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THE ROLE OF DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSONS IN SELECTED CLASS AA HIGH SCHOOLS IN MINNESOTA (PRINCIPALS)
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not there could be a more effective utilization of department chairpersons in Class AA high schools in Minnesota. More specifically, the study examined the relationship between the perception of principals and the perception of department chairpersons in terms of the duties and functions of department chairpersons. These relationships were examined in two ways: (a) duties of department chairpersons as they exist and (b) duties of department chairpersons as an "ideal". Procedures used in this study involved: (a) developing a proposed instrument from the review of related literature, (b) collecting data from selected Minnesota high school principals and department chairpersons, (c) treating the data statistically to determine the perceptions of principals and chairpersons, and (d) drawing conclusions and making recommendations. Among the conclusions of the study were: (a) chairpersons and principals agree that each category of department chairperson functions should be considered a more essential part of the role of the chairperson than is presently the case; (b) there was no significant difference between the chairpersons' and principals' perceptions of the present performance of department chairperson functions; and (c) as a whole, principals and chairpersons agreed on functions that should be performed by department chairpersons. There were significant differences, however, in how principals and chairpersons viewed the chairperson's responsibility for maintaining a departmental inventory, in-service activities, evaluating student progress, demonstrating new teaching strategies, classroom observations, and conducting follow-up conferences. It is recommended that increased communication take place between principals and chairpersons regarding the expectations of the role of the chairperson. School personnel should review the role of the chairperson, indicate those functions that should be performed, eliminate those functions perceived to be not essential, and define the responsibilities of the position to enable the position to be utilized more effectively. It is also recommended that an intensive in-service program be developed by school districts, colleges and universities to assist chairpersons in developing skills related to the positions.
Subject Area
School administration
Recommended Citation
THOMAS, BRUCE R, "THE ROLE OF DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSONS IN SELECTED CLASS AA HIGH SCHOOLS IN MINNESOTA (PRINCIPALS)" (1984). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8423835.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8423835