The influence of reading nationally circulated scholarly educational literature as manifested in the curricular leadership performance of middle school principals

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Authors
Savidge, David B.
Advisor
Riegle, Jack D.
Issue Date
1990
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (D. Ed.)
Department
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Abstract

This study was designed to investigate whether and to what extent middle school principals are reading nationally circulated scholarly educational literature that calls for curriculum change. A second purpose of the study was to investigate how that reading influenced their leadership in curriculum decisions. By comparing the responses of principals from two samples, one group representing middle schools recognized for educational excellence by the United States Department of Education (N=43) and the second group representing a random sample of middle schools (N=237), a difference in the principals' reading practices was investigated.The following conclusions were drawn from the study:1. Principals are not doing significant professional reading in nationally circulated scholarly educational literature.2. Compared to principals of randomly sampled middle schools, principals of middle schools recognized for excellence are not generally more knowledgeable about the contents of nationally circulated scholarly educational reports.3. Contents of national reports were viewed as valuable by those middle school principals who read the reports, but the impact of the various reports has remained low because, in general, middle school principals are not reading the reports.4. The merit of the contents of the national reports for curriculum change is recognized by middle school principals.5. Reading completed by middle school principals does not focus expressly on the concerns unique to the middle school.6. Middle school principals have time to do professional reading.7. Most middle school principals have been influenced by professional literature in educational publications.