Date of Award

1998

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Angela M. Sewall, Ed.D

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between the leadership behaviors of school administrators and the number of student referrals for special education. The study also sought to determine if selected demographic characteristics of the administrators were related to the number of referrals for special education. The sample consisted of sixty-one elementary school principals and their schools. The number of students referred for special education during the 1995/96 and 1996/97 school terms was calculated for each school and collapsed to determine the rate of referrals. Pearson product-moment correlations were calculated for each variable and the rate of referrals for special education. Data were collected on the administrator's leadership behaviors utilizing the Leadership Behavior Questionnaire-Form XII. Analysis of the data indicated that there was no significant relationships between the leadership behaviors, as measured by the LBDQ-XII, and the rate of referrals for special education. The results provided evidence to suggest that two demographic characteristics of the elementary principals—training in special education and the size of the school impact the rate of referrals for special education. Implication of the study reflect a need for administrative training in special education. Recommendations for further study were suggested.

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