The organizational cultures and principals' leadership behaviors in three academically dissimilar middle schools /
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1990.
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | ProQuest, Abstract Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | The purposes of this study were to describe the organizational cultures existing in three academically dissimilar middle schools, in terms of their "key" culture elements, and to describe the leadership behaviors of the principals. The naturalistic inquiry paradigm emphasizes the collection of qualitative data, but both qualitative and quantitative methods were utilized. Structural corroboration of data was accomplished by triangulation, using the School Culture Survey and the Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire-XII, which were administered to teachers, some parents and students. The three schools were selected after first grouping all of the middle schools in the district on demographic characteristics. Next, schools with similar demographic profiles were placed into groups consisting of high achieving and low achieving schools. The criteria for this determination were student scores on the annual Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) and the Texas Educational Assessment of Minimum Skills Test (TEAMS) which were administered to seventh grade students in the subjects of reading, writing and mathematics. Theme analysis of the data revealed that the culture and principal's leadership behaviors of the lower-achieving school focused on maintaining the instructional program according to tradition, on a lecture-based instructional mode, and on self-preservation. The culture and leadership behaviors of the higher-achieving school focused on meeting individual needs of students and teachers alike, on the creation and maintenance of a warm, caring and supportive teaching/learning environment, and on doing whatever was necessary to achieve success. The study suggests that the professionals preparing for a career in school administration, involved in schools as a change agent, or persons in positions of leadership, should be aware of the significant impact that the organizational culture and the principal's leadership behaviors have on the daily lives of the school staff and students... |
|---|---|
| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Educational administration." |
| Physical Description: | xi, 311 leaves ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |