Date of Award
2002
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
EdD Program for Educational Leaders
Keywords
administration, assistant principals, climate survey, dissatisfaction, front office, instructional personnel, leadership style, office staff, principal, principalship, school climate, school staff, teacher retention, teachers, turnover, Ventura Elementary School
Abstract
This practicum studied the dissatisfaction of the school staff with the front office and the subsequent loss of a significant number of instructional personnel. This study took place at Ventura Elementary School.
A change in the principalship and corresponding leadership style, a constant turnover of assistant principals, and a new office staff brought in by the new administration were some causes of the dissatisfaction.
This practicum identified sources of dissatisfaction through the use of a school climate survey. Research-based strategies that have been credited with improving school climate were implemented. The principal played a significant role in the implementation. The number of teachers who left Ventura Elementary School at the end of the 2000-2001 school year was reduced to one.