Dropping in on school administrators: Conversations regarding "at-risk" youth and administrative decision-making
Date
2000
Authors
Anderson, Patti Lynn
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Abstract
This ethnographic study explores the relationship between administrative decision-making and the difficulties associated with maintaining "at-risk" youth in the public school system. The study was based upon four, one hour interviews with six school administrators who dealt regularly with disciplinary matters involving "at-risk" youth. It identifies how school administrators perceive their role and provides a context for the manner in which decisions involving disciplinary action are made.
The study identifies 1) that there are distinct, identifiable forms of administrative practice operating within the public school system, 2) that administrative decisions are governed by the particular beliefs, values and assumptions held by individual administrators and 3) that given these conclusions, administrative decision-making may or may not reflect the values espoused by current legislation, standards of practice or the profession's code of ethics. In light of the level of discretionary authority available to administrators in making disciplinary decisions and thus their capacity to influence so significantly the future of a young person, the author proposes the need for ongoing reflection within administrative practice, in order to increase the likelihood that disciplinary decision-making is consistently exercised in a deliberate and principled manner.