Date of Graduation

2015

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

EdD

College

College of Education and Human Services

Department

Curriculum & Instruction/Literacy Studies

Committee Chair

Helen M Hazi

Committee Co-Chair

Kathy Finsley

Committee Member

Charline B Rowland

Committee Member

Neal Shambaugh

Committee Member

M Cecil Smith

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the distributed leadership readiness of West Virginia principals and their perceptions of selected school-based committees which influence leadership in their schools. Six hundred seventy four West Virginia principals were invited to participate in this study by responding to an online survey that included the Distributed Leadership Readiness Scale (DLRS), demographic items, and items from the researcher developed School-Based Committee Influence Survey. There were 198 West Virginia principal respondents to the survey (29.3%). The results of this study showed that West Virginia principal respondents were ready for distributed leadership and saw a relationship with the selected school-based committees. The school leadership team, school curriculum team, and faculty senate were perceived to have the most influence on the leadership of the school. The results showed the school curriculum team with a strong relationship with the perceived level of distributed leadership readiness. Lastly, the results showed that differences existed between some of the demographic factors and perceived level of distributed leadership readiness with some of the DLRS dimensions. Gender had significant differences within the dimensions of School Culture and Shared Responsibility; years of experience in their school had significant differences within the dimensions of Mission, Vision, and Goals and Shared Responsibility; and programmatic level had significant differences with the dimension of Shared Responsibility.

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