This study identified and compared the perceptions of department chairpersons and their principals about what responsibilities should be assigned to chairpersons, what responsibilities are currently assigned to chairpersons, and the chairperson' perceived need for any additional training, administrative support, departmental support, or released time in order to fulfill responsibilities currently assigned. Principals and chairpersons from 132 of the 264 5-A public high schools in Texas were surveyed by means of a 61- item questionnaire. The questionnaire included responsibilities in ten areas: planning, evaluation, budgeting, personnel, curriculum and instruction, communications, scheduling, clerical activities, supervision, and advising. Chairpersons from English, Foreign Languages, Mathematics, Physical Education, Science, and Social Studies were included in the study. Data collected in the study were keypunched and computer-processed, generating frequencies, percentages, means, and appropriate chi-square tests of independence, and probability factors for determining significance. The following conclusions were drawn from the study. 1. There is substantial agreement between Texas principals and chairpersons about responsibilities that should and should not be assigned to chairpersons in the areas of planning, budgeting, communications, and advising. 2. There is moderate to substantial disagreement . between Texas principals and chairpersons about responsibilities that should and should not be assigned in the areas of evaluation, personnel, curriculum and instruction, and scheduling. 3. There is a general difference perceived by chairpersons in the study between what they think they should be doing as chairpersons and what they are currently assigned to do. 4. There is general agreement among chairpersons from different disciplines about responsibilities that should and should not be assigned to chairpersons in the areas of planning, budgeting, personnel, and advising. 5. Texas chairpersons perceive a greater need for administrative and departmental support than for additional training. 6. Texas department chairpersons perceive responsibilities in the area of evaluation as those for which they need the highest levels of support.