Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of the study was to examine the factors that superintendents perceive limit their freedom to effect needed changes. The variables of the school district's size, type, superintendent's demographic data, and the superintendent's relationship with various constituencies were also examined. Research methodology. Descriptive research was used for this study. A questionnaire was mailed to 82 bellwether superintendents that participated in the initial California Advanced Academy for Executive Leaders on March 9-10, 1990. Sixty-two surveys were returned. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the findings. Findings. Over 92 percent of the superintendents believed they have the overall freedom to implement change. The vast majority of superintendents reported that Boards of Education, site administrators, classified management and community attitudes have a positive effect on the superintendent's freedom. Teacher unions, legislative, court, and Perb decisions, budgetary resources, and staff time have a negative effect on the superintendent's freedom. A high degree of relationship was found to exist between the Board of Education, high school administrators and the superintendent's freedom to implement change. Demographic differences did not significantly effect the superintendent's freedom. Teacher unions were the only variable found to predict the superintendent's freedom to implement change. Conclusions. The vast majority of superintendents believed they have the freedom to implement change even though teacher unions and legal decisions were perceived as having a negative impact on their freedom. Teacher unions accounted for 30 percent of the variance to predict the superintendent's freedom to implement change. Recommendations. A mentoring program should be established to train and assist other superintendents in implementing change. Superintendents need to explore other ways of working with teacher unions and legislators. Superintendents need to examine the idiosyncrasies of their district and how they plan and implement change.