A study of parent-principal perceptions of behavioral management problems and their treatment in selected Texas public elementary schools

Date

1976

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Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to determine if significant relationships existed between the perceptions that parents and elementary school principals held regarding the frequency that selected behavioral management practices were employed and should have been employed in the public elementary schools; secondly, to determine if significant relationships existed between the perceptions that parents and elementary school principals held regarding selected behavioral management problems which occur in the schools. Procedures. The randomly selected subjects for this study were fifty-two elementary school principals and three hundred sixty-four parents of elementary school children from twenty-four school districts located in a ten county area along the central Texas gulf coast. Parents and principals were administered the Behavior Management Questionnaire. Four hypotheses were presented which related to each item on Part 1 of the questionnaire while one hypothesis was tested for each item on Part 2 of the questionnaire. The chi square test was applied to the findings, and significant relationships were determined at the .05 level. Conclusions. Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions were reached: 1. There was no significant difference between the current application of selected behavioral management practices and the perceptions principals held regarding the frequency that these practices should have been employed. 2. In a majority of cases, there was a significant difference between the frequency that, in the opinion of parents, the selected behavioral management techniques were employed and the frequency that, in their opinion, the techniques should have been employed. 3. In a majority of cases, there was no significant difference between the frequency that selected behavioral management practices were employed, as reported by elementary school principals, and the frequency that, in the opinion of parents, the practices were employed. 4. In a majority of cases, there was no significant difference between the perceptions that parents and elementary school principals held regarding the frequency that selected behavioral management practices should have been employed. 5. In a majority of cases, there was no significant difference in the seriousness of selected behavior problems as perceived by parents and by elementary school principals. Recommendations. The following recommendations are suggested for public school practices and research: Public School Practice. 1. Principals should expand their repertoire of behavioral management practices to inckude not only those practices that are more traditional in nature but also those practices that are more innovative. 2. A more efficient communication system should be developed between home and school with the precise purpose of informing parents about the nature of behavior problems in the school and the preventative measures that have been taken to avoid problem areas. 3. Parents should be informed of the entire scope of the school's resources that may be put into operation in an effort to resolve disruptive behavior. 4. A communication system should be established whereby the community may have input relating to the measures that should be taken in an effort to resolve behavior problems. Research. Further study should be undertaken to examine the causes for the differing parental perceptions related to the practices that principals employ and should employ. Particular emphasis upon community values and moral expectations should be considered fundamental to the research.

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Keywords

Elementary school principals--Attitudes, Education, Elementary--Parent participation, Classroom management, Behavior disorders in children, Behavior modification

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