The Roles and Functions of the Elementary Principal

The purpose of the researcher was to investigate the roles and functions of elementary principals. The independent variables investigated were position, year of experience in education, amount of formal education, and gender. The dependent variables investigated were scores form the following scales of the Questionnaire Pertaining to the Roles and Functions of Elementary Principals (Appendix D): Instructional Leadership, School Management, Staff Development, Student Management, and Total Roles and Functions. The sample consisted of 65 superintendents, 43 elementary principals, and 28 teachers form urban and rural districts in the state of Kansas. Four composite null hypotheses were tested using a three-way analysis of variance (general linear model). Of the 20 main effects 6 were statistically detectable at the .05 level. OF the 50 interactions 11 were statically detectable at the .05 level. Results of the present study appeared to support the following generalizations: 1. Educators with more experience gave more importance to Total Roles and Functions of the elementary principal than those with less 2. Female educators gave more importance to School Management as a role and function of the elementary principal than male educators, and 3. Statistically detectable interactions for position, formal education, and Student Management; position, experience in education, and Student Management; position, experience in education, and Student Management; gender, experience in education, and Student Management; formal education, gender, and Instructional Leadership; position, gender, and Staff Development