PERCEPTIONS OF CENTRAL OFFICE PERSONNEL ON THE ROLE OF THE PRINCIPAL AS CURRICULUM LEADER

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception of central office persons concerning the role of principals as CURRICULUM leaders. This investigation considered the independent variables of central office persons' prior experience as principal, involvement in professional curriculum organizations, awareness of current literature in curriculum and instruction through up-to-date reading, and the perception central office persons hold toward their own role in the central office.;The findings suggested that three variables were significant in determining the perception of central office persons on the role of the principal. These include central office persons' prior experience as principal, involvement in professional curriculum organizations, and awareness of current literature in curriculum and instruction through up-to-date reading. The perception of central office persons toward their own role in the central office was not significant in determining the perception of central office persons toward the role of the principal.;As North Carolina continues to implement the Effective Teaching Training Program and the Career Development Program, the implications for leadership as a major correlate of school effectiveness will influence the roles of central office personnel and principals. Greater attention should be given to the relationship between principals and central office persons, especially with regards to curriculum issues.;Data were obtained from a sample of 110 responses to a questionnaire mailed to the total population of 141 central office persons responsible for curricular and instructional programs in the local school system. Data were analyzed according to five questions asked by the study regarding perceptions of the total number of central office persons on the role of principals with whom they work and principals across North Carolina, and correlations of the four independent variables on the dependent variable. A chi square test was conducted for each set of data and variables significant at the .01 confidence level were determined.