ORCID

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9109-1352

Date of Award

2020

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Education (Ed.D.)

Department

Administrative and Instructional Leadership

First Advisor

Anthony J. Annunziato

Second Advisor

James R Campbell

Third Advisor

Richard Bernato

Abstract

School principals have important roles in instructional leadership, building management, visionary leadership, culture and climate, and emotional intelligence. The main purpose of this dissertation was to determine how principals allocate their time and energy among these five dimensions of school leadership.

The research methodology used was an explanatory sequential mixed-method design. In the quantitative component of the research, a survey was distributed to elementary, middle school, and high school principals in Suffolk County, New York. Demographic information was collected from participants, including gender, years of experience as a principal, grade level of the school (elementary, middle, high), and whether the principal has one or more assistant principals. The survey consisted of twenty questions using a Likert scale for responses. The data collected from this survey were analyzed for descriptive statistics, variance, standard deviation, and correlation values. In the qualitative component of the research, an interview was conducted with a focus group of principals. The interview consisted of open-ended questions that were derived from the statistical analysis of the quantitative survey. The responses were recorded and hand-coded to identify themes, patterns, and discrepancies.

The intended significance of this study included providing results to principals, and the educational community at large, on the allocation of time and energy across five dimensions of school leadership. The goal is for principals to use this information to reflect on their own practices to ensure all the needs of the school building are met. Throughout the qualitative portion of this study, the goal was to explain why principals of different levels, years of experience, gender, and administrative support report on the dimensions as they do. The benefit of this portion of the study may include the identification of the traits of successful building leaders. If successful, this study may provide a sort of “roadmap” to success for school principals.

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