The review of the literature, which constitutes Part I of the
Field Study, sees the changing role; of the principal as an evolutionary
process, and traces this process from the early years of
the nineteenth century (when schooling was private and independent)
through the middle years of this same century and onwards (the
growth of public education) up to modern times.
The review studies in depth the literature of the past
fifteen to twenty years, and avers that the literature of this
period indicates that the expected role of the principal, today,
is one of leadership. It discusses the behaviour characteristics
of leadership and suggests that, depending upon the degree to
which these characteristics are present in the leader's behaviour,
various typical leaders may be described.
Finally, the review postulates future trends in the role of
principal and predicts also, the possible eventual demise of this
administrative position.
Part II of the Field Study contains the findings of a survey
of the primary school principals of the Australian Capital
Territory - both government and non-government. This survey,
which involved the completion of a questionnaire consisting of
three sections, was designed to provide information regarding the
role - functions and work-load of the principal, his leadership
characteristics, and his perceptions and predictions regarding
change. From this information significant inferences are drawn
concerning the role-perceptions and role-expectations of the
primary principal in the A.C.T.
Inferences drawn from the data of Section A of the questionnaire
concern time; priorities of various role-functions, preferred
approaches,to role-functions involving human relationships, the
degree of acceptance of the implication of the policies of the
A.C.T. Schools Authority, and attitudes towards professional
development.
The data of Section B provides information from which
inferences regarding the leadership characteristics of the
principals are drawn, and Section C data provides material
lending support for the postulates of both the previous
sections.
The concluding section discusses the implications of these
findings for the present and future roles of the principal in
the A.C.T., and suggests possible areas for further research.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/218870 |
| Date | January 1977 |
| Creators | Curtis, N. Douglas, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Teacher Education |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright N. Douglas Curtis |
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