This study takes a critical look at the current status of elementary school principals and their schools. The report concludes that the causes for a leadership crisis which exists in the elementary schools are both pbulic and professional. Through the use of questionnaires and personal interviews, the researchers talked with 291 principals in 50 States, officials in two national educational organizations, spokesmen in 12 regional laboratories, representatives of 50 State departments of education, and faculty officers of the State elementary school principals associations. The study reports that the most critical problem faced by the elementary school principal is the general ambiguity of his position in the educational community. A number of recommendations are made and addressed to the U.S. Office of Education, Congress, the public, and the education profession. (Author)