics that survey points to as potentially worthy of further guidance and support. Finally, we intend to administer the next iteration of this survey in the fall of 2023.

Contact

Direct questions to Dr. Katie Pekel, Project Lead, at [email protected].