Congratulations to Meghan McGourty who on Thursday, December 18, 2026, successfully defended her dissertation research proposal.
The title of Meghan’s dissertation is, "JOB SATISFACTION AMONG SPECIAL EDUCATION ADMINISTRATORS."
Overview of Problem: Special education administrators (SEAs) hold significant responsibility for IDEA compliance, IEP quality, service delivery, and family partnerships in school district. This work directly impacts students with disabilities and district risk. Yet, compared to research on special education teachers, SEAs remain underrepresented in the retention and job-satisfaction literature. Existing studies often emphasize the technical and procedural demands of the role (e.g., compliance, paperwork, disputes, supervision), while giving less attention to the organizational and individual factors that shape job satisfaction and decisions to stay or leave. Turnover in these positions can disrupt program continuity, strain staff and family trust, and weaken the stability required for consistent, high-quality services.
Research Purpose: This quantitative study examines the relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intention among special education administrators. It also explores whether administrator characteristics, gender, age, and time in role, are associated with job satisfaction, with the goal of identifying actionable organizational levers that districts can use to strengthen retention.
Research Design: Quantitative: The study is guided by Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory (motivators/hygiene factors) and Mobley’s turnover process model.
Sample: Special education administrators (directors, supervisors, CSE chairs/administrators, assistant superintendents) serving in school districts within New York State. There are approximately 700 school districts in NYS.
Data Collection and Analysis: Participants will complete an online survey measuring job satisfaction and turnover intention, along with demographic/background items. Analyses will include descriptive statistics for participant characteristics and scale scores, and correlational and group-difference analyses to examine relationships between job satisfaction, turnover intention, and selected demographic variables. Findings are intended to inform district-level retention strategies by clarifying which conditions are most strongly associated with SEA satisfaction and intent to stay.
DISSERTATION COMMITTEE CHAIR:
Dr. Nora C.R. Broege
DISSERTATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Dr. Martin Fitzgerald
Dr. Selena Fischer
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