Date of Award

6-1990

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. David Cowden

Second Advisor

Dr. Carol Sheffer

Third Advisor

Dr. Richard Barring

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the congruence of perceptions of ideal and real leadership behavior of principals in Catholic elementary and high schools located in the Archdiocese of Detroit. The Leadership Behavior Description Questionnaire (Halpin, 1957a), (LBDQ) developed through the College of Administrative Sciences at Ohio State University, was used. An instrument developed by the researcher was used to collect data on age, gender, experience and religious or lay status of principals and teachers.

The data were analyzed using the SAS Package for the IBM 4341 utilizing the CMS operating system at Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo) Statistical Services Center. The findings revealed significant differences in perceptions of leadership behavior between principals and teachers. The findings further revealed no significant relationships among the demographic variables of principals and teachers except for gender and age of the teacher. Teachers' years of teaching experience showed trends for the Initiating Structure dimension but not for the Consideration dimension.

Recommendations based on the findings were that: (a) specialized courses be offered at the college level for teachers and principals, (b) classes exploring perceptions of leadership behavior should be included in student-teacher training, and (c) in-service programs for principals and teachers at the Archdiocesan level should include identification of perceptions of leadership behaviors as well as "on site" assistance as needed by individual school groups. It is further recommended that this study be replicated using another instrument measuring perceptions of leadership behavior to determine any differences in findings.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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