This report describes a policy analysis project examining principal evaluation instruments, policies and processes in the fifty United States, the state of Missouri, and 15 Kansas City, Missouri area school districts. Since current research demonstrates that the principal plays a critical role in the success or failure of improvement initiatives, as well as the level of student achievement attained in a school, it is important that school districts and states interested in improvement measure principal effectiveness based upon standards related to the principals' success in carrying out improvement efforts. The purpose of this analysis was to ascertain whether or not state and district evaluation processes have kept pace with current literature and research on principal effectiveness. The research team established six standards, each with associated performance indicators that describe the practices and characteristics of effective school leaders. Six additional standards were developed to outline the procedures and processes related to effective evaluation instruments and procedures. All of these standards were developed based upon current research, and were validated by a panel of six experts who reviewed the standards for validity and appropriateness for the policy analysis. The project used a "funnel" approach to conduct the research and analysis beginning with a broad view to evaluate state-level instruments and expectations from across the United States, followed by a closer examination of the Missouri state instrument, and those tools in use in school districts across the Kansas City area. This analysis identified some strengths and many weaknesses in the principal evaluation instruments currently in use. From this detailed analysis, the team was able to draw conclusions and make recommendations for improvement. Key recommendations include: updating principal evaluation instrument standards to reflect the current research in principal effectiveness, establishing principal evaluation routines that relate more closely to the principals' work in schools, and conducting further research and reflection on the effective implementation of evaluation instruments. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]