MANAGEMENT TRAINING ACT OF 1981: REACTIONS OF FLORIDA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS TO VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF THE LAW

Purpose. This study was conducted to assess the reactions of Florida school administrators to the various components of the Management Training Act of 1981. Procedure. A thorough literature search was undertaken to determine more precisely those characteristics indicative of management training in education. A twenty-five item questionnaire was developed which assessed the reactions of participants in the Florida Academy for School Leaders' (FASL) management institutes. A total of one hundred eighty-five Florida administrators participated in the study. Florida school administrators approved of the value and content of the FASL institutes, and indicated that more effective and relevant presentations would result from a team of presenters representing different levels within the state. On-the-job training received a strong recommendation as the most valuable method of training. They also indicated a need for local management training programs. Selection committees were endorsed by the administrators. Survey participants highly supported competency-based administrative certification and compensation for administrators who demonstrate "high performing competencies." Two research hypotheses were formulated. Analysis of the data received indicated no significant difference among the reactions of Florida school administrators by role to the various components of the Management Training Act of 1981. The second null hypothesis was rejected as the analysis of the data indicated significant differences among the reactions of Florida school administrators by state region to the various components of the law. The variables that showed significant differences were knowledge of FASL institutes, selection, certification, and compensation. Among the recommendations for further research was a recognition of the need for a study of current participants of the FASL institutes and their relationship to the reactions of the first participants.