Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine if California superintendents choose ethical responses which are consistent with the Statement of Ethics adopted by the Association of California School Administrators. The following variables were examined: (1) size of the district, (2) gender of the superintendent, (3) total number of years as superintendent in his/her current district, (4) total years experience as a superintendent, and (5) salary of the superintendent. Methodology. This study combined two kinds of research: descriptive and ex post facto. The population of the study was superintends of public schools in California. Data analyzed in this study were generated from a written self-report questionnaire. The Superintendents' Decision-Making Questionnaire was mailed to 269 superintendents and returned by 172. The data obtained were then analyzed. Frequencies of correct responses, and percentage of corresponds and means were calculated. The chi-square test was utilized to make group comparisons for each situation presented in the questionnaire. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on the data to determine significant differences of means among groups. Findings. This study found that California superintendents choose ethical responses which are consistent with the Statement of Ethics adopted by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA). When the variables of (1) district size, (2) gender of the superintendent, (3) total number of years as superintendent in his/her current district, (4) total years experience as a superintendent, and (5) salary of the superintendent were considered, no significant difference was found among subgroups with the exception of a minimal number of situations presented in the questionnaire. Conclusions and recommendations. California school superintendents make ethical decisions the vast majority of the time. Most school superintendents make decisions that he or she believes to be "right," even when it is difficult. Superintendents and school boards must be aware of the impact of ethical decision making by superintendents on the overall effectiveness of a school district. The California State Department of Education, ACSA, and local school districts need to work together to raise the level of awareness of the ACSA Statement of Ethics among California school administrators.