Development and Application of the Assessment Tool for School Principals' Management Competence

The management capability of primary and secondary school principals has become a critical variable in enhancing school governance efficacy, while the diversity of regional educational ecosystems imposes higher demands on the contextual fit of these capabilities. Grounded in the practical context of educational development in Shaanxi Province, this study integrates modern talent assessment theory with principal leadership theory, and employs a combination of the Delphi method, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and Entropy Weight Method to develop an assessment tool for evaluating the management capabilities of principals from primary and secondary schools. The tool comprises 7 first-level indicators and 22 second-level indicators. An empirical test of its reliability and validity is conducted with a sample of principals from Shaanxi Province. The results demonstrate that the assessment tool aligns deeply with the educational development characteristics of different regions within Shaanxi Province, exhibits strong construct validity and regional contextual fit, and accurately reflects the management competency profiles of principals. This study provides both theoretical and practical support for the selection, appointment, training system optimization, and professional development of primary and secondary school principals.