Survey of administrative practices and certain elements relating to the status of secondary reading programs in selected comprehensive high schools in Indiana

The study concerned the identification of administrative practices relative to secondary reading programs in selected comprehensive high schools in Indiana and the status of certain aspects of secondary reading programs. The overall educational plan for the instruction of reading in selected high schools and administrative procedures to implement the plan were also studied.The review of related literature and research revealed a paucity of studies relative to secondary reading programs and management. The general message taken from the review of literature emphasized the need for active administrative leadership and involvement in the many phases of developing and managing secondary reading programs.Five purposes were developed consistent with the statement of the problem. The purposes were: (1) to identify the activities of the superintendent of schools or appropriate central office staff person in the management and development of secondary reading programs, (2) to ascertain the role of the high school principal in the various phases of managing and assisting the development of the secondary reading program, (3) to collect data relative to certain elements of the status of the secondary reading program in selected Indiana schools and to identify the activities of the high school reading person in the development and implementation of the reading program, (4) to ascertain positive or negative factors relative to the extension and improvement of the high school reading program, and (5) to identify the academic and experiential background of the high school principal and reading person in selected schools.The population for the study was taken from school corporations with a student enrollment of over 7,500. Superintendents of the selected schools were invited to participate in the research and seven of 30 superintendents accepted. The final population sample involved seven school corporations containing 28 high schools. Findings were drawn from collected data and expressed in percentages. Findings were:1. The superintendent of schools in selected Indiana school corporations participates little in facilities planning, program planning, and evaluation relative to secondary reading programs.2. Communication relative to the status and effectiveness of the secondary reading program to the school board and superintendent was limited.Thesis (D. Ed.