This field study is the result of observations of
stress and disquiet among educational administrators.
Two survey instruments, one to a population of
A.C.E.A. members in five states and two territories
of Australia, and a refined survey to administrators in
two Metropolitan West Inspectorates in N.S.W. were employed.
An attempt was made to look at perceived deficits,
in areas considered necessary skills for educational
administrators, over variables of state, sex, age,
level of institution, government/nongovernment systems,
status, tenure and educational administration qualifications.
From the outset it was realized that the nature of
the study would have to be essentially to generate
directions of future specific research since there was
little Australian research in the areas being surveyed.
This became more obvious as data was collected and
possible causes for stress, perceived deficits, and
the related poor morale multiplied with each set of
comments received.
The only conclusion that could be unequivocal
was that the areas of administrator morale, training,
selection, support, style and role perception are
urgently in need of in-depth research as are the
effects on educational institutions of policy processes,
socio-political factors and community expectations.
Even with a wider literature search it becomes
obvious that there is a need for researchers to
rethink theory in terms of social realities and
human and socio-political possibilities rather
than continue building theories which have little
or no effect on the education received by an
Australian student in the 1980's.
It is equally evident that the solution for
the obvious administrator malaise and powerlessness
expressed by respondents is in their own hands via
a quest for excellence in education, relevance to
society and socio-political understanding.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/219085 |
| Date | January 1982 |
| Creators | Kelly, Robin B., n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Education |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Robin B. Kelly |
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