A survey of the current professional problems of principals in large high schools in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador

Walsh, William Patrick (1973) A survey of the current professional problems of principals in large high schools in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to survey all principals of large high schools in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador to ascertain what they perceived as professional problems in the performance of their tasks. In addition, information was obtained on the sources of help used by principals in solving or dealing with these problems. -- The data for the study were collected by means of a mailed-questionnaire on which principals were asked to rate problems as to their degree of difficulty and to list sources of help. -- Mean difficulty ratings were obtained for each specific problem and the problems were then classified as major, moderate, or minor. Grand mean difficulty ratings were obtained for each of eight problem areas to determine which general area was perceived as being most difficult by the principals. -- It was concluded that: -- 1. Problem related to: (a) developing programs for the gifted and low-achievers, (b) involving students in school activities, (c) securing sufficient numbers of qualified staff personnel, and (d) finding time to evaluate school staff and programs, were perceived by all principals to be the most difficult. -- 2. Problems encountered by principals cover all the major administration task areas of school administration, with the areas of curriculum and instruction, and organization and structure, presenting the most severe problems. -- 3. The severity of most problems had a relationship to: (a) the number of years of experience a principal had as a school administrator, (b) school size, (c) the type of school in which the principal worked, and (d) the amount of professional preparation that a principal had received. -- 4. Pupils travelling to centralized schools are prevented from participating fully in many school activities. -- 5. Some of the major problems that affect principals are problems that cannot be solved by them, alone. -- A number of recommendations were made by the researcher for the improvement of preservice and inservice programs for principals, for reducing the severity of the professional problems of principals, and for further research.

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