Does Restructuring Make a Difference for the Principal? Role Conceptions of Principals in Restructuring Schools.

Researchers who have focused on issues of interpersonal communication in organizations have concluded that it is an essential component of organizational life. This paper presents findings of a study that examined the role conceptions of principals in the Centenial Schools Program (CSP) and those of principals in non-CSP schools. Communicator Style Measure (CSM) was sent to 136 Alabama members of the Society for Human Resource Management. A total of 109 managers responded, an 80 percent rate of return. Seventy-two percent of the respondents reported a positive communicator image. However, nearly 30 percent were uncertain or held a negative opinion about their personal communicator style. CSP principals report practices emphasizing shared decision making and partnerships; however, there is little differences between CSP and non-CSP principals regarding some significant reform elements, e.g., involving parents in core technology activities. Future research is necessary to determine the impact of human resource managers with low communicator images on the success of organizations. The findings have implications for all leaders, including principals, who are the instructional supervisors and human resource managers for their schools. A principal's communicator image may affect his or her ability to attract the best teachers for the school (Contains 18 references.) (LMI)