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MA/PhD Theses Abstracts of Current Students & Alumni |
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Del Monte, Kathleen E. (Ph.D) An Analysis of Policy Implementation: Stakeholder Participation on School Advisory Councils in a Florida School District, (Greenbaum), 2002.
Believing that stakeholder involvement would reform schools and improve student achievement, in 1991 the Florida legislature created School Advisory Councils (SACs), local decision making bodies at each of the state's public schools. The purpose of this study was to gain a greater understanding of the work of SACs in a Florida district. The research question guiding the study is: How is policy regarding SACs being enacted and understoodby SAC members?
The focus of this nine-month study was middle school SACs in an urban Florida district. The design consisted of case studies of five SACs, a survey of all middle school SAC members in the district, and documentary analysis. Case studies employed the ethnographic methods of participant observation and semi-structured interviews (N=83). The survey achieved an 80.1 % response rate. Documentary analysis included SAC meeting minutes, bylaws, School Improvement Plans, and state and district training materials.
The data show a range of perceptions
and practices among participants. Respondents believe their SAC has had
a positive impact on their school, particularly the quality of student
academic performance. However, few are involved in the preparation of
the school's overall budget, a 1999-2000 mandate. Respondents indicated
that their SAC did not have training in such crucial areas as learning
how to evaluate school achievement data and understanding a School Improvement
Plan (SIP).
Although SAC is charged with assisting in its development, most SAC members
are not involved in writing the SIP. The majority see the SIP only after
it has been through several drafts. Members feel that their SAC is simply
a 'rubber stamp' approving a document few of them understand and even
fewer have helped to develop. Phrases used by survey respondents to describe
how they saw their role included "rubber stamp," and "window
dressing.”
The research results indicate that a serious gap exists
between what the legislature
intended when instituting SACs and current practice. If SAC is to be
a viable organization, changes in both policy and practice must be
made. In addition to suggestions for future research, recommendations
for effective SACs are provided at both the state and local levels.
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