Taking the view that principals play a key role in providing a solid educational foundation for students, this review of the literature is designed to better inform administrators, teachers, parents, and the general public about the principal's role and responsibilities. The review focuses on the elementary school principal and includes research studies from 1970 to the present. The first section offers an overview of the elementary school principal, including principal roles, time management, real and ideal behavior, multischool administration, and competencies. The second section discusses the principal and school organization, touching on leadership styles, decision-making, and relationships with the central office. Other chapters treat the principal's role in the instructional program, principal-teacher relations, collective negotiations, and the principal's relationship to the community. (Author/WD)