Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to: (1) determine the actual and ideal roles of the superintendent/principal as perceived by the superintendent/principal and by board members in California's one-school school districts with an average daily attendance of 400 or less; (2) determine whether or not there was a significant difference between the perceptions of the superintendent/principal and of board members regarding the role of the superintendent/principal; (3) indicate the similarities to and/or differences from the findings of other studies regarding the role of the superintendent/principal versus the role of the superintendent. Methodology. A descriptive study was conducted. Data for the study were gathered by using Raymond Fast's Superintendent/Principal Behavior Questionnaire. The survey instrument used a five-point Likert scale on thirty-nine questions to measure perception of performance in nine administrative categories. The sample population included board members and superintendent/principal from 145 of California's 294 K-6 and K-8 one-school school districts that have an average daily attendance of 400 or less. Response to the survey included 126 districts, 105 superintendent/principal and ninety-seven board presidents. A t-test was used to determine significant differences. Findings and conclusions. The findings and conclusions of the study were: (1) There was a statistically significant difference between the superintendent/principals' and board members' perception of what the role of the superintendent/principal actually is compared to what they think it should be; (2) Paired responses of superintendent/principals and board members from the same district showed no statistically significant difference in their perceptions regarding what the role of the superintendent/principal actually is or what it should be; (3) previous research has shown both agreement and disagreement with the results of this study. Recommendations. To better understand the role of superintendent, more research should be conducted involving other sizes and/or types of districts as well as with schools in other geographic areas.