The purpose of the study was to survey students in
Australian Capital Territory High Schools regarding
their perceptions of who makes and who should make
decisions in their schools, the effectiveness of
present decision making structures and the relative
importance of a range of concerns that might be
affected by decisions made in their schools.
The survey instrument comprising of five separate
questionnaires (Parts A, B, C, D and E) was
administered to a random, stratified sample of 384
students drawn from three A.C.T. High Schools.
Variables included (a) School, (b) Year Group and (c)
Gender.
Part A and Part B of the survey instrument were
developed specifically to explore the perception of
students towards the involvement of parents, teachers,
the principal and students in school decision making
processes; particularly as this is evidenced in School
Board operations.
The results for each of the five questionnaires were
compiled into separate frequency and ranked percentage
tables. The tables were analysed in terms of the total
responses recorded for each questionnaire and as a
school by school comparison of responses. Use of the
Cochran Q Test indicated a positive statistical
significance in the overall shift of student
perceptions of decision making from Part A (What
happens in my school) to Part B (What should happen in
my school) of the survey instrument.
The findings of the study indicate that students are
concerned about their role in the decision making
process, and issues that affect their schooling and
would like a greater say in how their schools are run.
In particular, students would like to participate to a
greater degree than at present in decision making that
affects homework, the timetable, how teachers teach,
subjects offered, text books, and school sporting
activities.
As regards knowledge about decision making structures
within the school and about student representatives,
the findings indicate that the students surveyed are
not fully aware of the purpose or function of the
school board or its representatives. However the
majority of students surveyed indicate they would like
to have a greater say in how their schools are run.
In the comparative analysis of data recorded for each
of the schools surveyed, a considerable degree of
similarity is found in the responses to all Parts of
the survey instrument. Of major concern is the uniform
lack of knowledge and interest in survey items
connected with the School Board in each of the schools
surveyed. A more encouraging result is that in all
three schools respondents perceive that they are
encouraged to become involved in the School Board and
the Student Representative Council (SRC).
The survey findings demonstrate that the students would
like greater participation in a wide variety of issues
and concerns. However current official structures
which are designed to include students as equal
partners in school based decision making do not appear
to interest the majority of students surveyed in this
study.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/219444 |
| Date | January 1990 |
| Creators | Weddell, Peter, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Education |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Peter Weddell |
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