Principals' and Teachers' Reactions to School Restructuring

Abstract

There have been relatively few studies that have gauged the thoughts, reactions and expectations held by those working in schools towards decentralisation and restructuring of school systems. This study investigates the views held by a sample of principals and teachers in Western Australia of the likely effects of restructuring on changing roles and responsibilities, actual and desired outcomes, changing power and influence relations, personal values, and difficulties in meeting new expectations. Both principals and teachers predicted that decentralisation and devolution would increase their workloads and broaden their roles. Principals would require more human and technical management competencies; teachers would assume more non-teaching duties. Notwithstanding difficulties and drawbacks, principals and teachers believed that restructuring would lead to better, more effective, and more efficient schools.