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THE ROLE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSON AS A LEADER IN SELECTED NORTH CENTRAL ASSOCIATION SCHOOLS
Abstract
The Problem. This study was designed to examine the leadership role of the secondary social studies department chairperson in selected North Central Association schools. Although the departmental structure is in common use, the position of chairperson as an educational leader is one which has been ill defined. This study provides a demographic profile of the social studies department chairperson and determines what responsibilities and functions are currently being performed. Procedures. The review of relevant literature demonstrates that the departmental structure is most common in schools with more than 500 students and that there is limited research on the role and functions of the chairperson. The study utilized a survey of principals and social studies chairpersons in 300 selected secondary schools. The respondents were requested to identify the degree to which fifty functions should not only be "ideally" performed but are "actually" performed in their school. The responses were then compared to provide a profile of the chairperson as an educational leader. Conclusions and Recommendations. The study found that the average social studies chairperson is male, forty years old, experienced, has a master's degree in history, and receives $700 in extra pay, with little release time and no secretarial help. He is selected by the principal, based on the administrators perception of ``leadership ability.'' Although there is a job description, it lists only administrative functions and nothing on the selection process. Functions which were found to be most important were administrative and clerical in nature. Functions involving the evaluation of teachers were considered to be of less importance. The study found agreement as to functions that should be performed and selection criteria. The study clearly demonstrates that the job description be expanded, and if the position is to effective in providing educational leadership, that release time and clerical help be provided in order to better utilize the chairperson in improvement of instruction, as an advocate for reform and a model for other teachers.
Subject Area
Curricula|Teaching
Recommended Citation
SHIMEALL, WILLIAM MICHAEL, "THE ROLE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSON AS A LEADER IN SELECTED NORTH CENTRAL ASSOCIATION SCHOOLS" (1987). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8719785.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8719785