The balance of power: a study of attitudes and perceptions related to the establishment of school councils

• Main Author: Hodder, Roy J.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 1994
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/5175/; https://research.library.mun.ca/5175/1/Hodder_RoyJ.pdf; https://research.library.mun.ca/5175/3/Hodder_RoyJ.pdf

The education system in Newfoundland and Labrador, as elsewhere, has been described as a social systems model which depends upon either internal feedback from the organization or external feedback from the environment to modify its structure and functions. In recent years, both internal and external feedback have been impacted by changing educational and social conditions, as well as by financial restraints. In order to determine how the system should be modified so as to accommodate these changes, the government established a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Delivery of Programs and Services in Primary, Elementary, and Secondary Education. A number of modifications were listed in the Royal Commission Report including the recommendation that members of the general community, parents in particular, should have more input into school governance through the establishment of school councils. -- The aim of the study is to investigate the attitudes and perceptions of the major stakeholders with regard to the concept of school councils, as presented in the Royal Commission Report, as a means of increasing local involvement in school governance. The study was conducted in a rural area of Newfoundland and relied on both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Questionnaires were used to collect data from parents, teachers and students; semi-structured interviews were used with the superintendent, board chairperson, two board members, principal and vice-principal. -- A majority of parents and students indicated that they were satisfied with present opportunities for involvement by parents, teachers, students and the principal. Teachers indicated satisfaction with only the principal's input. Of the groups listed, the only two with which at least half of the parents and students did not indicate their satisfaction were representatives of the church and general community. -- Most of the parents and teachers agreed with the recommendation that school councils be comprised of the principal, teachers, and parents. ...