In the traditional school administration style, the principal serves primarily as an administrator. His job under this style of leadership is to take the rules and regulations determined by higher levels of education administration such as school board or superintendent and ensure they are enforced within the school. A traditional principal's duties might also extend to enforcing discipline within the school and evaluating employees.
A modern concept of the principal is one who serves as a leader in education instead of a mere administrator. The modern principal works to spearhead professional development within the school. He strives to ensure that teachers offer the highest quality education possible to students by implementing feedback, training and evaluation programs that involve continuous improvement. This model puts more responsibility on the principal for the total levels of student achievement within the school.
In traditional administration, principals are educated to be administrators rather than raised from the ranks of education. In this model, the principal is hired to administer a school and given little support thereafter. It is assumed that his education has prepared him for the task and his work is judged based on the success of his students after his hiring.
In the modern educational administration system, school systems take greater care to make sure that principals have support and are eased into their position. As a result, some school districts implement induction programs. These programs provide principals with guidance and support as they settle into their new roles, and are designed to help the principal fit into the individualized culture that exists within the school. Mentoring is an important part of principal induction programs.