How Rural Elementary Principals Conceptualize Programs and the Process of Connecting Students to Programs

• In Event: Roundtable Session 21
  In Roundtable Session: Leadership in Rural Schools

Abstract

Public schools receive funding for the purpose of student programming. The purpose of this research is to examine how rural elementary school principals conceptualize programs in their schools, the processes used to connect students to these programs, and their leadership role in doing so.
Three research questions provided the frame through which to examine the ways that principals conceptualized the benefit of programs in their school buildings, the ways they negotiated the environment and the ways they obligated resources based on student needs and outside influences.
Principals interviewed indicated that regulations and curriculum were considerations that influenced their programming decisions. Policies influenced the types of programs that the rural principals implemented and the students that participated in the programs.

Authors

• Holly D. Hatton, The George Washington University

• Lionel Howard, The George Washington University

• Abebayehu Aemero Tekleselassie, The George Washington University