To obtain a realistic understanding of the supervisory role perception of the elementary principal, a 10-item questionnaire was sent to 400 elementary principals and teachers throughout Texas. They rank ordered both real and ideal role dimensions and agreed that the role is not what it should be. Principals now serve as disciplinarians but do not wish to do so. Both teachers and principals would like to see the principal as a staff selector/orientor. Neither group was too anxious to see the principal as an evaluator, although teachers felt that principals carry out this role more than principals believe they do. In conclusion, both principals (very strongly) and teachers want the principal's role as instructional and curriculum supervisor to be more pronounced than it presently is. (Author)