Congratulations to Rosa Amendola who on Monday, February 3, 2025, successfully defended her dissertation. The title of Rosa’s dissertation is PRINCIPAL AND DISTRICT LEADER PERSPECTIVES: A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON SUPPORTING AGENCY WITHIN SCHOOL AUTONOMY STRUCTURES.
This interpretive, qualitative study examines the experiences and perceptions of school principals and district leaders regarding autonomy and agency in high-achieving suburban school districts. Through semi-structured interviews with 23 participants, the research explores how autonomy supports principal agency, informed by relevant artifacts provided by participants. Four themes emerged from principal interviews, illustrating their lived experiences in navigating autonomy and agency. Similarly, superintendent interviews revealed four themes that reflect their beliefs and the structural supports they have implemented to foster principal autonomy. Key findings underscore the multifaceted nature of principal agency, shaped by organizational, relational, and systemic factors. Themes include dimensions of autonomy, the significance of trust and collaboration, and the impact of resource allocation on decision-making. Superintendents emphasized the importance of authentic relationships and trust in fostering principal agency, exploring how district-level structures can enhance autonomy while addressing systemic constraints. Principals highlighted professional judgment, child-centered decision-making, and the tensions between meeting district mandates and addressing the unique needs of their schools. By contributing to the literature on school autonomy and principal agency, this study provides actionable insights for educational stakeholders committed to creating environments where principals can thrive as autonomous leaders dedicated to student success.
Dissertation Committee Chair(s):
Dr. Kenneth Mitchell
Dissertation Committee Member(s):
Dr. Yiping Wan
Dr. Frank Zamperlin
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