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Policies and practices of senior high school principals in achieving an effective pluralistic environment

Author

Leroy Pulliam, University of the Pacific

Date of Award

1985

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Department

Education

First Advisor

Fred Muskal

First Committee Member

Edward J. Valeau

Second Committee Member

Judith L. Van Hoorn

Third Committee Member

Betty A. Packer

Fourth Committee Member

Roger L. Reimer

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine school effectiveness in three . academic effective schools by comparing the findings of the effective school and multicultural education literatures with staff perceptions and principal interviews. The study employed a mixed methodology, using extensive interviews of principals based on a modified form of the Connecticut Effective School Survey Instrument. The strong and less strong points of school effectiveness were ascertained through statistical analyses of staff perceptions and analyses of the principals' interview comments.

The investigation made several findings. First, there was a clear relationship between school policies and practices which adhered to school effectiveness characteristics and staff perceived effectiveness. Second, the physical structure and organizational pattern of the school must .be considered when assessing the school's ability to achieve academic and/or social effectiveness. Third, the three schools in this study achieved effectiveness by designing policies and practices to meet the specific needs of the student body. Fourth, school effectiveness is a developmental process. Variations in response show different paths or styles of effectiveness. Fifth, the findings demonstrate that a safe & orderly environment is a matter of social effectiveness, and it seems to be the base from which academic effectiveness is developed.

Pages

308

Recommended Citation

Pulliam, Leroy. (1985). Policies and practices of senior high school principals in achieving an effective pluralistic environment. University of the Pacific, Dissertation. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/3177