Effective leadership is required for positions of elementary school administration, and this leadership can be acquired and improved. In recruiting for the principalship, the greatest potential source is the teaching staffs of elementary schools. The time to select principals is when none is needed because the administration then has time to gather and carefully evaluate information about the prospective candidates. Internships and school system principal training programs provide effective learning experiences for principals-to-be. Once selected, new principals should not be left to grope for their own administrative style. Programs of orientation, system-wide programs of continuing education, and encouragement of self-directed professional and personal growth are essential to the development and maintenance of effective educational leaders. (TT)