This study described who the department heads of public high schools in Virginia are, what functions they are assigned, the degree of responsibility they hold for each function, and the responsibility it is believed they should be assigned for each function. A descriptive survey method was used in this study. The population consisted of the principal and two department heads selected from each public high school in the Commonwealth of Virginia. From a list of items identified through a search of the literature, as functions performed by department heads, the respondents were asked to describe each relative to importance to instruction, the degree to which each function is assigned to department heads, and the degree to which the function should be assigned to department heads. Descriptive statistics included frequencies, means, medians, ranges, and percentages. It was found that most department heads are experienced white female teachers who have been department heads five years or less. The number and size of departments increased as school size increased and the position of department head is well established in the administrative hierarchies of Virginia's public high schools. Principals believe that all twenty-eight functions studied are important to instruction and department heads reported twenty-six. Principals and department heads agreed that department heads are assigned at least some responsibility for most of the functions studied and that department heads should be assigned at least some responsibility for all of the functions studied. While the status and function of the department heads may be affected by issues related to the administration of schools and empowerment of teachers, this study indicates that the department heads in Virginia's high schools are more of an extension of the principal down than extensions of the teachers up in the administrative ranks of the schools. If the department heads are to assume larger roles in instructional leadership, it is suggested that they should receive more release time and salary supplementation. / Ed. D.