Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Dr. Mark Gordon

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore school principals' accountability with student academic performance. Charter and public-school principals are responsible for the learning process and academic development. Previously published literature did not reveal a clear understanding of the policies and practices that contributed in obtaining the desired student academic outcomes. Parsons's theory of action served as the foundation for analyzing principals' decisions to achieve accountability and comply with the policies established by the regulating authorities. A snowball sampling of school principals included a public charter school principal and 5 traditional public-school principals in the state of New Jersey. A multiple case study approach with semi structured interviews and open-ended questions was used to collect data, which was then transcribed, coded, and processed in Dedoose software program. Gaining insight may prove beneficial to the accountability of principals' duties disposed by school policies and practices. The study findings helped identify accountability standards common for both types of educational establishments. The study found that academic accountability goes beyond school principals and that school principals spend the least amount of time as instructional leaders. Finding contributes to positive social change by highlighting the need for regulatory agencies to identify and set clear guidelines of accountability, implement effective monitoring and measuring tools of accountability, and hold all stakeholders accountable for promoting student academic performance and achievement.

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