Date of Award

12-1-1973

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Teaching & Learning

Abstract

Problem: This study was concerned with current methods of selection and processes of employment utilized by school boards in hiring a superintendent of schools. The primary purpose was to identify and analyze methods of selection and processes of employment as perceived by school board members and their respective superintendents. In conjunction with the analyses, the relationship between perceived methods of selection and processes was investigated. A secondary purpose was to examine the predictability of superintendent turnover from selected demographic and educational variables.

Procedure: The population of the study was limited to 32 school divisions in the Province of Manitoba, as well as responses from 42 superintendents of schools. School board members having been involved in the selection of a superintendent, and superintendents, were requested to complete separate questionnaires designed for this study relating to methods of selection and processes of employment as utilized by school boards during the past six years.

The statistical techniques utilized were analysis of variance by regression, stepwise and setwise backward analysis of regression, and chi-square analysis. The .05 level of significance was selected a priori for the determination of significance in the analysis.

Conclusions: The following conclusions, as limited by the research population, were drawn from the major findings of the study:

1. Significant differences were found between superintendent turnover and board processes and procedures for the recruitment and selection of a superintendent of schools.

2. Significant differences existed between superintendent turnover and board processes and procedures on the basis of selected demographic and educational variables.

3. Significant differences occurred between the presence or absence of a specific board policy statement and its effects on selected board processes and procedures.

4. There were no significant differences found between the perception of school boards and superintendents relating to the major problems in schools prior to the appointment of the new superintendent. However, significant differences were found between school boards' and superintendents' views on the major problems at the present time.

5. Significant differences were found between the use or neglect of a definite plan and timetable and its effects on selected board processes and procedures.

6. Significant differences occurred between methods of selection and processes of employment as perceived by school boards and superintendents.

7. Major problems at the time the new superintendent was appointed was the single best predictor of all demographic variables tested for predicting superintendent turnover.

8. Teacher training in Manitoba was the single best predictor of all educational variables tested for predicting superintendent turnover.

Recommendations: 1. The Manitoba Association of School Trustees should provide leadership for its members by conducting workshops for the purpose of orienting boards as to recommended policies and procedures to be used in the selection of a superintendent.

2. The Manitoba Association of School Trustees should provide its membership with a set of systematic and objective procedures patterned after professionally prepared guidelines to assist boards which are seeking a new superintendent.

3. The major professional educational organizations and/or institutions in the Province of Manitoba should all play a more active role through the recommendation of potential candidates to school boards searching for a new superintendent.

4. This study should be replicated and extended to cover a larger geographical base. This should be done to see if the findings of this study can be duplicated in provinces other than Manitoba.

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