Degree Name

Education Specialist (EdS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1986

Thesis Director

Larry Janes

Abstract

Effective school research studies have identified many characteristics of effective schools and effective leaders. In October, 1984, the U.S. Department of Education and the National Commission on Excellence identified 202 schools and 54 principals that met their school effectiveness criteria (Appendix C) and later that year they were given national recognition.

This researcher reviewed literature by Edmonds (1982), Eicholtz (1984), Guthrie (1980), Brookover and LeZotte (1982), Sergiovanni (1984) and others on effective schools as a validity reference in measuring the responses of the surveyed principals who listed what they perceived as being school effectiveness factors.

In establishing effective school programs, a principal may encounter conflict from the staff, students and community. This study used a field survey to gather information regarding organizations or processes that exist to help principals resolve conflict and creatively channel it into problem solving that will invariably enhance the school program. The Effective Schools/Leader Survey was developed, with the assistance of Dr. Larry Janes and Dr. David Bartz of Eastern Illinois University to solicit this information from the identified principals and schools. The completed surveys were returned to Eastern Illinois University computer center where the findings were aggregated and scored. The results revealed that many principals utilized programs and practices that involved staff, students and the community in the daily operation of the school.

The statistical results found in Chapter Four provides information pertaining to methodologies and practices used by these principals to establish effective school programs.

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