This study analyzes the factors that influence promotion from assistant principal to principal and examines experiences that principals new to their position considered helpful to them from their assistant principalship. The participants in the study were new secondary principals in Virginia in 1992-93. A review of the literature revealed a need to examine promotion factors that are pivotal in selecting one principal candidate over another. The study method consisted of the development of a survey instrument based on the information found through the literature review, principal center criteria and results of an earlier independent study by the researcher questioning administrators regarding their work. The data collected by the survey was analyzed using descriptive statistical procedures. / Ed. D.