Actual and Ideal Shared Decision-making Perceptions of Elementary School Principals in East Tennessee

The problem of this study was to determine if differences existed in the perceptions of elementary school principals regarding the amount of involvement parents, teachers, and principals had in school decision making. The study was one part of a more comprehensive project conducted in the First Tennessee Developmental District which also investigated parents\u27 and teachers\u27 perceptions of involvement. A questionnaire was developed to survey principals\u27 perceptions of the actual and ideal level of involvement of parents, teachers, and principals in the areas of budget, curriculum, and personnel. A total of 95 principals (76%) returned the questionnaire. Based on the significant differences found, principals felt that parents, teachers, and principals should be more involved in each of the three areas studied. Conclusions from parallel studies regarding parents\u27 and teachers\u27 perceptions were similar. Principals, teachers, and parents would like to see more governance at the local school setting