| During the 1990s, the sudden deviation from the industrial based economy of the 20th century created a demand for a highly competent workforce capable of competing at an international level. The decline of Communism in Western Europe and the advent of the European Union influenced America to create the North American Free Trade Agreement, to maintain a competitive edge in a transcending global marketplace. In spite of the many reform initiatives over the last 2 decades, few national studies have addressed how contemporary educational reform affects the leadership behavior of high school principals, and whether reform mandates require principals to adapt, alter, or substantially change their belief system and leadership style. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) was the research instrument used to investigate the issues related to leadership style and behavior of principals in redesigned high schools. Results from the study indicate principals in redesigned schools continue to utilize both contingent reward and transformational styles of leadership. Correlations were also present regarding the use of active management-by-exception behavior and the implementation of the North Carolina New Schools Project leadership mandates during the redesign initiative. |
