An Instrument Designed for Shadowing High School Principals.
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| Title: | An Instrument Designed for Shadowing High School Principals. |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Blendinger, Jack, Snipes, Gail |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 14 |
| Publication Date: | 2001 |
| Intended Audience: | Practitioners; Researchers |
| Document Type: | Guides - Non-Classroom Reports - Descriptive |
| Descriptors: | Administrative Organization, Curriculum Problems, Discipline, Educational Administration, Educational Change, High Schools, Parent Participation, Principals, Public Schools, School Culture, School Safety |
| Geographic Terms: | U.S.; Mississippi |
| Abstract: | This paper offers an instrument for using structured observation to study the managerial behavior of high school principals. The instrument organizes observations into several strands, which can be used to "shadow" a principal. The strands are: (A) basic administrative functions; (B) office-related tasks; (C) managing by walking about; (D) scheduled and unscheduled meetings and conferences; and (E) interactions and interruptions. Strand A addresses essential functions, such as student discipline, that a principal is expected to perform on the job. Strands B-D address time recorded for strand A functions from different perspectives, such as how much time the principal spends managing by walking about. Strand E uses frequency tallies rather than time as a measure to address interactions and interruptions. The instrument was developed to assist researchers and graduate students involved in action research projects to use structured observation in studying the managerial behavior of high school principals. It provides the observer with specific behaviors that should be taken into account while making observations. It requires the observer to be in the school setting at a specified time for a prescribed length of time. A running account of behaviors as they occur is then recorded, using a coding system, noting time and/or frequency occurrences. Data collection is not dependent on the observer being highly experienced, information is recorded in relation to behaviors expected to occur, and the instrument collects both quantitative and qualitative data. (Contains 19 references.) (DFR) |
| Journal Code: | RIEFEB2002 |
| Entry Date: | 2002 |
| Accession Number: | ED456502 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This paper offers an instrument for using structured observation to study the managerial behavior of high school principals. The instrument organizes observations into several strands, which can be used to "shadow" a principal. The strands are: (A) basic administrative functions; (B) office-related tasks; (C) managing by walking about; (D) scheduled and unscheduled meetings and conferences; and (E) interactions and interruptions. Strand A addresses essential functions, such as student discipline, that a principal is expected to perform on the job. Strands B-D address time recorded for strand A functions from different perspectives, such as how much time the principal spends managing by walking about. Strand E uses frequency tallies rather than time as a measure to address interactions and interruptions. The instrument was developed to assist researchers and graduate students involved in action research projects to use structured observation in studying the managerial behavior of high school principals. It provides the observer with specific behaviors that should be taken into account while making observations. It requires the observer to be in the school setting at a specified time for a prescribed length of time. A running account of behaviors as they occur is then recorded, using a coding system, noting time and/or frequency occurrences. Data collection is not dependent on the observer being highly experienced, information is recorded in relation to behaviors expected to occur, and the instrument collects both quantitative and qualitative data. (Contains 19 references.) (DFR) |
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