Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

3-1984

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Major

Educational Administration and Supervision

Major Professor

Gerald C. Ubben

Committee Members

Arthur J.D. Cook, John M. Peters, Robert K. Roney

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if the existence of teacher unionization and collective bargaining in the state of Tennessee has had an effect on the principal's perception of his/her decision-making power. Such information can be used to help educational administrators in focusing on the proper role for the principal in relation to the collective bargaining process and the administration of the negotiated contract.

A questionnaire designed to survey the principal's perceived power in the exercise of administrative prerogatives was distributed to 274 randomly selected public school principals in the state of Tennessee. The data were categorized into three areas of decision making: (1) Selection, Evaluation and Development of Personnel, (2) Administration and Organization, and (3) Curriculum and Instruc tion. An aggregate category, the power coefficient, was also identified. The data were treated to statistical analysis involving a series of t-tests and stepwise regressions and the following results were found.

1. The t-test analysis revealed a significant difference existed between responses of principals employed by nonbargaining districts and principals employed by bargaining districts with regard to the aggregate cate gory, the power coefficient. In addition, there were significant differences between the two groups of principals with regard to two of the response categories: (1) Administration and Organization and (2) Curriculum and Instruction. No significant difference existed between the responses of the two groups to the third questionnaire category. Selection, Evaluation and Development of Personnel.

2. Through regression analysis, a specific relationship was found between the bargaining status of the school district and the principal's perceived power. Also, a significant relationship was found between collective bargaining and the questionnaire category. Administration and Organization. From these findings, it can be concluded that collective bargaining inhibits the decision-making power of principals in Tennessee. Effort, therefore, should be made, on the part of district management teams, to encourage input from principals into the negotiating process.

Download
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS