Causal factors for termination of Jewish day school principals

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the causal factors for termination among Jewish day school principals in the United States, the rate of termination, and its effect on the schools. Twelve hypotheses were designed for the study. The instruments used in the survey were two self-designed questionnaires, one for school principals and the other for board presidents. The population consisted entirely of the principals and board presidents of 328 Jewish day schools. Each questionnaire was divided into two sections. Section A was entitled "Reasons for Termination" and included eight major components: personal reasons, financial reasons, school climate, board relations, community reasons, parent relations, job satisfaction, and school effectiveness. Section B was entitled "Demographic Data" and included three secondary components: professional background, present school information, and personal background. The same factors were investigated in both questionnaires, with the addition of questions in the board presidents' version covering two areas of interest: principals' competencies and rate of termination. The eight major components and six categories associated with principal termination were selected to be used as variables. There were 233 principals and 114 board presidents who responded to the questionnaire.;A Statistical Analysis System was used on the survey data with the following statistical procedures: the frequency procedure which produces frequencies and crosstabulations; the ANOVA procedure; and the Scheffe Test for Multiple Comparisons. Hypotheses were tested by using Chi Square.;Major conclusions based on the findings: Principals are a relatively inexperienced group, since two-thirds of their population have less than ten years experience. The termination rate during 1980 to 1985 was between 60 and 70%. Principals and board presidents reported that 20% of the terminations occurred after the first year and 55% occurred between two and three years. Board presidents reported a 32.7% termination rate during the school year 1984/1985. A yearly increase in the termination rate was found during the period 1980 to 1985. The views of the principals and board presidents concerning the four most important reasons for termination were found to be similar. The reasons are: financial reasons, relations with board, career and advancement, and competency. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.).