Date of Award

12-1990

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. Edgar A. Kelley

Second Advisor

Dr. Lois Hirst

Third Advisor

Dr. Charles Warfield

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to replicate in part and with revisions in the state of Michigan the 1987 National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) study of high school principals and their schools (Pellicer, Anderson, Keefe, Kelley, & McCleary, 1988). The research questions were (a) to determine if the personal and professional characteristics of high school principals in Michigan were similar to those throughout the United States; (b) to determine if the data of the national study compared to Michigan in regard to selected demographics and job related tasks of principals; and (c) to determine when the data for selected demographics and variables were disaggregated, were there differences between and among the seven geographic regions of Michigan.

The findings of the study were that the personal and professional characteristics of high school principals in Michigan were similar to those throughout the United States. In general, the typical high school principal was a white male between 40 and 55 years of age who received a salary of at least $30,000 and an average salary between \$30,000 and $45,000.

The data of the Michigan study agreed with the data of the national study in regard to selected demographics and job related tasks of principals. The opinions expressed by the principals indicated that the principalship was changing. Differences were noted between and among the seven geographic regions of Michigan in areas of distribution of principals by sex, ethnic distribution of principals, and salaries of principals.

A number of general recommendations were made due to the fact that the administration of secondary schools has grown into a complex business, requiring skills and competencies not usually covered by traditional training programs for preparation of principals. Those recommendations were: a need to change the traditional approach in the preparation of individuals to become secondary administrators; a need for universities that prepare principals to offer a comprehensive and systematic program which includes a strong performance-based component; a need for national and state principals' organizations to train principals to help each other; and a need for local principals' organizations to act as mentors and peer counselors to help novice principals.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

Download

Share

COinS