PERCEIVED IDEAL LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR OF PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN FLORIDA (SUPERINTENDENTS, KEY DESIGNATED ADMINISTRATORS, FIVE REPORTING REGIONS)

Procedure. The Ideal Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire (ILBDQ) was the instrument used with 516 respondents in this study. The ILBDQ provided an Initiating Structure score and Consideration score for each respondent. Findings. On a statewide basis, among participants, no significant differences in perception were observed at the .05 level of confidence except for high school principals on the Consideration dimension. Also, certain significant differences were observed between some regions and within some regions. Differences were noted by years of academic experience, degree earned, age of respondent, and/or position held. Recommendations. (1) Incorporate variables of administrative level, region, years of experience, degree, and age in the development of principal competencies. (2) Initiate follow-up studies using the same methods to determine the impact of competency training. Include elementary and middle school principals and compare results. (3) Investigate the regions that are most widely divergent and explore the cause(s) of divergence. (4) Initiate a follow-up study of a comparison of the items on the ILBDQ with the Florida principal competencies.