Standardized testing: How principals perceive and respond to accountability

The objective of this qualitative study is to determine the level of influence standardized testing had on the daily decisions made by elementary school principals due to accountability levels imposed by such tests. The research questions that will be answered are: (R1) What are principals' opinions about standardized testing and state-specific standardized testing? (R2) How do principals respond to testing accountability when making decisions for the entire school community? (R3) How does standardized testing influence principals' involvement with instructional practices? A qualitative, phenomenological research methodology, in addition to the case study strategy of inquiry, will be used to answer these questions. Principals from two elementary schools will be used in this study. The data that will be collected will be in the form of interviews. Each principal will be interviewed using a series of pre-determined questions that focus on decisions that impact the school's vision, goals, curriculum, scheduling, and other important factors that are influenced by standardized testing. The information from the interviews will be analyzed for commonalities and differences and then presented in the form of a new theory based on current educational theories and research. Anticipated results will show that decisions made by elementary school principals are indeed influenced by standardized testing and state standards that have been provided for mandatory use in schools.