Degree Name

Education Specialist (EdS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1997

Thesis Director

Larry Janes

Abstract

Professional associations have been one source of continued professional growth and development for practicing school administrators since 1857. In order to maintain their viability and credibility, these professional associations must provide quality programs and services to attract and maintain membership. The effectiveness of these professional associations is measured by how well they meet their members' needs.

Changes in the role of the public school principal have been initiated as a result of the educational reform movement of the 1980s. These changes have necessitated a reexamination of the role of the professional associations which serve this population. The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) is a professional organization for persons employed in administrative or educational leadership roles, primarily the principalship. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of effectiveness of the programs and services currently offered by the IPA, as perceived by practicing public school administrators (both IPA members and non-members) throughout Illinois.

The study was conducted during the spring of 1997 utilizing a survey of a random sample of 525 practicing public school administrators of elementary, middle level, and secondary schools throughout Illinois. Approximately 25 administrators were chosen from each of the 21 IPA regions to participate. Responses to the survey were received from 270 administrators, both IPA members and non-members, for a response rate of 51%.

Demographic information confirmed that as the principal's role is changing from that of building manager to one of instructional leader, the demographics of the principalship are changing likewise. New members of the profession have very different perspectives on the leadership role than do veteran administrators. As a result, the reasons why new administrators join and maintain membership in professional organizations differ from those of veteran administrators. Data generated provided information in four areas: demographic profiles of both IPA members and non-members, membership in professional associations, perceptions regarding the IPA, and suggestions for the improvement of the IPA as a professional organization.

This study revealed that increased IPA membership and the provision of meaningful, appropriate professional development programs and services which best benefit the association's members can be achieved by addressing several identified needs. There is a need for continued dissemination of information about the programs and services offered by the IPA, particularly for veteran members. To accommodate the limited availability of time most administrators have to participate in professional activities, the association could increase members' participation in IPA activities by using easily accessible meeting sites and conveniently scheduled meeting times.

As a primary source of information for principals, the IPA needs to continue to address salient legal issues and trends in curriculum and staff development through its publications. Drives to increase IPA membership should focus on assistant principals, women and other minorities, and new principals. These efforts should include increased opportunities for collegial networking for administrators from similar demographic areas.

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